The 'Doña Josefina' suffered a technical breakdown that forced it to interrupt its voyage from Valparaíso to Talcahuano on the early morning of March 10. There was an increase in the temperature of the exhaust gases from the main engine. As a preventive measure, it was decided to stop in order to carry out an investigation. As the origin of the technical problem could not be immediately identified, it was decided to anchor in Caleta Chanco for a detailed and thorough evaluation in order to define the steps to follow. The 'Doña Josefina' was expected to resume the voyage during the afternoon.
News
SOUNION
Several tugs have successfully towed the heavily damaged 'Sounion' through the Suez Canal, en route to Greece. it arrived in Ismailia on March 10. Before its transit through the canal, the Sue Canal Authority (SCA) oversaw the complex unloading operation at the Suez anchorage area. The salvage companies Ambery and MEga Tugs working under the SCA’s supervision, carefully transferred the remaining cargo to another tanker while adhering to strict environmental and safety protocols. To prevent pollution, the SCA’s Central Pollution Control Committee closely monitored the unloading operation, and the pollution control vessel 'Kashet 2' was deployed as a precautionary measure. Both companies worked as per a joint work plan in cooperation with and under the complete supervision of the SCA's maritime salvage team to drain the tanker's cargo into another similar tanker according to precise drainage rates and calculations to prevent any damage or split in the tanker's hull. The 'Sounion' was then moved through the canal as part of the southbound convoy, towed by the escorting salvage tug 'Aigaion Pelgaos' (IMO: 9477012). The vessel was piloted by the Authority’s largest tug, with the operation led by the SCA’s largest tug, the 'Baraka 1' (IMO: 9038361), supported by three other authority-owned tugs. The towage operation lasted approximately 24 hours, and 13 pilots participated in the process in the Anchorage areas and the Canal. The operation was executed in multiple phases, with waiting periods and pilot changes. The tanker was initially towed from the Suez anchorage on the evening of March 8, proceeding to the Great Bitter Lakes waiting area, and waited the transit of both the northbound and southbound convoys and the completion of pilots change before resuming the towage operation to the Ballah area, where another change of pilots took place, before towing it to Port Said, with continuous monitoring from the Navigation Control Center and the network of pilotage stations positioned along the canal.. The preparations for the towage operation entailed taking complex measures over the past months to drain the cargo of the tanker; 150000 tons of crude oil, before allowing it to transit through the waterway. The process of cargo discharge was a highly complex one, requiring meticulous calculations and coordination with multiple parties. Reports with photos: https://gcaptain.com/photos-mt-sounion-transits-suez-canal-six-months-after-houthi-attack/ https://en.amwalalghad.com/suez-canal-successfully-tows-damaged-oil-tanker-sounion/ https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/sounion-tanker-damaged-by-houthis-was-towed-through-suez-canal
SAMNOY
On the evening of Feb 9, 2025, the 'Samnøy', one of the ferries that operates the connection between Halhjem and Sandvikvåg ran aground on its way to the ferry pier at Halhjem. The ferry had 53 passengers on board, none of whom was injured, nor was there a damage to the vehicles on deck. However, the ferry suffered damage, but made it to the dock under its own power. It is now out of service for a few weeks and will have to be docked for repairs. As of March 11, the ship was stationary at the berth in Halgjemssjøen.
GUARDAMAR TALIA
66 migrants of sub-Saharan origin were rescued from a cayuco, which had been spotted by the Sasemar 102 aircraft 45 nautical miles southeast of El Hierro on March 10. The CCS Tenerife of Salvamento Marítimo mobilized the 'Guardamar Talía' from La Gomera, which transferred them to La Restinga. Report with photo: https://x.com/salvamentogob/status/1899163101288653136
CG JOSEPH NAPIER
The 'Joseph Napier' transferred 32 migrants to the Dominican Republic Navy vessel 'Aldebaran' on March 8, following the interdiction of an overloaded makeshift vessel in Mona Passage waters near Dominican Republic on the night. A forward-deployed Coast Guard Air Station Miami HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircrew on a routine maritime border security patrol had detected the 25-foot makeshift vessel in international waters, approximately 25 nautical miles northeast of Punta Can. Sector San Juan watchstanders diverted the 'Joseph Napier' to interdict the boat. Shortly thereafter, the cutter arrived on-scene and deployed the over-the-horizon small boat, which stopped the vessel. Following the interdiction, the patrol vessel 'Aldebaran' arrived on-scene and embarked all 32 refugees for their return to the Dominican Republic. Report with photos: https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/4114351/coast-guard-interdicts-transfers-32-aliens-to-dominican-republic-navy-authoriti/