On February 21, the 21 meter long, 145 gt fishing vessel Ocean Freja became disabled in the North Sea off Thyborøn, Denmark. The Ocean Freja had lost power after an engine failure and gone adrift 30 miles off shore. The crew requested assistance with the lifeboat Martha Lerche responding. Large waves caused by the stormy conditions made connecting the towline difficult, but the Martha Lerche was able to take the Ocean Freja under tow. The two vessels arrived safely in Thyborøn. No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released.
The 57 meter long fishing vessel Langenes caught fire in the North Sea off Bryne, Norway. The fire ignited in the trawler’s engine room, but was quickly contained by the vessel’s fire suppression system. Disabled by the fire, the Langenes sent out a distress call and requested assistance. Norwegian authorities dispatched two helicopters to the scene. Fourteen crew were evacuated by helicopter leaving six crew on board.
Photo: nrk.no
Photo: nrk.no
Photo: nrk.no
A short time afterwards the six crew on board found the Langenes had suffered water ingress. Without power, the trawler was unable to control the flooding. Another helicopter was dispatched to deliver dewatering pumps. The pumps were lowered to the Langenes and were able to control the water ingress. Four additional crew were also taken off the vessel leaving just 2 crew on board. A coast guard cutter arrived on scene and took the Langenes under tow. The cutter with the Langenes under tow proceeded to Bokna Fjord. Reports state conditions have made the tow back difficult.
The 31 meter long supply vessel World Calima caught fire off a wind farm near Heligoland, Germany. The fire started in the vessel’s engine room and quickly disabled the vessel. The crew shut off the engine room and used the CO2 fire suppressant to extinguish the blaze. No reports of injuries to 5 crew on board.
Authorities were alerted to the disabled World Calima who dispatched a DGzRS lifeboat assisted by other Naval vessels. The lifeboat towed the disabled World Calima to port. No reports of pollution released.
