On the morning of June 6, the container barge Marco Polo 802 ran aground off Tanjong Beach in Sentosa, Singapore. The barge loaded with containers had run ashore in the coastal shallows which resulted in the lagoon being partially blocked. Some sea barriers in the area were damaged by the barge, but there was no reports of damage to barge hull.
Authorities reported the barge was in stable condition with no pollution released. The Singapore authorities dispatched tugboats which were able to pull the Marco Polo 802 free a short time later. The barge was towed to a nearby anchorage area for inspection. The incident is under investigation.
On June 1, the 100 gt cargo vessel Ayar Linn ran aground in the Indian Ocean in Jak bay in the northern end of the Mu Ko Surin National Park in the Surin Islands, Thailand. The Ayar Linn had departed from Ranong with a cargo of consumer goods bound for ports in Myanmar. While en route to Mergui, the crew discovered the vessel had suffered water ingress caused by a leak in the bilge. Unable to make repairs and control the water ingress, the crew steered the vessel towards shore. All seven crew members of the Avar Linn were rescued. No reports of injuries.
Photo: facebook
Photo: facebook
Photo: facebook
Photo: facebook
Photo: facebook
Photo: bangkokpost.com
The Avar Linn wasn’t able to reach shore, but instead ran aground on the coral reef. The cargo vessel drove some 75 meters into the reef destroying some 150 square meters of corals. Thai authorities stated the Avar Linn had 7700 litres of diesel fuel on board. An initial inspection found there was no pollution released, but officials have concerns that any fuel released would do significant ecological damage to the reef.
On May 31, the 180 meter long, 35829 dwt bulk carrier Meshka (IMO: 9588380) ran aground in the Öresund near Landskrona, Sweden. The Meshka was proceeding to Vysotsk from Skagen in ballast when it proceeded to be off course. Authorities alerted the vessel was on the wrong course, but the vessel didn’t change course before it grounded. The Swedish Coast Guard responded with multiple vessels to the scene. The Coast Guard found the vessel was firmly aground on the sandy bottom and the bulk carrier had no significant hull damage from the incident and there were no injuries to the 24 crew members on board.
Authorities quickly launched an investigation into the grounding. The Coast Guard questioned the crew and checked for any crew member being intoxicated which all returned negative. Reports state the crew of the Meshka was warned it was off course and had enough time to avoid going aground. Either the crew ignored the urgency to change course or failed to complete any maneuvers before it was too late. Swedish Prosecutors are looking into negligence and if criminal charges will be issued to the crew.
Photo: Swedish Coast Guard
Photo: Swedish Coast Guard
Photo: svd.se
Photo: x.com
Photo: x.com
The owners of the Meshka have been asked to provide a salvage plan that would be approved by the Coast Guard and Swedish authorities. The Coast Guard has stated they will monitor the vessel for any potential pollution and contain it. The Meshka had some 938 tons of fuel oil in its tanks at the time of the incident.
