Ro-Ro - Shipwreck Log

Ferry towed to Bainbridge Island

July 29, 2014 Paul Hancock

The 140 meter long, 1393 dwt ro-ro passenger ferry Tacoma became disabled in the middle of Pudget Sound while en route to Bainbridge Island, Washington. The Tacoma was on a regular scheduled voyage between Seattle and Bainbridge with 405 passengers and 138 cars when it suffered a power blackout and lost propulsion. The ferry dropped anchor and contacted the Coast Guard. Two tugs were dispatched to the scene. The tugs towed the ferry to Bainbridge Island where passengers and vehicles disembarked. No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released. Tugs will tow the ferry to a repair dock to determine the cause of the source of the power blackout.

Washington ferry loses power in Puget Sound (nwcn.com)
Washington ferry loses power in Puget Sound (king5.com)
Passenger ferry losses power in Elliott Bay, tugboats enlisted to help (q13fox.com)

Car Deck Crash

July 18, 2014 Paul Hancock

The 77 meter long, 538 dwt ro-ro passenger ferry St. Helen had a car deck collapse while berthed at the Fishbourne terminal, Isle of Wight. The St. Helen had departed on a scheduled voyage from Portsmouth to the Isle of Wight with 181 passengers and 11 crew. As passengers disembarked, the mezzanine deck was being lowered with 9 vehicles when it collapsed onto the main deck. Three passengers and 1 crewman suffered injuries and were taken to hospital. The cause of the collapse was not reported, but a full investigation into the incident has been launched by the MAIB (Marine Accident Investigation Branch).

4 hurt in car ferry deck collapse Four people are being treated in hospital after… (belfasttelegraph.co.uk)
Four treated in hospital after upper deck of Isle of Wight car ferry collapsed on to level below as passengers disembarked (dailymail.co.uk)

Gelis Rauh Burned To Water’s Edge

July 17, 2014 Paul Hancock

The 72 meter long, 348 dwt ro-ro passenger ferry Gelis Rauh caught fire while in the Lombok Strait near Padangbai, Bali. The Gelis Rauh was en route to Lombok Island with 53 passengers, 13 lorries and 20 crew when fire erupted from the car deck. The fire quickly spread through the superstructure and soon engulfed the entire ferry. Uncontrolled, the fire disabled the ferry and the vessel drifted until it grounded just short of the shore. Fire boats and fire fighters operating from shore tried to contain the blaze, but it consumed the ferry down to the water’s edge. The remains of the Gelis Rauh partially sank a short time later.

Reports state all persons on board were able to abandon ship. Several people suffered minor burns and were taken to hospital for treatment. Reports state the evacuation off the vessel was slowed due to incorrect lighting on the ferry.