The US Coast Guard has begun interviewing the crew of container vessel ACX Crystal, which collided with USS Fitzgerald early on the morning of June 17th, resulting in the death of seven US navy sailors and an injury to the commander. The US Navy crew would also be interviewed on behalf of the US National Transportation
Safety Board. An early focus would be on the time taken by ACX Crystal to report the incident. It reported the collision at 02:25, causing the Japan Coast Guard to log the incident at 02:20 on June 17th. The Japan Coast Guard subsequently revised the time of collision to 01:30. Shipping data indicate that the boxship made two U-turns between 00:58 and 02:46 on June 17th. When asked on Sunday if the position of the damage on USS Fitzgerald indicated the US ship could have been at fault, Seventh Fleet commander Vice Admiral Joseph P Au coin declined to speculate on the cause. 2008-built, 290,060 gt ACX Crystal is owned by Olympic Steamship Co of Cavite, Philippines, and managed by Sea Quest Ship Management Inc of the same city. It is reported to have been chartered to Japan’s NYK. It is entered with Japan P&I Club, which lists the owner as Sinbanali Shipping, Inc.
Oil products tanker Marmara Mariner (IMO 9175183) suffered a broken fuel pipe during bunkering operations in the Baltic Sea on June 16th. About 35 litres of heavy fuel leaked overboard. The tanker headed to Riga, Latvia, for repair. 2000-built, 4,606 gt Marmara Mariner is owned by USA River Shipping Co of Istanbul, Turkey, and managed by Palmal Shipping & Agency of the same city. ISM Manager is Welton Enterprises of Tallinn, Estonia. It is entered with Hydor on behalf of Welton.
Bulk carrier Universal Dream (IMO 9644251) was refloated on June 18th and arrived on Bintulu Anchorage on June 19th. It had run aground off the Southern coast of the island of Pulau Serasan in May. The condition of the vessel was unknown. The vessel was en route from Australia to Korea when the incident occurred. 2012-built, 15,732 gt Universal Durban is owned by Universal Durban BV of the Netherlands and managed by Universal Shipping BV of the same address. It is entered with North Of England P&I on behalf of senior member Noord Nederlandsche P&I Club.
Chemical/oil products tanker Travestern (IMO 9053206) and similar vessel Havelstern (IMO 9053218) allided at Comfort Cove-Newstead Anchorage, northern Newfoundland, on June 18th. Havelstern was anchored at the time. The passing Travestern was caught by a gust of wind which caused a stern to stern allision. No serious damage or leaks were reported, but the sterns of both vessels suffered damage above the waterline. Travestern continued her voyage to Lewisporte, arriving on June 19th. Both vessels were loaded with diesel and jet fuel at the time of the accident. 1993-built, 11,423 gt Travestern is owned and managed by Coastal Shipping of Lewisporte, Newfoundland, Canada. It is entered with Steamship Mutual on behalf of Coastal Shipping Ltd. 1994-built 11,423 gt Havelstern is also owned and managed by Coastal Shipping Ltd and is also entered with Steamship Mutual.