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Category: Sank

Ukushima

Ukushima

Ukushima
Photo: Japan Coast Guard

On the morning of November 11,  the 54 meter long, wooden hull Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) minesweeper Ukushima (MMSI: 31999662) was lost in Sagami Bay some 2.5 kilometers off Oshima Island, Japan. While conducting a drill, a fire started in the Ukushima engine room. The initial attempt by the crew to contain the blaze failed.  As the fire began to engulf the vessel, the crew requested assistance. The Japan Coast Guard dispatch a fire fighting vessel while the MSDF redirected the minesweeper Toyoshima to the scene. After several hours of fire fighting, the fire looked as if it was contained.  However, the fire would later flare up again a short time later and spread through out the wooden hull.

Authorities determined the next action was to evacuate the Ukushima crew over to the Toyoshima.  When the evacuation was completed, a roll call found that the petty officer on duty in the engine room had been left on board the Ukushima.

Reports state the fire continued to engulf the Ukushima until the vessel capsized and sank. The Coast Guard have dispatched divers to inspect the wreck and search the vessel for the missing person.  Authorities also state one other crew person was injured from smoke inhalation. This crew person was also on duty in the engine room at the time of the incident. The MSDF has launched an investigation into the incident.

Authorities have stated only one other minesweeper has been lost to a fire since 1966.

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.

 

Odyssey FR70

Odyssey FR70

Odyssey FR70

On the morning of October 29, the 23 meter long, 140 gt fishing vessel Odyssey FR70 (IMO: 8644876) sank in the North Sea some 140 miles east of the Firth of Forth, Scotland. Authorities and nearby fishing vessels were alerted when the Odyssey‘s EPIRB distress beacon had been activated. Authorities launched a fixed-wing aircraft and sent out broadcasts to nearby fishing vessels to begin a search and rescue for the crew of the Odyssey.  Fortunately, a nearby fishing vessel found all six crew of the Odyssey safe in a life raft. No reports of injuries.

Odyssey FR70

Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident. The cause of the sinking was not disclosed. The status of the investigation by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch can be viewed here.