On the night of November 24, the jackup rig Valaris 120 was struck by an unnamed supply vessel in the North Sea some 150 miles east of Aberdeen, Scotland. Reports state the supply vessel struck one of the legs of the rig. No details on the extent of damage to the supply vessel or to the rig. Reports do state that 52 personnel were evacuated off the rig. Three flights evacuated the non-essential personnel. No reports of injuries. No further details reported.
On the morning of October 29, the 23 meter long, 140 gt fishing vessel Odyssey FR70 (IMO: 8644876) sank in the North Sea some 140 miles east of the Firth of Forth, Scotland. Authorities and nearby fishing vessels were alerted when the Odyssey‘s EPIRB distress beacon had been activated. Authorities launched a fixed-wing aircraft and sent out broadcasts to nearby fishing vessels to begin a search and rescue for the crew of the Odyssey. Fortunately, a nearby fishing vessel found all six crew of the Odyssey safe in a life raft. No reports of injuries.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident. The cause of the sinking was not disclosed. The status of the investigation by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch can be viewed here.
On the evening of September 27, the 36 meter long, 499 gt fishing vessel Havfjord (IMO: 9897860) caught fire in the North Sea near Bergen, Norway. Authorities received a distress call that the vessel was ablaze and in danger. The vessel reported the five person crew on board were unable to extinguish the blaze and were abandoning ship into the vessel’s life raft. Helicopters from the nearby oil platforms along with patrol vessels launched a search and rescue for the crew. Within an hour, a helicopter found the five crew and was able to lift them to safety. Two crew had sustained smoke inhalation and was taken to hospital for treatment.
Multiple vessels found the burning Havfjord still afloat. Attempts to extinguish the blaze were unsuccessful as the fire consumed the superstructure. Reports state the fire was finally extinguished but flared up again the next day. The owner of the Havfjord states the vessel is a total loss. The Havfjord was built in 2022 at Karstensen Shipyard.
