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Tag: Ship grounding

Arctic Sea

Arctic Sea

FV Arctic Sea

On the early morning of January 5, the 41 meter long, 485 gt fishing vessel Arctic Sea (IMO: 7819216) ran aground in the Bering Sea just off St. George Island, Alaska. The fishing vessel with 9 crew on board had run aground in a gale.  The vessel was stranded a few hundred feet off the high cliffs of the north shore of the island. The Arctic Sea had sustained hull damage with water ingress.  The crew sent out a distress call as conditions worsen with swells reported to between 10 to 20 feet and wind gusts reaching up to 65 knots. The crew donned survival suits and launched the vessel’s life raft preparing to abandon ship if necessary.

Arctic Sea
Photo: Marinetraffic.com

The 37 meter long fishing vessel North Sea (IMO: 7915905) responded and stood by to assist as conditions prevented the vessel approaching any closer to the stranded Arctic Sea. MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter aircrew from Cold Bay and an HC-130 Super Hercules crew from Kodiak, and diverted the cutter Alex Haley to the area, according to Ransom The United States Coast Guard dispatched a rescue MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Cold Bay assisted by a HC-130 Super Hercules from Kodiak to the scene. The cutter Alex Haley was diverted towards the area.  The MH-60 helicopter would reached the stranded Arctic Sea and was able the hoist all 9 crew safely on board.

Reports state all 9 crew were flown to St. Paul Island where they were met by medical personnel.  No reports of injuries to the crew.

Spiekeroog IV

Spiekeroog IV

Spiekeroog IV
Photo: nwzonline.de

On January 2, the 45 meter long, 299 gt ro-ro passenger ferry Spiekeroog IV (IMO: 7824871) ran aground in the North Sea while at the port of Neuharlingersiel, Germany. The ferry got stuck in port as had proceeded to far up the concrete ramp.  The ferry remained aground until the rising tide allowed the Spiekeroog IV to free itself later that night. There were no reports of injuries, damage or pollution released.

Quynh Dam Ngu 08888

Quynh Dam Ngu 08888

Quynh Dam Ngu 08888
Photo: Báo Tuổi Trẻ

On the early morning of January 4, the fishing vessel Quynh Dam Ngu 08888 went aground in the South China Sea at Thuyet Diem 1, Ban Tuong Commune, Quang Ngai Province, Vietnam. The Quynh Dam Ngu 08888 was first spotted the evening of January 3 adrift some 11 nautical miles off the coast by the Vietnamese fisheries vessel 309.  The fisheries vessel was able to board the Quynh Dam Ngu 08888 and found all the doors closed and the lights were all off. A search of the vessel found there was no sign of any of the crew of the fishing vessel.

A towline was attached and the vessels proceeded, but conditions were quite difficult due to bad weather. Strong winds and heavy seas made it difficult to tow the Quynh Dam Ngu 08888. During the night the towline between the vessels broke . Unable to establish another line to the Quynh Dam Ngu 08888, the fishing vessel eventually went ashore.

Quynh Dam Ngu 08888
Photo: vietbao.vn

Authorities report they are planning to refloat and tow the fishing vessel to a safe harbor. An investigation has been launched into the incident. There were no reports of the status of the crew and circumstances to why the crew had abandoned the fishing vessel.