On September 16, the 26 meter long, 126 gt tugboat Esenkiyi (IMO: 7434858) became disabled in the Dardanelles near Çanakkale, Turkey. The Esenkiyi was enroute to Bodrum from Ordu with a barge under tow when it suffered a power blackout and engine failure. The tug contacted authorities who dispatched the tugs Kurtarma 15 and Türkeli to assist. The tugs took the Esenkiyi and the barge under tow to Şevketiye where it dropped anchor. No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released.
On September 4, the 12 meter long tugboat Oshio (MMSI: 563019020) sank off the south eastern coast of Singapore near Tanah Merah. The Oshio had been in the eastern anchorage when it sank with 2 crew members on board. Singapore authorities dispatched vessels to the scene. A Police Coast Guard vessel rescued one crew member who was later taken to hospital, but subsequently perished. The other crew member was still reported as missing.
Authorities have requested all vessels to stay clear of the area while salvage divers to confirm the location of the Oshio. No reports of pollution spotted in the area. The cause of the sinking has not yet been determined.
Late on August 21, the 34 meter long, 208 dwt tugboat Waterlord (IMO: 7522150) along with a 40 meter long concrete barge ran aground off Hoddevika, Stad, Norway. The Waterlord was towing a barge loaded with feed bound for Håkaillbåen when it ran aground on a reef off Hoddevika. Authorities were alerted and dispatched a helicopter along with the RS rescue vessels Idar Ulstein and Simrad Buholmen to the scene. All five crew were rescued within half an hour. No reports of injuries.
By the following morning, the Waterlord was pulled free and taken under tow to Måløy. The barge was reported sunk near the reef.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident. The crew of the Waterlord were given breathalyzers with one testing positive. That individual was later given a blood test which also returned positive for alcohol. That individual has been charged operating the vessel while intoxicated.
