The US Coast Guard announced that it is responding to a report of a 32-foot sailing vessel grounded off Magic Island, on June 13. Pollution responders are also on scene assessing the area, as there is a maximum potential fuel load of 27 gallons of diesel aboard. A slight sheen was reported but is expected to dissipate naturally.
The Philippines denounced the crew of a Chinese fishing boat that collided with a Philippine ship and then left 22 Filipino fishermen abandoned in the South China Sea. According to the Filipino defense ministry, the collision occurred on June 9, near the Reed Bank.
The US Coast Guard released Findings of Concern on ‘High Speed Craft Operations Manuals,’ regarding an incident where a high speed catamaran passenger ferry allided with a rock jetty at over 30 knots, injuring 15 passengers.
NTSB published its report on the capsizing and sinking of the towing vessel Natalie Jean, on March 12, 2018, on the Lower Mississippi River near New Orleans, Louisiana. Two of the three crewmembers on board the towboat died in the accident. The NTSB determined that the probable cause of the capsizing and sinking of the Natalie Jean was the company’s decision to place an inadequately vetted pilot on board the vessel.
The Hong Kong Marine Department (MARDEP) informed of a fatal fall of a bosun onto the cargo hold bottom while onboard a general cargo ship. MARDEP noted a lack of compliance with safety procedures and unfamiliarity with entry into enclosed spaces.
Machinery failure (including engine failure) has risen as the top cause of shipping incidents over the past decade, a trend that is unlikely to change anytime soon, given rising repair costs and concerns over maintenance levels and larger vessels, said Allianz (AGCS) in its latest Shipping and Safety review.
As local sources report, a 46-year-old sailor from the Philippines suffered critical injuries in an accident, that took place during cargo holding operations. The sailor was onboard ‘Bulk Japan’ bulk carrier. The crewmember suffered spine and breast injuries and crashed arm with massive blood loss.
Fire took place at the SPD9 platform, in the South Pars gas field, on June 12. About 14 people were working at the platform the moment of the fire, and after the explosion they were transported to Asaluyeh, Southern Province of Bushehr, by helicopter. No casualties were reported, while the fire has now been contained.
The captain of the cruise vessel ‘Viking Sigyn’ was released on bail on Wednesday, two weeks after the fatal collision with another tourist boat on the Danube River, Budapest, that killed a total of 28 people, marking one of the worst disasters on the river in the last century.
According to local sources, a cargo boat had suffered a partially crashed wheelhouse, when it collided on the Nordhordland Bridge near Steinestø, Norway, at the weekend. The vessel had seven people onboard, yet no injuries were reported.
