On 12 January 2020 at 11:11 local time, the MRCC Gris-Nez informed the MRCC Etel of the triggering of a 406-MHz beacon with no known position and whose MMSI corresponded to a 12-meter fishing boat based at the port of Arcachon in Gironde, France .
The investigations began with VHF calls to the vessel and to the fishing company’s boss’s phone number, all of which remained unanswered.
The Cap Ferret semaphore provided assistance and indicated the boat’s habitual fishing routes, its working VHF channel as well as those of the other fishing vessels likely to be working in the vicinity.
The MRCC Etel contacted two other nearby fishing vessels, and the second one confirmed that the vessel was indeed fishing in its sector, and, a few seconds later, that she had visual on an overturned hull and immediately set sail for the position.
The MRCC Etel broadcasted a MAYDAY RELAY message.
Very quickly, the crew of the second boat recovered a fisher who confirmed two missing crew members.
Only three minutes later the boat rescued the missing two crew members from 12-degree waters.
A teleconference with a doctor from SCMM 64 was initiated in order to establish a medical assessment of the three survivors.
Leaving the wreckage behind, the fishing boat headed for the port of Arcachon with the crew safe and sound on board.
The activation of the 406-MHz beacon had immediately identified the fishing vessel and the investigations thereafter quickly located the site of the sinking.
Read more (in French) here:
https://www.sudouest.fr/2020/01/13/bassin-d-arcachon-naufrage-d-un-bateau-de-peche-les-trois-marins-sauves-7055285-2733.php?fromsar=memeSujet
and (in English):
https://www.bassin-arcachon-info.com/en/shipwreck-passes-arcachon/