On December 3, the 29 meter long, 149 gt tugboat Sylvia M (IMO: 6409064) became disabled in the Atlantic Ocean off Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain. The Sylvia M was towing the 36 meter long, 217 gt offshore support vessel K-Marine IV (IMO: 8977687) when it suffered engine problems. The Salvamento Marítimo was alerted and dispatched the 21 meter long lifeboat Salvamar Nunki (MMSI: 224049950) along with the 56 meter long, 1190 dwt tugboat Miguel de Cervantes (IMO: 9320116) to assist. The Miguel de Cervantes took over the tow of the K-Marine IV and proceeded to the port of Las Palmas. No reports of injuries, damage or pollution.
On the early morning of September 20, the fishing vessel Ray Primero sprung a leak 10 nautical miles off A Coruña, Spain. The Ray Primero sent out a distress call stating the vessel had uncontrolled flooding and the crew were abandoning ship into a life raft. The Salvamento Marítimo launched a search and rescue operation with multiple vessels and a helicopter to the scene. The helicopter found the life raft and hoisted all 11 crew to safety. No reports of injuries.
When the search and rescue vessels arrived, they found the Ray Primero still afloat. Authorities started dewatering efforts while the 22 meter long search and rescue vessel Salvamar Betelgeuse (MMSI: 225986508) and the 40 meter long tugboat María de Maeztu (IMO: 9429091) connected a towing line. The vessels took the fishing vessel under tow and proceed to A Coruña. The vessels arrived in port safely.
Reports state that minor repairs were done on the fishing vessel. No reports of pollution released.
On September 12, the 31 meter long, 402 gt fishing vessel Tafra 3 (IMO: 9238727) was in a collision with the 104.5 meter long, 1810 dwt fishing vessel Right Whale (IMO: 8228543) on the Atlantic Ocean off Mauritania. The Tafra 3 was fishing with a trawl astern when it was struck amidships by the Right Whale. The Right Whale sliced into starboard hull of the Tafra 3 leaving a massive hole from the main deck down to below the waterline. The fishing vessels only remained together for a few minutes before they drifted apart. The Tafra 3 quickly listed over to starboard before it sank by the stern in just in a few minutes.
The crew on the Tafra 3 had no time to launch life rafts, but many were able to don life jackets before the fishing vessel sank. Reports state that 21 survivors were pulled from the water. One crew member had sustained an injury to his head. Five crew members were reported as missing.
Photo: puentedemando.com
Photo: laopinioncoruna.es
Photo: farodevigo.es
Photo: farodevigo.es
A large scale search and rescue operation searched for the missing crew members continued for several days, but was not successful. An investigation has been launched into the incident. Preliminary reports state the incident occurred in calm seas and clear weather. Authorities have stated the Tafra 3 is resting in 50 meters of water. A news report states that the master of the Right Whale has be detained.
