On the night of February 12, the 11 meter long fishing vessel La Dame de Coeur (MMSI: 9129898) sank in the Bay of Biscay at its berth at Royan, France. The vessel had sprung a leak a few days before and started to list before it sank. Authorities placed booms around the sunken vessel while it dewatered and raised it later the same day.
Photo: sudouest.fr
Reports state the vessel had been in poor shape for several years. The vessel had been moored against the quay to avoid further damage to the port. There has been no statement if the vessel would be salvaged and all indications point to the La Dame de Coeur to be scrapped.
On the night of February 11, the 228.5 meter long, 70,426 dwt tanker Jag (IMO: 9266762) released pollution while in the Sea of Marmara near Ahırkapı, Turkey. The Jag was involved with bunkering with the 56 meter long, 1018 dwt tanker Gökdeniz (IMO: 9373254) when it released oil into the sea. The KEGM dispatched the rescue boats Kıyı Emniyeti 3 and Kıyı Emniyeti 4 along with the tug Mehmetçik (IMO: 9816268) and barge with pollution removal equipment.
Reports state the oil was removed from the surface of the water using skimmers. The amount of pollution released was not disclosed.
On the morning of February 1, the 32 ton fishing vessel Samgwangho and the 29 ton fishing vessel 33 Manseonho ran aground in stormy conditions near Tokki Island off the coast of Jeju, South Korea. The Korean Coast Guard had received an alarm from the 33 Manseonho which also transmitted its location. The Coast Guard was able to communicate with the vessel and confirm the vessels had run up on the rocks. Six Coast Guard vessels along with one from the South Korean Navy launched a search and rescue mission. Eleven of the crew would be later rescued by the Coast Guard. Two crew members, one from each vessel, were reported missing. A nighttime search was conducted to locate the missing crew.
Reports state also that there were 2 deaths from the incident. Both the captain of the Samgwangho along with a crewmember of the 33 Manseonho suffered cardiac arrest. Both were taken to hospital where they were pronounced dead.
Both vessels sustained heavy damage by the storm as waves pounded the hulls against the rocks. An aerial view over the two vessels found they had broken apart with one missing its stern while the other lost large portion of its forepeak which washed ashore a short distance away. Pollution and debris could be seen along the nearby shoreline. There is no official statement from the owners if the vessels would be salvaged, but it appears the two fishing vessels were a total loss.
Photo: mbc.com
Photo: Koreahearld.com
Photo: mbc.com
Photo: mbc.com
Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident. Authorities are also investigating a possible false report of the number of crew on board the vessels. The 33 Manseonho had 8 crew on board while the Samgwangho had 7 crew. Authorities state there was some confusion to how many were reported during the rescue operations. News reports state one of the fishing vessels had suffered engine failure before running aground. No further details reported.
