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Author: Paul Hancock

Falkefjell

Falkefjell

Falkefjell
Photo: nettavisen.no

On the afternoon of August 19, the 24 meter long, 150 gt  high-speed catamaran passenger ship Falkefjell (IMO: 9605346)  became disabled on Vargsundet north of Lille Lerresfjord, Norway. The Falkefjell was underway from Hammerfest to Alta with 10 passengers when the vessel struck a whale. Passengers reported they felt a thud before spotting the whale thrashing in the water. Witnesses stated seeing large amounts of blood in the water before the whale perished and sank below the surface.  There were no injuries on the Falkefjell, but the impact had damaged the passenger ship as the vessel had lost engine power and went adrift.

See video at dagbladet.no

Reports stated a service boat from a nearby fish farm, the 193 gt passenger ship Hornøy (IMO: 9768980) and the 13 meter long NSSR lifeboat Utvær (MMSI: 257959900) were to the aid of the disabled Falkefjell. The 10 passengers were transferred off to the Hornøy and proceeded to Hammerfest. The Utvær took the Falkefjell under tow and proceeded to Hammerfest. No details of the extent of damage caused by the incident, but no water ingress was reported.

Mañón Un

Mañón Un

Mañón Un
Photo: facebook

On August 19, the 13 meter long, 11.8 GT wooden fishing vessel Mañón Un (CFR: ESP000021719) sank at the entrance of the Cedeira estuary near Cedeira, Spain. The 4 crew members on board sent out a distress call that the vessel was sinking after it sprung a leak.  Spanish authorities responded by dispatching the 7.5 meter long search and rescue vessel LS Percebiño and requested nearby fishing vessels to assist.  The 4 crew would be rescued by the LS Percebiño and transported back to port.  One crew member was taken to hospital for undisclosed injuries.

The 18 meter long fishing vessel Bedía (MMSI: 224055790) arrived in the area a short time later and confirmed the Mañón Un had foundered. Authorities state the fishing vessel is sunk at a depth of 36 meters of water. The LS Percebiño had been delivered to Cedeira Red Cross just one day before the incident.

Atlantic Treasure

Atlantic Treasure

Atlantic Treasure
Photo: cbc.ca

On the evening of August 17, the 19 meter long, 185 gt fishing vessel Atlantic Treasure (IMO: 8950512) sank in the Atlantic Ocean some 300 kilometers off Canada. The Atlantic Treasure was on the Grand Banks when a seawater pipe burst. Eight crew members attempted to control the flooding while 3 other crew members deployed the life-rafts and prepared the safety gear just in case. The crew quickly found the bilge pumps on board were overwhelmed by the water ingress and the Atlantic Treasure was sinking. The water level rose quickly and eventually flooded the engine room leaving the fishing vessel without power. With the vessel now listing hard over there was no choice for the 11 crew but to abandon ship into a life raft.

Fortunately, the Atlantic Treasure was able to send out a distress call alerting the Canadian Coast Guard and nearby vessels. The Coast Guard dispatched a helicopter, but it would be several hours before it could reach the area.  Luckily the 14 meter long fishing vessel Maid of Amsterdam (MMSI:316053143) was heading back from fishing only 40 kilometers away.  Hearing the distress call, the Maid of Amsterdam changed course to assist in the search and rescue.  It would take around 3 hour when the Maid of Amsterdam reached the survivors. All 11 crew from the Atlantic Treasure would be found and taken on board the Maid of Amsterdam.  The Canadian Coast Guard helicopter arrived soon afterwards and found the crew was safe. The Maid of Amsterdam then proceeded to back to port on Cape Breton with the 11 survivors.  There were no reports of injuries.

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