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Container ship in SAR operation off Vanuatu

On Feb 29, 2016, the "Forum Pacific" assisted in an SAR operation coordinated by the MRCC Noumea in the waters of Vanuatu. At 4:30 a.m., the MRCC Noumea had received the signal of a distress beacon. The position of the beacon was confirmed at 5:20 and located between the islands of Efate and Erromango. The MRCC dispatched a surveillance aircraft of the FANC and asked the container ship which was at anchor in Port Vila, to proceed to the area. The aircraft, equipped with rescue equipment, took off at 08:30 a.m. in Tontouta and was within range of the distress signal at 9:25 a.m. The crew noticed an overturned vessel and 13 people in a life raft. The ship was identified as the "LC Mahalia," a ship of 42 meters legth which was registered in Vanuatu. The aircraft managed to make contact with the 13 castaways with a portable VHF radio. All were safe and sound. The "Pacific Forum" reached the raft at 1:30 p.m., recovered the castaways and took them to Port Vila. French reports with photos: http://www.meretmarine.com/fr/content/le-mrcc-noumea-coordonne-le-sauvetage-de-13-marins

Captain Tasmane refloated

The "Captain Tasmane" that ran aground at the Suva Harbour during tropical Cyclone Evan has been re-floatedon Dec 18 which nullified any threat of oil spills into the harbour. The vessel will be subjected to an underwater inspection, to ensure the hull and its underwater gears are safe and intact for proceeding to sea.

No injuries, some water ingress

The 146 meter long, 12985 dwt container ship Capitaine Tasman went aground near the entrance to the harbour at Suva, Fiji. The Capitaine Tasman had been at anchor as a cyclone passed over the island. The container ship’s anchors began to drag until the vessel had run aground. No reports of injuries. Reports state the Capitaine Tasman continued to be pounded by the rough seas causing some water ingress. No further details reported.