Sand-Fulmar Vessel Reviews and Specifications

On May 29, 2019, at 2:50 p.m., the dredger 'Sand Fulmar' alerted the Dover Coastguard regarding the presence of five stowaways onboard. The individuals, noted to be unarmed and of Albanian nationality, were reported to be in their late twenties. Despite the unusual situation, the vessel, which was operating with a crew of 13, continued its dredging operations approximately eight miles south of Hastings, maintaining a position at 50° 43' 16" N, 000° 33' 55" E. The 'Sand Fulmar' proceeded to enter the port of Northfleet the following day, May 30, at 9:15 a.m.

On May 26, 2019, the Sand Fulmar encountered a cooling water system issue while sailing in ballast approximately 22 miles southeast of Beachy Head, located at coordinates 50 30 02.7 N, 000 40 19.4 E. At around 10:10 a.m., the vessel, carrying a crew of 14, anchored to conduct necessary repairs. Fortunately, no external assistance was required, and the crew effectively addressed the malfunction. By 12:40 p.m., the repairs were successfully completed, allowing the Sand Fulmar to resume its dredging operations in the Bassurelle dredging grounds near the northeast lane of the Traffic Separation Scheme.

On June 5, 2014, at approximately 9:30 AM, the dredger 'Sand Fulmar' encountered a significant maritime hazard while operating 18 miles off the coast of Eastbourne. The crew spotted what seemed to be the upturned hull of a fishing vessel just below the water's surface. Promptly, the Dover Coastguard was alerted, leading to the immediate launch of the Eastbourne all-weather lifeboat, which proceeded to the scene to assess the situation. Upon arrival, the dedicated volunteer crew conducted a thorough examination and determined that the object was not a fishing boat but rather the metal doors of a large shipping container. Unfortunately, neither the lifeboat nor the dredger had the necessary equipment to lift the heavy debris, and marking the object proved to be impossible. Recognizing the potential danger it posed to navigation, the Dover Coastguard is planning coordinated efforts to recover, sink, or properly mark the debris. For more details and pictures of this incident, visit the Eastbourne lifeboat's report here: http://rnli.org/NewsCentre/Pages/Three-callouts-in-24-hours-for-Eastbourne-lifeboats.aspx