On Dec 20, 2024, at around 8:00 a.m., the 'Rix Explorer', en route from Odense, lided with the quay in Rostock during the docking maneuver. There were minor deformations on the sheet pile wall of the quay, and the bulbous bow of the ship was damaged. The water police Rostock launched an investigation. Human error by the Latvian captain in connection with the unfavourable wind conditions were probably the cause of the accident. The Ship Safety Department of the Federal Association of Transport, Postal Logistics and Telecommunications (BG Verkehr) was notified and issued a detention order until the ship's class was confirmed by the monitoring classification society. The Federal Bureau of Maritime Accident Investigation, the Warnemünde Traffic Control Center and the Rostock Port Authority were informed. The investigations were ongoing.
News
ULYSSES
During the departure manoever in Holyhead on Dec 7, 2024, at 0230 a.m., the “Ulysses” allided with a dolphin amid stormy weather with winds gusting above force 10 , brought by the storm Darragh, which collapsed as a result. No injuries were reported, and all relevant authorities have been informed, but Holyhead Port is was closed to marine traffic, and it was expected that the port wizkd remain closed until Dec 10 at 6 p.m. at the earliest, while a thorough assessment was being conducted. Report with video: https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/video-shows-moment-holyhead-port-30623145
ISLE OF INNISFREE
The 'Isle of Innisfree' allided with the dock upon its arrival at Fishguard on Dec 20, 2024, resulting in a hole above the waterline at the port side stern. The new Dublin-Fishguard route was hastily established in response to the ongoing closure of Holyhead due to storm damage, which was not expected to reopen until Jan15, 2025, at the earliest. As the ferry approached Fishguard on its inaugural voyage, it encountered difficulties during the docking process. While the exact cause of the accident was yet to be determined, the ferry had contact with the port structures. No injuries have been reported, but the damage has necessitated immediate emergency repairs. The ferry operator was assessing the damage and carrying out these. Vehicles will be allowed to board once the vessel is deemed fit to sail. The intention was for the ship to depart for Dublin as soon as is possible. Report with photo: https://pembrokeshire-herald.com/104362/ferry-accident-mars-inaugural-voyage-on-new-dublin-fishguard-route/?fbclid=IwY2xjawHThutleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHSlX33HTVMUz16748isleypdLjUATKfrEJAu7LwFjf0PaVJO_TPI2oFLjQ_aem_8-NZ7fvPCkYz5Lb3Q_vatw
ULYSSES
Marine investigators are looking into the allision of the 'Ulysses' in Holyhead, which damaged one ne of the berths at Terminal 3 - used by Irish Ferries - was damaged in Storm Darragh. Ferry services to Dublin have been cancelled until at least Jan 15, 2025. When storm Darragh hit on Dec 6-7, two separate berthing incidents occurred affecting the Terminal 3 berth used by Irish Ferries. A part of the berth structure collapsed, rendering it unusable, when hit by the starboard side stern of the 'Ulysses'. MAIB inspectors are in the process of making enquiries to better understand the circumstances which may have contributed to the incident. Next steps will be determined once the evidence has been reviewed. All relevant authorities were informed of the incident. A thorough assessment into the extent of the damage and repairs required was ongoing. The closure of the port for ferry services hit the transport of goods, post and passengers in the key run-up to Christmas. Report with photo: https://uk.news.yahoo.com/marine-investigators-looking-holyhead-incident-180314434.html
THEODORE TOO
The 'Theodore Too', which partially sank in St. Catharines at the Ontario Shipyard, has been righted refloated with a crane on the afternoon of Dec 19, but there is still more work to do. The owner company thanked the Ontario Shipyards for their immediate assistance and expertise in refloating it. The Canadian Coast Guard's Urgent Response Team provided equipment to mitigate any environmental concerns while refloating the vessel.The cause of the sinking was unclear. The 'Theodore Too' had been a longtime fixture in the Halifax harbour and since arriving in Ontario, it had made more than 20 stops along the St. Lawrence River, Lake Ontario and Lake Erie. The owner Blair McKeil — who is also the CEO of Breakwater Financial — purchased the tug in 2021 from the Halifax-based tourism company Ambassatours Gray Line. The replica was built in Dayspring, N.S., and launched in 2000, delighting fans of the children's TV show that aired on CBC between 1993 and 2001. Reports with photos and video: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/theodore-tugboat-safely-righted-1.7415557 https://www.thealbertan.com/atlantic-news/theodore-tugboat-replica-refloated-after-partially-sinking-at-ontario-dock-owner-9983492 https://toronto.citynews.ca/video/2024/12/19/theodore-too-righted-and-floated-after-partially-sinking/