On August 8, 2014, the m/v Andeswara sank off South Sumatra, Indonesia. The vessel was last reported at 03 13 S, 106 13E with 37 people on board. The vessel was en route to Bangka Toboali from Mud River when it encountered heavy seas with waves reaching 3 meters in height. The Andeswara quickly flooded and sank. Authorities and local fishermen rushed to the scene and found some 15 survivors. The search continued with an additional 9 bodies were recovered.
The 38 foot vessel Paloma washed ashore off Ocean Beach near San Francisco, California. The master of the vessel, Timothy Lybrand, had made a distress call earlier that the vessel had run aground onto the rocks just offshore. He stated he was going to abandon ship and swim ashore some 25 yards away. The Coast Guard dispatched air and sea rescue boats to the scene while nearby fishing vessels also searched for the missing man. Aided by the San Francisco Fire Department, the area around the Paloma was systematically searched. After 9 hours, the search was finally called off as no sign of the captain Lybrand could be found.
The Paloma ran ashore onto the beach partially sunk in 10 feet of water. Officials were able to safely remove the vessel’s two fuel tanks which had some 35 gallons of diesel fuel. Debris from the vessel has washed up on to the beach. The Coast Guard reports the cleanup coast will cost around $20,000. The Paloma has sustained significant damage and will scrapped on the beach. Authorities will pull the vessel above the high tide line and breakup the vessel so it can be carted to a nearby dump truck for removal. Estimates state this will cost another $98,000 to complete.
Later reports stated Lybrand had warrants for his arrest for failure to appear in court in 2012. Police suspect the fisherman had not perished with his vessel but is in hiding somewhere in the San Francisco area.
The 18 meter long ferry Good Shepherd IV was rescued by the RNLI on August 5, 2014. The ferry which operates between Sumburgh to Fair Isle had suffered mechanical breakdown and had gone adrift off Sumburgh Head with 11 passengers and 4 crew on board. The vessel requested assistance and the RNLI lifeboat from Lerwick was dispatched to the scene. The lifeboat took the ferry under tow and proceeded to Grutness. No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released.