On January 17, the fishing vessel Miss Sandy sank in the Atlantic Ocean some 7 nautical miles off Gloucester Harbor, Massachusetts. The fishing vessel had suffered water ingress in the engine room. Unable to stop the flooding with over 4 feet of water in the engine room, the fishing vessel sent out a distress call requesting assistance. Within 30 minutes, the United States Coast Guard’s cutter William Chadwick (WPC-1150) had reached the Miss Sandy. Dewatering pumps were placed on board the fishing vessel and the crew was safely evacuated over to the cutter. The William Chadwick attached a towline and proceeded towards Gloucester. Unfortunately, the flooding increased and overwhelmed the pumps before the vessels reached port. The cutter dropped the towline just before the Miss Sandy sank. No reports of injuries.
On the morning of January 15, the 58 foot long fishing vessel Tanusha capsized and sank in the Gulf of Alaska 23 miles southeast of Kodiak, Alaska. Authorities received an alert from the Tanusha’s EPIRB and dispatched a Jayhawk helicopter to the scene. The nearby 31 meter long fishing vessel Victory (IMO: 9702376) also responded to the distress call and found the 2 crew of the Tanusha in a life raft. One crew member had suffered an injury and was suffering from hypothermia. The 2 crew would later be airlifted by a Jayhawk helicopter and taken to Kodiak for medical treatment.
Reports state the crew decided to abandon ship when the fishing vessel began to take on water. The cause of the water ingress was not disclosed. Authorities have not stated if the incident will be investigated.
Photo: craftsmenunitedinc.com
Photo: craftsmenunitedinc.com
Photo: craftsmenunitedinc.com
A report states the vessel may have been fishing at the time of the incident as tanner crab season had started in the area.
On the early morning of January 6, the 30 meter long, 80 gt fishing vessel Ohama Maru No. 8 (IMO: 2694609) capsized 31 kilometers east of Kitaibaraki, Japan. The fishing vessel with 20 crew on board was fishing for sardines assisted by two other vessels. As the Ohama Maru No. 8 was hauling in the catch along its starboard hull, it lost stability and began to list. Even with another vessel connected a line to the port side and pulling at full speed, the the Ohama Maru No. 8 to further list. The crew attempted to cut the net to release the fish and restore stability, but it was too late and the fishing vessel capsized.
After being thrown overboard, 15 of the 20 crew were rescued from the water. Two additional crew members were later recovered, but they had perished during the incident. Three crew were reported as missing. The Japan Coast Guard launched a search and rescue operation with four patrol vessels and a helicopter searching the area. The Coast Guard stated the vessel sank in over 200 meters of water and was too deep for divers to inspect the hull.
Photo: www.yomiuri.co.jp
Reports state the Ohama Maru No. 8 had been able to haul in large catches in the past. One of the crew stated the catch was roughly 300 tons and the fishing vessel had brought in safely catches over 500 tons.
The police have launched an investigation into the incident. Reports state the police are considering charges of professional negligence resulting in death and a possibility of neglect in safety management. Reports state there is a large oil sheen visible above the wreck. No word if the vessel would be recovered or if there would be attempts to secure the fuel tanks.
