Fire took hold in the fishroom of freezer trawler Baffin Bay while alongside in Vigo early yesterday morning and by evening the extent of the damage made it clear that the trawler is beyond saving.
The fire is believed to be connected to welding work being done on board. Despite the presence of three harbour tugs spraying the stricken trawler with water, after five hours, an explosion occurred in the engine room.
Vigo Shipowners’ Co-operative (ARVI) chairman Javier Touza commented that the extent of the damage to Baffin Bay is such that it is inevitably a write-off.
The UK-registered Baffin Bay is one of the South Atlantic fleet operating around the Falkland Islands.
‘Sadly we’ve lost Baffin Bay. She remains alongside in Vigo presently with all working to ensure her safest demise possible,’ stated Baffin Bay’s Falklands-based operating company Beauchene Fishing Company.
‘Now begins the investigation and all that comes with that. It won’t be a simple task for all companies involved, Beauchene, Cópemar and South Atlantic Squid. She was a brilliant vessel with a sterling captain and crew. We have them to look after also.’
Image: Beauchene Fishing Company
