The 48 meter long ro-ro ferry Bogøy allided with the quay at Søvik, Norway. The ferry suffered some minor damage to the bow along with several vehicles on board. No passengers were injured. The ferry had to turn around and vehicles backed off in reverse from the stern gate. The Bogøy was pulled out of service and proceeded to Sandnessjøen for inspection. No reports of pollution being released.
More photos at helgeland-arbeiderblad.no
The 114 meter long, 4600 dwt ro-ro freighter Alteland ran aground near Hallstavik, Sweden. The vessel was en route to Luebeck from Hallstavik when the vessel went aground after the crew made a navigational error. No reports of injuries to the 10 crew on board or damage. No signs of leaks or pollution released. Divers were requested to check the hull.
Update: Later reports have stated the vessel suffered a power blackout which led to the vessel going aground.
Photo gallery of the salvage at uitkerke.be
The 132 meter long ro-ro ferry Herald of Free Enterprise departed from Zeebrugge bound for Dover on March 6, 1987. The ferry loaded with 459 passengers, 80 crew and 131 vehicles suddenly capsized and sank under five minutes later. The ferry had lost stability and rolled over to port in shallow water. The water had rushed in as the watertight door in the bow was open allowing water to rush down the length of the vessel. The water quickly flooded the vessel disabling the electrical systems. Passengers and crew trapped inside were thrown into darkness in frigid water.
A nearby dredger saw the lights of the ferry disappeared and contacted the authorities. The Belgian Navy was nearby and soon rescue helicopters were on the scene. While many were rescued, many perished due to hypothermia before they could be rescued. When search and rescue efforts ended, there were 193 people who perished on board the vessel.
The Herald of Free Enterprise was salvaged in April 1987 and taken to Flushing. The vessel was sold for scrap and towed to Taiwan in 1988.
The cause of the sinking was investigated and revealed several causes that lead to the sinking.
