Great Pacific Adrift Twice

Great Pacific Adrift Twice

Great Pacific
Photo: USCG

On October 27, the 40 meter long, 199 gt fishing vessel Great Pacific (IMO: 7947506) became disabled in the Gulf of Alaska some 100 miles south of Yakutat, Alaska. The Great Pacific had lost power after its drive shaft broke in heavy seas with waves reaching 30 feet.  The fishing vessel requested assistance with the 46 meter long United States Coast Guard cutter John Witherspoon (MMSI: 338926458) responding. The cutter safely transferred all 5 crew off the Great Pacific and took the vessel under tow. While proceeding to Yakutat, the cutter went adrift when its main engine failed off Kayak Island. The cutter dropped the towline to the fishing vessel while it restored power.  The cutter would regain control and proceeded to Yakutat leaving the Great Pacific unmanned and adrift. No reports of injuries.

 

Authorities were able to monitor the drifting fishing vessel over the following days. A Coast Guard aircraft conducted an overflight as the Great Pacific drifted into shipping channels. The tugboat Betty was able to reach the Great Pacific before it ran aground off Kayak Island. The tug proceeded to tow the fishing vessel to Port Etches where the vessel will undergo survey and inspection for seaworthiness.

 

Silvia

Silvia

Silvia
Photo: nieuwsuitnijmegen.nl

On the morning of November 8, the 187 meter long self-propelled barge Silvia (MMSI: 211383020) caught fire  on the Waal River at Snelbinder near Nijmegen, Netherlands. The Silvia departed from Ochten bound for Mainz with a cargo of sand and soybeans when a fire broke out in the engine room.  Authorities were alerted with the local fire brigade responding. A fireboat transported firefighters onto the Silvia who quickly extinguish the blaze within an hour.

Authorities stated the fire started in the insulation material near the exhaust system. There were no reports of injuries to the 5 crew on board the vessel. The extent of damage from the fire was not disclosed.

 

Victoria

Victoria

Victoria
Photo: mediatv.nl

On November 7, the 70 meter long self-propelled tanker-barge Victoria (MMSI:244670356) caught fire on the North Sea in the Prinses Arianehaven port in Rotterdam, Netherlands. The fire started in the vessel’s wheelhouse with the crew attempting to extinguish the blaze.  One crew member was injured fighting the blaze.  A fireboat along with a KNRM lifeboat came to the aide of the tanker-barge. The crew were safely evacuated off the vessel and taken to a nearby quay. The injured crew member was taken to hospital for treatment. Firefighters would later be transferred to the Victoria where they quickly extinguished the blaze.

The tanker-barge was later berthed at a nearby quay. Damaged to the Victoria and the cause of the blaze has yet to be disclosed. No reports of pollution released.