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The fisherman Are Strand died when he fell overboard from the "Øyværing", which then ran aground at Kabelvåg on March 1, 2024. Now the accident report from the Accident Investigation Board Norway is ready. The accident most likely occurred when the lone fisherman on board the"Øyværing" was setting the third net link and fell overboard. The vessel continued on autopilot and grounded north on the island of Kreta at Kabelvåg. People on land observed the vessel and reported it to the emergency services, and a search was launched. The fisherman was later found in the area where the fisherman's third net link was set, and died as a result of the accident, writes the Accident Investigation Board. No recommendations have been made after the investigation, but the Accident Investigation Board wrote that they emphasized the importance of following up on the action plan with the vision zero for the number of fatalities and serious injuries at sea, which was adopted by the Storting in 2022. A large proportion of the accidents in solo fishing that the board investigated have shown that fishermen have fallen overboard in connection with the operation of the vessel. It is the actual conditions that mean that a lone fisherman must be physically located close to the rig in an exposed position during some parts of the setting and hauling process, which is the main challenge. For smaller fishing vessels with one person on board, it is therefore challenging to identify good measures that can eliminate this danger completely. When the fisherman fell overboard, no one immediately noticed that he was in distress. He had no opportunity to warn, and the fisherman did not use a flotation device, wrote the Accident Investigation Board Norway. A review of previous accidents involving lone fishermen that SHK has investigated has shown that very few lone fishermen used flotation devices. The Accident Investigation Board believes that the consequence-reducing measures such as personal alert devices, flotation devices, electronic emergency stops and ladders, individually or in combination, would increase the likelihood of saving lives in accidents where a lone fisherman falls overboard. In the action plan prepared by the Norwegian Maritime Directorate in connection with the work on the zero vision, several measures have been proposed for, among other things, smaller fishing vessels. Some of these measures are particularly relevant in view of the accident with the ««Øyværing»». Reports with photos: https://www.vaganavisa.no/nyheter/i/zEdax4/undersoeker-doedsulykken https://www.kystmagasinet.no/sikkerhet-statens-havarikommisjon-ulykke/alenefiskere-er-ekstra-utsatt-for-a-do-pa-jobb/1885601

After a submarine cable used by the Latvian State Radio and Television Center (LVRTC) was damaged in the Baltic Sea, Latvia has reported initial progress in the investigation. The Latvian Navy, in cooperation with Swedish partners, has received initial video footage from the seabed, said Prime Minister Evika Siliņa, on Jan 28. According to this, it is very likely that the damaged part of the cable has been located. According to Navy Chief Maris Polencs, a torpedo-like device with acoustic sensors is being used for the investigation, which is lowered to the seabed to determine the location of the cable and also film it. However, visibility is very low at a depth of around 100 meters. Specialists and investigators will therefore continue to analyze the information received. Latvian naval divers and experts from the LVRTC have made their way to the site of the damage, which is located around 130 kilometers off the Latvian coast. The authorities in Stockholm are investigating possible "serious sabotage" and have detained the suspicious 'Vezhen'.

The '50 Let Pobedy', en route to the Ob Bay, suffered significant damage to its port side foreship in a collision with the bulkcarrier 'Yamal Krechet' (IMO: 9202041), en route from Arkhangelsk to Sabetta, the port where Novatek's Yamal LNG production facilitates are located, while operating on the Northern Sea Route., opening a deep gash near its bow on the night of Jan 26, 2025, in the Kara Sea. The accident happened while maintaining winter shipping lanes and escorting a cargo vessel. The condition of the bulkcarrier, which was hit at port side ahead of the accommodation block, was unknown. According to Russia’s operator of nuclear icebreakers, Atomflot, the '50 Let Pobedy' remained seaworthy and continued operating in the Ob Bay. The damaged section was not proximate to the vessel’s nuclear reactor and the power plant continued operating normally. It was, however, unclear if the vessel will complete its regular stint of winter icebreaking services or will return to Murmansk early to undergo repairs. Reports with photo and video: https://gcaptain.com/russian-nuclear-icebreaker-sustains-damage-in-arctic-collision-with-cargo-ship/ https://maritime-executive.com/article/video-russian-nuclear-icebreaker-damaged-in-collision

The 'Alfred', sailing on the route Troon-Brodick, suffered a technical issue affecting the sewage system on Jan 28, 2025. The issue has impacted the crew's compensatory rest. As a consequence, the scheduled departures from Brodick at 3:45 p.m. and from Troon at 6:00 p.m. had to be cancelled.

The work on the Müden lock to put it back into operation has almost been completed. The two new gate wings are currently being connected to the control and drive technology. The first tests with the new lock gate were scheduled for Jan 30. The first test locks will then take place onJan 31. Among other things, the entire process of automatic lock control with upper and lower gate movements will be tested. If large ships are already waiting to be locked at this time, this would be an advantage for the test locks and the ships could be locked as part of the test locks. The 'Regina K' remained stationary in Haren/Ems as of Jan 29. Report with photo: https://www.blick-aktuell.de/Berichte/Probeschleusungen-beginnen-am-Freitag-617017.html