The MAYDAY
In a recent statement, the Canadian Coast Guard confirmed that it was on Saturday morning, Feb. 15, that the Marine Communications and Traffic Services Centre in Port aux Basques received a MAYDAY from the ship located twelve nautical miles outside the entrance to Bay of Islands, NL.
The vessel reported a loss of power, and due to unfavourable sea conditions, it was unable to secure an anchor and ran aground in Wild Cove, west of Lark Harbour.
Both Search and Rescue (SAR) and the Canadian Coast Guard responded to the call immediately, with SAR Hercules departing Greenwood, NS, and a helicopter from 103 squadron Gander.
SAR 103 Squadron Cormorant arrived on site at around 9:15 a.m., and the Hercules arrived at around 9:55 a.m.
Thoughts and prayers
Facebook posts about the rescue mission were flooded with comments of thoughts and prayers for the crew.
With some making reference to a fishing boat that was beached near Fortune this time last year.
Emotions run high as everyone waits and hopes for good news. One post detailed the 5-6 meter waves and 60-knot winds that created the treacherous conditions that resulted in the MSC Baltic III’s mayday call at around 4:35 a.m.
The man who made the post added that having heard the voices of crew members from the vessel as they communicated with the Coast Guard was terrifying, to say the least — Their voices filled with fear as they spoke back and forth with the station.
All 20 crew members rescued
To the relief of many, just after 10 a.m. NL Maritime reported that all twenty crew members were rescued from the vessel.
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All crew have been safely airlifted from the vessel by a Cormorant helicopter, added the Canadian Coast Guard, who continue to work closely with response partners.
The cause and extent of the incident are not yet known.
In a recent update, the Coast Guard stated that with the crew rescued, the incident response will focus on marine environmental hazards.
According to the statement, a Canadian Coast Guard Marine Environmental Hazards Response team will be working closely with the operator of the MSC Baltic III, who is expected to provide a response plan. The CCGS Henry Larsen remains in the area, and Coast Guard mobilization is underway with crews and equipment en route.
