On the morning of December 15, the 29 foot long fishing vessel Valor III sank in the Pacific Ocean 3 miles west of Newport, Oregon. The Valor III alerted the United States Coast Guard the vessel had suffered uncontrolled water ingress. The Coast Guard dispatched a motor-lifeboat to assist. When the lifeboat reached the fishing vessel, only the bow of the Valor III remained above water. Fortunately, a nearby vessel had arrived before the lifeboat and rescued 1 crew off the vessel and another from the water. Both crew members wore immersion suits and uninjured.
Reports state there was a large amount of debris in the water where the fishing vessel sank. The Coast Guard stated the cause of the sinking is under investigation.
On the early morning of December 11, the 24 meter long guard vessel Resolute (IMO: 7008025) ran aground in St. George’s Channel near Dinas Head, Pembrokeshire, Wales. The Resolute had been in use as a guard vessel for a large offshore wind farm off the coast of Ireland when conditions deteriorated with winds reaching near gale force winds. The Resolute sought shelter along the Pembrokeshire coast from the weather when it ran up on the rocks.
Photo: RNLI
The RNLI launched 2 lifeboats from Fishguard while the Coastguard dispatched a rescue helicopter to the scene. The all-weather lifeboat had arrived on site and found the Resolute could not be approached. Due to the vessel being so close to the cliffs and various underwater hazards, the RNLI requested the smaller inshore lifeboat to assist.
Photo: westerntelegraph.co.uk
Photo: westerntelegraph.co.uk
Photo: westerntelegraph.co.uk
Photo: westerntelegraph.co.uk
Photo: westerntelegraph.co.uk
Photo: westerntelegraph.co.uk
Photo: pembrokeshire-herald.com
Photo: pembrokeshire-herald.com
Photo: RNLI
The inshore lifeboat was able to approach the Resolute, but was not quite able to reach the vessel. The RNLI placed the lifeboat as close as possible while the 4 crew on the Resolute would abandon ship into a life raft to transfer the crew to the lifeboat. Two crew successfully transferred safely, but the third crew member fell into the sea. Fortunately, the crew member was wearing a lifejacket and would be pulled from the water the by lifeboat. The final crew member was able to transfer successfully. No reports of injuries.
The next day the crew were assisted back onto the grounded Resolute. An inspection found the vessel had suffered hull damage and water ingress. Reports stated a salvage and recovery plan was being developed. The top priority is first to remove the diesel fuel off the vessel.
On the morning of December 14, the 28 meter long, 345 gt fishing vessel Fastnet (IMO: 9244465) ran aground in the Dingle Bay near Binn Bán beach outside of outside Cuan an Daingin, County Kerry, Ireland. The Fastnet had departed from Dingle Harbour in poor conditions with heavy seas when it suffered engine failure. The trawler went adrift and sent out a distress call. Irish Coast Guard responded by dispatching a fixed wing aircraft along with a rescue helicopter while the RNLI launched the 17 meter long lifeboat John and Margaret Doig (MMSI: 232002460) from the Valentia Island.
The RNLI lifeboat assisted by local boats arrived on scene. The vessels attempted to connect a towline to the trawler, but were unsuccessful. Before any further attempts to save the Fastnet could be made, the trawler was blown ashore onto the rocks. Unconfirmed reports state the trawler sustained hull damage and potentially to the fuel tanks.
A rescue helicopter would later safely hoist all 14 crew off the Fastnet. The crew were taken ashore and were evaluated for injuries by emergency personnel. Authorities have initiated an environmental response plan to the incident. Salvage teams have been engaged to mitigate diesel fuel released. The extent of damage and the amount of pollution released has not been disclosed.
