On Dec 14, 2024, a a nuclear attack submarine (SSN) of the French Navy sank the decommissioned 'Premier Maître L'Her', which had been previously decontaminated. The shot was fired with a warhead-fitted heavyweight F21 torpedo. The ship broke amidship and then went down. The corvette was launched in 1980 in Lanester and served until the beginning of 2024. It had set sail from Brest in February 2024 for a two-month mission in the North Atlantic. The F21 torpedoes are designed to equip the Rubis and Suffren class SSNs and nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines. The a new-generation torpedo from the Artémis program is capable of destroying surface or underwater threats. Reports with photos and video: https://www.francebleu.fr/infos/international/la-marine-nationale-montre-ses-muscles-avec-le-torpillage-du-navire-premier-maitre-l-her-5681074 https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2024/12/french-navy-sinks-target-ship-with-new-f21-torpedo/ https://x.com/i/status/1869024871893942767
News
ORTEGAL TRES
In November 2024, a criminal court in Cork imposed fines on the captains of two German fishing vessels for not complying with fishing regulations, the "Ortegal Tres" and "Pesorsa Dos". The captain of the "Ortegal Tres" was sentenced to a fine of 37,500 euros, and the captain of the "Pesorsa Dos" must pay 115,000 euros. Both had, among other things, left the nets in the water longer than permitted. According to a court spokesman, no appeal has been lodged against the verdicts to date. Both trawlers are based in Hamburg and belong to German companies, which in turn are controlled by Spaniards. The two ships are operated from La Coruña, but are sailing under the German flag in order to be able to use the German fishing quotas. Both were detained by the Irish Navy in the Atlantic off Ireland in January 2023 because of violations of fishing regulations discovered at sea and escorted to the port of Castletownbere. The inspections also revealed details of the employment conditions of the crews. Most of the crew members were coming from Indonesia and were apparently fobbed off with dumping wages The Asian fishermen on the "Ortegal Tres" apparently worked for only around 800 euros per month in shifts of 12 hours on and six hours off, with no days off during the week. However, the German minimum wage does not apply to the fishing vessels because they operate outside the 12-mile zone Different contracts for each crew member appeared on the "Pesorsa Dos". The Hamburg authority "Ship Safety Department" was responsible for the inspection, but its employees could not prove any clear misconduct.
GINA OLDENDORFF
On Dec 17, 2024, the court in Middelburg sentenced seven men who had attempted to remove 250 kilos of cocaine from the 'Gina Oldendorff' at the end of January. The men received sentences ranging from 240 hours of community service to 30 months in prison. The drugs were never found on the bulk carrier that was loaded with coal. But the court found that there was enough evidence to assume that the men intended to remove drugs from the ship. A 43-year-old Rotterdam resident played a leading role and was sentenced to 30 months in prison. He is seen as the recruiter of the extractors. He was in contact with the two groups of men who were arrested on Jan 21 and 22. Two of the three men from the group arrested at the Kaloot on Jan 21 will have to go to jail. One of the men was given a suspended prison sentence and must perform 240 hours of community service. Two minors will appear before the juvenile court on Febn 10, 2025. The second group of evaders who were arrested a day later at the OVET check-in desk were all given prison sentences ranging from 18 months to 30 months. All nine convicted men are not allowed to have contact with each other for three years. If they do, they risk two weeks in prison each time, with a maximum of six months. The men are also not allowed to come near the ports of Flushing and Rotterdam for three years. This violation also carries a two-week prison sentence each time, with a maximum of six months.
GRIT CEMENT III
On Dec 17, 2024, the 'Grit Cement III' requested the medical evacuation of the engineer officer by helicopter 19 nautical miles northeast of Denia. The CCS Valencia of Salvamento Merítimo mobilized the SAr helicopter Helimer 203, which hoisted the patient and transferred him to La Fe Hospital in Valencia for further medical care.
PESORSA DOS
In November 2024, a criminal court in Cork imposed fines on the captains of two German fishing vessels for not complying with fishing regulations, the "Ortegal Tres" and "Pesorsa Dos". The captain of the "Ortegal Tres" was sentenced to a fine of 37,500 euros, and the captain of the "Pesorsa Dos" must pay 115,000 euros. Both had, among other things, left the nets in the water longer than permitted. According to a court spokesman, no appeal has been lodged against the verdicts to date. Both trawlers are based in Hamburg and belong to German companies, which in turn are controlled by Spaniards. The two ships are operated from La Coruña, but are sailing under the German flag in order to be able to use the German fishing quotas. Both were detained by the Irish Navy in the Atlantic off Ireland in January 2023 because of violations of fishing regulations discovered at sea and escorted to the port of Castletownbere. The inspections also revealed details of the employment conditions of the crews. Most of the crew members were coming from Indonesia and were apparently fobbed off with dumping wages The Asian fishermen on the "Ortegal Tres" apparently worked for only around 800 euros per month in shifts of 12 hours on and six hours off, with no days off during the week. However, the German minimum wage does not apply to the fishing vessels because they operate outside the 12-mile zone Different contracts for each crew member appeared on the "Pesorsa Dos". The Hamburg authority "Ship Safety Department" was responsible for the inspection, but its employees could not prove any clear misconduct.