Another scuba boat sinking - Galapagos Islands

[DandyDon]

No divers aboard this one this time...

Scuba diving boat ‘Albatroz’ sinks off Ecuador’s Galapagos Islands - Global Times

www.globaltimes.cn

A scuba diving boat sank Saturday off one of Ecuador's ecologically sensitive Galapagos Islands but damage was minor and no one was hurt, officials said.

The boat was carrying about 47 barrels of diesel fuel that left a "superficial" slick, the Environment Ministry said.

The sinking was first reported by the state-run oil company Petroecuador, which did not specify how much fuel may have spilled.

Galapagos National Park confirmed the sinking of the vessel called the Albatroz and said it was used for scuba diving excursions in waters off the islands, which are a protected natural heritage site.

Containment booms have been set up around the area of the accident in an effort to control the spill, the company said.

The four crew members on the ship are safe, it added.

The national park suspended tourism activities around the city of Puerto Ayora, where its headquarters is located.

Located in the Pacific about 1,000 kilometers off the coast of Ecuador, and famous for their giant tortoises, the Galapagos are a protected wildlife area and home to unique species of flora and fauna.

The archipelago was made famous by British geologist and naturalist Charles Darwin's observations on evolution there.

The Galapagos marine reserve, in which industrial fishing is prohibited, is the second-largest in the world. More than 2,900 marine species have been reported within the archipelago, which is a Natural World Heritage Site.

In 2019, a barge carrying a small amount of diesel sank off another Galapagos island, San Cristobal, causing a small spill but damage was insignificant.

 

[Johnoly]

vessel called the Albatroz

A couple of boats are named that. I wonder if it was this Albatros

 

[NW Dive Dawg]

I get that accidents happen and boats sink...... but really......a "superficial" oil slick!!!! Tell that to the critters.. Also, I guess 47 barrels sounds a whole lot better than 2,000 gallons.... This article leaves me with the impression that the Environmental Minister is sleeping with the oil company...Petroecuador...

 

[DandyDon]

boats sink

Yep, I won't get on one while not wearing my snorkel vest even tho I'm the only one usually. You have to wonder why tho, yet the reporter didn't include that information.

 

[Jonn]

So the boat had diesel fuel in its engine tanks, 47 barrels volume worth? Story makes it sound like it was transporting a bunch of individual steel barrels rolling around loose on its deck or something! A “barrel” is also legit unit of measure but I’m more used to seeing litres or cubic meters.

Interested to know what caused the sinking. Also how deep: is this a viable wreck?

 

[Akimbo]

Yep, I won't get on one while not wearing my snorkel vest

This style is a lot more comfortable than a snorkel vest.

I'm not sure that all come with oral inflators but that would be on my must-have list.

 

[DandyDon]

This style is a lot more comfortable than a snorkel vest.

There is no discomfort in my snorkel vests. Sometimes I forget to remove it while putting on my BC. Automatic inflation sounds nice, but I prefer to control my own. I have a small fear of being trapped in an overturned boat cab. I don't think yours has oral inflation at all, so good luck on the CO2 cartridge. Then there is the vast price difference.

 

[Akimbo]

I don't think yours has oral inflation at all, so good luck on the CO2 cartridge.

All the ones I have used have oral inflation. They are issued on a lot of working vessels. I never had a reason to buy one.

 

[NW Dive Dawg]

I have 6 of those Class V PFD's on my boat and everyone onboard wears one.... I have 4 Auto inflates and 2 are self actuated only. Like Don mentioned, I don't like the idea of auto inflating inside my cabin in case of a capsize. All 6 have an oral inflate option and all 6 are the offshore models with a heavy harnesses and security / lifting D rings. The great thing about them is that they are non restrictive and comfortable so folks don't mind actually wearing them..

One thing to note is that in order to meet USCG safety requirements they must be actually worn to meet the requirements if underway......

 

[Akimbo]

The great thing about them is that they are non restrictive and comfortable so folks don't mind actually wearing them..

Unlike conventional life preservers, I have never noticed anyone whining about wearing them — which is significant considering that sailors and offshore crewman are quick to complain about everything.

One thing to note is that in order to meet USCG safety requirements they must be actually worn to meet the requirements if underway......

Not sure I understand. How is it different to non-inflatable life preservers?