The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) arrested the 31 year old crew member Akshay Somaroo aboard the 'World Explorer' for possession and importation of child pornography near Iqaluit, Nunavut. RCMP officers boarded the cruise ship in Frobisher Bay to assist Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and Fisheries and Oceans Canada officers with what were described as routine customs examinations. While conducting these examinations, the crew member, who was from Mauritius, was searched by CBSA officers and was subsequently arrested after he was found to be in possession of child pornography. Somaroo did not enter a plea and was scheduled to appear in the Nunavut Court of Justice on Sep 11, 2024. Report with photo: https://www.cruiselawnews.com/2024/09/articles/pornography/crew-member-arrested-for-child-pornography-17th-cruise-ship-employee-arrested-in-last-seven-months/
News
MT TERRA NOVA
The Philippine government announced that it had completed the recovery of the fuel cargo from the 'Terranova' on Sep 12, thus avoiding an environmental catastrophe. Most of the 1,400 tons of oil have been pumped out. The salvors have recovered 96 % of the oil waste. Authorities decided after a meeting on (Sep 12 to announce the end of siphoning operations by Sep 13. Some 1.38 million liters of oil waste were recovered between Aug 19 and Sep 10, The mixture of oil and water was transported to a treatment facility near Manila. As a precaution, local governments have nevertheless imposed fishing bans affecting tens of thousands of fishermen in the bay. Report with photo: https://lemarin.ouest-france.fr/sciences-environnement/aux-philippines-la-maree-noire-a-ete-evitee-apres-le-naufrage-du-petrolier-terranova-b213349c-7111-11ef-9636-7dbb9f35abc5
TYRHAUG
Two men were facing charges after the 'Tyrhaug' collided with the workboat ' Frøy Loke' on Nordmøre on June 28, 2023, just outside Ringholmen in the Aure municipality. There were 31 passengers and a crew of five on board the speedboat and four people aboard the work boat. Several people were sent to hospital after the accident, including two of the employees on board the speedboat. One of these were seriously injured. One of those on board the 'Frøy Loke' was also injured in the incident. The express boat usually runs between Kristiansund and Trondheim. It was on its way to Trondheim when the accident happened. In the aftermath of the accident, the master of the fast ferry was charged with breach of Penal Code 356. The public prosecutor in Møre og Romsdal has now brought charges against two people in connection with the case under Section 356 of the Penal Code, cf. Section 355, for negligently causing damage at sea, which could have led to the loss of human life. The collision occurred because the bridge of the 'Tyrhaug' was not manned in accordance with the current procedure, and because the helmsman of the 'Tyrhaug' was not sufficiently observant of other traffic, the indictment states. The case will be heard in Møre and Romsdal district court in January. Four days have been set aside for the case. None of the lawyers for the two defendants have so far commented on the indictment. In February, the National Accident Investigation Board issued its report on the accident. According to the report, the crew of the service boat did not perceive it as abnormal that the speedboat was coming directly towards them, as this was normal, and they were obliged to give way. The crew of the service vessel then maintained the same speed and course. The navigator on the speedboat was focused on a passing sailboat and the support navigator was in another room behind the bridge. None of them should have perceived the risk of collision, the report states. On board the work boat they saw that the fast boat was approaching on a steady course and that they were going to pass close by. They assumed that the speedboat saw them and wanted clearance to pass. When they discovered that this did not work, everything happened so quickly that they did not have time to take remedial measures to avoid a collision. When the accident happened, there was only one navigator on the bridge, the Accident Investigation Board wrote in the report. The support navigator must then have stayed in the room behind the bridge and not perceive the danger of collision. If there had been two navigators present on the bridge, this would have increased the chance of observing the 'Frøy Loke', the Accident Investigation Board wrote in the report.
CHERRY TONDA
The 'Cherry Tonda', en route from Pasir Gudang to Barcelona, has rescued 38 migrants from a precarious boat 45 nautical miles south of Gavdos. After the Greek Coast Guard was informed, they were transferred to a lifeboat and safely transported to the port of Karave Gavdos. Subsequently, they were transferred by a passenger ferry to the port of Chora Sfakion, from where they were transferred by bus to a temporary accommodation area in the area of Agia Chania. The Central Port Authority of Chania, which was conducting the preliminary investigation, seized the inflatable motorized dinghy.
HMCS YELLOWKNIFE
The US Coast Guard and the Royal Canadian Navy offloaded $44.2 million worth of cocaine in San Diego, on the morning of Sep 12, 2024. The 'Yellowknife (HMCS-706)' and a U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment team had interdicted more than 3,100 lbs. of cocaine approximately 430 miles southwest of Acapulco on Sep 5 during a successful patrol in the Eastern Pacific. Multiple U.S. agencies, including the Departments of Defense, Justice, and Homeland Security, are collaborating in the effort to combat transnational organized crime. The Coast Guard, Navy, Customs and Border Protection, FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, along with allied and international partner agencies, all play a role in counter-narcotic operations. Report with photo: https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/3904327/photo-release-coast-guard-royal-canadian-navy-offload-442-million-worth-of-drug/
AM PRIDE
On the morning of Sep 12, 2024, a fire broke out aboard the 'AM Pride', with 15 crew members on board, about 48.5 nautical miles south of Mossel Bay, Western Cape Province. At 10.30 a.m. the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) at SAMSA in Cape Town, received a distress call from PetroSA (Petroleum Oil and Gas Corporation of South Africa) stating that the messroom was on fire, and the ship required urgent assistance. The MRCC issued a MayDay relay, upon which two vessels, the 'Angelic Peace' and 'Thunderbird', which were sailing nearby, respnded. The PetroSA deployed a helicopter to the scene. The weather conditions were challenging with strong winds and high swells. However, the helicopter was able to hoist the crew, which had abandoned ship onto the life rafts, aboad. Eight of the castayways were brought to the FA platform, and seven more flown to George, to be shifted to Cape Town on Sep 13. It was planned to tow the damaged vessel to a safe location by the Emergency Towing Vessel 'Mkhuseli'.
LEEUWIN 2
The process to fix the 'Leeuwin II' gets underway. The ship masts, spars and rigging have all been significantly damaged, with the masts all having fallen most of the way to deck, still under tension. The watertight integrity was maintained. Underwater valves and watertight doors were closed, and the ship appeared for the time being safe in its position alongside B Berth. Monitoring the drafts and mooring lines was continued to ensure the safety of the vessel, and attention now draws toward the task of derigging the vessel to make it safe for access and to then determine the full extent of the damage. The Fremantle Port, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority and the Australian Transport Safety Bureau have launched an investigation into the incident. Report with photos: https://thewest.com.au/news/wa/leeuwin-damage-new-images-and-video-reveal-extent-of-damage-to-was-iconic-tall-ship-after-cargo-vessel-hit-c-16030914
HARMONY OF THE SEAS
After a 12-year-old boy plummeted to his death after falling from a balcony in the ship's "Central Park" neighborhood — an open area in the ship's interior on the 8th deck — which includes bars, restaurants, shops, and more than 10,000 plants and flowers, the FBI confirmed that it was investigating the incident. It wasthe primary federal agency authorized to investigate potential crimes on the high seas, and was coordinating with the U.S. Coast Guard and Customs and Border Protection. The FBI and Royal Caribbean did not reveal the circumstances of how the boy fell from the balcony. Royal Caribbean released a statement on the boy's death: “We are deeply saddened to confirm the death of one of our guests. Our Care Team is providing support and assistance to the guest’s family during this difficult time. For the privacy of the guest and their family, we have no additional details to share.” Already in 2019, a 16-year-old boy fell to his death while attempting to climb into his room from the balcony of the 'Harmony of the Seas'. The teen was on the eighth deck, according to the Broward Medical Examiner’s Office. He landed on a pier after attempting to climb into his room from a nearby balcony because he forgot his room key.
SOUNION
The 'Sounion' is to be towed soon, the Greek Coastguard assured on Sep 12. Two tugs have left the port of Piraeus and were now near the oil tanker. The two Greek ships were accompanied by the Greek frigate 'Psara' and a French warship. The difficult towing should begin shortly in the utmost secrecy.
AYA
The Ukraine President Zelenskiy accused Russia of attacking the 'Aya', with 23 Syrian crew members on board and carrying 26,550 tons of wheat in the Black Sea en route from Chornomorsk, where it sailed on Sep 11, 2024, to Egypt, 30 nautical miles away from the town of Sf. Gheorghe, within Romania's Exclusive Economic Zone, at 11.03 p.m. The captain requested a change of course towards Constanța for an assessment of the damages. The maritime surveillance ship 'MAI 0201', which was on patrol mission, was sent to the bulk carrier in coordination with the Romanian Naval Authority, in order to provide assistance in case needed. After communicating with the captain, he did not request assistance. So far, there has been no need for intervention by the border police. The ship was moored off Constanta on Sep 12. The president condemned the attack as being "brazen" and a violation of international norms, endangering global food security and navigational freedom. Ukrainian officials have claimed that the Kh-22 missiles that struck the vessel were launched by Russian Tupolev Tu-22 bombers. The vessel suffered damage on its port side, including its crane and the cargo hold. No injuries were reported among the crew. If confirmed, the act of aggression would escalate tensions between Russia, and NATO military alliance, as the attack was allegedly carried out near the mouth of the Danube River, close to the waters of Romania, Romania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned the Russian armed forces' attack, calling it an unprecedented escalation of Russia's actions in its illegal and unjustified war against Ukraine. The ministry also emphasized that the deliberate targeting of a commercial ship is a serious violation of international humanitarian law governing naval warfare, and firmly urged the Russian Federation to cease all attacks on commercial vessels and to respect the freedom of navigation. The Romanian Ministry of Defense echoed the condemnation, adding that freedom of navigation in the Black Sea must be protected. Ukraine will immediately notify the UN and the International Maritime Organization of the attack which violates a UNGA resolution and threatens freedom of navigation and food security and was an assault on freedom of navigation and global food security, in violation of UN General Assembly Resolution A.1183. Reports with photos: https://www.romania-insider.com/ukrainian-wheat-ship-hit-russian-missile-near-romanian-waters-2024 https://unn.ua/en/news/ukraine-will-inform-the-un-and-the-international-maritime-organization-about-russias-attack-on-a-civilian-vessel-in-the-black-sea-mfa
JUMBO JET
On Sep 12 at noon, during the disembarkation of passengers from the 'Jumbo Jet', the ferry moved forward, as a result of which the front part of the ramp was found inclined towards the sea with a risk of a person falling into the sea, while three passenger luggages and one baby carriage fell into the sea. One man, holding a baby. almost fell into the water but was rescued at the last moment by other passengers who pulled him back to safety. Some passengers sustained minor injuries. The ship had sailed to the port of Mykonos en route from Piraeus, Syros and Tinos with 946 passengers on board. After presenting a certificate of class maintenance by the attending classifification society to the Port Authority of Mykonos, the ship sailed with 705 passengers for Paros, Naxos and the final destination Piraeus. The captain claimed to have accidentally started the ferry, which caused the ramp to move. He was arrested by officials of the Central Port Authority of Piraeus for violation of article 291 par. 3 of the Code of Civil Procedure. "Dangerous interference in the transport of means of fixed orbit" and after apologizing, following a verbal order from Mr. Protodic Prosecutor of Syros, he was released. The Coast Guard has launched an investigation into the incident. Report with video: https://greekcitytimes.com/2024/09/13/ferry-accident-at-mykonos-port-sparks-panic-and-injuries-investigation-underway/
SALVAMAR ALKAID
On Sep 12 the sailing yacht 'Mimo', with three people on board, suffered engine failure and problems with the sails at the height of the entrance jetty of the marina of Mazagón. The boat requested assistance, and the CCS Huelva of Salvamento Marítimo mobilized the 'Salvamar Alkaid', which took the yacht in tow and safely pulled it to the courtesy pontoon of the marina. Report with photo: https://x.com/salvamentogob/status/1834253242101842210
PELICAN OF LONDON
Mr. Glover, a professional seafarer and a volunteer relief cook, was above the legal limit for duty on board the 'Pelican of London' when he fell to his death into the dry dock of Sharpness Docks in Gloucestershire, on the evening of Oct 2, 2023. A Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) report into the death said the vessel's drug and alcohol policy did not specify parameters for crew returning on board from recreational time ashore. The report recommended the vessel's owners, Seas Your Future, to review and amend the fleet policy and procedure for dealing with drugs and or alcohol. The MAIB said drug and alcohol policies in place did not help crew members recognise the limits that applied to crew returning from recreational time ashore. The report also found there was no safe means of access to the vessel from the gangway and on board training and risk assessments did not mitigate the risk of fall from the area. Seas Your Future, a charity who take young people from disadvantaged backgrounds on tall ship voyages, were also recommended to amend and review their policy and training for the rigging and approval of the gangway when used and their risk assessment procedure. Glover had lost his balance as he went to step down from the inboard end of the gangway onto the top step of the bulwark ladder when returning on board the vessel. His fall was neither prevented by the guard rope or by the gangway net. Under the influence of alcohol, and likely suffering from cold water shock, he was unable to climb out of the water and rapidly succumbed to drowning. The report also said how his absence was not noted until the following morning, with a search later taking place. His body was recovered by police divers on the afternoon of Oct 3. Following the incident, Seas Your Future have made a number of changes - including introducing an approval process for rigging and making the gangway safe, fitted bulwark stanchions to provide secure handholds when joining and departing the ship and revised the drug and alcohol policy. They have also made amendments to the SMS and emergency procedures, including for missing persons.
KONKAR THEODOROS
The 'Konkar Theodoros' has been stranded at Chattogram port for seven months due to complications with the letter of credit (LC). The ship, carrying 58,900 tonnes of raw sugar imported by Abdul Monem Group, still has 14,000 tonnes of cargo stuck on board. The Abdul Monem Group has faced significant financial losses as Islami Bank was unable to issue the LC needed to clear the goods. Over time, the company managed to open LCs with other banks, allowing them to unload 45,000 tonnes of raw sugar. However, there is no clear timeline for when the remaining 14,000 tonnes will be unloaded. The ship arrived at Chattogram port on Feb 7, 2024, en route from Rio de Janeiro Port with raw sugar. The Islami Bank was unable to issue the LC's due to the recent dollar shortage and other internal complications. The new management of Islami Bank has assured us that the remaining LC will be issued soon, allowing to unload the final 14,000 tonnes. Each metric tonne of sugar was valued at $632, meaning the remaining goods are worth approximately $8.84 million. The ship's daily charter fee amounts to around $20,000, leading to an additional cost of roughly $4.2 million over the past seven months.
TOG MOR
The grounding of the “Tog Mor”on the beach of Villa Allende, in the municipality of Coatzacoalcos had a positive impact on the local economy, generating temporary employment for about 20 people. The workers originally from Villa Allende have been hired to carry out cleaning work and remove the waste that the ship has left on the beach. The group helped with the collection of foam, bottles and other materials that the ship has released. it was expected to take three to five days. To avoid possible looting, the “Tog Mor” is monitored 24 hours a day by personnel from the Navy and private security, who maintain checkpoints and carry out patrols both on land and at sea. It has not yet been reported when the work to refloat the ship will begin. The grounding of the “Tog Mor” was caused by strong winds and waves caused by cold front number 1 and tropical wave number 21. Report with photo and video: https://alornoticias.com.mx/noticias/video-barcaza-tog-mor-encallada-en-villa-allende-se-convierte-en-atractivo-y-genera-empleo-temporal-en-coatzacoalcos/
TYRHAUG
A 59-year old Italian woman was medevaced by a French Navy H160 helicopter of the Hyères naval air base from the 'MSC Musica' on the evening of Sep 11, 2024, after a cardiac arrest while the ship was cruising in the Mediterranean Sea, enroute from Cannes to Barcelona. The 'MSC Musica' was off the French coast, about ten kilometers southeast of the island of Porquerolles, when the alert was given around 7:45 p.m. A doctor from the Maritime Medical Coordination Samu (SCMM) was dropped off on board and prepared the woman for the transfer. She was hoisted on board and transported to Hyères where an ambulance from the Smur took over to transport her to Sainte-Musse hospital in Toulon, where she was admitted at 10:45 p.m. The CROSS Méd in La Garde coordinated the operation. Report with photo: https://www.nicematin.com/faits-divers/une-femme-evacuee-par-les-airs-apres-un-malaise-cardiaque-a-bord-d-un-navire-de-croisiere-en-mediterranee-944225
MARE DI LEVANTE
On Sep 11 at noon, the Port Authority of Zakynthos was informed by the Master of the 'Mare di Levante', that the starboard side main engine failed, while preparing for the main engine start operations. The ship had a scheduled route to the port of Kyllini with 263 passengers on board, who were forwarded to their destination by the care of the company with the 'KEfalonia'. The Port Authority of Zakynthos initially banned the ferry from sailing. Upon presentation of a a certificate about the repair of the damage by the monitoring classifcation, the prohibition was lifted.
CG RICHARD DIXON
The 'Richard Dixon' rescued 11 migrants on Sep 7, who were left stranded by smugglers on the uninhabited natural reserve of Monito Island, Puerto Rico, in the Mona Passage. The rescue involved efforts and coordination with Caribbean Border Interagency Group (CBIG) partner agencies. Coast Guard watchstanders in San Juan, Puerto Rico received a communication at 10:30 a.m., from the crew of the fishing vessel 'Likeo', reporting a group of people with orange shirts who appeared to be stranded on the rocky cliffs of Monito Island. Watchstanders directed the launch of a Coast Guard MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter and diverted the Coast Guard Cutter to confirm the report and provide rescue assistance. The Coast Guard aircrew sighted the group on Monito and vectored-in the 'Richard Dixon' to their location. Once on scene, the favorable sea state conditions allowed the cutter Richard Dixon’s Over the Horizon boat to safely approach Monito Island. The Coast Guard crew provided lifejackets to the group of 11 migrants, six men and five women, who claimed to be Haitian nationals. The Coast Guard boat crew provide instructions to each migrant for them to hold onto a life ring wearing a life jacket and jump into the water. Once in the water, the Coast Guard boat crew safely recovered each migrant and transferred them to the cutter Richard Dixon. All 11 migrants were transferred to Ramey Sector U.S Border Patrol agents in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. Report with video: https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/3903920/coast-guard-rescues-11-haitian-migrants-left-stranded-by-smugglers-on-monito-is/
SALVAMAR ALGENIB
The Spanish flagged fishing vessel 'Belmonte Rodríguez' suffered an engine fault on Sep 12 with three 3 crew members on board. The ship was located about three nauticla miles southeast of the port of Garrucha. The CCS Almería of Salvamento MArítimo mobilized the 'Salvamar Algenib' to assist, which took the vessel in tow and safely pulled it to the port of Garrucha. Report with photo: https://x.com/salvamentogob/status/1834266469762244811
MSC APOLLO
South African authorities were investigating the oil spill in Algoa Bay, believed to have leaked from the 'MSC Apollo' , which anchored in the bay on the afternoon of Sep 7. Another vessel in the region had first detected the spill after spotting oil-like blobs and an oily sheen on the water. Early examinations by response teams found that the oily substance came from the 'MSC Apollo' at around 5 p.m. As part of the response efforts, the International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation Limited (ITOPF) requested oil spill trajectory modelling by contacting the vessel’s insurers. As of Sep 12, the ship remained stationary in pos. S 33° 52' N 025° 43' E. The class society for the vessel, RINA, was involved representing the flag state, Cyprus, and dealing with technical issues on the vessel. A thorough inspection will be conducted to identify the source of the oil leak. The vessel will proceed to the port when dock space becomes available. Rangers searching a bird sanctuary have found a few oiled birds but overall, the spill appeared to be fairly limited in scope. No oil has yet been seen on the beaches and they were unable to locate an oil strain in an overflight of the area. Rangers accessing St. Croix Island, a bird preserve approximately five miles offshore, however, identified six oiled penguins the South Africa Maritime Safety Authority reported. Three of the birds were heavily oiled while three lightly oiled. The penguins were captured and transported to the local SANCCOB facility for treatment. However, SAMSA reported two additional oiled penguins evaded capture. Efforts were ongoing to locate and capture them. Report with photos: https://maritime-executive.com/article/oiled-birds-found-as-south-africa-investigates-spill-from-msc-vessel