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Sema III

Sema III

Sema III
Photo: facebook
On November 7, the 25.5 meter long tugboat Sema III (IMO: 8858441) sprung a leak in the Bight of Bonny approximately 30 nautical miles off the coast of Mbo, Nigeria. The Sema III was headed to Calabar from Malabo, Equatorial Guinea when it suffered uncontrolled water ingress.  The tugboat would partially flood causing a list to starboard. The crew sent out a distress call with the Nigerian Navy responding.  A gunboat would arrive on scene a short time later and evacuated the 10 crew off the Sema III.  A dewatering pump was deployed which was able to control the water ingress.  Reports state several crew members suffered from mild hypothermia.  No further details reported.

 

Great Pacific Adrift Twice

Great Pacific Adrift Twice

Great Pacific
Photo: USCG

On October 27, the 40 meter long, 199 gt fishing vessel Great Pacific (IMO: 7947506) became disabled in the Gulf of Alaska some 100 miles south of Yakutat, Alaska. The Great Pacific had lost power after its drive shaft broke in heavy seas with waves reaching 30 feet.  The fishing vessel requested assistance with the 46 meter long United States Coast Guard cutter John Witherspoon (MMSI: 338926458) responding. The cutter safely transferred all 5 crew off the Great Pacific and took the vessel under tow. While proceeding to Yakutat, the cutter went adrift when its main engine failed off Kayak Island. The cutter dropped the towline to the fishing vessel while it restored power.  The cutter would regain control and proceeded to Yakutat leaving the Great Pacific unmanned and adrift. No reports of injuries.

 

Authorities were able to monitor the drifting fishing vessel over the following days. A Coast Guard aircraft conducted an overflight as the Great Pacific drifted into shipping channels. The tugboat Betty was able to reach the Great Pacific before it ran aground off Kayak Island. The tug proceeded to tow the fishing vessel to Port Etches where the vessel will undergo survey and inspection for seaworthiness.

 

Shetland Trader

Shetland Trader

Shetland Trader
Photo: countypress.co.uk

On the evening of November 4, the 75 meter long, 2386 dwt cargo vessel Shetland Trader (IMO: 9030486) allided on the River Medina near Cowes, Isle of Wight, England. The Shetland Trader had departed from Terneuzen and arrived off Cowes where the local pilot boarded the cargo vessel.  The vessel proceeded up the River Medina when it suffered a power blackout caused by main engine failure.  The pilot ordered an emergency anchor to be dropped, but the cargo vessel drifted a short distance into an area holding personal watercraft in the Cowes port. Reports state that a sailboat, yacht and other watercraft were struck or pulled by the Shetland Trader. The smaller vessels sustained damage, but fortunately there were no injuries on any vessel.  No reports of damage or pollution released from the Shetland Trader.

The crew on the Shetland Trader was able to restore power and proceeded to a nearby pier in Cowes.  Reports state the Coastguard were alerted of the incident while the local authority was involved in the cleanup efforts. The Marine Accident Investigation Branch has launched an investigation into the incident.