Ashore at Órzola

Ashore at Órzola

Ashore at Órzola
Photo: lavozdelanzarote.com

On the morning of September 10, a fishing vessel (Moroccan flagged; name not disclosed) ran aground on the Atlantic Ocean off the island of Lanzarote, Canary islands.  The tuna boat had sailing off the coast of the island near the town of Órzola when it ran aground on the rocky shoreline.

Witnesses alerted authorities which arrived on site and found all five crew were stable.  Local firefighters assisted all five crew to evacuate the vessel safely to shore. Reports state the crew of the fishing vessel had not eaten a meal for four days. Two crew were taken to hospital for treatment for hypothermia.

Authorities were investigating the incident to determine the circumstances. There is some speculation the fishing vessel was stolen or the crew had not been paid by the owners. It wasn’t clear if the tuna boat had accidently grounded on the Canary Islands by chance or if was intentional.

Reports stated the tuna vessel had later caught fire. Authorities stated they were looking a way to dispose of the vessel with minimal environmental impact.

Eco Triumph

Eco Triumph

Eco Triumph
Photo: forum-schiff.de

On the afternoon of September 8, the 133 meter long, 9000 dwt cargo vessel Eco Triumph (IMO: 9938717) became disabled on the Kiel Canal near Dükerswisch, Germany. The Eco Triumph was bound to Świnoujście from Cape Town with a cargo of turbine blades when it suffered engine failure. Authorities dispatched tugs to tow the cargo vessel back to Brunsbüttel. Reports state the vessel will be allowed to proceed to Kiel only if accompanied by a tug, but the vessel was last reported still at Brunsbüttel on September 10. No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released.

 

Pantai Remis Fire

Pantai Remis Fire

Pantai Remis Fire
Photo: facebook

On the late night on September 7, a deep-sea wooden fishing vessel (name not disclosed) caught fire in the Malacca Strait off Pantai Remis, Malaysia.  Reports state the vessel sent out a distress call immediately after discovering the fire. The fire quickly spread and engulfed the vessel forcing all 25 crew to abandon ship and jump into sea.

Nearby fishing vessels along with the the local fire brigade vessel heard the distress call and were headed to the scene. Fortunately, all 25 crew were pulled from the water and were found in good shape. There were no reports of injuries.

Fire fighters attempted the douse the fire. It would take nearly 2 hours before the fire was under control and eventually extinguished, but nearly 80 percent of the hull had been gutted by the flames. Reports state that all hull and all fishing equipment was a total loss. Authorities state that this class of fishing vessel typically is uninsured. Estimates place the loss exceeding RM1 million.