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Tag: France

Union Neptune

Union Neptune

The 87 meter long, 2376 dwt freighter Union Neptune sank off the island of Oleron, France.   The Union Neptune was sailing from Bordeaux for Rotterdam with 2082 tons of iron oxide when it lost stability while off was off Charente-Maritime.   The crew contacted rescue authorities that the six crew on board were preparing to evacuate to the the lifeboat.   Rescue authorities sent out a Dauphin helicopter which lifted the 6 crew to safety.   The sea-tug Abeille Languedoc also reached the scene and took the listing Union Neptune under tow.   Travelling at low speeed, the two vessels tried to reach port of La Pallice.   However, the Union Neptune listed over and sanked after a few hours.   The Union Neptune had 25,000 liters of diesel fuel and 2,000 liters of oil on board when it sank.   Authorities have asked the owners to take steps to prevent any dangers from pollution released from the sunken vessel.    No injuries reported, but a single crewman was treated for hypothermia.

Link to Video of the Union Neptune

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Jean Ricciardi Lost

Jean Ricciardi Lost

The 25 meter long, 250 gt fishing vessel Jean Ricciardi became disabled and later sank near the port of  Sete, France.   The Jean Ricciardi had suffered a total power loss in the middle of the night.  This left the Ricciardi without lights and adrift.   It kept drifting until it was aground under the cliffs near the harbour.  A merchant vessel who caught sight of the Ricciardi contacted authorities.   The merchant ship took the 2 crew on board who had been in the Ricciardi’s liferaft.   A lifeboat was dispatched and freed the fishing vessel.   The Ricciardi was taken under tow and headed for Sete.   Just 800 meters from the harbour entrance, the Jean Ricciardi sank by the stern.   Reports state the fishing vessel’s hull was severely damaged from the grounding.   This allowed siginificant water ingress and the vessel was heeling.   Without pumps, the fishing vessel flooded and then sank.  The Jean Ricciardi now rests in 17 meters of water.  No reports of injuries.  No details on any pollution or salvage plans.

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Antheus Sinks

Antheus Sinks

Channel map with main capes, islands and citie...
Image via Wikipedia

The 12 meter, 17 ton fishing vessel Antheus sank in the English Channel off Saint Vaast-La-Hougue, France.   The Antheus was peforming a maneuver when it capsized sending it’s three crew into the water.   The crew was able to sent out a distress call  and were later rescued by the fishing vessel Caen.   The three men were unharmed, but shaken by the event.   No pollution was sited where the Antheus sank.   An investigation will be conducted into the sinking.

More information on the Antheus found on http://www.fishsubsidy.org/FR/vessel/FRA000735900/antheus

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