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Category: Pollution

Resolute

Resolute

Resolute
Photo: westerntelegraph.co.uk

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.

Resolute
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.

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.

 

Fastnet

Fastnet

Fastnet
Photo: thesun.ie

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.

Pavlof

Pavlof

Pavlof
Photo: khns.org

On the morning of December 4, the 27 meter long fishing vessel Pavlof (MMSI: 338132058) sank in the Chilkat Inlet within the harbor of Haines, Alaska.  Harbor authorities were alerted finding the Pavlof resting on the bottom on its port hull.  Booms were placed around the partially sunk hull to help contain some of the 1300 gallons of diesel fuel onboard.  Staff would continued to help secure the  vessel as it disconnected the electrical and connections to free the vessel.  Work continued well into the evening with divers attaching lines to the hull and connecting the fishing vessel to a barge.

On the following morning, the Pavlof’s was secured and partially refloated and was upright. Three of the 4 fuel vents were closed and the remaining fuel can be pumped off the vessel. Initial reports suggest that snow may have been the cause of the sinking. No reports of injuries.