Reviews & Ratings for the Msc-Japan-Iii

On the evening of May 26, 2015, the MSC Japan played a heroic role in a search and rescue (SAR) operation off the coast of Penmarc'h. The drama unfolded at 8:55 p.m. when the CROSS Etel received an urgent distress call from the 21-meter gillnetter Ge Mi Ma, which flagged a dire situation involving water ingress approximately 160 nautical miles from Penmarc'h. The quick-thinking crew of the Ge Mi Ma, measuring 50 gross tons (MMSI No.: 228341000) and based in Bayonne, highlighted the gravity of their predicament, prompting immediate action. The CROSS rapidly alerted a Cayman helicopter stationed at the Naval Aviation Base in Lanvéoc and informed nearby vessels of the unfolding emergency. In a coordinated effort, MRCC Madrid dispatched an EC225 helicopter operated by SASEMAR from La Coruña. However, both helicopters were pushed to their operational limits, with their time on-site restricted to around ten minutes. The priority was clear: winch the nine crew members from Ge Mi Ma without delay. A Falcon 50 from the Naval Aviation Base in Lann-Bihoué was brought in to oversee and coordinate the rescue. The Cayman helicopter successfully hoisted five crew members before having to depart the scene at 11:25 p.m., while the EC225 managed to rescue an additional crew member. The remaining three seafarers had no choice but to find safety in their liferaft. Fortunately, the MSC Japan was en route from Sines and had received the distress signal relayed by CROSS, allowing it to swiftly reach the Ge Mi Ma's location. In the end, five Portuguese sailors were safely delivered to Lanvéoc, another Portuguese sailor was evacuated by the EC225, and a French sailor along with two Spanish sailors continued their journey aboard the MSC Japan towards Rotterdam.