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Category: Sank

Papu Mar

Papu Mar

Papu Mar
Photo: comexonline.com.ar

On the night of April 17, the 32 meter long towboat Papu Mar (MMSI: 755103015) sank on the Río de la Plata Punta in the Indio Channel near the Banco Chico reef off Argentina. The Papu Mar was pushing the barge 240-4 carrying 140 containers when the towboat suffered uncontrolled water ingress caused by stormy conditions. The crew was unable to control the flooding and the towboat partially sank by the stern. The nine crew on board were able to evacuate the vessel and seek refuge on the barge.  Authorities would later rescue the crew and safely transferred them to Port of La Plata where they would receive medical treatment.

Papu Mar
Photo: comexonline.com.ar

The RN Salvamento dispatched the tug Ona Don Lorenzo (IMO: 9328388) to assess the situation. The tug was found the Papu Mar had completely sunk, but still connected to the barge. The barge would later be uncoupled and towed to Buenos Aires. Authorities were monitoring the sunken towboat for any potential release of pollution. Reports state the vessel owners were arranging the refloating of the Papu Mar. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.

Local news reports state the towboat had possibly made an error in judgement to cross the river during the storm. There are suggestions that the rudder room or excessive listing may have allowed water to flood the vessel.

Eileen Rita

Eileen Rita

Eileen Rita
Photo: uscg

On the morning of April 11, the 86 foot fishing vessel Eileen Rita ran aground in Boston Harbor off Green Island.  The Eileen Rita and proceeding in shallow water at low tide when it grounded on the rocks. The 3 crew on board donned immersion suits and sent out a distress call to the Coast Guard. Before the Coast Guard arrived on scene, the fishing vessel rolled over onto its port side and partially sank.  The Coast Guard and Boston police boat arrived on scene and safely rescued the 3 crew.  No reports of injuries.

The Coast Guard reports that the oil and fuel pollution had been released from the Eileen Rita. Authorities state as much as 4,000 gallons of diesel fuel and 50 gallons of lubrication oil was released. A long sheen of oil and fuel could be seen from the fishing vessel to the shores of Green Island.  The Coast Guard stated they are monitoring the pollution and stated it may take upwards of several days to clean up the spill.

The Coast Guard has launched an investigation into the incident. Officials have stated they are looking into if the master of the fishing vessel had fallen asleep allowing the vessel to run aground.

Collision off Hải Phòng

Collision off Hải Phòng

Hosei Crown

On the morning of April 8, the 120 meter long, 13762 dwt cargo vessel Hosei Crown (IMO: 9543926) collided in the Gulf of Bắc Bộ with the fishing vessel TH 92686 TS off Hải Phòng, Vietnam.  The Hosei Crown struck the TH 92686 TS causing the fishing vessel to quickly sink and sending its 12 man crew into the water.

Vietnam authorities received a distress call and alerted nearby vessels to assist in the search and rescue efforts. The Hosei Crown also assisted by releasing life rafts in the area. Authorities deployed the rescue vessel SAR 411 to search the area where the fishing vessel sank.  After several hours of searching,  8 crew of the TH 92686 TS had been safely rescued from the water.  Unfortunately, four crew perished when the fishing vessel sank and their bodies would be later recovered.

The Vietnam Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center has launched an investigation into the incident.  Reports state there was fog in the area at the time of the incident.