Skip to main content

Distress Call Issued for Spanish Sailor in Black Sailing Vessel "Black Bit"

Update:

The Italian Coast Guard rescued the sailor. Following a satellite alert received yesterday through the COSPAS system managed with the Civil Protection Department, which located him about 110 miles off the Calabrian coast, an aircraft took off from the Guardia Costiera airbase in #Catania and a patrol boat departed from #RoccellaJonica - in addition to two merchant ships diverted to the area - tracked down the boat of the lone Spanish sailor, who was reached and rescued during the night,Issued: April 19, 2024, 1:30 PM UTC


From IMRCC Rome - Italian Coast Guard


Urgency: Distress

Summary:

The Italian Coast Guard (IMRCC Rome) has issued a distress call for a Spanish sailor who departed Crete for Sicily on April 11th aboard a black sailing vessel named "Black Bit."

Details:

  • The sailor's nationality is Spanish.
  • The vessel's name is "Black Bit."
  • The vessel's color is black.
  • The departure date from Crete was April 11th, 2024.
  • The destination was Sicily.

Current Conditions:

  • Wind: 30 knots with gusts up to 40 knots from the northwest.
  • Sea state: Rough with 2-meter waves. Conditions are expected to worsen in the coming hours.

Request for Assistance:

All vessels transiting in the area are requested to be on the lookout for the "Black Bit." If spotted, please contact IMRCC Rome immediately.






Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Dramatic Ordeal of M/V CHRISTINA DEBORA: From Mechanical Failure to Abandonment in the Mid-Atlantic

In June 2025, the standby safety vessel CHRISTINA DEBORA , 38.77 meters in length, experienced a maritime emergency that culminated in its abandonment in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean after drifting powerless for more than two weeks. The vessel had been sold and reflagged to Zanzibar either shortly before or just after leaving South Africa. The Beginning of the Crisis – June 8, 2025 The ordeal began on Sunday, June 8, when CHRISTINA DEBORA , navigating approximately 300 nautical miles northwest of St. Helena Island, suffered a major clutch failure, completely losing propulsion. Seven crew members were onboard at the time. The distress call was officially reported by MRCC NATAL on June 11: the vessel was adrift and urgently required clutch repair parts as well as potable water. Captain Victor managed to contact Johnny Clingham, the administrator of the Facebook group “St Helena’s Talk Group,” who verified the authenticity of the request and informed the wider maritime community. ...
2 comments
Read more

Tragedy in the Mozambique Channel: What Is Known About the Deaths of Sailors Deirdre Sibly and Pascal Mahe

1 December 2025 — International authorities are investigating the deaths of Australian sailor Deirdre Sibly , 67, and French sailor Pascal Mahe , who were found dead aboard their yacht in the Mozambique Channel after issuing a distress signal. Although the circumstances remain unclear, several key facts have been confirmed. Deirdre Sibly, an experienced sailor from Port Lincoln, South Australia, had been at sea for nearly four decades. She had been travelling for several months aboard the French-registered yacht Acteon , accompanied by French sailor Pascal Mahe. The two reportedly met on Réunion Island and had been planning a passage across the Indian Ocean. Their most recent route led them from Réunion towards Durban, South Africa , where Sibly intended to catch a flight back to Australia. The distress signal 🚨 #MAYDAY RELAY 🚨 Sailboat #ACTEON issued a DSC distress call on 26 Nov at 0430 UTC (17°05.00S / 040°05.00E). Two persons onboard, but no signs of life reported since. A...
Post a Comment
Read more

Storm Harry: Severe Mediterranean Marine Weather Alert for Mariners

Storm Harry — a powerful Mediterranean cyclone — is rapidly developing and poses significant hazards to marine navigation across the central and western Mediterranean Sea . Mariners should update all voyage plans, avoid non‑essential departures, and monitor official weather and maritime safety broadcasts closely. Meteorological agencies report that a deep extratropical cyclone , locally dubbed Harry , is forming over the Mediterranean. This system is driven by a strong contrast between cold air from northern Europe and relatively warm sea surface temperatures over the Mediterranean basin. Forecast models indicate intensification through Monday 19 January and Tuesday 20 January , with persistent severe weather expected across broad marine areas. Expected Marine Conditions  Wind and Sea State Gale to storm‑force winds expected across extensive Mediterranean sectors. Models suggest max sustained winds potentially exceeding 100 km/h in exposed areas, with very strong gusts...
Post a Comment
Read more