The U.S. Justice Department has indicted two foreign operators and a shoreside superintendent following the March 2024 collision of the cargo ship Dali, which destroyed Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge and killed six construction workers. The incident caused $5 billion in damages and significant environmental harm, with charges including conspiracy and Clean Water Act violations.
On October 24, 2023, the cargo vessel Verity sank after colliding with the bulk carrier Polesie in the German Bight. An investigation revealed critical watchkeeping failures on both vessels and a delayed response from German vessel traffic services. The collision, occurring in darkness, resulted in Verity’s rapid sinking within minutes.
The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch has reported on the October 24, 2023, collision between the bulk carrier Polesie and the cargo ship Verity, which sank, resulting in five fatalities. Both vessels’ watchkeepers failed to communicate effectively, and timely intervention could have prevented this tragic incident.
A London court convicted Russian captain Vladimir Motin of gross negligence manslaughter for a fatal collision involving his container ship, the Solong, and the U.S. tanker, Stena Immaculate. Prosecutors highlighted Motin’s failure to act despite knowing of the danger, resulting in a tragedy that claimed crew member Mark Pernia’s life.
In March, Vladimir Motin, the watchkeeper aboard the Solong, faced trial after a collision with the Stena Immaculate led to crew member Mark Angelo Pernia’s death. Motin refrained from a “crash stop,” fearing it would endanger others, and claimed he was unaware of Pernia’s position during the incident.
Two men face charges after a maritime accident involving the Hafnia Nile and Ceres I near Pedra Branca on July 19, 2024. The collision resulted in a fire and the death of Mr. Sellakkannu Shanmugasundaram. Soosai Antony Vainer and Wickramage Viraj Amila Shavinda Perera are accused of negligence.
A ship collided with a windmill in the North Sea off the coast of Noord-Holland, injuring two crew members. The incident involved the Glomar Venture supply ship and occurred 24 kilometers from Callantsoog. Response teams from the coast guard and KNRM assisted in providing medical treatment and transporting the injured crew members to a hospital.
The burnt wreckage of a ship that collided with a tanker in the North Sea arrived at a Scottish port on March 28. The incident involved the Portuguese-flagged Solong crashing into the U.S. military-contracted tanker Stena Immaculate, resulting in a fire and evacuation of both crews. Fortunately, most crew members were rescued, but one tragically lost his life.
A crew member shared a terrifying ordeal when their ship was hit by the Solong, which continued to collide for what felt like an eternity. With no one on the other vessel’s bridge, flames erupted, prompting the crew to don protective gear and fight the fire. Despite the chaos, their quick response and training saved lives.
CMA CGM is revising its fleet steering procedures after the CMA CGM Puccini lost steering control and collided with a navigational beacon in Melbourne’s Yarra River. An investigation revealed that a hydraulic valve was improperly left open, and the crew’s limited understanding of steering hydraulics contributed to the incident.
A replica of Magellan’s carrack Trinidad collided with a bridge in St. Augustine, Florida. The vessel lost propulsion, drifting into the structure. Luckily, no major damage or injuries occurred. The Trinidad, a 90-foot replica of Magellan’s flagship, was built in 2017-18 with iroko wood planks. Despite facing challenges, only one ship completed the historic voyage.
