Containership Issued Distress Call After Water Ingress

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Container ship issued distress call reporting water ingress from some 30 nm off Figueira da Foz, Portugal, on Nov 5, reports Maritime Bulletin. 

What happened?

Container ship SOUTHWESTER was initially reported to have sunk some 30 nm off Figueira da Foz, Portugal, at around 0400 UTC Nov 5.  But as of 1245 UTC the ship was reported to be still afloat. 

According to reports, there was water ingress and the engine room flooded. The ship issued a distress signal at around 0030 UTC, reporting flooding, danger of capsizing and sinking.

The Portugal Maritime Safety Authority said, at 0400 UTC Nov 6 the ship was afloat and two tugs contracted to tow her to port. All the 14 crew were reported to have been rescued by a nearby cargo ship. 

About the vessel 

The ship was en route from Bretagne France to Seville Spain. Ship’s AIS still remains missing, and there is no tugs activity in the accident area.

Container ship SOUTHWESTER, IMO 9126728, dwt 5400, capacity 373 TEU, built 1998, flag Vanuatu, manager NORTHWESTER SHIPPING CORP, Istanbul (EQUASIS).

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Source: Maritime Bulletin