The "Iberica Knutsen," which had run aground off Rügen on May 22, has arrived in the port of Mukran on May 24. From its anchorage off Rügen, the ship made the journey to its destination under its own power and with the assistance of tugs.;So far, no damage to the LNG-tanker has been reported. However, the Federal Bureau of Maritime Accident Investigation has not yet completed its analysis. The reason why the ship ran aground off Sassnitz was also still under investigation. As part of the investigation, an investigation has been initiated against the ship's captain. According to current investigations, there was no environmental damage. Report with photo: https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/mecklenburg-vorpommern/Auf-Grund-gelaufener-LNG-Tanker-nach-Mukran-geschleppt,ibericaknutsen100.html
News
SALVAMAR SARGADELOS
On June 5, 2025, the sailing vessel 'Mauritania', with two crew members on board, was disabled and adrift near the Pombeiriño lighthouse (O Grove), and requested assistance after grounding on rocks. The CCS Fisterra of Salvamento Marítimo mobilized the 'Salvamar Sargadelos', which took the yacht in tow and safely pulled it to the port of A Pobra. Report with photo: https://x.com/salvamentogob/status/1930614146732536220
LIBERTY GLORY
The U.S. Department of Justice has filed criminal charges against the former captain of the 'Liberty Glory', John Merrone, for allegedly drugging and sexually assaulting a U.S. Merchant Marine Academy cadet aboard the bulk carrier. The charges, filed in the Eastern District of New York, were marking the first DOJ prosecution for sexual assault aboard a U.S. commercial vessel in over 40 years, according to counsel in the case. According to the indictment, Merrone faces five criminal counts for events that occurred on Sep 9, 2019, aboard the vessel, en route from Bahrain to Corpus Christi, Texas. The charges were including aggravated sexual abuse for allegedly drugging and rendering the female victim unconscious before sexually assaulting her, sexual abuse for engaging in sexual acts while the victim was incapable of consent, and three counts of abusive sexual contact related to non-consensual sexual contact while the victim was either unconscious or incapable of consent. Justice4Mariners serves as counsel for the victim, along with a second victim who was also allegedly drugged. The case has highlighted systemic issues within the maritime industry. Merrone had previously been convicted of false imprisonment and battery in Florida, yet continued working in the commercial fleet while the USMMA continued sending cadets to serve aboard his ships. Following public pressure, the American Maritime Officers union expelled Merrone, citing multiple credible allegations and concerns about crew safety. Shortly after, he surrendered his Merchant Mariner Credential to the Coast Guard and accepted a lifetime ban from the U.S. maritime industry.
PANDO 1
On May 31. 2025, the 'Pando 1' was detained in Novorossiysk with 35 deficiencies: 1) Certificate & Doc - SOPEP Not as required 2) Certificate & Doc - Oil record book Not as required 3) Certificate & Doc - Garbage record book Not as required 4) Certificate & Doc - Manning specified by the minimum safe manning doc Missing 5) Safety of navigation - Charts Expired 6) Safety of navigation - Nautical publications Expired 7) Safety of navigation - Pilot ladder and hoist/pilot transfer arrangement Damaged 8)) Safety of navigation - Voyage or passage plan Not as required 9) Safety of navigation - Electronic charts Not as required 10) Safety of navigation - Lights, shapes and sound signals Not as required 11) Safety of navigation - Monitoring of voyage or passage plan Not as required 12) Safety of navigation - Compass correction log Not as required 13) Fire safety - Fire dampers Inoperative 14) Fire safety - Fixed fire exthinguishing installation Inoperative 15) Fire safety - Fire fighting equipment and appliances Not as required 16) Pollution Prevention - Garbage shipboard handling Not as required 17) Pollution Prevention - Ballast Water Record Book Not as required 18) Propulsion and auxiliary machinery - Auxiliary machinery Not as required 19) Propulsion and auxiliary machinery - Gauges, thermometers Not as required 20) Propulsion and auxiliary machinery - Bilge pumping arrangements Not as required 21) Propulsion and auxiliary machinery - Operation of machinery Not as required 22) Life saving Appliances - Rescue boats Not properly maintained 23) Life saving Appliances - Lifebuoys incl provision and disposition Not as required 24) Life saving Appliances - Inflatable liferafts Not as required 25) Radio communications - Other (Radio communications) Other 26) Radio communications - Reserve source of energy Not as required 27) Water/Weathertight - Scuppers, inlets and discharges Not as required 28) Water/Weathertight - Railing, gangway, walkway and means for safe passage Not as required 29) Living and working - Messroom (location) Not as required 30) Living and working - Ropes and wires Not as required 31) Labour conditions - Protection machines/parts Not as required 32) Labour conditions - Dangerous areas Unsafe 33) Emergency systems - Emergency lighting, batteries and switches Not as required 34) Radio communications - Radio log (diary) Not as required 35) ISM - Ism certificate Not as required The vessel was released again on June 1 and left the port en route to Conakry with an ETA as of June 30. The last detentions were on Dec 5, 2024, in Kocaeli with 12 deficienes for 22 days and in Karadeniz Eregli.on Jan 24 with 19 deficiencies. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063576908591
LOMAIVITI PRINCESS 2
Fiji's Maritime Safety Authority has launched an investigation into the Goundar Shipping Ltd. following two incidents involving its vessels. On May 26, one vessel, the 'Lomaiviti Princess VII' ran aground in Ono-i-Lau, and it was towed back to shore by the 'Lomaiviti Princess XII', which also took on board the passengers.after villagers had stepped in to ferry stranded passengers to nearby islands using small boats. The company posted on social media about this incident, saying "GSL Management would like to sincerely thank the people of Ono-i-Lau for your tremendous support following the mishap. "We acknowledge and appreciate your assistance in ensuring the passengers were safely brought ashore.On June 2, the uncrewed 'Lomaiviti Princess II' capsized when it was being towed away from Narain Jetty in Suva by Fiji Ports. The vessel had been tied up at Narain Jetty since 2019. Regarding the sinking, the Minister Ro Filipe Tuisawau said the matter was under investigation and a release would be issued after he receives an update on the matter. An boom to contain oil was laid out around the ship, and the wreck was monitored for any oil leaks.
CASTLEMORE
Several men hired by an international organised crime group in Dubai to crew the bulk carrier 'Matthew' (IMOI: 9228150) were under financial pressure and succumbed to the temptation to earn thousands, the Special Criminal Court in Dublin has heard. Eight men admitted their roles in trying to smuggle cocaine worth over 157 million euros. The Irish Army Ranger Wing has been praised in court for putting their lives at risk when they boarded the vessel in severe weather conditions while the crew attempted to steer the ship to high seas. Six of the men arrested on board the 'Matthew' had ignored repeated warnings from the patrol vessel 'LE William Butler Yeats '. Two other men were rescued from a boat that was bought in Castletownbere, which had been purchased to collect drugs from the main vessel. The Ukrainians Mykhailo Gavryk and Vitaliy Vlasoi, both 32; Iranians Soheil Jelveh and Saeid Hassani, 39; Filipino Harold Estoesta, 31, and Dutch national Cumali Ozgen, 49, all pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine for sale or supply on board the 'Mathew' betweenSep 24 and 26, 2023. Ukrainian national Vitaliy Lapa, aged 62, with an address at Rudenka, Repina Str in Berdyansk, pleaded guilty to attempting to possess cocaine for sale or supply between Sep 21 and 25. Jamie Harbron, aged 31, of South Avenue, Billingham in the UK, also pleaded guilty that on a date between Sep 21 and 25, both dates inclusive, he attempted to have cocaine in his possession for the purpose of sale or supply, an offence under the Misuse of Drugs Act. Colman Cody SC, counsel for Lapa, told the sentence hearing that his client was not aware of the full scale of the operation and did not fully understand it or the structures of the criminal organisation. The married father-of-two was told he would be paid 5,000 euros for his involvement in the operation. Lapa had been in the merchant navy and had previously worked on fishing boats. He had recently retired and was a pensioner in Ukraine. The Detective Superintendent Keith Halley agreed that Lapa was at the lower end of the structure. Estoesta was the second officer on board the vessel, who said he had met some of the crew in Venezuela. The court heard how some members of the hired crew were distracted at night while those from the criminal enterprise had loaded some of the cargo containing drugs on to the vessel. They claimed that they had been entertained with alcohol while the so-called spare parts were being transferred onto the ship. Estoesta admitted he was concerned it was more than spare parts, as he saw armed men on the other ship, which was offloading the large cargo. He said he didn't argue as he was terrified and was alone in the ocean. He thought the cargo may have contained contraband, like weapons or cigarettes. His barrister, Michael Hourigan, said that he had a genuine fear of the consequences if he did not follow orders. Vlasoi, a 33-year-old sailor, became involved in the operation after he was contacted when he posted his sailing credentials online. The court heard that he is married with a five-year-old child, who is now living in Ireland with the accused's mother. Paul O'Higgins SC for Vlasoi told the court that his client's realisation of the situation came too late when he discovered that the enterprise was being run at a higher level by people not on the ship. He told gardai that there were outside forces in control. He was told he would be paid 5,000 euros for his part in the operation. Mr O'Higgins said that his client found himself in a vulnerable financial position as he tried to provide for his family during the war in Ukraine. Hassani, the 3ird officer of the bulk carrier, qualified from maritime college in 2009 and had been at sea constantly for over a decade. Mark Lyam SC, for the 40-year-old, told the court he is married with a six-year-old daughter, and that he had financial responsibility to provide for his family, including medical care. Mr Lyam said he succumbed to temptation because of that financial pressure and wanting to spend more time with his family. The court was also told that he sent a text to someone in Dubai thanking them for the opportunity. Hassani, who was airlifted from the boat, was described as being the lowest rank in terms of officers. Meanwhile, Michael O'Higgins SC, counsel for Harbron, described his client as a drug abuser who was induced into the operation to clear a drug debt. Described as being a last-minute entry into the enterprise, he was offered a 10,000 euro reduction on his drug debt of 20,000 euros. The court heard how Harbron, who was on board the second ship, the 'Castlemore', had no sailing experience, was not able to operate the radio and was not able to locate the life vest on board. Mr O'Higgins said he had no role in organising, financing or giving directions. Harbron suspected the cargo on board the 'Matthew' was drugs, but he said he was shocked when he saw the size of it. Brendan Grehan SC, counsel for Dutch national Ozgen, admitted to having loaded three crates of drugs onto the vessel and also played a part in trying to burn drugs by getting paint thinners. He said he expected to earn a bonus of between 50,000 euros and 100,000 euros. Mr Grehan said that Ozgen, who had no sailing experience, has a son with a serious health issue following an operation on a brain tumour, and it was partly the attraction in terms of getting involved in that he would get money to help (his son) out. He was involved in a misguided attempt to get money for his family. Keivon Sotoodeh, junior counsel for Jelveh, told the court that his client is a 51-year-old with two adult children. Mr Sotoodeh said Jelveh was simply following orders and accepts he got himself involved in this. The matter has been put back to July 4. The men have been remanded on the same terms and conditions. Report with photos: https://www.corkbeo.ie/news/local-news/crew-hired-cork-cocaine-ship-31791589
IJSSELDELTA
After the allision of the 'IJsseldelta' with the bridge over the Dortmund-Ems Canal at the EmslandArena , the bridge has been closed since then. Current recommendations for a detour directed car traffic south of the accident site past the EmslandArena, The alternative route was via the bypass, i.e., the B70 and B213. According to current information, the Waterways and Shipping Authority (Wissenschaftsamt) indicated that the bridge was not in danger of collapsing. However, the extent to which repairs or replacement measures were necessary and possible, and how long the bridge will have to remain closed to traffic, were still unclear. In the afternoon, WSA employees inspected the bridge using a cherry picker. To better assess the extent of the repairs, they brought in a structural engineer. It was dound out that the crossbeam was more severely affected than I initially thought, being not only bent, but also warped. Repairing it will be quite difficult. The initial inspection on May 4 had revealed that a longitudinal girder of the bridge had been damaged. This now needs to be replaced. However, exactly how this will be done is still unclear. A temporary structure could be built or a section of the girder burnt out and replaced. The bridge will remain closed to traffic until further notice. The repairs could take several months. Whether the bridge can be reopened, at least for pedestrians and cyclists, depends on the specific renovation plans. The canal was reopened to shipping on the evening of June 4. The 'IJsseldelta' remained stationary in Holthausen as of June 6. Reports with photos and video: https://emstv.de/videobeitrag/jw1-nach-bruckenunfall-hier-werden-sie-umgeleitet/ https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/niedersachsen/osnabrueck_emsland/Nach-Schiff-Unfall-Bruecke-wohl-fuer-Monate-gesperrt,schiffsunfall200.html
SALVAMAR ENIF
On June 5, the catamaran 'Ten', with three crew members on board, requested assistance after an interaction with orcas, whichhad damaged both rudders of the vessel about 17.6 nautical miles west of Cape Trafalgar. There was no water ingress. The CCS Tarifa of Salvamento Marítimo mobilized the 'Salvamar Enif', which took the yacht in tow and safely pulled it to the port of Barbate. Report with photo: https://x.com/salvamentogob/status/1930658542421238014
NIPPON MARU
MOL Cruises, the leisure operation for the Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, plans to retire the 'Nippon Maru' in Yokohama on May 10, 2026. The ship consistently operating in the Japanese market over her 35-year career, offering cruises around the Japanese islands reaching smaller ports not accessible to larger cruise ships. She offered a focus on cultural enrichment and traditional Japanese culture. Itt was decided to retire the ship for operational and economic reasons. To date, the 'Nippon Maru' has traveled 2,877,642 nautical miles during over 2,000 cruises, hosting more than 600,000 passengers, and visiting over 400 ports in and out of Japan. In addition to the domestic cruises, she operated longer voyages including nine world cruises. The legacy of the 'Nippon Maru' and her contribution to the Japanese cruise industry will be honored during her final season between February and May 2026, with several cruises and events, featuring special commemorative gifts and menus.
PANDO 1
On Jan 24, 2025, the 'Pando I' was detained in Karadeniz Eregli with 19 deficiencies. 1) Certificate & Doc - SOPEP Not as required 2) Certificate & Doc - Garbage record book Missing 3) Certificate & Doc - Oil record book Missing 4) Certificate & Doc - Manning specifiec by the minimum safe manning doc Not as required 5) Propulsion and auxiliary machinery - Auxiliary machinery Not as required 6) Propulsion and auxiliary machinery' - Bilge pumping arrangements' Inoperative 7) Propulsion and auxiliary machinery - Operation of machinery Not as required 8)) Pollution Prevention - Ballast Water Management System' Not as required 9) Emergency systems - Emergency ligghting, batteries and switches Not as required 10) Life saving Appliances - Rescue boats Not ready for use 11) Life saving Appliances - Inflatable liferafts Not as required 12) Living and working - Messroom (location) Not as required 13) Living and working - Ropes and wires 'Not as required 14) Radio communications - Other (Radio comm) Other 15) Safety of navigation - Pilot ladders and hoist/pilot transfer arrangements Damaged 16) Safety of navigation - Voyage or passage plan Not as required 17) Safety of navigation - Charts Not updated 18) Safety of navigation - Lights, shapes and sound-signals Not as required 19) Water/Weathertight - Covers (Hatchway,-. portable,-. tarpaulin etc Not as required The vessel was still anchored in Eregli as of Jan 29. The last detenton was on Dec 5, 2024, in Kocaeli with 12 deficienes for 22 days. The vessel left Kocaeli on Dec 26 bound for the Tuzla shipyard area for permanent repairs and sailed from there on Jan 12, only to be detained again in the next port of call, Karadeniz Eregli. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063576908591
MSC ELSA 3
More than one week after the 'MSC Elsa 3' sank approximately 70 km off the Kerala coast, between Vizhinjam and Kochi, a coastal pollution assessment has commenced along Tamil Nadu’s southern shoreline. The National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR), under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, has deployed a team in Kanyakumari to collect seawater and beach sediment samples. The study aims to determine whether the spill has impacted Tamil Nadu’s marine and coastal ecosystems as a recurring survey. The NCCR team began sample collection from Kanyakumari and may extend up to Kudankulam. The findings will help create baseline data to understand if the incident has affected the coast. The results will supplement the Tamil Nadu government’s ongoing environmental monitoring efforts. The data from this study will be compared with historical datasets collected under NCCR’s Seawater Quality Monitoring Programme. The programme monitors physical, chemical, and biological parameters at 50 coastal locations across India, including seven along the Tamil Nadu coast.
CASTLEMORE
On Sep 24, 2023, the Rosslare RNLI volunteers were mobilised at around 11.30 p.m. to the 'Castlemore', which had grounded off Wexford with two crew on board. They unsuccessfully tried to fire a towline towards the trawler to pull it back into open waters, but with conditions extremely choppy and only two crew aboard, it proved too difficult. At that point, the wind also posed too much of a danger to try to winch the two sailors on board a rescue helicopter. At around 3 a.m. the Irish Navy vessel 'LÉ William Butler Yeats' arrived on scene and kept a close eye on proceedings. Having circled for hours, the Rescue 117 was forced to return to base in Waterford to refuel around half an hour later, but by 4.30 a.m. they were back on scene. By this time, the wind had subsided somewhat and the helicopter crew was able to successfully winch the sailors,. Both the lifeboat and the rescue helicopter left the scene shortly after 6 a.m., while the 'LÉ William Butler Yeats' remained off the Wexford coast overnight. Reports with photos: https://www.sundayworld.com/crime/cocaine-bust-trawler-remains-wedged-on-sandbank-off-wexford-coast/a295844397.html https://www.sundayworld.com/crime/irish-crime/salvage-vessels-arrive-in-bid-to-retrieve-stranded-second-suspected-cocaine-trawler/a1212351453.html https://www.thesun.ie/news/11411181/drugs-trawler-spacex-tech-cocaine-mothership-wexford/ https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-41234347.html
MOKSTRAFJORD
The service of the 'Møkstrafjord' on the Lyse Fjord between Krokeide and Hufthammar had to be suspended on June 5, 2025, by the operator Fjord1 until further notice due to a problem with the thruster that was preventing the ferry from operating. A spare part has been ordered for a repairs of the damage.
ISLE OF CUMBRAE
Due to the ongoing issue affecting the ramp of the 'Isle of Cumbrae’, serving on the route Largs-Cumbrae, and in order to assist contractors with repairs, the ferry' was relocated to Colintraive on June 4. After the repairs have been successfully completed on June 5, the vessel returned to the port of Largs, ready for service on that day, if required.
FANY V
The 'Fany V', with two crew members on board, suffered a leak on June 5, 2025, north of Tazones (Asturias). They were trying to bail the water out and issued a distress call, upon which the SAR boat 'Salvamar Rigel' was mobilized to assist by Salvamento Marítimo. It took the yacht in tow and safely pulled it to the Gijón Marina.
KATSHESHUK II
The 'Katsheshuk II' has arrived safely back in the port of St. Johns after experiencing technical issues on the North Atlantic, after setting off from Harbour Grace. The trawler was being towed by the fishing vessel 'Calvert' (IMO: 9858400) on the afternoon of June 5, 2025. The tugs 'Dalton Defender' (MMSI: 316047495) and 'Taskall' (MMSI: 316040779) assisted the vessel into the port.
HEBRIDES
The 'Hebrides', serving on the route Uig-Tarbert, suffered a technical issue with the starboard main engine on June 1. Engineers were to carry out a repair on the arrival in Uig. s a result of this, the 7:55p.m.departure from the port was delayed. The ferry finally departed Uig at 8.30 p.m., 35 mins late. with an ETA at Tarbert as of 10.10 p.m. On June 2. due to the technical issue with the starboard main engine, the service had to be suspended with engineers again working on resolving the issue. After repairs have been successful, the vessel operated a delayed 09:50 sailing from Uig at 4:30 p.m.
LOMAIVITI PRINCESS 6
Fiji's Maritime Safety Authority has launched an investigation into the Goundar Shipping Ltd. following two incidents involving its vessels. On May 26, 2025, the 'Lomaiviti Princess VI' ran aground on a routine trip to Ono-i-Lau in southern Lau. It got stuck at the entrance to Ono-i-Lau, where it always anchored, and started taking in water. The ferry was refloatedd and towed back to Suva by the 'Lomaiviti Princess XII', which also took on board the passengers, after villagers had stepped in to ferry stranded passengers to nearby islands using small boats. The company posted on social media about this incident, saying "GSL Management would like to sincerely thank the people of Ono-i-Lau for your tremendous support following the mishap. "We acknowledge and appreciate your assistance in ensuring the passengers were safely brought ashore. On June 2, the uncrewed 'Lomaiviti Princess II' capsized when it was being towed away from Narain Jetty in Suva by Fiji Ports. The vessel had been tied up at Narain Jetty since 2019. Regarding the sinking, the Minister Ro Filipe Tuisawau said the matter was under investigation and a release would be issued after he receives an update on the matter. An boom to contain oil was laid out around the ship, and the wreck was monitored for any oil leaks.
MATTHEW TT
Several men hired by an international organised crime group in Dubai to crew he 'Matthew' were under financial pressure and succumbed to the temptation to earn thousands, the Special Criminal Court in Dublin has heard. Eight men admitted their roles in trying to smuggle cocaine worth over 157 million euros. The Irish Army Ranger Wing has been praised in court for putting their lives at risk when they boarded the vessel in severe weather conditions while the crew attempted to steer the ship to high seas. Six of the men arrested on board the 'Matthew' had ignored repeated warnings from the patrol vessel 'LE William Butler Yeats '. Two other men were rescued from a boat that was bought in Castletownbere, which had been purchased to collect drugs from the main vessel. The Ukrainians Mykhailo Gavryk and Vitaliy Vlasoi, both 32; Iranians Soheil Jelveh and Saeid Hassani, 39; Filipino Harold Estoesta, 31, and Dutch national Cumali Ozgen, 49, all pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine for sale or supply on board the 'Mathew' betweenSep 24 and 26, 2023. Ukrainian national Vitaliy Lapa, aged 62, with an address at Rudenka, Repina Str in Berdyansk, pleaded guilty to attempting to possess cocaine for sale or supply between Sep 21 and 25. Jamie Harbron, aged 31, of South Avenue, Billingham in the UK, also pleaded guilty that on a date between Sep 21 and 25, both dates inclusive, he attempted to have cocaine in his possession for the purpose of sale or supply, an offence under the Misuse of Drugs Act. Colman Cody SC, counsel for Lapa, told the sentence hearing that his client was not aware of the full scale of the operation and did not fully understand it or the structures of the criminal organisation. The married father-of-two was told he would be paid 5,000 euros for his involvement in the operation. Lapa had been in the merchant navy and had previously worked on fishing boats. He had recently retired and was a pensioner in Ukraine. The Detective Superintendent Keith Halley agreed that Lapa was at the lower end of the structure. Estoesta was the second officer on board the vessel, who said he had met some of the crew in Venezuela. The court heard how some members of the hired crew were distracted at night while those from the criminal enterprise had loaded some of the cargo containing drugs on to the vessel. They claimed that they had been entertained with alcohol while the so-called spare parts were being transferred onto the ship. Estoesta admitted he was concerned it was more than spare parts, as he saw armed men on the other ship, which was offloading the large cargo. He said he didn't argue as he was terrified and was alone in the ocean. He thought the cargo may have contained contraband, like weapons or cigarettes. His barrister, Michael Hourigan, said that he had a genuine fear of the consequences if he did not follow orders. Vlasoi, a 33-year-old sailor, became involved in the operation after he was contacted when he posted his sailing credentials online. The court heard that he is married with a five-year-old child, who is now living in Ireland with the accused's mother. Paul O'Higgins SC for Vlasoi told the court that his client's realisation of the situation came too late when he discovered that the enterprise was being run at a higher level by people not on the ship. He told gardai that there were outside forces in control. He was told he would be paid 5,000 euros for his part in the operation. Mr O'Higgins said that his client found himself in a vulnerable financial position as he tried to provide for his family during the war in Ukraine. Hassani, the 3ird officer of the bulk carrier, qualified from maritime college in 2009 and had been at sea constantly for over a decade. Mark Lyam SC, for the 40-year-old, told the court he is married with a six-year-old daughter, and that he had financial responsibility to provide for his family, including medical care. Mr Lyam said he succumbed to temptation because of that financial pressure and wanting to spend more time with his family. The court was also told that he sent a text to someone in Dubai thanking them for the opportunity. Hassani, who was airlifted from the boat, was described as being the lowest rank in terms of officers. Meanwhile, Michael O'Higgins SC, counsel for Harbron, described his client as a drug abuser who was induced into the operation to clear a drug debt. Described as being a last-minute entry into the enterprise, he was offered a 10,000 euro reduction on his drug debt of 20,000 euros. The court heard how Harbron, who was on board the second ship, the f/v 'Castlemore' (MMSI: 25000435), had no sailing experience, was not able to operate the radio and was not able to locate the life vest on board. Mr O'Higgins said he had no role in organising, financing or giving directions. Harbron suspected the cargo on board the 'Matthew' was drugs, but he said he was shocked when he saw the size of it. Brendan Grehan SC, counsel for Dutch national Ozgen, admitted to having loaded three crates of drugs onto the vessel and also played a part in trying to burn drugs by getting paint thinners. He said he expected to earn a bonus of between 50,000 euros and 100,000 euros. Mr Grehan said that Ozgen, who had no sailing experience, has a son with a serious health issue following an operation on a brain tumour, and it was partly the attraction in terms of getting involved in that he would get money to help (his son) out. He was involved in a misguided attempt to get money for his family. Keivon Sotoodeh, junior counsel for Jelveh, told the court that his client is a 51-year-old with two adult children. Mr Sotoodeh said Jelveh was simply following orders and accepts he got himself involved in this. The matter has been put back to July 4. The men have been remanded on the same terms and conditions. Report with photos: https://www.corkbeo.ie/news/local-news/crew-hired-cork-cocaine-ship-31791589