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Tag: Pacific Ocean

MV Butiraoi

MV Butiraoi

MV Butiraoi

The 17.5 meter long wooden catamaran ferry Butiraoi was reported missing in the Pacific Ocean in the Kiribati Islands. The Butiraoi had departed from Nonouti on January 18 bound for Betio. The voyage of 160 miles typically takes 2 days to complete failed to arrive on January 20.  A search began for the missing vessel including aircraft from New Zealand and Fiji.

Reports state no signs of the vessel or the 50 persons on board as of January 26. The search includes many small atolls in a wide area. Additional reports state the catamaran had undergone repairs to its propeller shaft just before departing Nonouti.

MV Butiraoi

Update:

A New Zealand aircraft spotted seven survivors in a small boat on a search on January 28. The aircraft dropped supplies to the survivors while authorities requested assistance from vessels in the area. The fishing vessel Lomalo which is 92 kilometers away from the survivors is expected to reach the survivors later the same day.

Survivors have told authorities over radio that the ferry had lost stability and capsized. They had little time and had just enough time to get into the small dinghy before the ferry sank. The dinghy had no engine or water on board.

Reports state additional debris has been spotted in the search area.

ARC Pascual de Andagoya

ARC Pascual de Andagoya

ARC Pascual de Andagoya
Photo: eltiempo.com

The Columbian naval tugboat ARC Pascual de Andagoya sank in the Pacific Ocean off the Columbian coast. The tug was in heavy seas when it suffered uncontrolled water ingress.  The crew tried to keep the vessel afloat, but the vessel became waterlogged. The crew sent out a distress call and abandoned ship into the tug’s life rafts before the ARC Pascual de Andagoya sank.

The six crew were rescued by the fishing vessel Conpe Malaga 3 who responded to the the tug’s distress call. A Columbian naval helicopter arrived a short time later and took the crew to the hospital in Bahía Málaga. No reports of injuries.

Reports state the Navy will plan to salvage the tug when conditions improve.

 

Kea Trader

Kea Trader

Kea Trader
Photo: Armed Forces of New Caledonia

The 185 meter long, 21000 dwt container ship Kea Trader ran aground on a reef near the island of Maré in the Loyalty Islands, New Caledonia. The Kea Trader was headed to Noumea from Papeete when it struck the Durand reefs some 50 miles southeast of Maré. The boxship was firmly on the reef and the situation was reported as stable. No reports of injuries or pollution released. The crew remain on board the Kea Trader while the shipowner makes arrangements for mitigating pollution and possible salvage. Authorities have dispatched an intervention team to assess the situation.