On Saturday morning, February 15, the Marine Communications and Traffic Services in Port aux Basques, Canada, received a mayday distress call from the cargo ship MSC Baltic III located approximately 12 nautical miles outside the entrance to Bay of Islands, Newfoundland and Labrador.
The vessel reported a loss of power. Weather and sea conditions in the area were unfavourable and the vessel was unable to secure an anchor and ran aground in Wild Cove west of Lark Harbour.
There were 20 people on board. All crew have been safely airlifted from the vessel by a Cormorant helicopter.
With the crew rescued, the focus shifted on Sunday to assisting with the salvage effort, and marine environment and hazard response.
Canadian Coast Guard crews and Eastern Canada Response Corporation representatives are establishing a staging area in Lark Harbour.
"Weather in the area continues to be a factor as we work to assess the situation and determine the next steps," said the coast guard.
"An emergency zone (two nautical miles) has been established around the incident area to facilitate operations and support marine safety."
Additional Canadian Coast Guard crews and equipment are en route. The CCGS Jean Goodwill will transit to the site from Canso, Nova Scotia as weather permits and the CCGS Henry Larsen is standing by in Corner Brook to facilitate operations.