On the morning of February 4, the 53 meter long phinisi sailing vessel Putri Papua (MMSI: 525003530) sank in the Pacific Ocean 12 miles off the coast of Sorong, West Papua, Indonesia. The Putri Papua had suffered engine failure and alerted authorities via WhatsApp of the damage to the vessel. Before Indonesian authorities could reach the vessel, all 17 crew and passengers had evacuated to a life raft. The Putri Papua would sink a short time later. Two crew were injured during the incident and taken to hospital for treatment.
Photo: tempo.co
Photo: liveabroad.com
Photo: voi.id
The cause of the water ingress was not disclosed. Indonesian authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.
On the evening of January 23, the 87 foot long, 297 gt scalloper Vanquish (IMO: 9633056) collided with the 55 foot long trawler Mattie and Maren II (MMSI: 367388850) in the Atlantic Ocean approximately 10 miles south of Block Island, Rhode Island. The two fishing vessels were operating in foul weather with six foot waves and winds reaching 25 miles per hour when they collided. The Vanquish was undamaged and there were no injuries to the 6 crew onboard. However, the Mattie and Maren II sustained hull damage resulting in uncontrolled water ingress. The 4 crew on board donned survival suits and prepared to abandon ship due to the flooding.
A distress call was sent out with the United States Coast Guard responding. The Coast Guard dispatched the 47 foot motor life boat from Montauk, New York along with a Jayhawk helicopter from Cape Cod. Within an hour the motor life boat reached the Mattie and Maren II and assisted in dewatering efforts. Unfortunately, the trawler was too far waterlogged and weather conditions were deteriorating. The four crew were transferred safely off the trawler to the motor life boat and later taken to Montauk. No reports of injuries.
The Vanquish was able to proceed under its own power to port in New Bedford. The Coast Guard issued out a marine alert that the trawler was adrift in the area.
There were no additional reports of the status of the Mattie and Maren II. It may be assumed the trawler sank after the incident. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.
On the morning of January 9, the fishing vessel VA 23 K sank in Kristiansandsfjord north of Grønningen Lighthouse, Norway. The fishing vessel had sprung a leak in the engine compartment which couldn’t be controlled. The VA 23 K requested assistance with the local fire brigade dispatching a fire boat to the scene. Attempts by the fire boat to de-water the fishing vessel failed and the VA 23 K sank. No reports of injuries.
