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Keep the Change

Keep the Change

Keep The Change
Photo: Facebook

On March 10, the 30 foot long fishing tug Keep the Change sank on Stokes Bay on Lake Huron at its berth at Howdenvale, Ontario, Canada. The Keep the Change had been tied up the dock for several years when it sprung a leak and partially sank.  Reports state the vessel had diesel fuel that leaked out when the vessel suffered water ingress. The vessel owner placed an absorbent boom and pads to collect the pollution while the Canadian Coast Guard deployed a containment boom to prevent the diesel fuel spreading.

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On March 13, contractors arrived on site and pulled the fishing tug ashore and removed any remaining fuel and oil on board the vessel. Authorities have stated the likely cause of the sinking was poor maintenance of the vessel.

Gary M
Gary M recovered in 2024. Photo: Brucepeninsulapress.com

Reports state this is the third vessel to sink around Stokes Bay in the last year.  On September 5, 2024 the fishing tug Gary M sank at the Stokes Bay dock releasing diesel fuel into the water. Authorities stated that 7,000 litres of polluted water was recovered.

MSC Baltic III

MSC Baltic III

MSC Baltic III
Photo: Canadian Coast Guard

On the morning of February 15, the 207 meter long, 33767 dwt container ship MSC Baltic III (IMO: 9241475) ran aground in the Gulf of St. Lawrence near Lark Harbour, Newfoundland, Canada. The MSC Baltic III had lost power and was adrift in stormy weather with winds over 120 kilometers per hour and waves reaching 6 meters in height. The vessel dropped its starboard anchor hoping to keep the vessel from running aground, but the effort failed and the MSC Baltic III ran ashore along the rocky coastline.

The MSC Baltic III issued a distress call with the Canadian Coast Guard dispatching the 100 meter long, 6,166 gt cutter Henry Larsen along with multiple helicopters to assist. Cormorant helicopters arrived on scene a few hours later and was able to airlift all 20 crew off the MSC Baltic III to safety. No reports of injuries.

The cause of the power failure was not disclosed. Authorities are monitoring the vessel for potential pollution being released from the fuel tanks. An inspection of damage would be conducted when weather conditions improve. No reports of containers breaking free and going overboard. Reports state the MSC Baltic III was headed for Corner Brook, Newfoundland from Montreal, Quebec with a cargo of containers.

Fortune Pride

Fortune Pride

Fortune Pride

On the evening of February 6, the 15 meter long, 102 gt fishing vessel Fortune Pride (IMO: 8861802) capsized and sank in the Atlantic Ocean some 18 kilometers southeast of Sambro, Nova Scotia, Canada. Authorities were alerted by the vessel’s ERIPB that the vessel was in trouble. Unable to contact the Fortune Pride over radio, the Canadian Coast Guard deployed the 19 meter long search and rescue vessel Hare Bay (MMSI: 316044024) and the 83 meter long tender Sir William Alexander (IMO: 8320482) along with a helicopter and a fixed-wing aircraft.

Hare Bay

Rescuers arrived at the last reported location of the fishing vessel and there was no sign of the Fortune Pride. However, they located three crew in the water wearing survival suits. The three were rescued by the Hare Bay and taken to hospital. A forth crew member was later found the next morning in an overturned life raft. He was later airlifted to the helicopter and transported to hospital. Authorities would later state this crew member along with one other crew rescued earlier had perished.

Sir William Alexander

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has launched an investigation into the incident. Reports state the Fortune Pride had departed from Sambro and encountered four meter waves and strong winds. The cause of the capsizing has not be disclosed.