According to local news reports, the record-breaking snow in Juneau, Alaska has resulted in multiple vessels of various sizes to sink in the Gastineau Channel within the Juneau harbor. The Juneau harbor typically operates with a smaller workforce during the winter months and were quickly overwhelmed by the heavy snowfall. On December 30, there had been 16 inches of snow and by the end of December the total snowfall had reached 50 inches.
The workers in the harbor would clear snow off nearly 50 vessels, but at least 9 would either capsize or sink. This includes many personal watercraft along with larger vessels. Reports state the 54 foot fishing vessel Julie Ann sunk in the harbor. Reports state that workers are dewatering and refloat the impacted vessels, but efforts have been hampered by weather and resources.
On the morning of December 27, the 47 meter long pinisi sailing vessel Sharandy Of The Seas sank in the Bali Sea in Serangan Harbor, Bali. The Sharandy Of The Seas had been at its mooring undergoing repairs in the harbor when a strong storm squall struck the area. With windws reaching 45 kilometers/hour, the sailing vessel lost stability and developed a severe list to port. The 13 crew on board were unable to stabilize the vessel before it rolled over and sank.
All 13 crew were force to abandon ship and jump into the sea. All were later rescued by locals using a small tender and taken ashore at Serangan Beach. There were no reports of injuries.
Photo: beritabali.com
Photo: sharandyofthesea.com
Photo: sharandyofthesea.com
Reports state the Sharandy Of The Seas sank at 8°43’13.0″S 115°14’27.0″E. There were no disclosure if any pollution had been released.
On the morning of December 16, the 21 meter long, 87 gt fishing vessel Carlos Cunha (MMSI: 263422240. Portuguese Reg: AN-197-C) sank in the Atlantic Ocean approximately 200 nautical miles off Aveiro, Portugal. The Carlos Cunha had reported to the 33 meter long fishing vessel Artur e Teresa (IMO: 9010187) that the vessel had been struck by a wave and suffered water ingress when communication was lost. Only when when authorities received a distress signal from the vessel’s EPIRB, that Carlos Cunha had foundered. The Artur e Teresa was nearby and headed to the last known location of the Carlos Cunha. The Artur e Teresa would find 3 of the crew of the Carlos Cunha in a life raft. Unfortunately, one crew member in the raft had suffered cardiac arrest and would perish shortly after being rescued. The surviving crew members reported that all 7 crew on the Carlos Cunhaabandoned ship, but only a few were able to get into the life raft.
Authorities launched a search and rescue mission for the missing 4 crew members. The Portuguese Navy and Air Force searched the vicinity where the fishing vessel had foundered, but no additional survivors would be found.
Photo: lavozdegalicia.es
Photo: lavozdegalicia.es
Photo: farodevigo.es
Photo: farodevigo.es
Reports state the Carlos Cunha had been lost before. On February 22, 2005, the fishing vessel (sailing under the name of Siempre Casina) sank in the Bay of Biscay off the coast of Ribadeo, Spain. Eight of the nine crew members perished during the incident. The investigation after the incident found the vessel had sunk quickly by the stern when the fishing holds flooded. The investigation suggested that modifications to the vessel may have contributed to the loss, but were later dismissed after a hull inspection.
