Mayday Relay Issued for Vessel "Marta" Off Cape Blanc

Location: 200 nautical miles west of Nouadhibou, Mauritania

Coordinates: 20°41.0'N, 020°37.2'W
Date & Time: January 25, 2025, at 12:00 UTC

A distress alert has been issued for the vessel Marta (callsign: EA7600, MMSI: 225989599) after an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) signal was detected in the Atlantic Ocean, approximately 200 nautical miles west of Nouadhibou, Mauritania. The area of uncertainty surrounding the distress location is estimated to be 6 miles.

Maritime Rescue Coordination Centers (MRCC) in Las Palmas and Madrid, as well as the nearest coastal radio stations, have requested that vessels in the vicinity maintain a sharp lookout, provide assistance if possible, and report any findings.

Concerns Over MMSI Record

Initial investigations indicate that the MMSI number 225989599 does not correspond to any registered vessel according to maritime tracking databases such as MarineTraffic and Vessel Finder. This raises concerns regarding the legitimacy or accuracy of the distress signal, necessitating further verification by maritime authorities.

Weather Conditions in the Area

Current meteorological conditions in the region present significant challenges for search and rescue efforts:

• Wind: 25 knots from the northeast, with gusts reaching 33 knots

• Waves: Up to 3.6 meters

• Sky: Partly cloudy

Given these conditions, vessels in the area are urged to exercise caution while searching for the potentially distressed vessel. Authorities are continuing to monitor the situation closely and will provide further updates as more information becomes available.

Mariners are encouraged to report any relevant sightings or information to MRCC Las Palmas, MRCC Madrid, or the nearest coastal radio station.