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On Dec 31 at 10.23 p.m. the Rescue Center of Forsvaret was contacted and the medevac of a patient from the 'Crown Seaways' requested. The ferry was sailing in the waters of Norway off Larvik at that time on its way from Oslo to Copenhagen. Thus the person was hoisted by a Norwegian rescue helicopter (Lat. 58.7917 Lng.10.7550) and taken to a hospital for further medical treatment. The ship then resumed its voyage and arrived in Copenhagen on Jan 1, 2025, at around 10 a.m. UTC.

On Jan 6, the MRCC of Salvamento Marítimo in Tenerife Center coordinated the escort of two cayucos to La Restinga and one more boat to Los Cristianos. The MRCC of Salvamento Marítimo in Las Palmas coordinated the response for two cayucos. The migrants were disembarked in the ports of Aguineguín and Arrecife. 350 migrants of sub-Saharan and Maghreb origin were aboard four boats, among them at least 51 women and 24 minors. Involved in the SAR operations were the 'Guardamar Urania', the 'Guardamar Talia', the 'Salvamar Alpheratz' and the 'Salvamar Acrux', which escorted a boat with 143 people of sub-Saharan origin on board, among them 74 men, 47 women and 22 minors, tothe port of La Restinga (El Hierro) after 9:30 p.m., after having been sighted by a fishing boat about 37 kilometers from the coast.. The SAR helicopter Helimer 202 evacuated a newborn child and his mother from the 'Guardamar Talia' and transported them to a hospital for further care.

The Norwegian Maritime Authority has determined that the fuel hose which caused the fire in the engine room of the 'Stord' on Oct 16, 2024, did not have the necessary approval. 22 people had to be evacuated. No one was injured, and the fire was extinguished. The captain explained that things happened quickly after he saw a few "pops" from the funnel. First the fire alarm went off, then he saw flames in the engine room on a monitor, before alarms went off on several systems. The fact that the fuel hose was not of an approved type was described as a "clear and obvious cause of the incident", according to the Norwegian Maritime Directorate. It was probably human error. The fire is being investigated by the police. The company Norled, which operates the ferry service on the E39, which crosses the Sognefjord between Lavik and Oppedal, confirmed tthat the hose was not type approved. They have since implemented several preventive measures across the fleet to prevent a similar incident from happening again. Also in 2014, a fire broke out in the engine room on the same ferry when a high-pressure pipe came loose. Now the Norwegian Maritime Authority is going to issue a notice to shipping companies that they must check the fuel hoses they use. Report with photo: https://www.nrk.no/vestland/dieselslange-var-ikkje-godkjent_-starta-ferjebrann-i-sognefjorden-1.17193770

Beached at Alang 06.01.24 https://www.facebook.com/reel/588661037198777

The 'Mulan', which is probably transporting gas from Russia has been sailing directionlessly back and forth south of Norway. on the tenth day. Before the ship arrived in the area, it was probably loading liquid natural gas from Russia. Since Dec 26, 2024, it has not left the North Sea and the Skagerrak Strait. Experts believed that the sanctions may be the reason for the ship's strange movements. On the afternoon of Jan 1, 2025, the ship broke the pattern and is heading northwest. The ship came from Ura Bay on the Kola Peninsula, where it had rendezvoused with a ship that came from a large new terminal Russia has built on the Siberian coast, where gas is liquefied and shipped by ship. Russia is being attacked with sanctions against this export, due to their invasion of Ukraine. The ship is also on a sanctions list and remained outside Norway's border, in international waters. There are also submarine cables in the large area the ship has covered, but there is no information that the ship has had anything to do with them. The ship's captain initially explained that he was waiting for better weather. Since then, according to satellite data, the ship has been zigzagging above the undersea pipelines and cables connecting Norway, the United Kingdom, and Denmark. On Jan 4, 2025,, it was once again near Stavanger.The Norwegian Coastal Administration sees the ship as part of the shadow fleet that Russia uses to circumvent sanctions. The crew of the 'Mulan' has informed the Norwegian Coastal Administration that they were waiting for better weather before heading towards the Suez Canal. But the weather in the North Sea – and further along the expected route of the ship – has been normal, according to the Meteorological Institute. A low pressure has been moving north through the sea recently. The weather has alternated between short periods of stiff and strong gales and periods of fresh breeze and lighter weather. Further south, through the English Channel and the Bay of Biscay, there has also been weather that is considered normal. The ship's movements are probably related to the sanctions against Russia, as gas tankers from Russia are having problems finding ports to unload. Since autumn 2024, Russia has shipped gas from the new terminal, but the US and the EU have responded by placing ships and shipping companies on their blacklists at the slightest hint of a connection with the new terminal Fve more similar tankers are sailing back and forth in the Barents Sea. One of them, the 'Cristophe de Margerie', was placed on the EU sanctions list as recently as December 2024.

Authorities have initiated the identification of PDS (Public Distribution System) rice among the bags loaded onto the 'Stella L' in the Kakinada Deep Water Port, following a visit by the Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, after which the State government has intensified efforts to curb smuggling of PDS rice, meant to feed the poor. 38,000 metric tonnes of rice had been loaded onto the ship since its arrival at the port a week before Pawan Kalyan’s visit to Kakinada. On Jan 1, 2025, samples were collected from the rice bags to distinguish PDS rice, and find out those involved in its illegal export. Civil Supplies Department officials stated that each bag weighs 50 kg, and samples need to be collected from 20 bags per tonne. With around 8 lakh bags loaded, this process is expected to take considerable time. Modern technology could expedite the process by identifying PDS rice directly, especially since it is mixed with fortified rice in these bags. There was no timeline for the sampling and testing process or the duration the vessel would remain docked. The procedure may take 7-10 days. However, ongoing loading operations of other materials ensured minimal loss for the vessel operator apart from additional expenses for loading and unloading. The loading of other export materials onto the vessel was going on and was expected to take approximately ten more days.

The 50 year old helmsman Glenn Vandewalle of the 'Jerki-Z 45' from Knokke-Heist died after falling overboard in British waters off Eastbourne on the night of Jan 4, 2025. . he British coastal rescue service immediately responded, but the rough sea and strong wind made the rescue operation complicated. Eventually, Glenn was pulled out of the water by his crew mates, but his life could not be saved. It is still unclear what exactly happened and how the man ended up in the water. The ship, with the deceased man on board, arrived in Ostend on Jan 5 shortly after 1 p.m. and berthed at the Natiën Quay. An autopsy should now provide more clarity about the cause of his death. Reports with photos and video: https://www.nieuwsblad.be/cnt/dmf20250105_93546714 https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2025/01/05/schipper-overboord-en-gestorven-in-britse-wateren/#:~:text=Deze%20nacht%20is%20een%20stuurman,het%20parket%20van%20West%2DVlaanderen. https://focus-wtv.be/nieuws/stuurman-van-belgisch-schip-overleden-in-britse-wateren

On Jan 6, the MRCC of Salvamento Marítimo in Tenerife Center coordinated the escort of two cayucos to La Restinga and one more boat to Los Cristianos. The MRCC of Salvamento Marítimo in Las Palmas coordinated the response for two cayucos. The migrants were disembarked in the ports of Aguineguín and Arrecife. 350 migrants of sub-Saharan and Maghreb origin were aboard four boats, among them at least 51 women and 24 minors. Involved in the SAR operations were the 'Guardamar Urania', the 'Guardamar Talia', the 'Salvamar Alpheratz' and the 'Salvamar Acrux', which escorted a boat with 143 people of sub-Saharan origin on board, among them 74 men, 47 women and 22 minors, tothe port of La Restinga (El Hierro) after 9:30 p.m., after having been sighted by a fishing boat about 37 kilometers from the coast.. The SAR helicopter Helimer 202 evacuated a newborn child and his mother from the 'Guardamar Talia' and transported them to a hospital for further care.

On Jan 6, 2024, at around 4 a.m. UTC the 'Kvalnes', en route from Aalesund, ran aground south of Torget in Hellbergsøya, Helgeland in Nordland,.in pos. 65° 21' N 012° 02' E and requested assistance. The lifeboat "Harald V" (MMSI: 258073000) moved out from the NSSR station in Rørvik was is assisting the casualty, waiting for a suitable tide and pulled the ship off at around 4.15 p.m. Report with photo: https://www.dagbladet.no/nyheter/gikk-pa-grunn-ma-vente/82472640

On Jan 6 the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom continued with the port stae control abord the 'Eagle S' until further notice.. The tanker remained anchored in Sköldvik near Porvoo with a smaller government vessel next to it. As part of the police's investigation measures, seven crew members suspected of crimes have been banned from travelling. The ban can last for several months, f.e. until a possible court hearing. The ship has a crew of 20 people from Georgia and India on board. The cooperation has worked well and the inspectors have been given access to all the documents we requested. The Traficom's investigators have worked in parallel with the police. Traficom is investigating whether the ship itself meets international agreement requirements, while the Finnish Central Criminal Police is investigating the cable damage, which is suspected of being serious sabotage. Several deficiencies were discovered on the ship during a previous inspection in Belgium. The shipowner Caravella has demanded through its lawyer Herman Ljungberg that the police seizure of the ship be lifted and that the crew members be allowed to continue their journey. The two cables between Finland and Estonia that were damaged in a suspected sabotage by the 'Eagle S' have now been repaired according to the Finnish operator Elisa. Bad weather meant that it took longer than expected to repair the cables. The suspected sabotage did not affect the company's service, either in Finland or Estonia.

The 'Belos' of the Swedish Navy arrived in the Gulf of Finland on the afternoon of Jan 5 to take part in the investigation into the damage to communication cables between Estonia and Finland, allegedly damaged by the 'Eagle S'. The exceptionally versatile rescue-equipped crew of the vessel was to assist the Finnish authorities in investigating the damage to the underwater cables. Finland does not have a rescue vessel of the Belos type, as the Finnish Navy no longer operates submarines. The 'Belos' is part of the Swedish Navy's 1st Submarine Flotilla, alongside five Swedish submarines. The home base for both the 'Belos' and the submarines is in Karlskrona. On Dec 5, the Finnish Navy announced that it is working closely with the crew of the 'Belos'. The navy is providing official assistance to the police investigation, using assets such as the mine countermeasures vessel 'Vahterpää', the oil recovery vessel 'Hylje' and divers. Finland requested assistance from Sweden to investigate the cable damage.

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) seized the 'Casandra'' and four trucks carrying 54,000 liters of smuggled fuel at the Port of Batangas on Jan 1, 2025, which was caught in the act of transferring petroleum products into four tank trucks the previous night. The vessel was estimated to be worth P300 million, while each of the four trucks is valued at around P3 million. The alleged initial load of the tanker was an estimated volume of 1.8 million liters. One truck carried 40,000 liters of unmarked fuel, while the other held 14,000 liters. The other two were empty but nonetheless seized, along with an L300 van which was being used to consummate the fuel smuggling. The BOC Intelligence and Investigation Service had been receiving tips about the rampant fuel pilferage at the Port of Batangas and immediately verified it through own sources and made plans to inspect the port. The coordination with the local port officers and enforcement units led to the 'Cassandra'. The fuel failed SGS marking tests, which meant it did not have proper markings to prove payment of duties and taxes. Moreover, the ship’s captain failed to provide documents proving the legality of the berthing and discharge, resulting in the seizure of the ship and the trucks. The owners, the captain, and the crew of the seized tanker, fuel, and trucks will face charges for violating sections of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act and the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Law. Report with photo: https://www.msn.com/en-ph/news/other/boc-seizes-54000-liters-of-unmarked-fuel-at-batangas-port/ar-AA1srS5O?apiversion=v2&noservercache=1&domshim=1&renderwebcomponents=1&wcseo=1&batchservertelemetry=1&noservertelemetry=1#

A medical emergency aboard the 'Silver Dawn', which was docked at Hong Kong’s Ocean Terminal has left a 66-year-old American tourist dead. The incident occurred late on Jan 4, 2025, when the man collapsed in his cabin aboard the ship, prompting an immediate response from the crew. Paramedics arrived shortly after the emergency call at 11:59 p.m. and transported the passenger to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Police boarded the ship following the incident to conduct an investigation. Authorities have not yet confirmed the cause of death, pending the results of an autopsy, though he reportedly had a history of heart disease. The vessel had docked at Tsim Sha Tsui’s Ocean Terminal at 8 a.m. and was scheduled to depart for its next destination at 2 p.m. on Jan 5. The ship was on a 22-day cruise that began in Singapore on Dec 22, 2024. The itinerary includes multiple stops across Asia, with the voyage expected to conclude in Tokyo on Jan 13.

The engine of the 'Leilani' conked out while the catamaran yacht was sailing the waters between the islands of Cebu and Bohol on Jan 5, 2025, with two Australian crew members on board. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) District Central Visayas responded to a distress call at 2:07 p.m. The yacht was navigating the waters between Catarman, Liloan, Cebu, and Western Bohol. The Coast Guard deployed the BRP 'Malabrigo' to the site. The 'Leilani' was towed back to Cebu and docked on the evening of the same day. Report with photo: https://www.gmanetwork.com/regionaltv/news/105946/yacht-from-cebu-conks-out-near-bohol-rescued/story/

On Jan 6, the MRCC of Salvamento Marítimo in Tenerife Center coordinated the escort of two cayucos to La Restinga and one more boat to Los Cristianos. The MRCC of Salvamento Marítimo in Las Palmas coordinated the response for two cayucos. The migrants were disembarked in the ports of Aguineguín and Arrecife. 350 migrants of sub-Saharan and Maghreb origin were aboard four boats, among them at least 51 women and 24 minors. Involved in the SAR operations were the 'Guardamar Urania', the 'Guardamar Talia', the 'Salvamar Alpheratz' and the 'Salvamar Acrux', which escorted a boat with 143 people of sub-Saharan origin on board, among them 74 men, 47 women and 22 minors, tothe port of La Restinga (El Hierro) after 9:30 p.m., after having been sighted by a fishing boat about 37 kilometers from the coast.. The SAR helicopter Helimer 202 evacuated a newborn child and his mother from the 'Guardamar Talia' and transported them to a hospital for further care.

The first lightering operation of the 'Maccoa' on the St. Lawrence River in the Verchères area of ​​Montérégie, has been completed in preparation for a new refloating attempt midweek. Fisheries and Oceans Canada reported on the morning of Jan 6, that 1,240 tonnes of corn had been removed from the vessel and placed in a first barge of Groupe Océan after the arrival from Quebec. A second barge was in transit to the vessel and was expected to arrive on the afternoon. The second lightering of the cargo is was expected to begin during the day and end on the morning of Jan 7. An attempt to refloat the vessel could take place on the morning of Jan 8. Due to operational constraints, the exact start time of operations remained unknown at this time. Report with photos: https://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/2025-01-02/navire-echoue-pres-de-vercheres/le-dechargement-est-repousse-a-samedi.php

On Jan 6, 2025, the former 'Wilfred Sykes', en route from Sailt Ste. Marie, suffered engine trouble on the Lake Superior. The 'Joseph L. Block' (IMO: 7502320) assisted the ship to an Anchorage in the sheltered Batchawana Bay, Ontario, where it was moored in pos. 46° 56' N 084° 33' W.

The repair of the 'Caledonian Isles' – which serves the route between Ardrossan and Brodick – has seen a repair bill of more than £22m. That includes more than £7m on work which kept the ferry out of service for the bulk of 2024, and it is not due back until the end of March 2025. Figures released to the Scottish Conservatives by the ferry operator CalMac show more than £98m was spent on the 'Argyle', 'Caledonian Isles', 'Finlaggan', 'Isle of Lewis', 'Isle of Mull', 'Loch Dunvegan', 'Loch Seaforth' and 'Lord of the Isles' in the past decade. Repairs to the 'Isle of Lewis' cost just over £15.2m, with £14.6m spent on the 'Lord of the Isles' and £14.4m on the 'Isle of Mull'. The fleet is currently undergoing a revamp, with six new vessels – including the massively late and over-budget 'Glen Sannox' and 'Glen Rosa' – due to enter service on the Arran route in the coming year to replace the ageing ferries, with a third of the fleet of vessels now operating beyond their life expectancy.

On Jan 4, 2025, a fire broke out in the engine room of the 'Panoria', en route from Singapore to Nantong with 21 crew members on board, off the coast of Taiwan, around 23 nautical miles off of Cape Eluanbi. The vessel has lost power and went adrift. The crew managed to extinguish the fire, but four of them suffered burns, one of whom being seriously injured. The Coast Guard Administration (CGA) of Taiwan received a distress signal from the vessel at 5:00 pm. LT, and deployed five vessels to assist. However, due to 3-4 meter high waves prevailing in the area, the injured seafarers could not be medevaced by them. A helicopter from the Ministry of National Defence arrived at the vessel at around 7:00 p.m. and hoisted the four injured crew members. They were dropped off at the Kaohsiung airport and then rushed to a hospital in Kaoshiung for medical treatment. The tug 'Salvage Rigger' (IMO: 9246437) headed to the distressed vessel on Jan 5 at 8:00 a.m. in order to tow the ship to the port of Kaohsiung with an ETA as of Jan 6. The Coastguard continued to monitor the situation at the site and contacted the Maritime and Port Bureau’s Southern Maritime Affairs Center, Reports with photos: https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/four-evacuated-from-drifting-bulker-after-engine-room-fire https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2025/01/06/2003829729

On Jan 4, 2025, the 'Zimrida', carrying approximately 20,000 tons of ammonium nitrate, lightered from the damaged bulk carrier 'Ruby', has been detained off the port of Abidjan, A meeting has been scheduled for Jan 6 between the Ivorian authorities, the owner of the cargo and the carrier, to assess the measures necessary to secure the cargo, protect the population and the environment, and to decide whether the 3,000 tons of its cargo destined for the Ivory Coast can be unloaded as planned or not. This type of incident also raises concerns about the use of foreign flags, such as that of Barbados, often associated with reduced regulation of maritime safety standards. The Ivorian authorities, with the support of maritime safety experts, are taking all necessary precautions to avoid a disaster that could have a lasting impact on the region.