Discover the Breeze-1: Ratings & Maritime News

In a dramatic maritime rescue, the vessel 'UBC Sacramento' played a crucial role in assisting the crew of the Dominican-flagged 'FM Express', which suffered a devastating fire in the engine room on March 11. The brave team of eight was successfully rescued and subsequently treated for minor injuries at Barranquilla's naval facility, thankfully escaping serious harm. The engine failure set off a catastrophic blaze that left the crew scrambling. Initial attempts to combat the inferno proved futile, leading them to seek help. The Colombian Coast Guard responded swiftly, arriving on the scene just 20 minutes after the distress call made at 10:40 a.m. Six of the crew members hailed from La Guajira, while two were from Bolivar. Following a harrowing day, the wreckage of the 'FM Express' was finally carried ashore between Puerto Colombia and Puerto Velero after drifting for over 24 hours. Although significant cargo was lost in the incident, recovery efforts managed to salvage some items, which were quickly sold by local boats from Flores at discounted prices. Unfortunately, opportunistic fishermen also took to the wreck to loot remaining valuables. As for the vessel itself, the owner is in discussions to arrange for its tow back to the port. Meanwhile, the Coast Guard and the Naval Atlantic group have conducted aerial surveillance and reassured the public that the wreck poses no threat to navigation in the area.

On March 10, 2013, at 9 a.m., as the UBC Sacramento sailed towards Barranquilla from Cartagena, it received an urgent MayDay call from Barranquilla Port Control regarding a distress situation. Despite the initial vague coordinates, the crew navigated northwards, soon spotting ominous grey and white smoke on the horizon approximately five miles off Bocas de Cenizas. As they approached the scene, the port control relayed critical information that the crew of the FM Express, with a deadweight tonnage of 770 (IMO: 7330076), was abandoning their burning vessel and had taken to a liferaft, adrift near the stern. Thick smoke billowed from the stricken freighter as UBC Sacramento advanced at a cautious speed of 1.8 knots, battling 30-knot winds. Upon nearing, they briefly caught a glimpse of a liferaft but found no people visible inside and a nearby Coast Guard boat was likewise unable to sight any crew. However, the freighter crew soon spotted a red dot about 1.1 miles to the north, identifying it as another liferaft. Without delay, UBC Sacramento accelerated, now in tandem with the Coast Guard, but faced challenges when the Coast Guard vessel experienced an engine failure. Swiftly adjusting course, UBC Sacramento maneuvered against the wind, lowering both pilot ladders and preparing lifebuoys and heaving lines for rescue operations. Although launching a rescue boat remained a last resort, the Coast Guard regained functionality and inched closer to the liferaft. UBC Sacramento anchored nearby, carefully positioned to prevent being blown onto the raft. The desperate crew members were able to transfer to the Coast Guard vessel relatively quickly, with UBC Sacramento maintaining a watchful eye only 30-40 meters away from the liferaft, positioned at the starboard quarter. After successfully ensuring the safety of the FM Express crew, which ultimately comprised seven individuals, they learned that a short circuit had ignited a fire in the engine room of the FM Express, which had been transporting 300 tons of cargo, including appliances, dishes, and food, from Colon, Panama, to Puerto Nuevo, La Guajira. For further insights, please view these images: http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=1760311, http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=1760310, http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=1760309, and a video recap at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opxfbb0PFYQ. Spanish-language reports with visuals can be found at: http://www.latarde.com/actualidad/colombia/110739-se-incendio-barco-frente-a-bocas-de-ceniza and http://zonacero.info/index.php/noticia-principal/34781-embarcacion-de-bandera-dominicana-se-incendio-en-aguas-colombianas.