Pacific Ocean – Shipwreck Log

On the afternoon of October 18, 2024 the 31.7 meter long, 158 gt tugboat Luther (IMO: 7427477) became disabled on the Pacific Ocean 10 miles off La Push, Washington. The Luther was towing a concrete barge when it suffered steering failure while in strong winds and waves. The tugboat suffered water ingress as it drifted towards the shore. Unable to fix the steering, the Luther contacted the Coast Guard requesting assistance.

The Coast Guard dispatched a 47-foot motor lifeboat and an emergency tug along with aircraft from the Air Station from Astoria, Washington. The Coast Guard arrived on scene and found the Luther still afloat with the barge nearby, but the towline between the vessels had been disconnected. While setting up a towline to the Luther with the emergency tug, the barge nearly collided with the vessels prompting the Coast Guard to transfer the 5 crew of the Luther to another lifeboat. The Coast Guard dispatched additional vessels which secured a towline to the Luther along with the concrete barge. All the vessels proceeded to a safe harbor. No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released.

Lian Qingfu No.12

September 11, 2024 Paul Hancock

On the morning of September 11, the 20 ton fishing vessel Lian Qingfu No.12 caught fire off the Lanyang River Estuary, Taiwan. The Lian Qingfu No.12 had departed in the early morning from Wushi harbour to catch whitebait. A few hours later a fire broke out on the vessel. Unable to control the flames, the crew sent out a distress call. The four crew on the Lian Qingfu No.12 were rescued by a nearby fishing vessel. The Taiwan Coast Guard dispatched the PP-10055 and CP-1057 patrol boats to the scene. The patrol vessels arrived a short time later and the crew were safely transferred over. The patrol boats used its hoses to get the fire partially under control. A fishing vessel assisted and took the Lian Qingfu No.12 under tow back to Wushi harbour. There local fire fighters were able to completely extinguish the fire.

The Taiwan Coast Guard reported there was no pollution released, but warned vessels of possible debris from the Lian Qingfu No.12. Reports state the majority of the vessel’s superstructure had been destroyed by the fire. No reports of injuries to the 4 crew of the Lian Qingfu No.12.

Maui Princess

May 23, 2024 Paul Hancock

On May 16, the 37 meter long passenger vessel Maui Princess (MMSI: 367331770) ran aground off the west coast of Maui near Lahaina, Hawaii. The Maui Princess had broken free from its mooring and went adrift before it went hard aground on a bar some 300 feet offshore. No reports of injuries.

Authorities dispatched a response team to the scene. They found the passenger vessel had not released any pollution, but still posed a high risk. A contractor was hired and begun removal of 2,500 gallons of diesel fuel off the vessel.