Cargo Grounding! Tug Fire! Latest Updates 加拿大搁浅！拖船火灾！最新情况说明

Image Credit: The Internet

the helicopter rescue of stranded cargo ship crew

图片源于网络,为直升机救援搁浅货船船员

On Saturday morning, February 15th, a cargo ship en route from Montreal to Corner Brook, Newfoundland, suddenly issued a MAYDAY call approximately 12 nautical miles from Bay of Islands, NL. The ship lost power and was unable to anchor, drifting with the waves until it ran aground in Wild Cove west of Lark Harbour. Fortunately, all 20 crew members were safely evacuated by helicopter. The Canadian Coast Guard has been closely monitoring the grounding incident, with a rescue vessel arriving on scene Monday to conduct initial assessments. Maritime authorities have established a two-nautical-mile restricted zone around the vessel, prohibiting drone operations due to ongoing helicopter activities in the area. The vessel is carrying approximately 470 containers, with more than half reported empty. The remaining containers hold food, lumber, and paper supplies. Officials are working to confirm the quantity of diesel fuel onboard. After the weather improved, a fast rescue craft conducted an initial visual inspection and found no signs of pollution for the time being.

2月15日周六清晨，一艘从蒙特利尔驶向纽芬兰角港的货船，在距离纽芬兰贝岛约12海里处，突然发出MAYDAY求救信号。原来是船失去动力，连锚泊都做不到，只能随波逐流，最终在拉克港以西的Wild Cove搁浅。幸运的是，船上20名船员通过直升机安全撤离。加拿大海岸警卫队一直在密切监测这起搁浅事件，救援船周一也抵达现场评估情况。海事当局还在船周围设了两海里限制区，禁止无人机飞行，保障直升机救援安全。这艘船载着约470个集装箱，一半多是空箱，剩下的装着食品、木材和纸张等货物。目前船上柴油数量还在确认中。天气转好后，快速救援艇去查看，暂时没发现污染情况。

Coincidentally, on Tuesday morning, February 18th, around 9:30 a.m., a tugboat which was in transit with a two-barge tow suddenly burst into flames on the Delaware River. The Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay received the distress call and immediately launched a rescue operation. At that time, the boat was between Delaware City and Old New Castle. The fire was in the engine room; that hatches had been secured; and that the tug had lost steering. The crew quickly abandoned the ship, but fortunately, four crew members were rescued by a civilian boat. Boat crews from Station Philadelphia and a helicopter aircrew out of Air Station Atlantic City responded to the scene, along with Wilmington Fire Department's fireboat. The fire was quickly extinguished, and the towboat was towed away. However, the cause of the fire is still under investigation.The fire has been put out, and the tug has been taken in tow. The cause of the blaze is under investigation.

无独有偶，2月18日周二上午9:30左右，德拉瓦河上一艘正在拖带两艘驳船的拖船突发大火。德拉瓦湾区海岸警卫队接到求救信号后，立刻展开救援行动。当时船在德拉瓦城和旧新堡之间，火从机舱燃起，舱口封闭后，船失去操控能力。船员赶紧弃船，好在热心市民开船救起了4名船员。费城海岸警卫队、大西洋城空军站直升机机组人员，还有威明顿消防局消防船等各方力量迅速赶来支援。大火很快被扑灭，拖船也被拖走，不过起火原因还在调查。

Image Credit: The Internet

The tugboat fire on the Delaware River

图片源于网络,为德拉瓦河拖船起火现场

Shipping accidents are not random occurrences; they are often the result of a combination of factors. Shipping companies play a crucial role in ensuring maritime safety. They must strengthen the daily maintenance and management of their vessels to ensure that all equipment is in good working order and not allowed to operate while faulty. During navigation, strict adherence to maritime regulations and rational route planning are essential. Never take chances by venturing into areas with severe weather conditions, and certainly do not overload vessels in pursuit of profit. Moreover, conducting regular emergency drills is of vital importance. By simulating various emergency scenarios, crew members can enhance their ability to respond effectively in critical situations, remaining calm and decisive in the face of danger.

船舶事故频繁发生，绝非偶然，其背后往往是多种因素相互交织的结果。航运企业在保障航运安全中扮演着关键角色。必须加强对船舶的日常维护与管理，确保船舶设备始终处于良好运行状态，绝不能让设备“带病工作”。航行过程中，要严格遵守航行规则，合理规划航线。

切不可心存侥幸，冒险进入恶劣天气区域，更不能为追求利益而超载航行。此外，定期开展应急演练至关重要。通过模拟各类突发情况，提升船员在危机时刻的应对能力，使其在面对危险时能够冷静、果断地采取有效措施。

Maritime safety is not just about the well-being of crew members and the happiness of countless families; it is also the foundation for the sustainable development of the shipping industry. It is hoped that shipping companies, relevant departments, and every practitioner can learn profound lessons from these accidents and truly take maritime safety seriously. Together, we must safeguard the safety and stability of this “blue waterway”.

航运安全，一头连着船员的生命安危，一头系着无数家庭的幸福，同时也是航运行业可持续发展的根基。希望航运企业、相关部门以及每一位从业者都能从这些事故中深刻吸取教训。

共同守护这片“蓝色航道”的安全与稳定。