Wallem-managed bulker rescues fishermen

(Posted on 28/08/19)

ISL Star, a bulk carrier managed by Wallem Group, together with the U.S. Coast Guard successfully retrieved a crew of eight Indonesian fishermen adrift for over a week after their boat lost power in the middle of the western Pacific.

The Hallelujar, a 60ft Indonesian-flagged fishing vessel of wooden construction, had been adrift for 10 days when on August 13th the AMVER vessel ISL Star received a message from the U.S. Coast Guard that the crew on board was seeking immediate assistance. By the time of the rescue, the eight crew members had run out of food and freshwater.

A ninth survivor had taken the Hallelujar’s sole lifeboat with the intention of seeking help. He was later picked up by a Japanese fishing vessel, Kensei Maru 3, which raised the alarm. But due to poor weather, the Japanese trawler was unable to carry out a more extensive search and found no trace of the drifting fishing boat on its radar.

The alert was routed to a Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC) operating out of the U.S. naval base on Guam, which set off a full-scale search and rescue mission. Unable to establish direct contact with the Kensei Maru 3, the RCC had to rely on information relayed by the Japanese Coast Guard’s station in Okinawa.

Shortly after, the RCC broadcast a message to all ships in the area enlisting their support in the rescue operation. ISL Star picked up the request and diverted from its planned course to take part in the search effort.

The following morning, the U.S. naval base dispatched a reconnaissance plane, which started an aerial search for the drifting fishing boat. It was aided by a coast guard vessel deployed from the Micronesian island of Palau, around 500NM due east of the Philippines.

When ISL Star arrived at Hallelujar’s last reported position, there was no sign of the distressed boat or crew members in the water, so the ship’s master contacted the RCC to ask for a situation update.

After a tense wait, the SAR mission coordinators in Guam provided ISL Star with a new search pattern based on latest intelligence. The hunt resumed but no sightings of the Indonesian fishermen or their boat were made.

The RCC offered fresh information at 1200hr, after the Hallelujar was spotted from the air just 16NM from ISL Star’s current position. The U.S. Navy pilot reports that, after calls made from the vessel to his plane as he passed overhead, he can confirm that all eight crew are alive. The Wallem ship immediately sets a course for the stricken boat, arriving at 1320h.

By 1600hr on August 14th the rescue is complete and ISL Star’s Master contacts coordinators at RCC Guam to confirm that all eight fishermen are safe. Physically well, the crew is nonetheless understandably overcome by their ordeal. Following final instructions from RCC Guam, the bulk carrier began steaming to Palau, 160 NM away, where local authorities were on stand-by to receive and take responsibility for the rescued fishermen.

Capt. A. Misra, the Master on board ISL Star, said: “It was the first experience for my entire crew and myself to rescue life at sea, and I am indeed very proud that we were able to save lives of eight crew members of the fishing vessel. In situations like that working together is important, and through the support of the U.S. Coast Guard and Wallem team ashore, we were able to coordinate a response and successfully rescue the eight mariners. I will cherish this moment for the rest of my life”.

AMVER (Automated Mutual Assistance Vessel Rescue System), sponsored by the Coast Guard, is a computer-based, voluntary global ship reporting system used worldwide by search and rescue authorities. With AMVER, rescue coordinators can identify participating ships in the area of distress and divert the best-suited ship or ships to respond.

The Wallem Group is a leading provider of technology driven maritime solutions, offering services supporting the complete lifecycle of a vessel from newbuilding supervision to end-of-life recycling guidance. Wallem’s extensive portfolio includes asset management, crewing, training, ship management, safety and compliance management and agency services.

Latest News

North Pacific Green Corridor Consortium forms new corridor

Global industry leaders from North America, Asia and Europe have announced the formation of the North... Read more

Tomini Dynasty Captain receives prestigious Gallantry Award

Tomini Group, a world-class dry bulk ship owner, has announced that Captain Om Dutta has been honoured... Read more

Singapore retains top spot as world’s leading maritime city

Singapore has retained its title as the leading maritime city in the world, followed by Rotterdam and... Read more

AtoB@C Shipping takes delivery of Stellamar

AtoB@C Shipping, a subsidiary of ESL Shipping, the leading carrier of dry bulk cargoes in the Baltic... Read more

Maritime industry leaders to explore ammonia as marine fuel on US West Coast

American Bureau of Shipping, CALAMCO, Fleet Management Limited, Sumitomo Corporation and TOTE Services... Read more

MMS raises awareness over improper use of antibiotics on board vessels

Leading provider of medical support services for crews, Marine Medical Solutions (MMS), is concerned... Read more

ESL to sell Supramaxes

ESL Shipping, a leading carrier of dry bulk cargoes in the Baltic region, has signed a memorandum of... Read more

Sustainable fuels can reach cost parity with fossil fuels by 2035

New Wärtsilä analysis shows EU ETS and FuelEU Maritime will close price gap, creating policy... Read more

Swedish Club delivers firm foundation for future growth

The Swedish Club reported positive results for 2023, combined with an emphasis on supporting its members... Read more

DNV establishes Tanker and Bulker Expert Team in China

DNV has established a Tanker and Bulker Expert Team based in Shanghai. With strong global demand and... Read more