The Oceanbank assisted in refloating a Spanish fishing vessel the Nuevo Ria Aldan, which ran aground on rocks at Ardnakinna Lighthouse, Bere Island on Saturday 27th October 2012. The vessel was bound for Castletownbere harbour when she went onto rocks below the lighthouse at 5am that morning.
All eleven crewmembers were safely transferred from the vessel; none sustained any injuries during the incident. Conditions were very good at the time of the grounding.
The Oceanbank successfully refloated the 30m steel-hulled vessel at 4pm that afternoon.
A Coastguard helicopter flew over the scene to confirm that there was no oil leakage or pollution.
The vessel was escorted into Castletownbere where the extent of damage to the vessel could be checked.
The Spanish trawler “Nuevo Ria Aldan” that ran aground on Bere Island on Saturday morning being refloated by the Bere Island tug “Ocean Bank”. The ship hit rocks under Ardnakinna Lighthouse at the entrance to Berehaven Harbour and the crew were taken off by the Castletownbere RNLI Lifeboat for their own safety. Picture: Niall Duffy
