This archive report was first published on 7 June 2020.
On June 2, a Tanzanian registered vessel, FV Haina Hollo, departed Tanga for Pemba with a cargo of 700 logs of eucalyptus. However, the vessel was overcome by strong winds, got swamped, and heavily listed, resulting in the loss of propulsion power.
According to George Okong'o, Director-General of the Kenya Maritime Authority, the loss of propulsion power coupled with strong winds could have led the vessel to drift to Kenyan waters. The FV Haina Hollo eventually drifted to Mtwapa, where it was rescued by Kenya Coast Guards officers after making a distress call.
The seven fishermen on board were weak and exhausted and were attended to by a multiagency team of the Kenya Coastguards, KMA, and the Kilifi County government officials. They were then transferred to a quarantine facility in Kilifi County.
Mr. Okong'o stated that the vessel is still in the reef and that the owner is making arrangements for tow and salvage. The KMA has notified the Tanzanian Maritime Authority and the consulate in Mombasa of the incident.
Recently, the authority conducted maritime safety and compliance campaigns in Kilifi, Mombasa, Homa Bay, and Siaya counties to enhance safety and compliance levels and reduce water incidents and accidents.
