Helicopter Deployed After Cargo Vessel Hits Fishing Boat

On Thursday, May 16, the cargo vessel Longdawn was suspected of colliding with a fishing boat, causing it to capsize northwest of the Garo Peninsula. Fortunately, the fisherman was uninjured and was rescued by another fishing boat.

The Coastal Command Center received an emergency call at around 2:42 am from another fishing boat reporting that a 10-meter-long coastal fishing boat was sinking approximately six nautical miles northwest of the Garoskaga lighthouse.

The Coast Guard quickly responded by dispatching a helicopter and the rescue team from the Accident Prevention Association Landsbjargar a Suournes to assist the distressed boat. The surviving fisherman was later brought to shore by the Coast Guard.

The cargo vessel did not stop after the collision and continued sailing. However, the Coast Guard tracked the vessel to the port of Vestmannaeyjar.

The Icelandic Police stated that evidence of the collision was apparent, strengthening the suspicion that the Longdawn had collided with the fishing boat and abandoned the fisherman and his sinking vessel. Media reports and photos of the cargo vessel show scratches on the bulb of its bow.

The Police have detained the captain, the chief officer, the first officer, and the second officer for investigation. The chief officer and the first officer were released, while the captain and the second officer were questioned with the help of an interpreter, as they were from Russia and Asia.

The Iceland Court ordered the detention of the captain and the second officer for four weeks on suspicion of abandoning the fisherman at sea after colliding with his small fishing boat.

Longdawn is an 8,250 dwt general cargo vessel registered in Antigua & Barbuda and operated by Longship Shipping Company. On May 17, the vessel departed from Vestmannaeyjar and is scheduled to arrive in Rotterdam by May 20.