On September 15, the fishing vessel INDAPV5MM 495 caught fire in the Bay of Bengal off the coast of Visakhapatnam, India. The fire started from a mechanical fault and quickly engulfed the vessel. The five crew on board were forced to abandon ship into the sea. The vessel INDAPV5MM 894 was nearby and was able to rescue all five crew. No reports of injuries and all the crew was taken to shore safely. Reports state the fishing vessel was a total loss.
On September 11, the 40 foot long fishing vessel Randy and Stephanie caught fire in Yarmouth harbour in Nova Scotia, Canada. The fire started in the vessel’s stack where it exits through the wheelhouse. The Randy and Stephanie was taken under tow to a nearby wharf where it was met by Canadian Coast Guard, fire fighters and local authorities. Due to the low tide, the fire fighters had to use portable extinguishers before a hose could be pulled down to put out the blaze. The one crew on board the Randy and Stephanie was evaluated for injuries. No details reported to the extent of damage caused by the fire.
On the morning of September 11, the 20 ton fishing vessel Lian Qingfu No.12 caught fire off the Lanyang River Estuary, Taiwan. The Lian Qingfu No.12 had departed in the early morning from Wushi harbour to catch whitebait. A few hours later a fire broke out on the vessel. Unable to control the flames, the crew sent out a distress call. The four crew on the Lian Qingfu No.12 were rescued by a nearby fishing vessel. The Taiwan Coast Guard dispatched the PP-10055 and CP-1057 patrol boats to the scene. The patrol vessels arrived a short time later and the crew were safely transferred over. The patrol boats used its hoses to get the fire partially under control. A fishing vessel assisted and took the Lian Qingfu No.12 under tow back to Wushi harbour. There local fire fighters were able to completely extinguish the fire.
The Taiwan Coast Guard reported there was no pollution released, but warned vessels of possible debris from the Lian Qingfu No.12. Reports state the majority of the vessel’s superstructure had been destroyed by the fire. No reports of injuries to the 4 crew of the Lian Qingfu No.12.
