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Tag: Pacific Ocean

Marigalante

Marigalante

Marigalante
Photo: hoy.com.do

On the afternoon of October 10, the wooden 700 ton, 3-masted sailing galleon Marigalante sank in the Pacific Ocean off Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. The Marigalante had suffered water ingress after the mechanical failure of the bilge pump. Unable to control the flooding, water rose in the hull.  The 9 crew members on board attempted to repair the bilge system, but were unable to stop the flooding. The vessel quickly developed a starboard list and sank a short time later.  All the crew on board were safely evacuated and there were no injuries. No details were provided to how much pollution was released.

There was some speculation to the cause of the sinking. The Marigalante had withstood the passing tropical storm Raymond the prior day. However, authorities stated the high winds and large waves from the storm were not the cause of the vessel’s sinking. Mexican authorities did report the sailing vessel suffered structural damage when it sank. There will be an assessment made to see if the Marigalante could be raised and salvaged.

The Marigalante was built in 1982 as a replica to the carvel Santa Maria, the vessel which Christopher Columbus sailed in 1492, and took part of the commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the discovery of America in 1992.  The vessel had 4 decks and could carry up to 240 passengers. Used in themed tours and nightly shows, the Marigalante continued to be in use in Puerto Vallarta.

Ambition

Ambition

Ambition
Photo: USCG

On the morning of September 25, the fishing vessel Ambition capsized in the Pacific Ocean near the entrance of the Alesa River off Waldport, Oregon. The Ambition had sent out a distress call to the United States Coast Guard reporting the fishing vessel was disabled in the surf.  Soon after the distress call, the Ambition could not be reached over radio.  The Coast Guard launched a 47-foot long motor lifeboat from Yaquina Bay along with an MH-65E  Dolphin helicopter and sent out a broadcast asking nearby vessels to assist.  The nearby 30 meter long fishing vessel Predator (IMO: 7398406) agreed to assist in the rescue efforts.

First on the scene was the MH-65E Dolphin finding the Ambition rolling in the surf.  Before any rescue could be made, the fishing vessel rolled over in the surf. The helicopter deployed a rescue swimmer who safely rescued the captain of the Ambition from the water. The captain, the sole person on the vessel, had mild hypothermia and was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. No further details reported.

Predator

Ghost Ship Karolee

Ghost Ship Karolee

Karolee
Photo: United States Coast Guard

On August 12, a fixed-wing aircraft flew over the 39 foot long, 22 gt fishing vessel Karolee (Coast Guard ID: 248180) and attempted to make contact. The aircraft got no response from the fishing vessel.  Flying over the vessel the Coast Guard found no signs of distress, but there was no activity on board the vessel.  The next day the 26 meter long Coast Guard Cutter Sea Lion (MMSI: 366999610) was dispatched to intercept the Karolee. The cutter reached the fishing vessel in the morning and found no one on board.  The vessel had been rigged for fishing, the vessel lights were enabled and all the safety equipment was still in place.  The only problem was there were no one on the vessel.  The Sea Lion took the Karolee under tow and proceeded to Eureka, California where the fishing vessel was moored.

The Coast Guard launched a search between Cape Flattery up to La Push, Washington along the track the Karolee had travelled. After searching hundreds of miles from the water and the sea, the search was called off. The Coast Guard found no signs of the crew of the Karolee.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.  What is known so far is that the fishing vessel Karolee departed from Washington with a single person on board. The sole person on board sent out a text message on the morning of August 8. He stated the weather was foggy and nearly had a collision with a whale. No further communication was sent from the vessel.  The AIS system tracked the Karolee as it proceeded south at four knots along the Washington and Oregon coast. Several vessels had attempted to contact the Karolee, but got no response.

Karolee
Photo: United States Coast Guard

It is uncertain what exactly happened on board the Karolee. At some point between August 8 and August 12, the sole crew member on board went overboard. The fishing vessel continued on its course south unmanned. It is unlikely any other details of what exactly happened on the fishing vessel will be known.

Karolee
Photo: United States Coast Guard

The Karolee was built in 1945 and had been used for fishing salmon and albacore tuna. The vessel had been based in Port Townsend until 2018 and was reported to be based near Quilcene.