The 92 meter long tanker Heng Shun DA 78 exploded in the Bohai Sea off Longkou, China. The tanker was at anchor when the acetylene gas exploded on board. Four crew were injured by burns and were taken to hospital by helicopter. No further details reported.
On February 15, the 247 meter long, 105,928 dwt tanker Recife Knutsen ran aground on a sandbar off São Sebastião, Brazil. The tanker had planning to enter port, but a severe thunderstorm forced the vessel to wait until conditions improved. While the vessel moved away, it ran onto a sandbar. No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released. Several tugs were dispatched to scene to help with refloating efforts.
The 249 meter long, 116,104 dwt tanker Nordbay allided with a wharf on the Mississippi River near New Orleans, Louisiana. The tanker was proceeding up the river in ballast when high winds caused the vessel to veer towards the riverbank. The crew tried to alert nearby tugs, but they were unable to stop the Nordbay from striking the wharf. The tanker sustained hull damage with one of the ballast tanks holed. Ballast water was released into the river, but no oil pollution was reported. The tanker proceeded to an anchorage off New Orleans to be inspected. No reports of injuries. Reports state the Nordbay also struck the one of the water intakes as well as the wharf.
