On December 14, the lighter MV Labs 1 sank near the outer anchorage of Chittagong, Bangladesh. The MV Labs 1 was carrying a cargo of 1050 tons of cement clinker when it was struck by another vessel. The lighter suffered water ingress and began to sink. The crew alerted the coast guard who dispatched a rescue ship to the scene. All 13 crew of the MV Labs 1 were safely rescued. No reports of injuries.
On December 9, the 18 meter long fishing vessel Siempre Urbegi sank off Malpica, Spain. The Siempre Urbegi had earlier struck a rock resulting in hull damage and water ingress. The 10 crew were unable to control the flooding and requested assistance before they were forced to abandon ship. The nearby fishing vessel Anzol responded and rescued the 10 crew from the life raft. Four crew sustained injuries and were later taken to hospital. The Spanish Coastguard arrived on scene and found the Siempre Urbegi in 16 meters of water. Divers were able to partially refloat the Siempre Urbegi later the same day to allow the vessel to be towed to Malpica.
The 117 foot long fishing vessel Exito sank at the entrance of Unalaska Bay near Dutch Harbor, Alaska. The Exito had suffered water ingress while 14 miles northeast of Dutch Harbor in 8 foot seas and winds up to 35 miles per hour. The crew requested assistance with 4 nearby fishing vessels responding. The Coast Guard dispatched the Cutter Alex Haley along with a rescue helicopter from Kodiak to the scene.
The fishing vessel Afognak Strait was first to arrived on scene and rescued 3 of the 5 crew of the Exito. The three crew had abandoned ship together. The remaining two crew were last seen preparing to abandon ship, but are reported as missing. Reports state one of the missing crew had donned a survival suit, but it was unclear if they had escaped into a life raft.
A Coast Guard helicopter along with 3 fishing vessels (Commitment, Blue North and Northern Lead) continue to search the area for the two missing crew. The Coast Guard has launched an investigation into the incident. The Exito had been transporting cargo between Dutch Harbor and Akutan on Akutan Island.