Collision with Submerged Container Most Likely Cause of Asgard II Sinking

Collision with Submerged Container Most Likely Cause of Asgard II Sinking - Report

15th October 2010

This morning's report into the sinking of Asgard II will indicate that collision with an underwater object such as a submerged container was the likely cause of the ship sinking. The final report of the Marine Casualty Investigation Board into the loss of the brigantine sailing ship STV "Asgard II " on 11th September 2008 will be published this morning.

On 10th September 2008 the STV "Asgard II" departed Dournenez, France bound for La Rochelle, France with 5 crew and 20 trainee crew onboard. At approximately 01:00 hrs GMT on 11th September 2008 when off St. Nazaire in the Bay of Biscay water ingress was observed in the Trainee Mess. At 01:05 hrs a Pan Pan message was broadcast. At about 01:15 hrs a Mayday Relay message was received by French Search and Rescue (French SAR) as the water in the Trainee Mess continued rising rapidly. The crew attempted to pump the flood water without success.

The ship was abandoned by liferaft at approximately 01:50 hrs. Two French lifeboats rescued all 25 persons from the liferafts.

During the abandonment the floor of one of the three liferafts launched failed and the persons onboard were successfully transferred to the other liferafts. No loss of life occurred and there were no injuries reported.

Click this link for all Afloat's coverage of Asgard II's sinking, and the plans to raise, dive and replace her

Raise the Asgard - Afloat's 2008 online petition

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