On the morning of December 15, the 29 foot long fishing vessel Valor III sank in the Pacific Ocean 3 miles west of Newport, Oregon. The Valor III alerted the United States Coast Guard the vessel had suffered uncontrolled water ingress. The Coast Guard dispatched a motor-lifeboat to assist. When the lifeboat reached the fishing vessel, only the bow of the Valor III remained above water. Fortunately, a nearby vessel had arrived before the lifeboat and rescued 1 crew off the vessel and another from the water. Both crew members wore immersion suits and uninjured.
Reports state there was a large amount of debris in the water where the fishing vessel sank. The Coast Guard stated the cause of the sinking is under investigation.
On the morning of November 18, a barge being towed by the 31 meter long, 330 gt tugboat Malolo (IMO: 7614082) sustained damage in the Fisher Channel approximately 15 kilometers east of Bella Bella, British Columbia, Canada. The vessels were en route from Alaska bound for Seattle, Washington when the barge hull was holed. Divers were called out and found that part of the barge hull had been compromised and suffered water ingress, but was in stable condition and in no risk of sinking.
The Canadian Coast Guard was alerted and had the vessels moved to a nearby anchorage. Booms were deployed around the barge as a precautionary measured. Reports state another barge has been dispatched to help lightered the cargo.
Photo: cbc.ca
Photo: cbc.ca
Photo: cbc.ca
Photo: timescolonist.com
Photo: timescolonist.com
Photo: ctvnews.ca
Authorities have suggested the barge may have struck bottom on its voyage as why the hull was damaged. No reports of injuries or pollution released.
On the evening of November 21, the 336 meter long, 98849 dwt container ship One Henry Hudson (IMO: 9302176) caught fire in the Pacific Ocean at 701 East New Dock Street in San Pedro, California. An electrical fire started below deck and had spread through areas of the vessel which were inaccessible to the crew. An hour later there was an explosion mid-deck which caused a partial power blackout making the lights and onboard cranes to stop functioning.
Multiple authorities were alerted with the Los Angeles City Fire Department, United States Coast Guard, Los Angeles Port Police along with the Long Beach Fire Department and the crew on the One Henry Hudson assisting. Over 200 fire fighters along with 7 fireboats were deployed to fight the fire. Several of the vessel’s 23 crew initially assisted firefighters, but all crew members were evacuated off the vessel. As conditions on the vessel deteriorated, the fire fighters were ordered off the container ship. Fire suppression was conducted at a safe distance from shore and from fire boats.
Photo: Los Angeles Fire Department
A few hours later, authorities determined to move the One Henry Hudson from the pier to approximately 1 mile off shore near the Angel’s Gate Lighthouse. There the container ship would be at anchor while fire suppression continued and salvage teams begin efforts. There were no reports of injuries. Authorities had issues a stay at home order while the container ship was in port, but was lifted when the vessel went offshore. Reports state the fire had been contained to just one compartment by the next day. An investigation into the incident has been launched.
