During the early morning hours of August 17, the 30 meter long fishing vessel Min Long Yu 60877 (MMSI: 412445165) sank 6.5 miles off Dongding, Taiwan. The Min Long Yu 60877 had collided with another unidentified vessel and sunk. Authorities were alerted and dispatched three patrol vessels to the scene while nearby fishing vessels aided in the search for survivors. Four crew were later rescued from the water by the nearby fishing vessels. Authorities stated they plan to continue to expand the search and rescue operation. Reports state three crew are still missing.
On the night of August 12, the 81 foot long fishing vessel Three Girls (MMSI: 368140980) caught fire in the Gulf of Maine off Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The groundfish trawler had departed from Boston and was positioned some 100 miles east of Portsmouth when the fire broke onboard the vessel. The United States Coast Guard received a distress call from the Three Girls stating the vessel was ablaze and all 6 persons on board (the master, 4 crewmen and a NOAA observer) were abandoning ship. Authorities also received a signal from the Three Girls EPIRB (Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon) giving its location.
The Coast Guard diverted the cutter William Chadwick along with launching a MH-60 Jayhawk and the turboprop HC-144 Ocean Sentry from Cape Cod. Additionally, the fishing vessel Princess Lauren diverted to aid in rescue efforts. Within two hours, the William Chadwick and the Princess Lauren were on scene along with the MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter. The cutter was able to recover all 6 people from the Three Girls. No reports of injuries. The cutter transported the survivors back to South Portland by the next morning. The cause of the fire has not been released. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.
Update: Reports that the Three Girls was lost was incorrect. Fireboats from Portland Maine were able to extinguish the blaze and take the fishing vessel under tow.
On July 22, the 53 meter long, 2004 gt fishing vessel Argos Georgia sank in the Atlantic Ocean some 200 miles east of the Falkland Islands. The Argos Georgia had been fishing for Patagonian toothfish when it suffered water ingress. Unable to control the flooding, the 27 crew on board the Argos Georgia alerted authorities the vessel was sinking the crew were forced to abandon ship. r The crew struggled to launch life rafts as high winds and waves reaching 8 meters high continued to lash against the Argos Georgia.
After receiving the distress signal, authorities launched a search and rescue mission. Patrol vessels along with nearby fishing vessels began a search for survivors from the Argos Georgia. Reports state the patrol vessel Lilibet, fishing vessels Robin M Lee, and Puerto Toro searched the area along with multiple aircraft begun searching the area for life rafts. Rescuers were able to rescue some 14 of the 27 crew which were later taken to hospital for assessment. Nine bodies were also recovered during the operation. The remaining four missing crewmen were presumed deceased. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.
