Search and rescue operations are underway after a fishing vessel disappeared from the radar off Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast.
The search for the fishing vessel that disappeared on 18 February east of Cape Maslen Nos with three people on board resumed with intensified efforts. According to local news reports, in addition to the official rescue teams, eight volunteer groups have joined the operation, combing the coastline between Sozopol and Primorsko.
A drone is also being deployed to survey areas that are difficult to access on foot. The vessel had set out the previous day despite severe weather conditions, when the vessel’s signal suddenly disappeared from radar.
Authorities launched a large-scale search involving rescue services, the Border Police and the military, however the operation was suspended in the evening due to darkness.
Experienced mariners have described the circumstances surrounding the disappearance as deeply concerning. A sailor noted in a television interview that there is a two- to three-minute discrepancy between data from the AIS tracking system and coastal radar.
He further commented that such an abrupt loss of signal is highly unusual, but expressed hope that, if an accident occurred, the crew may have had enough time to deploy a life raft.
The sailor added that strong winds could have carried the crew far offshore and urged authorities to conduct an aerial search and called on the Maritime Administration to also issue a missing persons alert as soon as possible.