A tall ship from Brazil left onlookers breathless when it collided with a pedestrian bridge over a river in Ecuador on Monday (18 October).

As reported by Marine Industry News, the Brazilian naval training vessel Cisne Branco (White Swan) had been visiting the city of Guayaquil for a number of days before it drifted into the bridge in what appears to be a strong current and listed heavily on its port side.

The Amsterdam-built ship was righted to even keel with the help of tugs — but in the process one of the tugs was capsized. No injuries were reported among the crews of either vessels.

CNN Brazil carried a video report of the incident which can be viewed below:

#Ecuador - Friends of two Irish kayakers who died in Ecuador last weekend have raised more than €27,000 to bring their bodies back home.

According to Joe.ie, the crowdfunding campaign was set up by friends of David Higgins and Alex McGourty to help their families cover the cost of repatriating the young men’s remains.

“They were vibrant, kind souls who lived life to its full potential, and words cannot describe what they meant to their family and friends,” says the GoFundMe page where donations can be made towards its €30,000 goal.

#Ecuador - The body of a Tralee man has been recovered after a kayaking incident in central Ecuador that claimed the life of a Sligoman at the weekend, as previously reported on Afloat.ie.

According to The Irish Times, 26-year-old David Higgins went missing on Saturday afternoon (20 January) on a kayaking trip with four other men when his vessel was caught in a strong current on the Abanico river.

The body of Alex McGourty from Sligo was found soon after the incident, while American Jeremiah Stewart was rescued that same day.

Ecuadorian Joaqin Meneses was found alive on Monday (22 January). A fifth man, Adam Vaughen from England, is still missing.

The Irish Times has much more on the story HERE.

#Ecuador - Afloat.ie has learned of unconfirmed reports that an Irishman has died in a canoeing accident in Ecuador today (Sunday 21 January).

The deceased is believed to be a member of Sligo Kayak Club. There is as yet no other details as to the location or circumstances of the incident.

Canoeing Ireland chief executive Paddy Boyd told Afloat.ie they are still waiting for more information, but extend their sympathies to the families of those involved.

Update on Sunday 21 January at 1700hrs: Sligo Kayak Club has offered its condolences to the family of club member and trainee-instructor Alex McGourty, 'who tragically died while fulfilling his dreams, kayaking in Ecuador'.

The club statement says: 'It is with profound sadness we announce the passing of club member and trainee-instructor Alex McGourty. The club would like to extend our deepest and heartfelt sympathies to Alex's parents Frankie and Eilish, his family and his friends. Alex will be greatly missed by all in Sligo Kayak Club.  He was one of the finest young men we had the honour of knowing and paddling with. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam'.