site.btaFishing Vessel with Three-Member Crew Goes Missing near Cape Maslen Nos

A Bulgarian fishing vessel with a three-member crew went missing on Wednesday in the area of Cape Maslen Nos in the southern part of the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. Radar contact with the vessel has been lost, the press office of the Ministry of Transport and Communications reported.

Coastal Centre Varna notified the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre at 11:10am Bulgarian time on Wednesday. After the alert was received, the National Plan for Maritime Search and Rescue was activated immediately, with all responsible institutions joining the operation.

A motor rescue boat of the Maritime Administration was dispatched to search the area, but due to a sharp deterioration in the weather conditions, it ceased operations at 12:50pm and returned. A patrol boat of the Border Police also took part and surveyed the area, but because of the poor weather it returned to its base in Sozopol at 1:45pm.

The Transport Ministry noted that the weather conditions in the area were extremely unfavourable, with strong winds, heavy seas and an increased risk of icing, which at present prevents the use of aircraft of the Bulgarian Air Force.

The Ministry added that the frigate Drazki of the Bulgarian Navy is surveying the waters, and that the search and rescue operation continues with full mobilization of available resources. Actions are being coordinated by the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre.