The CNCS Madrid was notified by the pleasure boat 'Holanda' with two crew members on board on Sep 3, indicating that it was sinking six nautical miles north of the Chipiona lighthouse. The boat had run aground off the Doñana beach and managed to get ioff again with own means, but was suffering from a leak. The SAR helicopter Helimer 204 and the 'Salvamar Suhail' were mobilised to assist. The SAR boat took the 'Holanda' in tow and safely pulled it to the Chipiona marina. Report with photo: https://x.com/salvamentogob/status/1830990490533036275
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LEFKADA PALACE
On Sep 2, 2024, at noon, the Lefkada Port Authority was informed by the Master of the 'Lefkada Palace' about a mechanical damage to the ship's port side main engine, while it was moored at the port of Meganisi Lefkada. The ship was carrying out the scheduled route Paxos - Lefkada - Meganisi - Pisaeto Ithaca - Sami Kefallinia - Zakynthos, with 69 passengers on board, who were forwarded to their destinations by the ship's owning company. The Port Authority initially banned the ship from sailing and then granted permission to operate a single voyage, without passengers, to the port of Perigiali in Lefkada.
SALVAMAR LEO
On Sep 3 the sailing yacht 'Blue Minx' sighted a precarious boat, which had stopped 27 nautical miles east of Benidorm. The ferry 'El Djazair II' diverted to the scene and provided the occupants with food and water. The 'Blue Minx' remained in the area until the arrival of the 'Salvamar Leo', which had been deployed by the CCS Valencia of Salvamento Marítimo for further assistance, which rescues 15 people, among them one woman and one minor, and transferred them to the port of Valencia.
MAERSK SHEKOU
The 'Maersk Shekou' was undergoing temporary repairs before its departure to Port Klang in Fremantle, but was approved to commence loading and unloading from the afternoon of Aug 30 at the North Quay. The ship’s anticipated departure for Port Klang was yet to be determined and required prior approval from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) and Fremantle Ports. The container ship was the subject of an underwater hull inspection on Sep 2. MEanwhile Fremantle Ports iwas working with the Leeuwin Ocean Adventure Foundation to provide safe access to the 'Leeuwin', so damaged spars and rigging can be removed or secured before the ship can be moved. An inspection of the 'Leeuwin' was conducted by Leeuwin staff on Aug 31, with no underwater damage identified, and the vessel’s watertight compartments secured. The vessel was under close supervision and currently remains at its home berth at the Victoria Quay. Both of the injured night watch crew members who were aboard the 'Leeuwin' when the incident happened were recovering well. Regular port operations in the Inner Harbour had resumed on the evening of Aug 30 after it was determined that there were no underwater obstructions or debris. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has started its investigation. Concerning the Maritime Museum roof, engineers conducted an early inspection on Aug 30 and determined that the damage to the roof was not structural but only to the cladding.
HARI LEELA
On Sep 2, 2024, the 'Hari Leela', en route from Kandla, requested the medevac of a crew member approximately 30 nautical miles off the coast of Gujarat. At 11 p.m. local time, the Indian Coast Guard dispatched an Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) to evacuate the injured cman. The region was on high alert due to the approaching cyclonic weather conditions. While conducting the operation, the helicopter, which had two pilots and two divers on board, was forced to make an emergency landing, which was described as a hard landing in the sea. Later, the helicopter sank. The Coast Guard launched an SAR operation to locate the missing crew members. One of them was rescued, and the search for the remaining three was ongoing. On Sep 3, two bodies were discovered in the Arabian Sea waters, One member of the crew of the crashed helicopter was still missing.