Overview

• The Vigo-owned trawler Tafra 3 sank rapidly after being struck by the Gambian-flagged factory ship Right Whale, which reports say has Russian capital.
• Twenty-one of the 26 people aboard were recovered by nearby vessels Rimbal 5 and Tafra 2 as well as the factory ship, and they were taken to Nouadhibou for assistance.
• Images and company accounts describe a large breach on the starboard side, a dramatic port list and black smoke before the vessel went under.
• Mauritanian maritime authorities confirmed the collision to Spain’s Salvamento Marítimo and are directing the ongoing search for five missing crew.
• A mayday was issued at 18:40 local time on Friday, with sources noting the trawler had cable deployed and that local waters are about 31 brazas deep.