Join our crew and become one of the 104,408 members that receive our newsletter.

Bulk Carrier Crew Rescues Commercial Fishermen Off Monterey After Vessel Catches Fire

MV Nordrubicon. File Photo. Credit: MarineTraffic.com/Huw Gibby

Bulk Carrier Crew Rescues Commercial Fishermen Off Monterey After Vessel Catches Fire

Mike Schuler
Total Views: 2210
November 10, 2021

The crew of a Reederei Nord bulk carrier came to the rescue of seven commercial fishermen after their vessel caught fire approximately 350 miles west of Monterey, California.

Watchstanders at the Eleventh Coast Guard District command center received multiple emergency position-indicating radio beacon (EPBIRB) and personal location beacon alerts belonging to the 85-foot commercial fishing boat Blue Dragon around 12:20 a.m. on Wednesday morning.

A Coast Guard Air Station Sacramento C-27 Spartan aircrew was launched to assist. Coast Guard watchstanders, using the Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue System (AMVER), also issued a request for assistance to the crew of the MV Nord Rubicon, located 80 miles northwest of the alert location, who responded that they were willing to divert and assist the distressed mariners.

The C-27 aircrew arrived on scene at 3:21 a.m. and reported the Blue Dragon was on fire and survivors were aboard a life raft nearby. The aircrew reported that the survivors were signaling the aircraft using a flashlight, and in response the aircrew deployed a flare along with a self locating datum marker buoy (SLDMB).

A second Air Station Sacramento C-27 Spartan aircrew was launched at 8 a.m.

The Nord Rubicon crew arrived on scene at 9:30 a.m. and retrieved the seven crewmembers from the life raft. All crewmembers were accounted for and no injuries were reported.

The Nord Rubicon is now en route to San Francisco with all of the Blue Dragon crew members.

Unlock Exclusive Insights Today!

Join the gCaptain Club for curated content, insider opinions, and vibrant community discussions.

Sign Up
Back to Main
polygon icon polygon icon

Why Join the gCaptain Club?

Access exclusive insights, engage in vibrant discussions, and gain perspectives from our CEO.

Sign Up
close

JOIN OUR CREW

Maritime and offshore news trusted by our 104,408 members delivered daily straight to your inbox.

gCaptain’s full coverage of the maritime shipping industry, including containerships, tankers, dry bulk, LNG, breakbulk and more.