S.Georgia : Fire on the fishing vessel In Sung 22 in South Georgia waters - Update
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 18.06.2009 (Article Archived on 02.07.2009)

Director of Fisheries for South Georgia, Martin Collins, updates us on what is happening with the insung 22 that caught fire on June 16th.

Fire on the fishing vessel In Sung 22 in South Georgia waters - Update

On Tuesday 16^th June 2009 at around 1400 (local) the GSGSSI were notified that the Korean flagged fishing vessel In Sung 22 had a fire on board and required assistance.  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  (54^o27’ S; 34^o42’ W).

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.

The Argos Froyanes reached the In Sung 22 late on the evening on the 16^th.  The In Sung 22 had lost engine power.  The Argos Froyanes took the vessel in tow towards Cumberland Bay.  The In Sung 22 had 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. 

The Argos Froyanes and In Sung 22 arrived in Cumberland Bay on the 17^th June at around 1300 (local) with the FPV Pharos SG in attendance.  The Government Officer, Fisheries Protection Officer and an officer from the Pharos SG surveyed the In Sung 22 and were not satisfied that the fire was out.  All personnel on the In Sung 22 were evacuated and the vessel was sealed.  Some of the crew (26) were accommodated on base at KEP, others on the FPV Pharos SG (12) and three officers joined the Argos Froyanes.

The In Sung 22 remained in Cumberland Bay under tow from Argos Froyanes overnight. On the morning of June 18^th a further inspection of the vessel revealed that the hull had cooled significantly since the previous day, however nobody has been allowed back on board.

The vessel owners are sending another vessel, the In Sung Ho, from the South Orkneys to Cumberland Bay to assist the In Sung 22. The In Sung Ho is expected to arrive early on the morning of the 20^th.

There are no serious injuries, but a small number of crewmembers have been treated for carbon monoxide exposure.  There has been no environmental damage as a result of the fire, but GSGSSI will continue to monitor the situation.  The GSGSSI would like to thank Argos and the captain and crew of Argos Froyanes for their assistance.

GSGSSI, June 18^th 1100 hrs

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