On September 15, the 50 meter long fishing vessel Mana ran arground on Musgrave Island, Queensland, Australia. Initial attempts to refloat the vessel by the crew had failed and the crew were forced to stay on board until the following day by a passing boat. The two crew were uninjured and safely taken to Bundaberg.
The Mana rests on a sandbank and is high and dry during low tide. Authorities report no damage and no pollution has been released, but the fishing vessel had some 8 tons of fuel on board at the time of the grounding. Authorities have a vessel monitoring the situation and are working on a salvage plan.
On September 7. the 79 meter long, 1731 fishing vessel Urabain caught fire in the port of Puerto Madryn, Argentina. The trawler was waiting for the rising tide to leave port when a fire broke out in the forward cargo hold which contained some 50,000 kilograms packaging materials. The fire spewed out dense smoke making it difficult to contain. Local fire brigades were called upon to tackle the blaze and help evacuate the crew on board. One crewman sustained injuries and was later taken to hospital.
Photo: elchubut.com.ar
Photo: elchubut.com.ar
Photo: elchubut.com.ar
Photo: elchubut.com.ar
Photo: lu17.com
Photo: lu17.com
On September 9, the fire continued to burn within the interior of the Urabain. The fire had spread through the interior into the galley where several propane tanks exploded. Fire crews had used so much water and foam to fight he blaze, the vessel developed a list to starboard. Authorities started the water bilge to help lower water in the hold and reduce the listing. However, the heat was so intense that the hoses melted. Some 10 meters of the port hull plates have failed to continuous heat. Reports state the trawler will most likely sink at the pier due to the amount of hull damage already sustained.
On August 31, the 14 meter long fishing vessel Carmanah Light ran aground on Rose Spit, Haida Gwaii, British Columbia, Canada. The crab boat had run aground just offshore and sustain water ingress. The four crew on board abandoned ship in their survival suits and were able to make it ashore safely. No reports of injuries.
Authorities were alerted and are monitoring the situation. Reports state the owner of the Carmanah Light is coordinating a salvage plan.
