Ro/ro freighter goes down in heavy seas

Ro/ro freighter goes down in heavy seas    A Swedish-registered roll-on/roll-off cargo vessel sank in the Baltic Sea Wednesday during a major storm, according to news reports from Europe.
   One crewman was killed and another is missing and believed dead, and 12 others were hospitalized after rescue helicopters hoisted them to safety.
   The 8,5000 dwt 'MS Finnbirch' was operated by Helsinki-based Finnlines PLC and owned by Lindholm Shipping.
   The freighter was heading from Helsinki, Finland, to Aarhus, Denmark, when it ran into a storm that blasted northern Europe with icy winds, snow and sleet.
   The ro/ro vessel was listing badly for hours before she sank. Authorities have detected an oil spill. The 'Finnbirch' was carrying 260 tons of oil.
   The 'Finnbirch' is the latest car carrier to overturn in heavy seas. In the 'Cougar Ace,' owned by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, rolled over in the Bearing Sea while adjusting its ballast but was eventually salvaged, and none of the 5,000 Mazda cars aboard were lost and most were undamaged.