Shipwreck Log - Page 7

On the afternoon of October 18, the 138 meter long, 12634 dwt cargo vessel Sloman Dispatcher (IMO: 9620657) caught fire in the Mediterranean Sea while berthed in the port of Escombreras in Cartagena, Spain. Reports state 2 separate fires started on board the cargo vessel. One of the fires started on deck when sparks ignited tarpaulins covering cargo. The other fire started inside the vessel’s hold

The local fire brigade was alerted who arrived to find the crew engaged trying to contain the fires. The firefighters combined their efforts with the crew and had the fire extinguished a short time later. No reports of injuries. Damage to the vessel was reported to be minimal.

Nominoë

October 21, 2025 Paul Hancock

On the late morning of October 21, the 21 meter long fishing vessel Nominoë (IMO: 8663468) caught fire in the Bay of Seine off the coast of Normandie, France. The fire started in the vessel’s engine room and was quickly contained by the 4 crew on board. Unable to extinguish the blaze, the vessel sent out a distress call which was received by the Jobourg Regional Operational Surveillance and Rescue Center (CROSS).

Authorities dispatched a French Naval helicopter along with the 17 meter long patrol vessel Philippe Kieffer (MMSI: 228210810). The Philippe Kieffer arrived on scene and safely evacuated 3 crew off the Nominoë leaving only the captain onboard the fishing vessel. The naval helicopter airlifted 3 firefighters from Cherbourg to the Nominoë who were able to extinguish the blaze later that afternoon. No reports of injuries.

The Nominoë sustained significant damage to the engine room and was unable to proceed under its own power, but the hull remained intact. The 107 gt fishing vessel Dieppois (IMO: 8676362) was dispatched and took the Nominoë under tow to Dieppe. The cause of the fire was not disclosed.

The El Atracadero To Go

October 20, 2025 Paul Hancock

On October 10, the floating seafood restaurant El Atracadero was swept away from its moorings on the Tuxpan River at Tuxpan, Mexico. The water level on the river had swelled and overflowed its banks caused from the heavy rains from Hurricane Priscilla and Tropical Storm Raymond. The El Atracadero continued to drift down the river and eventually made its way into the Gulf of Mexico and was presumed lost.

The 46-year old restaurant would drift southward in the gulf when it at some point the building split apart. One section that contained the kitchen and bathroom was found near the port of Alvarado some 200 kilometers away from Tuxpan.

The other section containing the dining room was spotted 1 kilometer off the shore of Coatzacoalcos, Mexico. The dining room had travelled some 570 kilometers before it eventually beached at Playa El Tesoro.

Mexican Navy has secured both sections of the restaurant to avoid any risk to navigation in the area. Reports state there was no one inside the El Atracadero during the incident. The El Atracadero started in 1979 and known to both locals and tourists for its cuisine.