On February 12, the 11 meter long fishing vessel Bjørn Martin (MMSI: 257038310) collided with the fishing vessel Nordsö in the Norwegian Sea some 22 nautical miles northwest of Ålesund, Norway. The two vessels collided nearly head-on with the Bjørn Martin sustained damage to its wheelhouse and mast while the Nordsö sustained only scratches to its bow.
Photo: rbnett.no
Authorities received a distress call and deployed a rescue helicopter and a lifeboat to the vessels. Neither vessel needed assistance and rescuers returned to port. No reports of injuries and no pollution released.
On the evening of February 12, the 14 meter long, 32 ton fishing vessel 2066 Jae Sung Ho (MMSI: 440012160) capsized in East China Sea about 8 kilometers off the coast of Seogwipo, Jeju Island. Authorities received an emergency alert signal via very high frequency (VHF-DSC) radio with the Korean Coast Guard dispatching a patrol vessel. The patrol vessel arrived on site and found 3 crew in a life raft, 1 crew member on the overturn hull of the 2066 Jae Sung Ho and 1 crew person in the water. The 5 were rescued by the patrol boat and all were reported to be in good health.
Authorities are conducting a search for the remaining missing crew members. Reports state 17 vessels aided by multiple civilian fishing vessels and a helicopter are searching the surrounding area. News reports state there was a strong wind advisory at the time of the incident. Winds were reported to have gusts up to 45 miles per hour and waves reaching 3 meters.
On the early morning of February 9, the 43 meter long, 139 ton fishing vessel 22 Seokyung (MMSI: 440106630) capsized and sank in the East China Sea 17 kilometers east of Habaekdo Island off the coast from Yeosu, South Korea. Reports state the vessel with 14 crew had suddenly capsized due to bad weather. Search and rescue by the Korea Coast Guard aided by nearby fishing vessels were able to pull 7 crew from the water. Three crew, including the captain of the 22 Seokyung, were found floating unconscious. Attempts to revive the crew members were unsuccessful. The other four crew were found in a life raft. They were rescued and later taken to Chukjeong on Narodo Island for treatment from hypothermia and non life-threatening injuries.
Authorities conducted a five-kilometer search around the are where the fishing vessel sank for the remaining missing crew. The Coast Guard deployed 19 vessels aided by four aircraft while divers were used to see if the the crew were trapped within the vessel. Testimony provided by the 4 surviving crew stated the 6 missing members were most likely below deck when the 22 Seokyungcapsized.
Reports also state the fishing vessel had capsized before any distress call could be made. The vessel’s operator were first alerted when the vessel disappeared off radar. Korean authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.
