Maritime Rescue Saves 22 Crew Members of the “Modern Express” Ship

Maritime Rescue has today rescued the 22 crew members of the Panamanian “car carrier” “Modern Express”, after it issued a distress signal when it was about 148 miles north of Cape Ortegal. A helicopter was dispatched to assist, at the request of the British SAR, as the area where the ship is located falls under the jurisdiction of MRCC Falmouth, which coordinates the emergency.

The operation coordinated by Falmouth involved the National Coordination Center (Madrid), Cross ETEL (France), and the Rescue Coordination Center in Finisterre, which initially mobilized the rescue helicopter Helimer 401, the aircraft Sasemar 102, and the Xunta Pesca II helicopter. The Helimer 207 from Gijón was also mobilized, although it was later deemed unnecessary.

The first aerial asset to arrive was the Helimer 401 helicopter, which managed to hoist 16 crew members, all in good condition, and transported them to A Coruña airport. The Pesca II helicopter from the Xunta of Galicia successfully rescued the remaining six sailors and took them to Celeiro, reports Maritime Rescue.

Six vessels navigating in the area have approached the position of the “Modern Express”, which is listing at 40 degrees. Winds of force 8 from the SW and very rough seas have added difficulty to the rescue. The ship is coming from Gabon and was heading to Le Havre, and there is speculation about the possibility that it may have sunk.

Photo: Pieter Inpyn