News

An investigation was being underway into an explosion on the 'Olivia' in Bluff that has seen a bulk carrier placed under a partial protection order by transport investigators, temporarily preventing it from leaving New Zealand. Three crew members were injured in the incident on the morning of May 24. Four fire trucks had responded to the alert, which was received shortly after 3 .a.m, and assisted ambulance crews with getting the injured off the ship. Hato Hone St John transported the injured crew members to Southland Hospital in Invercargill, two in serious condition and one in a moderate condition. The Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) was investigating the incident as a serious marine casualty as required under international maritime regulations- The ship will be unable to leave port until the investigation is finished. The order gave TAIC the power to protect and restrict access, and to require people provide papers, documents, records or other items, including voyage and engine data, recording equipment, the boiler and boiler system, and videos and photos taken by the crew. While it did not apply to the entire ship, apart from from urgent safety actions, obeying the order meant the crew cannot operate the boiler system, voyage data system, effectively marooning the ship at the South Port. The three investigators deployed on MAy 25 included experts in ship control and command, engineering and digital data extraction and analysis. The team conducted interviews and collected physical and digital evidence, and wrapped up the on-site investigation on May 28. Different lines of inquiry will be followed over the next few months, with work in later stages - particularly during analysis - potentially requiring further evidence collection. The investigation would determine the broader circumstances and cause, but TAIC investigations did not ascribe blame or liability. The TAIC investigations can take two years or longer to complete. Report with photos: https://www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/360707271/investigation-bluff-boat-explosion-may-see-carrier-untouched-years

The Russian captain Vladimir Motin, 59, of the 'Solong', which collided with the oil tanker 'Stena Immaculate', resulting in the death of a crew member, Angelo Pernia, a 38-year-old Filipino, appeared in court on Ma 30 for "involuntary manslaughter due to gross negligence." During this hearing before the Central Criminal Court of England and Wales, known as the Old Bailey, in London. Motin was expected to declare his guilty plea, which will determine whether a trial will take place. Motin pleaded not guilty and was remanded in custody until trial. Assisted by a Russian interpreter, Motin earlier confirmed his identity before he entered his plea at London's Central Criminal Court via video link from prison.A further case management hearing has been set for Sept 10. A trial date has been set for Jan 12, 2026. Vladimir Motin, originally from St. Petersburg, has been detained since the accident. In April, Motin appeared by videoconference before a judge, who then decided to postpone the hearing on the suspect's guilt due to the lack of a Russian interpreter available.

A fire broke out from a container that was washed ashore at Sakthikulangara on the suburbs of Kollam on the afternoon of May 29 and has triggered panic in Kollam. The foam material in the container caught fire while it was being cut using electric cutters. Electric sparks from the cutter were suspected to have caused the fire. Thick dark smoke emanated. Nearby fire fighters quickly put out the flames. Meanwhile, the Kerala government has declared the wreckage of the ship in the Arabian sea as a state specific disaster. The move is aimed at intensifying the steps to address environmental impacts proposed by the wreckage. State disaster management funds could be used for the relief works. Around 50 containers already washed ashore, Te containers that were said to be containing hazardous cargo and calcium carbide were yet to be traced and have probably sunk. Volunteers were engaged to remove the plastic pellets that were washed ashore mostly in the coastal areas of Thiruvananthapuram. While a conclusive report on the reason for the accident was yet to come, preliminary assumption was that defects in the ballast system that maintains in the ship's balance led to the sinking. The Kerala government will file compensation claims for the damages caused to the state by the accident.

The 'Papu Mar', which remained sunken for more than a month near kilometer 77 of the Main Waterway (VNT), was finally refloated and transferred to the Port of Buenos Aires. The salvage operation was carried out by the companies Servimagnus and Raúl Negro Salvamento, which deployed the sheerleg 'Magnus VI', the tug 'VB Recoleta' and auxiliary vessels to carry out the salvage. The salvage work lasted a week amid adverse weather conditions and the complex environment. There were no impacts to the environment or navigation safety. Servimagnus provided the main equipment and directed the refloating, while Raúl Negro provided the diving and bilge equipment, in addition to commercial management, preparation and presentation of the salvage plan to the Naval Prefecture, and the transfer of the pusher tug from Buenos Aires to Escobar. When the tug sank on April 18, the barge, carrying 153 containers, remained attached to it, and no cargo was lost.

The Russian captain Vladimir Motin, 59, of the 'Solong', which collided with the oil tanker 'Stena Immaculate', resulting in the death of a crew member, Angelo Pernia, a 38-year-old Filipino, appeared in court on Ma 30 for "involuntary manslaughter due to gross negligence." During this hearing before the Central Criminal Court of England and Wales, known as the Old Bailey, in London. Motin was expected to declare his guilty plea, which will determine whether a trial will take place. Motin pleaded not guilty and was remanded in custody until trial. Assisted by a Russian interpreter, Motin earlier confirmed his identity before he entered his plea at London's Central Criminal Court via video link from prison.A further case management hearing has been set for Sept 10. A trial date has been set for Jan 12, 2026. Vladimir Motin, originally from St. Petersburg, has been detained since the accident. In April, Motin appeared by videoconference before a judge, who then decided to postpone the hearing on the suspect's guilt due to the lack of a Russian interpreter available.