A launch sank during a crew change, resulting in the loss of luggage and documents for six sailors, fortunately with no injuries.
In an unbelievable incident that no one would want to happen to them, 6 sailors who were preparing to board fell. It is yet another incident that clearly shows how dangerous it is even to board or disembark, and not just the ship’s environment.
More specifically, a ship was anchored near the port and a launch was going to transfer 6 crew members to it, in order to replace their colleagues who would disembark.
In the morning, the 6 crew members boarded the launch to go to the ship. The vessel cast off from the pier and began their transfer. The weather was good and the sea waves did not exceed one meter.
While the launch was underway, water began to ingress and flood the engine room space. The vessel’s crew tried to find the cause of the water ingress to stop it, with the help of some of the sailors who were on board to embark.
Their efforts were unsuccessful and the water level continued to rise dangerously. The launch’s crew reported the incident via radio and it was decided to abandon it with the help of a life raft. The launch sank a few minutes later.
Another launch arrived at the scene about two hours after the sinking, collecting the shipwrecked persons and transporting them to shore. The sailors had lost all their luggage and travel documents, fortunately without being injured.
As those who know understand, for a sailor to lose their luggage is one of the worst things that can happen to them when boarding. If we also factor in that they lost all their documents, then it is a nightmare.
At least there were no injuries and even worse, no loss of human life. As for the loss of their documents, it is the beginning of a calvary…
