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The 'Queen of Capilano' allided with three moored yachts at the Bowen Island Marina dock in Snug Cove on the morning of Feb 2, 2025, after the 7:30 a.m. departure from from Bowen Island. The ferry slammed into the dock, causing significant damage to the structure. With safety as the top priority, the captain made the decision to continue into open water rather than risk further complications in a confined space. The vessel needed to assess the cause of the issue and doing so in open water helped prevent any further incident, and it completed its run to Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver, along with several more morning runs. But beginning with the cancellation of the 10:15 a.m .sailing from Horseshoe Bay, the vessel remained sidelined until 6:50 p.m. In total 14 sailings between Bowen and the mainland, spanning more than eight hours, were cancelled during the day due to the mechanical difficulty with the propulsion system. The 'Queen of Capilano' conducted sea trials as required by Transport Canada prior to resuming sailings in the evening. Passenger-only water taxis made runs between Bowen and Horseshoe Bay while the ferry was out of service. An investigation has been launched into the accident. Reports with photos and video: https://www.nsnews.com/local-news/bc-ferries-vessel-collides-with-moored-boats-at-bowen-dock-10174745 https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/bc-ferries-bowen-island-hits-boats-1.7450625

The “Dominica” has assisted a sailing vessel with three Spanish crew members on board on the Atlantic coast on Jan 30, 2025. The vessel was en route to Praia (Cape Verde), off Mauritania, when it received a notice from the National Rescue Coordination Centre (CNCS) requesting assistance in the search for a sailing vessel whose radio beacon had been activated. At 2:50 p.m. UTC, the vessel “Dominica”, which was carrying a cargo of bulk cement, diverted to the position, and assisted the yacht crew amid adverse weather conditions, who boarded the vessel safely. On Feb1 1, the three sailors were accompanied to the Spanish Consulate in Praia by the immigration authorities and the shipping agency, after verifying their good condition.

Surging water from the Mississippi River led to a barge strike on a gate at Algiers Lock in New Orleans, according to a report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), on July 4, 2023. The 'Kitty' was pushing two loaded tank barges into the Algiers Lock during low water conditions.The tow surged within the lock chamber and the lead barge struck one of the lock gates. The contact did not result in any injuries or pollution. The damage to the lock gate was estimated at $2 million. The NTSB found the surge was likely due to wake effects from deep draft ships transiting the Mississippi River adjacent to the Algiers Lock forebay during extremely low water conditions, which moved water in and out of the forebay and lock chamber, causing the vessels in those areas to surge. The ​NTSB noted that before the contact, three loaded ships had transited near the lock within about 10 minutes’ time. NTSB investigators determined the size and the speed of the three ships transiting near the lock within a short time span likely would have produced wakes that affected the forebay and lock chamber. The 'Kitty''s crew members described a three-to-six foot change in water level in the lock chamber while transiting. The NTSB studied the water-level variations in the Algiers Lock based on footage from the Kitty and found the minimum change in lock water level during the casualty to be 3.4'. The NTSB report highlighted how water displacement from deep-draft vessel wakes can intensify when funneled into narrow or confined spaces, such as shallow waterways and lock chambers. This phenomenon can create significant operational challenges, particularly in low water conditions.

The captain and chief mate of the 'Tyrhaug' have been sentenced to 90 and 45 days in prison on probation on Feb 4. In June 2023, the 'Tyrhaug' and the workboat "Frøy Loke" collided in the area between Smøla and Aure. Four people have been injured in the accident. The court ruled that the two Trøndelag residents in their 40s and 50s acted grossly negligently on the trip between Kristiansund and Trondheim: There was not much traffic on the Edøyfjord, and it was not a matter of a momentary inattention or a misallocation of attention in a demanding traffic situation. Nor were there other reasons that can explain why no lookout was kept. It was incomprehensible that the 'Frøy Loke' was not observed in time before the collision, and the court had no doubt that the collision was caused by grossly negligent navigation. The two must also pay a total of 60,000 Norwegian crowns in fines, and 120,000 Norwegian crowns in compensation to one of the passengers who was subsequently partially disabled as a result of the accident. According to the indictment, the collision occurred because the bridge on the speedboat was not manned in accordance with applicable procedure, and because the bridge guard was not sufficiently observant of other traffic. Both of the two convicted have pleaded guilty. Report with photo and video: https://www.nrk.no/mr/skipperen-og-styrmannen-domde-til-fengsel-etter-hurtigbatkollisjon-1.17251937

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) unveiled the design for the new Francis Scott Key Bridge almost a year after it was hit by the 'Dali', causing it to collapse. "Today, we take an important step toward recovering from the tragic Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse that has affected not just Maryland's economy, but the nation's economy. While we mark the unveiling of the new bridge design, we continue to honor the six Marylanders who lost their lives while serving our state and their families who carry their legacy forward. Together, we will show the world what it means to be Maryland Tough and Baltimore Strong," said Governor Moore. The proposed bridge design honors the architectural tradition of the original Key Bridge. The new bridge will also be constructed in accordance with the most advanced industry standards and the very best in infrastructure design, usng the best materials available and employ many Marylanders to build it. The cable stay design of the new bridge will allow the federal shipping channel to expand from 700 ft. to 1,000 ft. wide. The base of the bridge will also be raised to 230 ft., which is a 45-foot increase to accommodate ship traffic. The roadway will still be two lanes wide going in each direction. Other pier support structures will be implemented to secure the structure. In spring 2025, demolition will begin to remove the remaining pillars of the old Francis Scott Key Bridge. Immediately after that, construction will begin. In Nov 2024, the former president included money for the Key Bridge in a $100 billion disaster fund request sent to Congress. By Dec, Maryland lawmakers announced that federal funding would cover the full cost of rebuilding the bridge as quickly as possible. The provision also ensures that the federal taxpayers will be reimbursed through proceeds from insurance payments and litigation taken on by the Department of Justice, the Maryland Attorney General and others. In August 2024, the MDTA approved a $73 million contract with Kiewit Infrastructure Company for the design and construction of a new bridge. Pre-construction began in Jan 2025, and the rebuild is expected to be completed by fall 2028. Kiewit Infrastructure estimated that the project will cost about $2 billion. The pre-construction activities include inspecting about 1,100 homes and businesses in nearby communities, scanning the riverbed, collecting soil samples and surveying. In January, the MDTA also approved a $75 million contract with the Bridging Maryland Partnership for General Engineering Consultant services. The partnership will perform planning, engineering, construction, management and program support for the rebuild project. Report with photo and video: https://www.cbsnews.com/baltimore/news/maryland-key-bridge-collapse-design-new-construction/