On June 1, the 35 meter long fishing vessel Lise Beate became disabled off Honningsvåg, Norway. The Lise Beate had become disabled after a net fouled the vessel’s propeller. With the fishing vessel adrift, the crew requested assistance. The NSSR responded and dispatched the rescue boat Odin to the scene. The Odin was able to tow the Lise Beate back to Honningsvåg a few hours later. No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released. Reports state the net was later cleared and the Lise Beate proceeded under her own power to Gjesvær.
On May 29, the 16 meter, 29 tonne fishing vessel Kutere ran aground on Cobden Beach, New Zealand. The Kutere was headed for Greymouth in bad weather. The fishing vessel had been out for 7 days and decided to return to port as 30 knot winds and 3 meter swells. As the vessel approached Greymouth, the captain fell asleep at the helm. He had been asleep only 15 minutes, but that was enough time for the vessel to be blown off course. The Kutere had run aground 500 meters short to the entrance of the Grey River and ended up stranded just a few meters off the beach.
Photo: stuff.co.nz
Photo: stuff.co.nz
Photo: stuff.co.nz
Photo: nzherald.co.nz
Photo: stuff.co.nz
Photo: stuff.co.nz
The three persons on board were able to send out a distress call before abandoning ship into the vessel’s life raft. All three were able to reach shore safely. No reports of injuries. Maritime New Zealand were alerted and has launched an investigation into the incident.
Reports state the fishing vessel will not be salvaged as it was not economic to refloat it. Work began to remove the Kutere off the beach the following the incident. Some 2000 litres of fuel and 5 tons of fish were unloaded off the fishing vessel. The mast was removed along with all the fishing gear. The vessel will then be hauled to the top of the sand dune where it will be further dismantled.
On May 30, the 14 meter long tugboat Crosby Commander sank in the Gulf of Mexico near Marsh Island, Louisiana. The tug was struck by severe weather during the early morning hours. The high winds and large waves from the storm quickly overwhelmed the tugboat. The vessel suffered water ingress and began to sink. Just before the Crosby Commander sank, 3 of the 4 crew on board scrambled into the vessel’s life raft. A nearby vessel rescued the three crewmen who were reported to be in good shape.
The fourth crewman was reported as missing. The Coast Guard launched a search and rescue operation to find the missing man. The Coast Guard has also launched an investigation into the incident.
