Fire off Marado Island

Fire off Marado Island

Marado Island Fire
Photo: nate.com

On the early morning of October 12, a 129 ton fishing vessel (name not disclosed) caught fire in the East China Sea some 34 kilometers southeast of Marado Island in Seogwipo, Jeju, South Korea. The fire started in the engine room of the purse seiner and quickly spread through the vessel.  The crew alerted the South Korean Coast Guard who dispatched a helicopter along with 5 patrol boats to assist.  The Coast Guard also asked nearby vessel to aid the fishing vessel. The 27 crew members on board the fishing vessel would be later rescued by a nearby vessel.  Six crew members had sustain injuries including smoke inhalation and burns to the face and arms. They would be later transported to hospital in Jeju City for treatment.

Marado Island Fire
Photo: nate.com

Reports stated the patrol vessels arrived on the scene and used water cannons to extinguish the blaze. The extent of damage caused by the fire was not disclosed. Authorities have launched an investigation. Initial reports state the crew heard a loud bang right before the fire started.

Disabled off Yeongdo-gu

Disabled off Yeongdo-gu

Fishing Vessel
Photo: chosun.com

On the morning of October 12, a 9.7 ton fishing vessel (name not disclosed) became disabled off Jodo, Yeongdo-gu, Busan, South Korea. The vessel had departed Mallak with 2 crew and 20 passengers while fishing 1 kilometers east of Jodo when it suffered failure with the engine transmission and went adrift. The vessel contacted the Coast Guard who dispatched a vessel to assist. The Busan Coast Guard arrived a short time later and took the fishing vessel under tow to Yeongdo-gu.  The vessel secured a tugboat which then took the fishing vessel under tow back to the port of Mallak. No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released. The Coast Guard has launched an investigation into the incident.

Marigalante

Marigalante

Marigalante
Photo: hoy.com.do

On the afternoon of October 10, the wooden 700 ton, 3-masted sailing galleon Marigalante sank in the Pacific Ocean off Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. The Marigalante had suffered water ingress after the mechanical failure of the bilge pump. Unable to control the flooding, water rose in the hull.  The 9 crew members on board attempted to repair the bilge system, but were unable to stop the flooding. The vessel quickly developed a starboard list and sank a short time later.  All the crew on board were safely evacuated and there were no injuries. No details were provided to how much pollution was released.

There was some speculation to the cause of the sinking. The Marigalante had withstood the passing tropical storm Raymond the prior day. However, authorities stated the high winds and large waves from the storm were not the cause of the vessel’s sinking. Mexican authorities did report the sailing vessel suffered structural damage when it sank. There will be an assessment made to see if the Marigalante could be raised and salvaged.

The Marigalante was built in 1982 as a replica to the carvel Santa Maria, the vessel which Christopher Columbus sailed in 1492, and took part of the commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the discovery of America in 1992.  The vessel had 4 decks and could carry up to 240 passengers. Used in themed tours and nightly shows, the Marigalante continued to be in use in Puerto Vallarta.