Shipwreck Log

The 110 meter long self-propelled car tranport vessel Kelheim became disabled on the Danube River near Vienna, Austria.  The Kelheim had suffered an engine failure while proceeding upstream and had to drop anchor to avoid going adrift.   The Kelheim, with 100 small cars on board, blocked traffic on the river until another vessel later pulled the Kelheim into the harbour at Racklau.  No reports of injuries, damage or pollution being released.

The 33 meter long, 283 dwt fishing vessel Ny Argo caught fire while near Hustadvika, Norway.  The vessel sent out a distress call with several rescue boats responding.  A Norwegian Sea Rescue lifeboat reached the Ny Argo and took the fishing boat under tow.   Another vessel arrived on scene and transferred fire fighting equipment.   The fire was extinguished, but there was large amount of smoke through out the Ny Argo.   The Ny Argo was towed to Hustadvika.   No reports of  injuries or pollution being released.

The 68 foot fishing vessel Heritage sank off Kodiak Island, Alaska in bad weather with 60 knots winds and 16 foot waves.  A Jayhawk helicopter was heading to rescue an earlier wreck, see Part I, when it received the distress call from the Heritage.  The helicopter proceed to the scene.   At the same time, the 37 meter long  fishing vessel Tuxedni, headed to the scene.   The Tuxedni was able to rescue five crewman while the helicopter pulled two crewman from the water.   All seven crewmen were wearing survival suits and reported to be in good condition.   The Coast Guard is conducting an investigation into the incident.

The fishing vessel Hallgrimur sank in the Norwegian Sea some 270 kilometers from Stad, Norway.   The vessel with four crew on board was en route to Norway from Iceland to be scrapped.   The Hallgrimur encountered a severe storm with high winds and 10 to 15 meter waves .   The Norwegian authorities were alerted to the vessel sinking when the Hallgrimur’s EPIRB was activated.   Helicopters were dispatched to the area where one crewman was found in the water.   The crewman had his survival suit on and the helicopter pulled him from the sea.   The man was delivered to Alesund where he was taken to hospital.  Aircraft continued to search for the other three crewmen.   Reports state an empty lifeboat and debris in the water, but no signs of the missing men.