On the morning of September 22, the 22 meter long fishing vessel Bahía De Águilas (MMSI: 224138680) became disabled in the Balearic Sea six miles south of Calafell, Spain. The Bahía De Águilas became disabled when a net entangled in the propeller. The vessel requested assistance with the Salvamento Maritimó dispatched the 15 meter long search and rescue Salvamar Polaris (MMSI: 224007110) to assist. The Salvamar Polaris towed the Bahía De Águilas to Vilanova. No reports of injuries to the 8 crew members, damage or pollution released.
On the afternoon of September 19, a 79 ton fishing vessel (name not disclosed) capsized and sank in the Sea of Japan some 61.6 kilometers east of Busan, South Korea. The fishing vessel had been attempting to haul in fishing nets when it lost stability and capsized. The fishing vessel’s EPIRB alerted South Korean authorities who launched a search and rescue operation. A nearby fishing vessel was able to rescue 7 crew members with one crew member listed as missing. The captain of the fishing vessel was found, but had suffered cardiac arrest. A Coast Guard helicopter airlifted him and took him ashore for medical treatment. Authorities stated he did not recover and later died while in hospital.
The South Korean Coast Guard searched the area near where the fishing vessel sank for the missing crew member using patrol ships and aircraft, but were not successful in finding the sailor. Reports stated the missing crew member was not wearing a life jacket. Authorities have talked to the crew who state the capsizing was caused by the vessel turning while the net was being pulled in. The incident is under investigation.
On September 12, the 31 meter long, 402 gt fishing vessel Tafra 3 (IMO: 9238727) was in a collision with the 104.5 meter long, 1810 dwt fishing vessel Right Whale (IMO: 8228543) on the Atlantic Ocean off Mauritania. The Tafra 3 was fishing with a trawl astern when it was struck amidships by the Right Whale. The Right Whale sliced into starboard hull of the Tafra 3 leaving a massive hole from the main deck down to below the waterline. The fishing vessels only remained together for a few minutes before they drifted apart. The Tafra 3 quickly listed over to starboard before it sank by the stern in just in a few minutes.
The crew on the Tafra 3 had no time to launch life rafts, but many were able to don life jackets before the fishing vessel sank. Reports state that 21 survivors were pulled from the water. One crew member had sustained an injury to his head. Five crew members were reported as missing.
Photo: puentedemando.com
Photo: laopinioncoruna.es
Photo: farodevigo.es
Photo: farodevigo.es
A large scale search and rescue operation searched for the missing crew members continued for several days, but was not successful. An investigation has been launched into the incident. Preliminary reports state the incident occurred in calm seas and clear weather. Authorities have stated the Tafra 3 is resting in 50 meters of water. A news report states that the master of the Right Whale has be detained.
