Shipwreck Log

The grounded fishing vessel Celacante sank on July 12, 2014  during salvage operations off Pierres Noires, France.  The Celacante went aground on May 22 when the trawler attempted to rescue a sailboat in distress.  The Celacante remain aground for two months as the owner arranged salvage operations.

The salvage team began operations in early July.  The team had lightered the trawler and  installed balloons to give the vessel additional buoyancy.  Some 20 tons of diesel fuel and oil was removed from the vessel’s tanks.  After the work was completed, two tugs were able to successfully pull the Celacante off the rock planning to head directly to Brest.  The salvage team then inflated the balloons on board the Celacante to start the tow, but the fishing vessel lost buoyancy.   The balloons were insufficient and the trawler quickly listed over to starboard before sinking by the stern.   Reports state the divers had underestimated the damage to the vessel.  Further inspection found large cracks along the entire length of the engine compartment.  The Celacante now rests in 15 meters of water just 300 meters off the  Lighthouse of the Black Stones (Pierres Noires).