Sank - Shipwreck Log

Just after midnight on December 1, the 50 foot long fishing vessel Wind Walker (MMSI: 367610250) capsized and sunk in the Icy Strait near Point Couverden, Alaska. The Wind Walker had sent out a distress call stating the vessel was “overturning” which was received by the nearby 85 meter long, 6096 dwt ro-ro passenger ferry Hubbard (IMO:9812808). The Hubbard relayed the message to the United States Coast Guard. The Coast Guard also received an EPIRB alert from the Wind Walker suggesting the vessel had foundered after it capsized.

The ferry Hubbard was first to reach the area of the distress call. The search found seven cold-water immersion suits and two strobe lights in the sea. The Coast Guard was conducting the search of the area with a Jayhawk helicopter and a 45-foot response boat. The search is also being assisted by the Hubbard and other fishing vessels for the missing crew of the Wind Walker. Unconfirmed reports state there were 5 crew on board the Wind Walker at the time. The Coast Guard stated the fishing vessel had been in rough conditions with heavy blinding snow with 60 mile per hour winds and seas with 6 foot swells. The Coast Guard has stated they have the cutter Healy is now in the search area and the cutter Douglas Denman was being directed to the area to assist in the efforts.

El Cañavera

November 27, 2024 Paul Hancock

On November 25, the 17 meter long fishing vessel El Cañavera (MMSI: 224132650) sank in the Bay of Biscay some 1.3 miles off Punta Candelaria, Spain. The fishing vessel alerted authorities it was in distress from uncontrolled water ingress. Reports state the crew of the El Cañavera had abandoned ship into the vessel’s life raft as the vessel sank by the stern.

The Salvamento Marítimo dispatched a helicopter along with multiple vessels to the scene. Fortunately, the nearby 18 meter long fishing vessel Brisas de Cedeira (MMSI: 224015930) assisted and rescued the 4 crew from the life raft. The Brisas de Cedeira proceeded to Cedeira. No reports of injuries.

Princ Zadra

November 20, 2024 Paul Hancock

On the evening of November 15, the 38 meter long, 147 dwt catamaran passenger ferry Princ Zadra (IMO: 8822363) ran aground in the Adriatic Sea off the island of Premuda, Croatia. The Princ Zadra, loaded with 70 passengers, was running its route from Zadar and the offshore islands of Premuda, Silba and Olib when it ran up onto rocks off Premuda. The vessel requested assistance as the catamaran was hard aground at the bow.

Authorities from Zadar arrived on scene and found all 70 passengers were uninjured and began evacuation. Passengers were transferred to private boats and the passenger ship Vladimir Nazor which had been diverted to the area to assist in the evacuation. No reports of injuries to crew or passengers.

The following day the Princ Zadra was pushed by strong winds and slipped off the rocks. With extensive hull damage the ferry quickly flooded and sank by the stern. The vessel now rests under 50 meters of water. There has been no reports of pollution so far. Reports do state authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.