On January 26, the Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC) Falmouth coordinated a rescue operation on the distressed commercial vessel Modern Express. The 22 crew members were evacuated by Spanish rescue helicopters under very difficult sea conditions.
The 164 m long ro-ro ship was then located 200 nautical miles (about 370 Kms) southwest of Penmarch Point, carrying 3600T of timber cut into bundles and public works machinery.
On Friday 29 January, the ro-ro ferry found itself in distress in the Bay of Biscay. Presenting a strong list, it was planned to tow it while it was drifting with a speed of about 1 knot to the east. Its position was then estimated at about 150 nautical miles (about 270 kilometres) west of La Rochelle.
Unfortunately, the heavy swell prevented the trailer from passing through and the crew who had managed to climb on the ro-ro left the vessel before nightfall. In the operation, one of the four men was injured. The ship was then 148 nautical miles from La Rochelle (about 270 km) and drifted at 110 to 1 nd.
On Saturday 30 January, the ship was 120 nq from the mouth of the Gironde (about 216 km), drifting southeast at a speed of 2 nd. Extreme conditions making the intervention very risky. Two new experts joined SMIT SALVAGE on the anti-submarine frigate PRIMAUGUET to participate in the towing.
However, the poor weather conditions led the crew to carry out a simple reconnaissance of the vessel. The next towing attempt will be set up as soon as a weather window appears. In the area, the wind is still force 6 with gusts to 70 km/h. The sea is rough with waves of 6 m.
From now on, it is possible that the cargo ship will run aground early next week. This Sunday, January 31, it is only 116 km off the coast of the Arcachon basin.
