The 'Escanaba' offloaded approximately 11,922 pounds of cocaine worth an estimated $88.2 million at Port Everglades on Aug 5. The seized contraband was the result of three separate interdictions in the eastern Pacific by the crew of the 'Escanaba', the Pacific Area Tactical Law Enforcement Team, and the embarked Coast Guard Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron aircrew. The following assets and crews were involved in the interdiction operations: - U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Escanaba (WMEC 907) ; - U.S. Coast Guard Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron; - U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Area Tactical Law Enforcement Team. Report with photo and video: https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/4261124/coast-guard-offloads-more-than-88-million-in-illicit-drugs-interdicted-in-the-e/
News
SEA WORLD
There was a standoff between the government of the semi-autonomous region of Puntland and the federal government of Somalia over the 'Sea World', which was loaded with Turkish weaponry and detained on Juyly 18, 2025 The government of Puntland insisted it was investigating the true ownership of the military hardware on the vessel, rejecting the calls by both the federal government of Somalia and Turkey to release the vessel and its cargo. The federal government in Mogadishu issued a public statement on July 23, saying it “categorically denounces the "hijacking and aggression against the Sea World, demanding the “immediate and unconditional release of the vessel,” while calling the actions of Puntland an “unlawful operation.” Puntland contended that the 'Sea World' was “loitering for two days” off the coast, raising suspicions. It apprehended the vessel, acting on intelligence and fears after a group of young fishermen had already boarded it. After being contacted by Somali traders who claimed ownership of the cargo, it moved the ship to the port of Bossaso for an investigation. Photos: https://x.com/radiodaljir/status/1946442478594224334?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1946442478594224334%7Ctwgr%5E6921898b09f30f45a34d9fd1bcd96b2d400ce6be%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fmaritime-executive.com%2Farticle%2Fpuntland-refuses-somalia-and-turkey-s-demands-to-release-weaponry-on-ship
MSC INES
On Aug 5, 2025, the medical evacuation of a crew member was requested from 'MSC Ines', en route from Antwerp to Valencia, while the ship was sailing 70 nautical miles westnorthwest of the Sisargas Islands. The CCS Fisterra of Salvamento Marítimo deployed the SAR helicopter Helimer 402 for this purpose. The patient was transported to Alvedro for the further transfer to the hospital,
SEA WORLD
The "Sea World", which had beenn seized on July 19 near the coastal town of Bareeda on the Gulf of Aden, after having been observed loitering" off the coast for several days, has been released after lengthy discussions and the dispatch of a Turkish delegation to Puntland on Aug 4. The Turkish government has provided the Puntland government with proof that the cargo was belonging to it. After the investigations conducted by the Puntland government into the cargo were completed, the Puntland government has decided to transfer responsibility for the vessel and its cargo to the Turkish government The accusations of prracy were rejected by the Puntland authorities.
BLUE STAR CHIOS
On the morning of Aug 5, upon the arrival of the 'Blue Star Chios' at the port of Pigadia, Karpathos, a 36-year-old Greek passenger jumped into the water from the deck of the ship. Immediately, Port Authority officials as well as crew members of theferry proceeded to rescue the man,, using life jackets. He was pulled from the water and then taken to the General Hospital of Karpathos for precautionary reasons, where he remained hospitalized. A preliminary investigation was onducted by the Karpathos Port Authority.