MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Fire on fishing vessel South Georgia waters

KOREAN fishing vessel In Sung 22 needed assistance in South Georgia waters after a fire started on board.

On Tuesday June 16, at around 1400 (local) the Government of South Georgia (GSGSSI) were notified of the incident. The In Sung 22 is a long-line vessel licensed to fish in South Georgia waters and was approximately 60 nautical miles east of South Georgia (54o27’ S; 34o42’ W).

Martin Collins,Director of Fisheries/ Senior Executive Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands based on the Falkland Islands, told Mercopress, “At the time of the incident the FPV Pharos SG was on passage from Stanley to South Georgia, but was more than 24 hrs away from the location of the In Sung 22. The nearest fishing vessel, the Argos Froyanes, which was 70 nautical miles away was contacted and asked to assist. The Argos Froyanes ceased fishing and proceeded to the location of the vessel.”

He said the Argos Froyanes reached the In Sung 22 late on the evening on the 16th. The In Sung 22 had lost engine power, but there were no reported injuries. The Argos Froyanes took the vessel in tow towards Cumberland Bay. The fire is believed to have started in the rear of the accommodation section of the vessel. The In Sung 22 has 40 crew on board, plus an observer (UK). The nationalities of the crew are Korea 8, Vietnam 13, Indonesia 14, Philippines 4 and China 1. There are no serious injuries, but a small number of crewmembers have been treated for carbon monoxide exposure

The FPV Pharos will rendezvous with the Argos Froyanes and In Sung 22 in Cumberland Bay and assess the situation.

The vessel owners are sending another vessel, the In Sung Ho, from the South Orkneys to Cumberland Bay to assist the In Sung 22.

Mr Collins said, “There has been no environmental damage as a result of the fire, but GSGSSI will continue to monitor the situation and would like to thank Argos and the captain and crew of Argos Froyanes for their assistance.”

By Lisa Johnston - SeAled PR - Stanley