Discover the Industrial-Ursula: Ratings & Maritime News

On the evening of April 3, 2019, at precisely 7:45 p.m., the CROSS Etel was notified by the Falmouth Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC) regarding an emergency involving the British yacht 'Toledo Bay.' The vessel, carrying a crew of two, was reported to be in distress approximately 160 miles west of Pointe de Penmarc'h. In response, the CROSS promptly issued a Mayday Relay and initiated a search and rescue (SAR) operation. This operation involved the deployment of two Falcon 50 surveillance aircraft from the French Navy and rerouted the nearby cargo ship 'Frieda,' which was en route from Gibraltar to Tunadal. By 9:38 p.m., the 'Toledo Bay' had been located, dismasted, with just one crew member present on board. A helicopter from the Cayman Navy, stationed in Lanvéoc, successfully hoisted the stranded sailor, who was subsequently transported to Cavale Blanche hospital in Brest, arriving at 1:25 a.m. on April 4. Search efforts continued until 2:15 a.m. when a Falcon 50 aircraft searched for the second crew member, but by 4:45 a.m., the decision was made to suspend the search. In an effort to inform other mariners, the Maritime Prefecture of the Atlantic issued an urgent warning (AVURNAV) regarding the abandoned and drifting yacht. For further details, visit the official French report with images at https://www.premar-atlantique.gouv.fr/communiques-presse/operation-de-recherche-et-sauvetage-pour-un-homme-a-la-mer-ouest-penmarc-h.

On October 18 at 4 p.m., the 'BBC Colorado' made its way to Seattle, successfully towed by the vessel 'Resolve Pioneer'. The disabled cargo ship docked at the APL Seattle Terminal, located in the West Waterway. This remarkable arrival highlights the resilience and support of maritime rescue operations in handling unexpected challenges at sea.

On October 5, 2016, the cargo vessel "BBC Colorado" sent out a distress call due to engine troubles while navigating the tumultuous waters of the North Pacific, just south of the Aleutian Islands, on its journey from Shanghai to Portland. The ship's captain reported a significant engine failure that severely limited its speed and maneuverability in the face of incoming storm conditions, including towering seas of 30 feet and winds exceeding 50 knots. In this urgent situation, the "BBC Colorado" sought assistance from the U.S. Coast Guard, leading to the deployment of the patrol boat "Morgenthau," which was about 500 miles away, on a mission related to living marine resources in the Bering Sea. Coordinating with the 17th District Command Center in Juneau, the crew of the "Morgenthau" developed a comprehensive rescue plan tailored for the stricken vessel. While en route, the "Morgenthau" launched its helicopter to assess the condition of the "BBC Colorado," which included capturing crucial imagery of the freighter and establishing radio communication with the captain. This ongoing communication ensured that the Coast Guard maintained a constant presence with the "BBC Colorado" for over 24 hours, preparing emergency gear such as heavy towing lines and survival equipment in case a rapid response was needed. Following a marine assistance request from the Coast Guard, the tugboat "Resolve Pioneer" was dispatched and made its way towards the "BBC Colorado," starting its journey on October 7, 2016. By October 9, the "Resolve Pioneer" successfully took the "BBC Colorado" and its crew of 12 in tow. Once the tow was confirmed secure, the "Morgenthau" resumed its fisheries enforcement duties in the Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea, while the "Resolve Pioneer" continued its course towards Washington. As of the evening of October 11, the convoy was making steady progress towards the U.S. coast at a pace of six knots, approximately 1,000 miles southwest of the Juan de Fuca Strait, with an estimated time of arrival in Seattle set for October 18. For a detailed report and accompanying photo, visit the U.S. Coast Guard's news portal.