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Category: Pollution

Geumseong 135

Geumseong 135

Geumseong 135
Photo: Korea Coast Guard

On the early morning hours of November 8, the 36.67 meter long, 129 ton fishing vessel Geumseong 135 (IMO: 8916592) sank in the Korea Strait near Jeju Island, South Korea. The Geumseong 135 had been hauling in its catch when it lost stability, rolled over and sunk. A few minutes after the vessel sank, the Coast Guard received an alert and quickly responded. The Coast Guard deployed 14 patrol vessels and 4 helicopters to search for survivors. The Coast Guard had requested additional vessels and aircraft to assisted in the search.  Rescuers found 15 of the 27 of the Geumseong 135 crew. Two of the crew rescued were found in cardiac arrest and were later declared deceased.

Over the following days, the Coast Guard recovered two additional bodies from the sea with 10 crew still missing. An oil sheen was visible over the wreck which rests in a depth of 80 to 90 meters.

Reports state the reason the Geumseong 135 lost stability due to the size of the catch in the net was 3 to 5 times greater than normally be caught. The incident is under investigation.

 

Unknown Fishing Vessels Aground

Unknown Fishing Vessels Aground

Help us identify the following fishing vessels. If you have any information, please email Patrick.

Photo: dimsumdaily.hk

On the early morning of November 3, an unnamed fishing vessel ran aground in Praia Grande Bay (Nam Van) on Macau Island near the the Macao-Taipa Bridge. The fishing vessel had allided with the protective barrier of the Macao-Taipa Bridge before running ashore a short distance. Authorities dispatched a vessel which rescued all four crew on board the fishing vessel. Authorities found the vessel had released some oil pollution into the water and deployed oil barriers and absorption pads around the fishing vessel. The fishing vessel did not pose any risk to navigation in the area. No reports of injuries.

Photo: RNLI

On the early morning of November 1, an unnamed fishing vessel ran aground in the Corran narrows of Loch Linnhe along the coast of Ardgour near Corran, Scotland. The fishing vessel had suffered steering issues and ran hard aground on the ebb tide. The Stornoway coastguard requested the RNLI lifeboat out of Oban to assist. The lifeboat arrived on scene and arrange to refloat the fishing vessel on the rising tide. The fishing vessel had suffered some water ingress into its hold requiring a dewatering pump. The lifeboat pulled the fishing vessel free and towed it into deeper water. Reports state the fishing vessel was able to proceed under its own power to Corpach where it would be inspected for damage. No reports of injuries or pollution released.

Collision off Gibraltar

Collision off Gibraltar

Southern Puma
Photo: puentedemando.com

On the early morning hours of November 1, the 179 meter long, 30,765 dwt bulk carrier Louisa Bolten (IMO: 9407049) collided with the 156.5 meter long, 26,071 dwt tanker Southern Puma (IMO: 9792008) in the Strait of Gibraltar off Algeciras, Spain. The Southern Puma was headed for Bilbao from Antwerp with a cargo of paraffin when the Louisa Bolten, en route from Avonmouth to Aliaga, struck the forward starboard section of the Southern Puma. While the bulk carrier sustained bow damage, the tanker suffered more damage on its starboard hull with at least one of the tanker’s hold breached. After the collision, authorities dispatched multiple vessels along with aircraft to the scene. Authorities found the Southern Puma had released pollution into the sea. An investigation found that 600 tons of liquid paraffin had been spilled.

The Southern Puma was escorted by four tugs to the port of Algeciras where it will transfer the cargo to another vessel before it can go into drydock. A boom was placed around the vessel to contain any further pollution released. Reports state some of the liquid paraffin released has solidified and washed ashore.

Initial reports state the Southern Puma had disabled its AIS prior to the collision. The Louisa Bolten was inspected and allowed to proceed on its voyage for Aliaga, Turkey. The incident remains under investigation.