Browsed by
Tag: Bay of Biscay

Modern Express

Modern Express

Modern Express
Photo: twitter

The 164 meter long, 10454 dwt ro-ro car carrier Modern Express became disabled in the Bay of Biscay while en route to Le Havre, France. The Modern Express was loaded with a cargo of vehicles and 3,700 tons of wood from Owendo, Gabon when it suffered a cargo shift.  The shift caused the car carrier to develop a heavy starboard list of 40 degrees.  The crew requested assistance and a helicopter was dispatched by Spanish authorities.  All 22 crew on board the car carrier was air lifted to safety.  A tug arrived on scene and was monitoring the situation. Reports state the owners  of the Modern Express have arranged to have a salvage firm to assess the risks and evaluate salvage options while the vessel remains far off the coast.

Cintharth

Cintharth

cintharth
Photo: sudouest.fr

The 24 meter long fishing vessel Cintharth ran aground in the Bay of Biscay off Saint-Jean-de-Luz / Ciboure, France. The Cintharth had run aground near the entrance of the port sustaining hull damage.  The vessel requested assistance and the 6 crew on board were airlifted by helicopter.  One crewman was slightly injured and taken to a nearby clinic. On the following rising tide, the fishing vessel showed increased flooding.  The pumps on board were unable to stop the flooding. The SNSM lifeboat and harbor tug stabilize the vessel. Salvage of the vessel was pospone until the 15,000 litres of fuel is pumped from its tanks.  No reports of pollution released.

 

Ar Raok II

Ar Raok II

Ar Raok II
Photo: National Maritime

On February 28, the 20 meter long fishing vessel Ar Raok II caught fire in the Bay of Biscay off Belle-Île, France. The fire erupted from some machinery on board and quickly swept through the trawler.  The four crew was unable to contain the blaze.  They sent out a distress call before forced to abandon ship into the vessel’s life raft. The nearby fishing vessel Joker responded to the alert and rescued the Ar Raok II crew. No reports of injuries. A French frigate and 2 SNSM lifeboats arrived on scene. The vessels attempted to douse the fire and cool the hull, but the Ar Raok II superstructure had already burned away. The blackened hull of the Ar Raok II was taken under tow, but the hull was too far damaged and it sank a short time later. The hull now rests in 50 meters of water near Belle-Île.