On January 19, the 77 meter long, 574 dwt ro-ro passenger ferry St Faith caught fire was sailing between Portsmouth to Fishbourne on the Isle of Wight with 52 passengers and 13 crew. While in the middle of the Solent, a fire broke out on deck near the bridge. The fire was quickly extinguished by the crew while passengers were escorted safely to the lounge. The St Faith was able to proceed under her own power to Fishbourne where fire fighters were…
On September 11, the 40 meter long, 300 tonne passenger ship Erasmus caught fire on the Thames near Canary Wharf, London. The Erasmus was on an afternoon cruise with 142 passengers when a small fire ignited in the vessel’s engine room. With smoke billowing from the stern, the Erasmus steamed towards riverbank. Instead of slowing near the pier at Canary Wharf, the Erasmus careened into the embankment and scraped against the side of the pier. Local authorities were alerted and the local fire…