On the night of Sep 8, 2024, the 'Sormovskiy 3063', en route from Mersin to Severomorsk, suffered an engine failure off the Kepez coast during the transit of the Dardanelles Strait. The tugs 'Kurtarma 13' and 'Türkeli' sent to assist along wiht a strait pilot. The ship was taken in tow and safely moored at the Karanlık Liman anchorage under the coordination of the Çanakkale GTH Center. Report with photos: https://x.com/kiyiemniyet/status/1832995129470181564 https://x.com/kiyiemniyet/status/1832979634595463311
News
DALI
The Singaporean ship owner and the ship manager that operated the 'Dali' when it struck and destroyed Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key bridge have filed a petition seeking court protection from liability. Grace Ocean, the owners of the vessel,, and the ship manager Synergy Marine, through their lawyers Duane Morris and Blank Rome, alleged that they were not responsible for the accident. The petition also aimed to consolidate all litigation in Baltimore's federal court, and asked the court to impose a Sep 24 filing deadline for claims. “The Casualty was not due to any fault, neglect, or want of care on the part of [the] Petitioners [Grace Ocean and Synergy Marine], the Vessel, or any persons or entities for whose acts Petitioners may be responsible,” read the filing. Additionally, the companies asked that if the Maryland District Court did find the vessel owner and operator liable, that any liability should be capped at the value of the vessel and the freight due from its cargo owners. The owner and operator submitted the filing under the Limitation of Liability Act of 1851, legislation that enables vessel owners to limit liability for certain claims to the value of the vessel and its cargo at the end of its journey. Limitation of liability will only be afforded if the owner and manager can show that the accident occurred without their “privity or knowledge” and that future litigation is expected to focus on whether the owner and manager had any prior knowledge of factors that caused the accident. Insurance cover had been renewed the vessel’s hull and machinery just three days before the accident, and the policy valued the vessel at $90 million. However, with vessel repairs estimated to be at least $28 million and salvage costs expected to reach $19.5 million the value was eroded. Court documents revealed that the estimated value of the ship was $42.5 million, while its income from the curtailed voyage, amounted $1.17 million giving a combined total $43.67 million.
TOG MOR
Helicopters from the Transportes Aéreos Pegaso, hired by TC Energy, had to rescue the 135 crew members from the 'Tog Mor' in Coatzacoalcos near Villa Allende on Sep8, where the pipe laiyer had drifted aground due to intense winds and high waves caused by the interaction of a cold front and tropical storm in the southern Veracruz region. it took approximately 24 hours to pull all non essential personnel off the barge safely. The responders also rigged a liferaft connected to the ship and the shore by lines, and then pulled some personnel through the surf zone in small groups. The flat-bottomed barge, was in the process of laying pipes for the Puerta al Sureste gas pipeline, which will transport gas from Texas, USA, through Veracruz to Tabasco. As the storm intensified, the vessel broke lose from its three tugs and got stuck just 1,200 meters from the shore while attempting to reach the Coatzacoalcos port for safety. he harsh conditions prevented success. Finally, helicopters. Seven workers remained on board to ensure the vessel’s security and oversee future operations to refloat it. The salvage work on the 'Tog Mor' was to resume on Sep 10, when the port of Coatzacoalcos reopened to large-scale navigation. Specialized personnel were hired by the company TC Energy to carry out the towing maneuvers. On Sep 9, maritime personnel from Houston Texas carried out an investigation of the situation of the barge and were preparing the salvage plan. Reports with photos: https://maritime-executive.com/article/allseas-pipelay-barge-goes-aground-off-mexico https://www.eldictamen.mx/labores-rescate-barcaza-tog-mor-coatzacoalcos/#google_vignette
FV PEPE BARREIRO
The Master of the '‘Pepe Barreiro’ pleaded guilty at Bandon District Court Sep 7, 2024, to illegal fishing activity. The vessel was detained at Castletownbere port on Sep 6 following an inspection by Sea-Fisheries Protection Officers of the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA). The court heard evidence of how Sea-Fisheries Protection Officers conducted an inspection of the vessel and detected the non-recording of Common Sole in the fishing logbook; retention of undersize Crawfish onboard the vessel; failure to separately stow Sole and Megrims and failure to have a stowage plan recording Common Sole.
SALVAMAR MIZAR
8,5 nautical miles southeast of La Restinga, El Hierro, a cayuco was troubled, and the CCS Tenerife mobilized the 'Salvamar Mizar', which located the cayuco with 81 people on board, among them three women and three minors in apparent good condition. The boat was accompanied to the port of La Restinga. Video: https://x.com/salvamentogob/status/1833169923511583013
SOUNION
Salvage efforts for the 'Sounion' have remained stalled for a week with new reports that Greece as the flag state of the tanker is leading diplomatic talks with Saudi Arabia exploring options. A U.S. spokesperson said it was their understanding that the vessel remains immobilized with the fires continuing, while the Department of Defense declassified drone footage of the fires. No official reason has been confirmed for the delay in the salvage attempts while several reports including the U.S. Pentagon cited ongoing safety concerns for the tugs and their crews hired for the salvage effort. A spokesperson for EUNAVFOR Aspides which was providing warships to protect the salvage effort referenced unspecified “technical issues,” with some reports saying more powerful tugs would be required to move the laden tanker. The concern is that the fires will eventually compromise the integrity of the vessel. Report with video: https://maritime-executive.com/article/talks-continue-over-tanker-burning-in-red-sea-as-u-s-releases-video
ELENA
A Salvadoran crew member of the “Elena”, which was anchored in the southern harbour of the port of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, died on Sep 5, 2024, as the result of a fall while carrying out a supply operation from a barge. He lost his balance and fell onto the deck of the barge from a height of 12 metres and was left unconscious. The judicial brigade of the Civil Guard has opened an investigation to clarify the causes of the accident. The Maritime Authority has ordered the immobilisation of the ship until the circumstances have been clarified. The ship has been anchored since Aug 24, oming from Mauritania.
SALVAMAR MIZAR
On the morning of Sep 10, the crew of the 'Salvamar Mizar' accompanied a cayuco, which had been located near La Restinga, with 59 sub-Saharan migrants aboard, safely to the port. The operation was coordinated from the Tenerife Centre of Salvamento Maritimo. Report with photo: https://x.com/salvamentogob/status/1833404822965326120
DALI
The 'Dali' is due to leave its repair yard in Norfolk, Virginia and head to China on Sep 17, according to filings made in a federal court. Once in China, the ship is likely to undergo extensive repairs, including adding a new bow. A bill introduced into the US House of Representatives in August aims to make the owners of the 'Dali' pay up to 10 times more for the damage the ship caused when it crashed into the bridge. The vessel is managed by the Synergy Group and on charter to Maersk.
LIMA
On the night of Sep 9, 2024, the the rescue services were called for an emergency on board the 'Lima'' in Goes. The fire brigade has been deployed to recover the body. The ship was moored at the Albert Joachimi Quay. The victim appeared to be deceased in the cargo hold . During the night, the Forensic Investigation department of the police investigated the ship. The investigation on site has since been completed. The high-altitude rescue team of the Zeeland Safety Region has been deployed to recover the victim using specialized equipment. Nothing has yet been announced about the exact circumstances of the death. The police investigation has shown that there was no suspicion of a crime. Reports with photos: https://www.hvzeeland.nl/nieuws/60400-overleden-persoon-in-ruim-van-schip-goes/ https://www.pzc.nl/goes/dode-op-binnenvaartschip-in-goes-geen-sprake-van-misdrijf~abdc3ded/
NADEEN
On Sep 9, 2024, shortly after midnight the cargo m/v 'Knidos' (IMO: 9214173), outbound from the Dammam Port enroute to the Mina Saqr Port, was in danger of sinking after the collision with the 'Nadeen' in the Middle East Gulf. The ship was hit at the starboard stern quarter, and the engine room began taking on water. The 13 crew members abandoned the vessel and were recovered from a life raft and taken aboard the 'Nadeen', which was en route from Doha to Um Qasr.
DRAGO
Beached at Chittagong 28.08.24 https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1009528374298041&set=a.518272956756921
MANAHAU
The 'MAnahau' has berthed in Port Nelson oni Sep 7 after being successfully refloated and towed 315 kilometers around Farewell Spit before the offshore towing vessel M'MA Vision' brought it into Tasman Bay with the support of the tug 'Kurutai', which then towed the barge into the port, supported by harbour tugs, while the 'MMA Vision' was released to return to New Plymouth. The Westland Mineral Sands had developed and implemented the plan for the salvage and towing operation under the supervision of Maritime NZ. The Tasman and Nelson Harbour Masters were involved prior to the vessel's arrival to ensure safety and environmental protection. The Transport Accident Investigation Commission has opened an inquiry into the grounding, with a team of investigators inspecting the vessel, recovering the ship's records, interviewing the crew, authorities and any other witnesses. Report with photo: https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/09/08/manahau-barge-berths-in-nelson-after-successful-refloating/
SALVAMAR SPICA
A group of 20 people, including 13 men, three women and four minors of Maghreb origin. were rescued almost 65 miles from Punta de la Polacra, in Níjar, on Sep 7. At around 7:24 p.m. the 'Stena Impeccable' alerted Salvamento Marítimo in Almería about the sighting of a drifting boat. The maritime controllers decided to divert the nearest ship, the 'Sea Moon', which arrived at the scene and confirmed the presence of at least a dozen people on board, who were facing mechanical problems with their engine. Instructions were given to the 'Sea Moon' to remain in the area until the 'Salvamar Spica' , which was was then mobilised, had arrived at the scene and successfully rescued the 20 people who were on the boat. The migrants were taken to the port of Almería, where they disembarked on Sep 8 at approximately 04:00 a.m.
CABLE INNOVATOR
On Sep 9 the 'Cable Innovator' was at work in the Salisbury Sound 25 miles north of Sitka, mending a broken fiber optic cable that took Sitka offline in late August, but it could be close to a week until repairs have been finished. The GCI, Sitka’s primary internet and cellular service provider. is part of a professional service group that allows for these repair ships to become available in the rare event of a break. The fiber repair shift was mobilized to get to Sitka and arrived on site over the weekend, of Sep 7/8. The break occurred in a stretch of fiber optic cable between Sitka and Angoon in Salisbury Sound. The cause of the problem was still unknown. The repairs should be completed by the end of the week. Meanwhile, the company has restored basic internet and cell service using a combination of satellite and microwave technology. Report with photo: https://www.kcaw.org/2024/09/09/repair-ship-working-to-mend-cable-break-that-took-sitka-offline/
EVEREST ENERGY
The 'Everest Energy', operated by a recently establish India-registered enterprise, sails across Arctic waters as part of a shady Russian scheme established to bypass sanctions in Russia’s covert efforts to ship liquified natural gas from the sanctions-ridden Arctic LNG 2 project. Along with a fleet of at least seven vessels, the 'Everest Energy' is involved in the shipments from the port of Utrenny in the Gulf of Ob. This week, the ship made port call in Utrenny, the terminal in the Gulf of Ob, and picked up LNG from the Arctic LNG 2 production facility frp, Sep 7-8. It subsequently set course for east Arctic waters and markets in Asia. However, although clearly located in the area, the ship is not listed in the registries of the Northern Sea Route Administration, the Russian state body that regulates shipments on the route. All ships that sail in the remote Russian Arctic waters are normally listed in registry. The 'Everest Energy' and the other notorious tankers are hired by Novatek and its partners to circumnavigate sanctions. The shady operations are supported from the highest level in Moscow. The Russians have found useful partners in India. The ship owner is the Ocean Speedstar Solutions Opc Private Ltd., a company registered in Mumbai and established in Jan 2024. The 'Everest Energy'will inevitably encounter sea-ice on its voyage along the Russian Arctic coast, as parts of the North Siberian Sea and the Chukchi Sea still have significant volumes of sea-ice. The carrier has a sea-ice classification of +1A1, which means that it is able to operate in light ice conditions and localized drift ice.
DANAE
The Filipino cook Jimbo Calog Cadungog of the 'Danae', en route from Houston to Bari, has been missing since Aug 31, 2024. Family members were very worried and were asking for help online. Their desperate cry has already been shared more than 11,000 times. ‘Jimbo’s wife received a call from the shipping company that her husband had not been found on board and had been missing for seven hours. She was asked when the last call was and how it went. A few hours later, they asked for the age of the children and their date of birth, She had little information about the situation and what exactly was going on. Three days ago, she decided to post a message on Facebook asking for more information. The message has also been frequently shared via Seaman Online, a large online community for Filipino seafarers:: "‘We don’t know what to do. We are having sleepless nights. We are posting this message in the hope that the right authorities will read it and help us. We also hope that crew members who know him may have an update." The ship has berthed n the port of Bari on Sep 3. Report with photos: https://www.schuttevaer.nl/nieuws/actueel/2024/09/09/filipijnse-chefkok-van-zeeschip-vermist-familie-start-zoektocht/
KNIDOS
On Sep 9, 2024, shortly after midnight the 'Knidos', outbound from the Dammam Port enroute to the Mina Saqr Port, was in danger of sinking after the collision with the bulk carrier 'Nadeen' (IMO: 9324710), in the Middle East Gulf. The ship was hit at the starboard stern quarter, and the engine room began taking on water. The 13 crew members abandoned the vessel and were recovered from a life raft and taken aboard the 'Nadeen', which was en route from Doha to Um Qasr.
MT TERRA NOVA
Nearly 1.3 million liters of oil was collected from the siphoning of the MT 'Terranova' off Limay, Bataan, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said on Sep 8, based on the report by the contracted salvor,Harbor Star Shipping Services Inc., which said that a total of 1,296,069 liters of oil had been collected from Aug 19 to Sep 7, after an additional 52,355 liters were collected on Sep 7. The siphoning was halted for five days, from Sept. 2 to Sept. 6, due to the effects brought by Tropical Storm Enteng (international name: Yagi). The rate of oily waste flow during the operation on Sep 7 was 8,690 liters per hour. Up to 200,000 liters of oil waste remained to be extracted from the wreck. The salvor needs at least two more days to complete the oil siphoning Report with photo: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1981225/manila-bay-salvage-work-nearly-done#ixzz8lKNMuTsZ
KAITAKI
iwiRail has been sentenced after the 'Kaitaki' lost propulsion while approaching Wellington Harbour on Jan 28, 2023, and drifted south of Wellington in dangerous conditions. The 800 passengers were mustered and supplied with lifejackets while the ferry regained limited power, eventually making its way to port in Wellington. At the time of the incident, the ferry faced strong southerly winds, with gusts of up to 45 knots and swells of three metres near the entrance to the harbour. Had the anchors failed, the vessel could have run aground at Sinclair Head. The propulsion failure was caused by a malfunction in a rubber expansion joint, which led to the shutdown of the Kaitaki’s main engine, leaving the ferry adrift. Maritime NZ commended KiwiRail for pleading guilty. “There were significant failings that caused the ferry to lose power. Poorly managed maintenance and processes on the Kaitaki meant its passengers, crew, and the environment were put at risk. This incident demonstrated the serious consequences of poor maintenance and emphasised the need for operators to ensure their vessels are well-maintained and properly managed." KiwiRail was fined $412,500 for its breach under the Health and Safety at Work Act and ordered to pay $20,000 in costs.