The 146 meter long ro-ropassenger ferry went aground near the pier in Digby, Nova Scotia. As the ferry approached the terminal, the vessel lost power and drifted aground just 200 meters from the dock. No reports of injuries to the 59 passengers and crew. The Princess of Acadia was able regain power and later assisted by a tug to the pier. Divers inspected the hull and found no damage.
The 141 meter long, 4035 dwt ro-ropassenger ferry Ant 2 caught fire in the Black Sea off Sevastopol, Ukraine. The fire started on the vehicle deck while the ferry was en route to Zonguldak, Turkey from Skadovsk, Ukraine. The Ant 2 changed course and headed to Sevastopol while the crew attempted to extinguish the blaze. The vessel arrived at Sevastopol a short time later under her own power and the fire was extinguished. No reports of injuries to the 68 passengers or to the crew on board. Six of the 68 vehicles on board were destroyed in the fire. No pollution reported.
On October 30, the 75 meter long, 1811 dwt ro-ro freighter Fernanda caught fire while off Vestmannaeyjar, Iceland. The crew alerted the authorities that the fire had started in the vessel’s engine room and they required assistance. Authorities dispatched helicopters and the Coast Guard vessel Thor to the scene. All eleven crew on board the Fernanda were airlifted to safety while the Thor attempted to extinguish the fire. The Thor took the Fernanda under tow to Hafnarfjörður harbor. There over 30 fire fighters attempted to extinguish the blaze. However, the fire continued to release dense smoke from the superstructure. Due to intense heat and stability issues, fire fighters were unable to pump some 100 tons of fuel oil from the vessel.
The Coast Guard reassessed the situation while the vessel was in port. If the Fernanda would sink, it could pollute local fishing and spawning grounds. Thus, they decided to have the Fernanda towed out of port and taken to an area west of Faxaflóa. There it would be safe to continue to continue fire fighting or leave the vessel to burn.
