On the morning of February 4, the 75 meter long, 3013 dwt cargo vessel Hav Nordic (IMO: 8719085) ran aground on the Herøyfjord near Eggesbønes, Norway. Reports state the vessel had its rudder torn off and suffered water ingress. Multiple ballast tanks were ruptured and the Hav Nordic developed a port list. No reports of injuries to the 7 crew on board. The 22 meter long NSSR search and rescue vessel Idar Ulstein (MMSI: 257393000) arrived on scene later that morning and towed the Hav Nordic to port. No reports of pollution. The cause of the grounding was not disclosed.
On the morning of February 1, the 32 ton fishing vessel Samgwangho and the 29 ton fishing vessel 33 Manseonho ran aground in stormy conditions near Tokki Island off the coast of Jeju, South Korea. The Korean Coast Guard had received an alarm from the 33 Manseonho which also transmitted its location. The Coast Guard was able to communicate with the vessel and confirm the vessels had run up on the rocks. Six Coast Guard vessels along with one from the South Korean Navy launched a search and rescue mission. Eleven of the crew would be later rescued by the Coast Guard. Two crew members, one from each vessel, were reported missing. A nighttime search was conducted to locate the missing crew.
Reports state also that there were 2 deaths from the incident. Both the captain of the Samgwangho along with a crewmember of the 33 Manseonho suffered cardiac arrest. Both were taken to hospital where they were pronounced dead.
Both vessels sustained heavy damage by the storm as waves pounded the hulls against the rocks. An aerial view over the two vessels found they had broken apart with one missing its stern while the other lost large portion of its forepeak which washed ashore a short distance away. Pollution and debris could be seen along the nearby shoreline. There is no official statement from the owners if the vessels would be salvaged, but it appears the two fishing vessels were a total loss.
Photo: mbc.com
Photo: Koreahearld.com
Photo: mbc.com
Photo: mbc.com
Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident. Authorities are also investigating a possible false report of the number of crew on board the vessels. The 33 Manseonho had 8 crew on board while the Samgwangho had 7 crew. Authorities state there was some confusion to how many were reported during the rescue operations. News reports state one of the fishing vessels had suffered engine failure before running aground. No further details reported.
On January 31, the 110 meter long self-propelled barge Atoll (MMSI: 211173200) ran aground on the Main River near Karlstadt, Germany. The Atoll was en route to Ghent from Duisburg when it veered out of the navigation channel and became wedged between the two banks of the river. Multiple tugs were dispatched and were able to refloat the vessel the following morning. The water police had halted traffic in the area during the incident. No reports of injuries or pollution released. There were no reports if there was any damage to the Atoll. News reports state strong river currents may have caused the incident.
