On the afternoon of January 7, a fishing vessel (name not disclosed) caught fire in the Beibu Gulf off Qiaogang, Beihai City, China. Authorities were alerted and dispatched a patrol vessel to the scene. The two crew on the fishing vessel were safely evacuated while the patrol vessel extinguished the blaze. No reports of injuries. The extent of damage to the fishing vessel was not disclosed.
On the morning of January 5, a fishing vessel (name not disclosed) had capsized in the Qiongzhou Strait off Xuwen, Zhanjiang, China. The fishing vessel had rolled over with 6 crew on board. Nearby fishing vessels would arrive on site and find 5 of the crew holding onto the overturn hull. One crew member was missing, but was later found to have perished during the incident. His body would be later be recovered.
The cause of the capsizing is not yet known. Authorities stated the incident was being investigated by local maritime authorities.
On the evening of January 5, the Gris-Nez Regional Operational Surveillance and Rescue Center (CROSS) received a report two fishing vessels collided in the English Channel off the coast off Fécamp, France. Authorities state the 24 meter long, 189 gt fishing vessel Vauban CN807008 (IMO: 8543383) was struck by another fishing vessel (name not disclosed). The Vauban suffered damage to its port bow holed with uncontrolled water ingress.
French authorities dispatched the 18 meter long SNSM lifeboat SNS 089 Cap Fagnet (MMSI: 227003620) along with a Dauphin helicopter from the French Navy. The helicopter arrived on the scene and hoisted 3 of the 6 crew off the Vauban. These crew members would be transferred to the other fishing vessel involved in the incident. The remaining crew members on the Vauban would stay on board to run dewatering pumps delivered by the lifeboat.
An hour later the helicopter was on site again. Two of the 3 crew members on the Vauban needed medical attention. These crew had suffered smoke inhalation from the exhaust from the dewatering pumps. Two crew from the SNSM lifeboat were winched aboard the Vauban to assist. Assisted by telemedicine physicians from Le Havre, the crew were provided medical treatment. Their conditions improved and there was no need for evacuation.
Authorities had the Vauban towed back to Fécamp where it would be met by local fire and rescue services who offered additional support to control the water ingress. The cause of the collision was not disclosed.