Fire off Busan

Fire off Busan

Fire off Busan
Photo: ichannela.com

On the morning of December 23, an 55 ton fishing vessel (name not disclosed) caught fire in the Sea of Japan some 20 kilometers southeast of Songjeong-dong, Busan, South Korea. The fire broke out in the vessel’s engine room and could not be contained. The vessel requested assistance with the South Korean Coast Guard responding.  Reports state that all 8 crew were rescued off the fishing vessel by the Coast Guard. The fishing vessel was last reported as completely gutted by the fire and was a total loss.

The Coast Guard has launched an investigation into the incident.  No details disclosed if any of the 8 crew on the fishing vessel sustained any injuries from the incident.

 

Nuevo Pedro Loli

Nuevo Pedro Loli

Nuevo Pedro Loli

On December 22, the 24 meter long fishing vessel Nuevo Pedro Loli (MMSI: 224015120) became disabled in the Mediterranean Sea approximately 1.5 nautical miles southeast of Santa Pola, Spain. The fishing vessel with 8 crew on board had gone adrift after suffering engine failure. The Nuevo Pedro Loli requested assistance with the Salvamento Marítimo dispatching the 22 meter long search and rescue vessel Salvamar Leo (MMSI: 225994639) to assist. The Salvamar Leo took the Nuevo Pedro Loli under tow and proceeded back to Santa Pola.  No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released.

 

High and Dry on Llangollen Canal

High and Dry on Llangollen Canal

Whitchurch Canal Breach
Photo: Youtube/Narrowboat Life Unlocked

On the early morning of December 22, more than a dozen narrow barges were left high and dry on the Shropshire Union Canal Llangollen Branch near Whitchurch, England. The barges had been moored along the canal when part of the canal embankment failed causing an 50 meter by 50 meter sink hole to open up. Water in this section of the canal poured out pulling 2 narrowboats into the sinkhole. Several more barges were more fortunate and were left resting on the bottom of the canal. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported. Those who were living aboard the barges had heard strange noises and had evacuated their vessels beforehand.

Local authorities and firefighters arrived on scene and secured the location. Firefighters placed a flood gate to stem off the flow water from the compromised section of the canal.

List of  some of the narrowboats impacted from the incident:

  • Sefton
  • Pacemaker
  • This is the Way
  • The Singing Kettle

Reports state this portion of the canal embankment had been built over 200 years ago and had been recently been inspected. These canals limited barges to the be no longer than 72 feet long and 7 feet wide.

Reports state authorities plan to return water levels to normal either side of the breach.  The narrowboats in the impacted area would be provided support. Damage to the vessels was not disclosed.