The 122 meter long, 9000 dwt freighter Lieke caught fire while in the Bay of Biscay off the coast of Finisterre, Spain. The crew was able to extinguish the blaze quickly, but the fire caused damaged the machinery leaving the vessel disabled. A rescue tugboat was dispatched to the scene and the owner of the Lieke has hired another tug to take the vessel under tow. The Lieke was taken under tow to the port of Vilagarcia. No reports of injuries or pollution released.
The 109 meter long, 6605 dwt freighter TK Bremen went ashore in the Bay of Biscay along the Quiberon peninsula near Etel River, France. The TK Bremen was sailing from Lorient in ballast when caught in a severe storm with wind gusts upto 83 mph and waves reaching 7 meters in height. The master decided to drop anchor behind the shelter of Groix island, but the vessel’s anchors dragged and the vessel went ashore. The crew of 19 were airlifted off the vessel. No reports of injuires. The TK Bremen’s bunker tank was punctured during the grounding and an oil slick has formed around the vessel. Reports state some 220 tons of fuel was released into the water. Authorities have begun clean up operations while steps to keep further fuel being released from the vessel.
The 187 meter long, 53082 dwt tanker Afrodite collided with the 88 meter long, 2803 dwt freighter Florece off Land’s End in the Bay of Biscay. The Afrodite sustained minimal damage, but the Florece hull was cut open and quickly began to fill with water. The Florece’s seven crew abandoned ship into the vessel’s two liferafts before the vessel sank. The Afrodite attempted to deploy a rescue craft to rescue the Florece crew, but sea conditions prevented it. The Florece’s EPIRB alerted the Falmouth Coastguard who contacted the Afrodite who inform the authorities of the collision. The Coast Guard contacted the Spanish Coast Guard and alerted vessels in the area for assistance. The 120 meter long container ship Ocean Titan responded. The Ocean Titan proceeded to the scene and was able to rescue the crew. All seven crew of the Florece were reported safe on board with no injuries. The Ocean Titan will proceed to Lisbon where the crew will be met by Spanish authorities.
