Wellboat Vali Aground in Chile With 14 Evacuated

A wellboat carrying around 161,000 litres of fuel ran aground near Isla Verdugo on Monday morning, October 13. The island sits roughly 18 nautical miles southeast of Melinka, deep in Chile's Aysén region. All 14 crew were evacuated safely. No injuries. Oily residues appeared on the water around the stranded vessel, though authorities did not report a confirmed spill into the marine environment.

The vessel, Vali, was supporting operations at a salmon farming site when it grounded. The Chilean Navy and the Maritime Authority responded to the scene and crew members were evacuated by motorboat to a nearby facility.

Wellboats are a staple of Chilean salmon aquaculture. They move live fish between farm sites and deliver feed and supplies, which takes them into the narrow channels and fjords of Patagonia where sea room is tight. The Aysén coastline is cut through with islands and inlets, and the incident is a reminder of how demanding these waters can be for coastal vessel operations.

The volume of fuel on board made containment a priority from the start. Responding crews monitored the area for signs of a larger spill while the vessel remained in position after sustaining hull damage.

Salmon Business and Fish Farming Expert both reported the grounding. No public statement on salvage plans had been issued at the time of reporting.

MarineRadar data shows a rise in users tracking the Chilean coast in the days following the incident, with this grounding contributing to a jump in regional activity.