On April 11, the 28 meter long fishing vessel Koçaliler caught fire while berthed at the Rumeli Feneri lighthouse, Turkey. The fire started in the engine room during the night. Local authorities were alerted and safely evacuated the two sleeping crew on board the Koçaliler. A lifeboat was dispatched to the scene and was able to bring the fire under control. No reports of injuries or pollution released.
On April 11, the 136 meter long, 3372 dwt factory fishing vessel Oleg Naydenov caught fire while berthed in Reina Sofia, Las Palmas, Canary Islands. The fire started in a boiler in the engine room while the vessel was preparing to leave for Mauritania. Local firefighters initially brought the fire under control, but were not able to fully extinguish the blaze. Authorities decided to tow the Oleg Naydenov out of the port fearing the trawler could explode damaging other vessels in the port. A salvage vessel and tug towed the Oleg Naydenov 30 miles east of Gran Cararia. Hoping the fire would burn itself out, the Oleg Naydenov was left adrift off the island. However, the fire intensity damaged the hull and the Oleg Naydenov sank on April 14 in 2400 meters of water some 15 miles off the coast of Maspalomas, Gran Canaria. No reports of injuries. The Oleg Naydenov had some 1400 tons of fuel on board at the time of the fire. Authorities hope most of the fuel burned in the fire, but some was still on board when it sank.
On April 8, the 77 foot long fishing vessel Capt. Gavin ran aground on Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey. The Capt. Gavin had run ashore while carrying some 600 pounds of scallops. The fishing vessel remained high and dry for several days after initial attempts to refloat the vessel failed. A tug was finally able to pull the fishing boat back into the water on the rising tide. No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released.
