S.Georgia : No Injuries in Insung 22 Fire
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 18.06.2009 (Article Archived on 02.07.2009)
A long-line vessel, Insung 22, licensed to fish in South Georgia waters has sustained a fire on Tuesday, 16 June 2009 at lunchtime and the Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (SGSSI) was notified at approximately 1400hrs LMT.
NO INJURIES IN INSUNG 22 FIRE
By J. Brock (FINN)
A long-line vessel, Insung 22, licensed to fish in South Georgia waters has sustained a fire on Tuesday, 16 June 2009 at lunchtime and the Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (SGSSI) was notified at approximately 1400hrs LMT.
Insung 22 was at approximately 54.27S and 34.42W – a location 60 nautical miles east-north-east of the Island.
According to information received from Government House in Stanley, South Georgia’s Director of Fisheries, Martin Collins said that F/V Argos Froyanes, located 70 nautical miles from Insung 22, immediately ceased fishing operations and came to assist the stricken vessel, reaching it late in the evening of the 16th. By the time Argos Froyanes arrived the Insung 22 had lost engine power so it towed the vessel towards Cumberland Bay.
Information from Government House indicates that the fire is believed to have started in the rear of the accommodation section of the vessel.
The Insung 22 has 40 crewmembers, consisting of eight Koreans, thirteen Vietnamese, fourteen Indonesians, four Filipinos one Chinese and one British fisheries observer. There are no reported casualties or injuries.
Mr Collins said that FPV Pharos SG rendezvoused with the Argos Froyanes and Insung 22 in Cumberland Bay on Wednesday to assess the situation. At present the ship is still smouldering.
Vessel owners are sending another vessel, the In Sung Ho, from the South Orkneys to Cumberland Bay to assist the Insung 22.
“There has been no environmental damage as a result of the fire, but GSGSSI will continue to monitor the situation,” said Mr Collins. He went on to thank Argos and the captain and crew of Argos Froyanes for their assistance.”
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