On 15 February the containership MSC Baltic III, carrying 20 crew members, ran aground after losing power in severe weather conditions in Canada.
A mayday call was received by Marine Communication and Traffic Services in Port aux Basques when the MSC Baltic III was about 12 nautical miles off the entrance to Bay of Island, Newfoundland, Canada. The vessel, unable to secure its anchor, ran aground in Wild Cove, west of Lark Harbour carrying 20 crew members. In addition, the weather at the time was harsh with winds surpassing 120 kilometers per hour and 6 meter waves.
In response, the Canadian Coast Guard deployed the icebreaker Henry Larsen and a Cormorant helicopter to assist with the rescue. The helicopter successfully airlifted all crew members to safety without any injuries.
As reported, the cause of the power failure and the extent of any structural damage are still under investigation. Authorities are closely monitoring the vessel for any potential fuel leaks.
