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.
Photo: Salvamento Marítimo
Photo: Salvamento Marítimo
Photo: Salvamento Marítimo
Photo: Salvamento Marítimo
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.
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.
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.
Photo: yahoo
Photo: yahoo
Photo: hk01.com
Photo: Kyodonews.net
Authorities have stated only one other minesweeper has been lost to a fire since 1966.
