On February 1, the fishing vessel Kha Yang ran aground in the Indian Ocean on the reefs off St. Brandon, atolls managed by Mauritius. The 20 crew on board the Kha Yang were later rescued by the Coastguard and were taken to the South Island. A salvage company was requested and proceeded to pump off the 230 tons of fuel and 80 ton of bait on the fishing vessel. No reports of injuries or pollution released.
The 145 meter long, 12099 dwt general cargo vessel Reecon Emre caught fire while berthed at La Réunion. The blaze erupted from the vessel’s boiler and quickly spread through out the engine room. The vessel’s crew requested assistance with the local fire brigade along with personnel from the nearby naval base responding. The combine effort was able to contain the blaze to the engine room. Oil pollution was released and authorities placed booms around the vessel to contain it.
The 66 foot long, one-design Volvo Ocean 65 sailboat Team Vestas Wind ran aground in the Indian Ocean on Cargados Carajos Shoals, Mauritius. The vessel had struck the shoal at 15 knots destroying both rudders and causing water ingress into the stern. The nine crew on board abandoned ship and found shelter on a dry section of the reef. The men were later recovered a few hours later by a small coast guard rescue vessel. The men were taken to the islet Íle du Sud, also known as St. Brandon, where they will be able to take a ferry to Mauritius. The Team Vestas Wind had been sailing seven weeks into a nine-month offshore race covering some 38,739 miles. No reports of injuries. Reports state the owners of the 6 million dollar vessel may see if salvage is possible, but it is more likely a total loss.
