Tristan : Longline Fishing Vessel in distress
Submitted by Tristan Times (Sarah Glass) 20.09.2007 (Article Archived on 04.10.2007)
On Saturday 8th September, the Falmouth Coastguard informed Andy Repetto radio operator for Tristan radio, that the fishing vessel Alcyon had fouled a drifting trawl net at position 31° 29S, 04° 03W.
Photos (c) James Glass (Tristan Times)
Longline Fishing Vessel in distress
Alcyon
By Sarah Glass (Tristan Times)
On Saturday 8th September, the Falmouth Coastguard informed Andy Repetto radio operator for Tristan radio, that the fishing vessel Alcyon had fouled a drifting trawl net at position 31° 29S, 04° 03W. The Hemeferio Sul another longliner fishing at position 30° 46S, 04° 44E, just west of the Vema Seamount was called to take it in tow, and headed for Tristan da Cunha approximately 500 miles away for assistance.
On Sunday the 16th September the two vessels arrived at Tristan to bad weather conditions and had to wait until Tuesday the 18 th September, before being called in.
The police rib coxswain by Mark Swain and crewed by Trevor Glass and Rodney Green (accompanied by divers Simon and James Glass) proceeded to the vessel, and the Hemeferio Sul was boarded by James and Trevor three miles off the settlement, to check the vessels papers and direct the vessel to a calmer anchorage.
The Hemeferio Sul was anchored at the Rookery Bay and the Alcyon was made fast via ropes, so that the vessel could shut down its engines. The police rib then returned to the settlement to collect the diving equipment, and proceeded back to the Alcyon for inspection. The Rookery anchorage was not perfect, but it was the only possible place on the day, and they knew, according to the weather fax that conditions would be bad again tomorrow.
Whilst the islanders were waiting the Captain showed them pictures of the green trawl net hanging off the stern of the vessel, and reported that yesterday a large amount had come loose from the propeller, obviously being chaffed during towing. The rib was tied to the stern of the Alcyon, Simon had a look and saw nothing on the propeller, although it was reported to be poor visibility, with a heavy swell and surge running across the bay.
Although there seems to be nothing on the propeller the Chief Engineer reported that there was still a very bad vibration on the main engine, when he increased over a certain speed, and suspected that damage had been done to the shaft or prop when the net went into the propeller, and despite the ship running over 1,300hp the ships main engine was stopped when the Alcyon fouled the netting.
If the captain was not entirely happy to continue fishing the only solution was for the Alcyon to go into dry dock at either Cape Town or Uruguay, nine to fourteen days steaming respectively. The fishing logbooks were checked as well as the freezer holds and all was found to be in order. Both vessels were carrying approximately 60mt of frozen product, a mixture of Swordfish, Tuna, Sharks, etc.
The rib then returned to the settlement around 4:30pm and the vessels departed.
Hemeferio Sul
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