The 49 meter long fishing vessel Neptun AS 202 became disabled in the North Sea off Thyborøn, Denmark. The trawler had gone adrift after suffering engine failure. The crew alerted authorities who dispatched a DSRS lifeboat to the scene. The lifeboat took the Neptun under tow and returned to port a few hours later. No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released.
The 55 meter long, 414 dwt fishing vessel Kapitan Chernov caught fire in the Sea of Okhotsk off the Kamchatka Peninsula near Ozernovskiy, Russia. The fire started in a crew cabin and quickly spread through the vessel. While the crew attempted to extinguish the blaze, the vessel sent out a distress call. Nearby trawlers responded and help evacuate 22 of 27 crew off the Kapitan Chernov. The remaining 5 crew continued to battle the blaze for several hours, but the fire could not be contained. The 5 crew determined there was no hope in saving the vessel and abandoned ship. No reports of injuries.
Reports state the Kapitan Chernov was still at anchor and was expected to burn to the waters edge.
On May 16, the 12 meter long, 20 gt fishing vessel L’île Maurice caught fire while moored at Boulogne-sur-Mer, France. The fire started after an explosion on board the trawler. The blaze quickly spread through out the vessel and the entire superstructure was engulfed in flames.
The local fire brigades were alerted with multiple brigades dispatched to the scene. With over 60 firefighters assisting, the fire was finally contained with the use of foam and water.
The Trawler had sustained significant damage and was waterlogged from the fire fighting efforts. Firefighters attempted to keep the L’île Maurice afloat using pumps to dewater the vessel. Booms were placed around the L’île Maurice to contain any pollution released.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident to determine the cause of the explosion.
