Browsed by
Tag: Atlantic Ocean

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.

F.E.H.

F.E.H.

F. E. H.
Photo: USCG

On August 24, the 40 foot long fishing vessel F.E.H. sustained damage on the Atlantic Ocean some 25 miles off Charleston, South Carolina. The F.E.H. had suffered water ingress and requested assistance. The Coast Guard dispatched a response boat from Charleston along with a helicopter from Savannah to assist. The Coast Guard delivered a dewatering pump and got the flooding under control. The response boat then took the F.E.H. under tow back to port. No reports of injuries to the 3 crew members on board the fishing vessel.

Atlantic Treasure

Atlantic Treasure

Atlantic Treasure
Photo: cbc.ca

On the evening of August 17, the 19 meter long, 185 gt fishing vessel Atlantic Treasure (IMO: 8950512) sank in the Atlantic Ocean some 300 kilometers off Canada. The Atlantic Treasure was on the Grand Banks when a seawater pipe burst. Eight crew members attempted to control the flooding while 3 other crew members deployed the life-rafts and prepared the safety gear just in case. The crew quickly found the bilge pumps on board were overwhelmed by the water ingress and the Atlantic Treasure was sinking. The water level rose quickly and eventually flooded the engine room leaving the fishing vessel without power. With the vessel now listing hard over there was no choice for the 11 crew but to abandon ship into a life raft.

Fortunately, the Atlantic Treasure was able to send out a distress call alerting the Canadian Coast Guard and nearby vessels. The Coast Guard dispatched a helicopter, but it would be several hours before it could reach the area.  Luckily the 14 meter long fishing vessel Maid of Amsterdam (MMSI:316053143) was heading back from fishing only 40 kilometers away.  Hearing the distress call, the Maid of Amsterdam changed course to assist in the search and rescue.  It would take around 3 hour when the Maid of Amsterdam reached the survivors. All 11 crew from the Atlantic Treasure would be found and taken on board the Maid of Amsterdam.  The Canadian Coast Guard helicopter arrived soon afterwards and found the crew was safe. The Maid of Amsterdam then proceeded to back to port on Cape Breton with the 11 survivors.  There were no reports of injuries.

Learn more about North Atlantic Fishing Boats on Facebook