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Strange Fate of the Vestland

Strange Fate of the Vestland

The 220 dwt tug Courbet was headed for Lagos from Rotterdam with two vessels under tow, the 90 meter long Vestland and 109 meter long Atlantic Trader.    The Courbet had radioed that it had problems with the two vessels.   The Vestland and Atlantic Trader were not designed for ocean travel, but were designed as powered canal boats.   When the trio were in the Bay of Biscay, they ran into stormy conditions.  The Vestland was empty and riding badly in the storm.   The Courbet changed course to meet with the salvage vessel Abeille Bourbon in an attempt to keep the Vestland afloat.   However, the seas were too much and the Vestland broke-in-two off Penmarch, France.   The bow section was taken under tow by the Courbet while the Abeille Bourbon secured the stern section.  An hour later the stern section was unable to keep afloat, and sunk  in 2000 meters of water.   The bow section stayed afloat until the next night when it sank.    The fate of the Atlantic Trader has not been reported, but it did not have an AIS, Automated Identification System, on board and will be difficult to track.   Various reports state there was no pollution released, but one states there was 7 metric tons of fuel in its bunkers.   Three men were reported to be on board the Vestland when it broke-in-two.  The men were rescued by the Courbet.   No reports of injuries.

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La Lambada Fire

La Lambada Fire

Photo: Thomas Jerrion

The 16 meter long fishing vessel La Lambada suffered an engine room file while fishing off the island of Oleron, France.   The crew contacted  the Regional Operational Center who forward the message to a team from La Rochelle firefighters.   The Navy, SNSM and fireboats from La Rochelle responded sending out vessels and aircraft to the scene.  While the rescuers were enroute, the crew of the La Lambada were able to contain the fire.  However, the crew reported that the fishing vessel had developed a leak.   The fire boats reached the scene an hour later and were able to extinguish the blaze.    The toxic smoke from the La Lambada forced the crew to evacuate the vessel.   The crew were taken aboard one of the rescue vessels.  The La Lambada was taken under tow by the SNSM lifeboat back to La Continere.    Initial reports state the fire started by an electrical short.   No reports of injuries.

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Marco Sinks

Marco Sinks

The 36 meter long fishing trawler Marco sank while off the island of Sein, France in the Biscay Bay.   The Marco with a crew of six was  heading back to its home port of Zeebrugge, Belgium, when the Marco struck bottom and developed a leak.   The Marco master spotted the water ingress and sent out a distress call.   The crew went to the lifeboat as the Marco heeled and started to sink.  Some 40 minutes later, the crew were rescued by the SNSM who had received the distress call.    The Marco now rests 53 meters below the surface.   Divers have gone down to the wreck and have plugged several vents to prevent diesel fuel pollution from being released.   No reports of injury.

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