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Investigation office found reason for distress situation of Douarnenez trawler

The water ingress the "Steren Mor" suffered off the coast of Finistere in April 2016 was caused by a crack that allowed the water to flow into the hold. On Apr 26 at 2:42 p.m., the master of the "Steren Mor" launched a Mayday call 50 miles north of Ouessant. The six crew members abandoned ship in a liferaft and were are all recovered by a helicopter from the French Navy at 3:56 p.m. The "Steren Mor" was towed back to Douarnenez the next day. Eight months later, the marine investigation office has found the cause of the accident. The "Steren Mor" was repaired a few weeks before the accident. The watertightness between the front ballast area and the fish hold was worked on because a tank had a crack that was revealed during a leak test. The ingress of water caused flooding of the bilge due to the flow of the circulation pump the pressure of which was higher than that of the bilge pumps. The ship did not sink because André Le Duc, the master of the ship, cut off the circulation pump. Without knowing it, he just solved the problem. The bilge pumps, could then do their job normally. The water ingress was stopped, and the vessel remained afloat and could be brought back to port. The investigators recommended to alwayss monitor the condition of the tanks and carry out a complete inspection at least once a year.

Gillnetter safe in port

The "Steren Mor - MX.690916", 89 gt, reached the port of Douarnenez escorted by the offshore tug "VN Sapeur" (IMO: 8304816) on Apr 28 at 2.50 a.m. On Apr 26 at 10 p.m. the maritime prefect of the Atlantic had demanded the owner to stop the danger arising from the drifting gillnetter within 24 hours. On Apr 27 at midnight at midnight the operational center of the navy at Brest ordered the "VN Sapeur", being chartered by the Navy, to leave he port of Brest and mark the position of the drifting ship which had no navigations on. It was on scene at 6.35 a.m. and found it slightly down by the bow but in so far stable condition. The decision was then taken to airlift an assessment and intervention team of the Navy equipped with a bilge pump in preparation of a towing operation. The team was hoisted aboard at 12:26 by a Caiman helicopter from the naval base Lanvéoc. The pumping operation commenced immediately. The engine and electric generator were still operational, and the ship was taken in tow towards Aber Wrac'h. In the late afternoon the crew of the "Steren More" could be returned aboard by an SNSM boat. They reclaimed the ship which sailed to the port of Brest and then on to Rosmeur. The ship was escorted by the "Portsaillaise" and "VN Sapeur". The ship was hauled out of the water and repaired in Rosmeur, Douarnenez. French reports with photos: http://www.letelegramme.fr/bretagne/steren-mor-le-vivier-et-le-peak-avant-en-cause-29-04-2016-11048169.php#closePopUp http://www.ouest-france.fr/bretagne/douarnenez-29100/naufrage-du-steren-mor-le-caseyeur-dans-le-port-de-douarnenez-4192499 https://www.premar-atlantique.gouv.fr/communiques-presse/1-remorquage-steren-mor-fileyeur-victime-une-voie-eau-nord-ile-ouessant-avril-cmq.html

Gillnetter under tow to Brest

The "Steren Mor" could be taken in tow by the offshore tug "VN Sapeur" (IMO: 8304816) towards Douarnenez on Apr 27. The crew had boarded the ship again, and it was towed to Brest to carry out the necessary repairs. The arrival was expected in the morning of Apr 28. The "Steren Mor" itself has participated in two rescues in the past. In March 2011, the crew came to the rescue of the three fishermen of the "Vagabond" after twenty minutes in water of 10 ° C off the island of Batz. In August 2007, the "Steren Mor" recovered a raft with six surviving Crew members of the "Sokalique" which had been hit by the cargo ship" Ocean Jasper" 100 km north of Ushant. The father of one fisherman from the "Sokalique" was among the crew of the "Steren Mor" on Apr 26. French reports with photos and video: http://www.ouest-france.fr/bretagne/douarnenez-29100/steren-mor-sauve-du-nauffrage-ouessant-et-remorque-douarnenez-4190165 http://france3-regions.francetvinfo.fr/bretagne/finistere/naufrage-au-large-d-ouessant-le-steren-mor-est-remorque-985240.html http://france3-regions.francetvinfo.fr/bretagne/finistere/naufrage-au-large-d-ouessant-apres-le-sauvetage-des-marins-le-remorquage-du-steren-mor-984734.html