News

The 'MFV Harvester' ran aground with three crew members on board off Padstow in position 50 32 44.4 N, 004 56 04.3 W, on Jan 19, 2022, at 05.50 a.m. The crew informed Padstow harbour, and the 'Amber Mabel' was tasked to refloat the ship. The MRCC Falmouth was co-ordinating with the MCA Counter pollution and Salvage, Survey and Enforcement. The Padstow Lifeboat was tasked to stand by the vessel, and an Oil Spill Kit was deployed. Subsequently, the ship was successfully towed off and taken to Padstow, where it was inspected by Padstow Harbour Master with no signs of pollution and the hull integrity being intact. At 6.45 a.m. the operation was concluded.

A crew member of the 'Joseph Roty II' was medevaced in the morning of Jan 20 off Penmarc'h, due to a suspected Covid-19 infection. The 56-year-old man had to be airlifted as he suffered from respiratory problems. As medical teams ashore suspected a case of Covid-19, it was therefore necessary to equip the Caïman helicopter of the French Navy accordingly before launching the operation, coordinated by the CROSS Etel. Finally, around 6:20 a.m., the man was recovered about 130 km southwest of Penmarc'h. He was transported to the Quimper hospital, where he was taken care of at 7:15 a.m. The suspicion of Covid was then ruled out. Already on Jan 17, a crew member had to be medevaced by helicopter due to an injury.

The 'Filicudi M', which had been disabled by a fire in the engine room in pos 37 22 43 N, 012 32 17 E on Nov 26, 2021, was taken in tow by the tug 'Megrez' (IMO: 9334911), from Augusta to Messina. The towage operation commenced on Jan 14, and the convoy arrived at Messina on Jan 19 at 10 a.m. and drydocked at the Palumbo S.P.A.

The 'Geo Barents' rescued 87 migrants from an overcrowded rubber boat in the Central Mediterranean in the morning of Jan 19. They were coming from Libay. Among the boat people were two toddlers. The rescue ship had sailed from Augusta on Jan 11.

After repairs of the 'Ahmet Onel', which had been stationary with an engine failure at Yalova since Nov 15, 2021, were too expensive, the ship has been sold to a scrap yard. The tug 'Yumurtalik' (IMO: 7531761), was contracted to tow the vessel from Yalova to Aliaga. The towage operation has commenced on Jan 18, 2022 with an ETA at Aliaga as of Jan 20. The convoy arrived off the scrap beach at 10.50 a.m.