On March 29, the 18 meter long tugboat TB Toranes (IMO: 257103600) became disabled in the North Sea off Årabrotholmane, Norway. The TB Toranes was towing a barge when it suffered engine problems and had to drop anchor off Årabrotholmane. The tug requested assistance with the NSSR dispatching the lifeboats Horn Rescue (MMSI: 257641000) and RC Bergesen (MMSI: 257965590). The Horn Rescue took the TB Toranes under tow and proceeded to Haugesund. The RC Bergesen aided by the patrol boat KV Tor (IMO: 9353369) took the barge under tow to Haugesund. There were no reports of injuries, damage or pollution released.
On March 27, the 154.5 meter long, 18457 dwt container ship Frederik (IMO: 9328637) ran aground on the Kiel Canal near Fischerhütte, Germany. The Frederik departed from Hamburg bound for Klaipeda when it encountered a fault resulting in engine failure near Fischerhütte. The boxship was unable to steer and drifted aground on the embankment. Authorities ordered all shipping traffic in the area to be halted and dispatched two tugs to assist. The tug Fairplay 54 (IMO: 9021112) and Fairplay 57 (IMO: 9036246) arrived on site and able to pull the Frederik free. The vessel was later towed to a landing where it was moored. Reports state there were no injuries and no pollution released.
On the early morning hours of March 25, the tugboat Sadong 33 capsized in Sarangani Bay near Maasim, Philippines. The Sadong 33 was towing the 59 meter long landing craft LCT Sea Asia (IMO:8843551) from Glan, Sarangani to Iligan City when its towline was struck by the 169 meter long, 28388 dwt bulk carrier Universe Kaisa (IMO: 9283849). The bulk carrier passed too close to the towing line causing the line to snap and resulting in the Sadong 33 to suddenly rollover.
Six of the eight crew were later rescued by the Philippine Coast Guard. The captain of the Sadong 33 and one other crew member perished. Authorities state the captain’s body was later recovered. There were no reports of injuries or damage on the Universe Kaisa or the LCT Sea Asia. Authorities have placed booms around the overturn Sadong 33 to contain any pollution released. Reports state the Sadong 33 had somewhere between 50 to 100 meters of towline between itself and the LCT Sea Asia during the incident. The Philippine Coast Guard has stated that legal charges may be filed against the master and crew of the Universe Kiza.
