The 24 meter long, 103 gt fishing vessel Le Précurseur sprung a leak while bearthed at Boulogne-sur-Mer, France. The fishing vessel suffered water ingress and developed a heavy list to port. Local fire brigades responded to the scene and were able to bring the flooding under control with a pump. No reports of injuries.
On October 26, the 38 meter long self-propelled barge Mac Gyver, loaded with 350 tons of sand, collided with the combination of the 39 meter long self-propelled barge Hijete and barge Yamoto on the Canal du Nord near Eterpigny, France. Both vessels were unable to establish communications before they collided head-on. The Yamoto sustained damage and water ingress at the bow. Unable to contain the flooding, the local fire brigade was alerted. They arrived on scene and deployed 3 dewatering pumps trying to keep the barge afloat. The flooding was too much for the pumps and the Yamoto sank by the bow. The pumps were pulled off the Yamoto and the entire vessel sank to the bottom of the canal leaving only part of the wheelhouse visible. Authorities laid out booms to contain oil pollution released. Reports state the Yamoto will be later raised and repaired.
The Mac Gyver and Hijete both sustained some damage, but were in no danger of sinking.
The 35 meter long fishing vessel Calypso Z84 caught fire while fishing in the Bay of Biscay near La Rochelle, France. The fire started in an electrical panel in the engine room. The crew responded quickly and extinguished the blaze, but the fire damaged the trawler’s generator. The crew made some temporary repairs to restore power and allow the vessel to pull in its nets. No reports of injuries to the 5 crew on board. Authorities dispatched a team to the trawler who evaluated the Calypso Z84 condition. After the inspection, the trawler was found to be seaworthy enough to proceed on to its journey back to Belgium.