The 180 meter long, 40481 dwt bulk carrier La Richardais became disabled in the North Atlantic Ocean near the Canary Islands. The La Richardais was 1 mile away from the port of Las Palmas when it suffered engine failure. The bulker requested assistance with the search and rescue vessel Miguel de Cervantes responding. The SAR vessel took the La Richardais under tow to a nearby anchorage. No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released.
On April 11, the 136 meter long, 3372 dwt factory fishing vessel Oleg Naydenov caught fire while berthed in Reina Sofia, Las Palmas, Canary Islands. The fire started in a boiler in the engine room while the vessel was preparing to leave for Mauritania. Local firefighters initially brought the fire under control, but were not able to fully extinguish the blaze. Authorities decided to tow the Oleg Naydenov out of the port fearing the trawler could explode damaging other vessels in the port. A salvage vessel and tug towed the Oleg Naydenov 30 miles east of Gran Cararia. Hoping the fire would burn itself out, the Oleg Naydenov was left adrift off the island. However, the fire intensity damaged the hull and the Oleg Naydenov sank on April 14 in 2400 meters of water some 15 miles off the coast of Maspalomas, Gran Canaria. No reports of injuries. The Oleg Naydenov had some 1400 tons of fuel on board at the time of the fire. Authorities hope most of the fuel burned in the fire, but some was still on board when it sank.
