On January 2, the 12 meter long, 19 gt fishing vessel Kulle Christoph SK30 sank in the Baltic Sea at Heikendorf, Germany. The fishing vessel had been in a bad state for some time before it sprung a leak and sunk at its berth. Reports state the vessel was owned by a local authority which was looking for a way to scrap/dispose of the vessel. There were no crew on board at the time it sank. Authorities have placed booms around the Kulle Christoph SK30 to contain the pollution. A salvage company will remove the vessel after all the necessary paperwork is completed.
On the morning of December 11, the 93 meter long, 7950 dwt cargo vessel Dolphin 18 (IMO: 9216341) sank in the South China Sea some 146 nautical miles north of Riau Islands, Indonesia. The Dolphin 18 was headed to An Giang from Papua New Guinea with 5,300 cubic meters of wood when it suffered undisclosed accident and sent out a distress call. The 18 crew on board were able to abandon ship into 2 life rafts before the Dolphin 18 sank.
Authorities in Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam issued out a maritime notice for nearby vessels to look for the life rafts. Fortunately, the 199 meter long container ship Nicolai Maersk (IMO: 9192454) was close by and safely rescued the 18 crew. Reports state all crew members are in good condition and no reports of injuries. The Nicolai Maersk will transport the crew to Tanjung Pelepas, Malaysia.
The details as to why the cargo vessel sank have not be disclosed. Reports due state that weather was rough with strong winds reaching near gale force (28 knots) and waves reaching 5 meters high. No government authority has announced any investigation into the incident. The Dolphin 18 is operated by Hai Phuong Shipping Company Limited based in Vietnam.
On the morning of December 7, the 110 meter long self-propelled barge Wiljaco-F (MMSI: 244001214) had its attached barge sink on the Maas River near Maastricht, Netherlands. The vessels were headed to Stein from Maastricht with a cargo of limestone when the barge broke loose near the entrance to the Julianakanaal. Strong currents pulled the barge free and it drifted until it ran aground and partially sank. Part of the limestone cargo did spill overboard into the waterway. No one was injured from the incident.
Authorities halted traffic between Ternaaien to Limmel. The 65 meter long workboat Prins 6 (MMSI:244090404) arrived on scene and begun salvage operations. The Prins 6 removed the 1400 tons of cargo of limestone and used pumps to refloat the barge later the same day. Reports state the water level was higher and there was a stronger current during the incident.
