On the morning of January 3, the 70 foot long fishing vessel Guardian ran aground in Cape Cod Bay near Wellfleet, Massachusetts. The Guardian had ran ashore onto the beach and was left high and dry. The Coast Guard dispatched a tug and was able to refloat the fishing vessel later the same day with the rising tide. No reports of injuries to the 5 crew on board, no damage and no pollution was released. The cause of grounding was not disclosed.
On the early morning hours of December 24, the 185 meter long, 30898 dwt bulk carrier Maccoa (IMO: 9413913) ran aground on the St. Lawrence River near Ile Marie and Vercheres, Quebec, Canada. The Maccoa departed from Montreal on December 23 bound for Waterford, Ireland when it suffered a power blackout and drifted out of the shipping lane. The Canadian Coast Guard was alerted and found the vessel in stable condition. There were no reports of damage or water ingress. The Coast Guard delivered generators and supplies to the bulk carrier while a survey was conducted for a salvage plan.
The crew was able to restore power on the night of December 24, but the Maccoa will not be re-floated due to the holidays. No reports of injuries to the 20 crew on board.
The Coast Guard has launched an investigation into the incident.
On December 18, a tender vessel transporting 30 passengers ran aground in the Southern Ocean just offshore of Kangaroo Island, South Australia. The tender was transporting 30 passengers from the cruise ship Crown Princess to the island when it experienced engine problems. The tender went adrift and ran aground a short distance off Penneshaw beach. No reports of damage or pollution released.
All the passengers on board would disembark and wade through the shallow waters to shore. No reports of injuries. Reports state a local company was able pull the tender free and tow it back to the cruise ship.