Falmouth coastguards helped co-ordinate a rescue west of the Cape Verde Islands which involved a vessel sinking.
Den Helder received an Inmarsat distress message from the Togo registered cargo vessel 'Prince Karim', reporting that the ship was taking water, listing to starboard and requesting immediate assistance. There were 11 people on board.
Falmouth Coastguard was requested to make a satellite broadcast around the ship's position to establish if there were other vessels in the area able to assist.
As a result MV Sea Wave reported that they were proceeding to assist the Prince Karim. Later, the Prince Karim was reported as sunk. The crew had abandoned to a liferaft. Sea Wave arrived on scene and recovered ten crew, one of whom, the Captain was dead. One crewman was missing.
Andy Cattrell, duty Watch Manager at MRCC Falmouth said: “This incident is a good demonstration of how the Global Maritime Distress & Safety System ( GMDSS ) can work to save lives at sea, with international rescue centres working together.”
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