The crew members of the 'Caroline Bezengi', consisting of 13 Russian nationals and 12 Indonesians. wrote to the port administration of the port of Vostochny, requesting an investigation to be conducted on the tanker. They have invited the inspection to confirm the violations, such as delayed wages, problems with insurance, and dwindling food supplies. The Russian Seafarers Union (RSU) has reported that thecrewl have not been compensated, the Russian sailors for 2.5 months and the Indonesians for 1.5 months, summing up to a total due of 179000 Euros. The contracts of some of these sailors have already expired, and the contracts for most of the sailors will expire on Feb 28. In addition to this, the food supplies on the vessel have dwindled to only a couple of days' worth. The owner of the vessel, Lagosmarine, notified the insurance provider of the vessel that the debt had been cleared already. If the alleged violations are confirmed in the inspection, the vessel can be detained for the violation of the Maritime Labor Convention.
News
SYMPHONY OF THE SEAS
The 'Symphony of the Seas' barely passed a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) sanitation inspection on Feb 9, 2025. The ship scored 86—just one point above the failing threshold—raising concerns about food safety, hygiene, and illness reporting on board. The inspection uncovered 44 violations. The issues ranged from improper food storage temperatures to serious hygiene lapses. Its most alarming findings included: - Raw eggs and hamburgers stored at unsafe temperatures; - Crew members with open wounds handling ice with their bare hands; - Gastrointestinal illnesses among children that went unreported. Royal Caribbean has yet to submit its corrective action report, a document outlining how the cruise line plans to address the CDC’s concerns.
VINIK NO.6
The 'Vinik No. 6' and the SS 'United States' are five days into the 1800-miles-journey to Mobile, Alabama, where it will be cleaned and prepped for sinking off the coast of Destin, crossing into Florida water on the night of Feb 24. The ships had a speed between six and seven, sometimes eight knots almost the whole time. On their second day, the crew encountered some rough weather off the coast of Virginia Beach with 45-mph winds and waves as high as 14 fee, which caused the former luxury liner to turn sideways. The tug just slowed down, waited for the weather to pass, and continued on its way. The trip to Mobile was expected take about 18 days, but Vinik if they can maintain their current speed, they might make it sometime on March 5, totaling the trip to 14 days. Report with photo: https://www.mypanhandle.com/news/local-news/okaloosa-county/tugboat-crew-successfully-navigates-the-ss-united-states-through-rough-weather/
VENTURA
On Feb 24, 2025, climate activists attempted to block the 'Ventura' at the Passenger Terminal Amsterdam (PTA) to draw attention to the impact of cruise ships on the environment. The 'Ventura' was met by two sloops and several dozen climate activists on them with flags and Bengal lights. Their intention was to squeeze between the PTA quay and the cruise ship and block the ship. It didn't get that far, because the police apparently knew about it and removed three ships in the way. On the IJ, the activists made another attempt to approach the ship, but that was also in vain. The 'Ventura' was calling at Amsterdam for a cruise from Southampton and departed again on Feb 25. Report with photo: https://www.parool.nl/amsterdam/politie-grijpt-in-bij-xr-blokkade-van-cruiseschip-bij-passenger-terminal-amsterdam~b8aba30f/
OSTRIA
The Justice Akintayo Aluko of the Federal High Court in Lagos has directed the Admiralty Marshal to arrest and detain the 'Ostria' until its owners have provided a bank guarantee to cover the claims of NNPC Retail Limited regarding the non-delivery of 12,681,960 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), , of which over nine million litres were found to be water. The tanker, its owners, and the storage facility were alleged to have been negligent or in breach of contract of carriage or bailment. They discharged the missing petrol to another tanker out of the consignment it was to deliver to a tank farm at Koko Port, Delta State, and refilled the tank with seawater on the ship’s course to Koko Federal port. Joined in the suit with the vessel as defendants were Orion Marine Limited, its bareboat charterer, and Taurus Oil and Gas Limited, the owners of the petrol storage called Taurus Storage, Koko, Justice Akintayo Aluko issued the arrest order following “Admiralty Action in Rem” proceedings initiated by NNPC Retail Ltd’s lawyer, Mike Igbokwe (SAN), who sought the vessel’s arrest along with other legal actions due to the loss of the PMS. The judge also ordered the Harbour Master of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Lagos, to collect and deliver to the Admiralty Marshal or retain all trading and other certificates of the first defendant for safekeeping until the first and second defendants comply with the conditions attached to the order of arrest and detention issued by this Court. The court further granted an order permitting either the Chief of Naval Staff to retain the Nigerian naval personnel already onboard the detained first defendant or to assign four of their personnel to ensure the security of the first defendant. This includes taking necessary measures such as regular patrols and surveillance around her location to prevent any escape from the judicial arrest and detention until the 1st and 2nd defendants comply with the conditions of this Court’s order. The judge, however, directed the Plaintiff/Applicant to file an undertaking as to damages to indemnify the Defendants/Respondents in case this order should not have been made.