On Sep 25, 2024, the 'Tadorne', with one crew member on board, suffered an uncontrolled leak 59 nautical miles northnorthwest of Punta Gorda (La Palma). The skipper requested an evacuation, and the CCS Tenerife of Salvamento Marítimo mobilized the SAR helicopter Helimer 201, which hoisted him from the half-sunken yacht and transferred him to Tenerife South in good condition.
News
DALI
The cost of clearing the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge from the Patapsco River in Baltimore has risen roughly 42% since July, to more than $71 million. Maryland officials initially awarded a $50 million contract to Skanska, a Swedish construction company with a U.S. headquarters in New York, for clearing large sections of highway bridge trusses, steel girders, the main bridge deck and concrete parapets. The $21 million increase, which the Board of Public Works was expected to approve on Oct 2, covers the cost of cranes, large hopper barges, labor and equipment for an additional two weeks of work and processing of steel from the bridge’s main span, which wasn’t considered in the original cost estimate, according to state meeting documents. The contract modification is needed to compensate Skanska for the total work on this emergency procurement, the Maryland Transportation Authority said on Sep 23. Early estimates for the Key Bridge removal, which were based on Skanska’s demolition of the old Gov. Harry W. Nice Memorial/Sen. Thomas “Mac” Middleton Bridge, changed after contracting employees and subcontractors arrived on site, BPW meeting documents state. The company found that large sections of the Key Bridge had settled into the bottom of the river, requiring team members to find and mobilize specialized equipment. The state and Skanska pushed their initial timeline back two weeks, and the additional work and equipment added another $21 million to the contract. The Skanska contract was administered through the Maryland Transportation Authority, an independent state agency responsible for the state’s eight toll facilities, including the Key Bridge. The state has covered its contract using money set aside from toll revenue, but officials are expected to apply for federal reimbursement. A portion of the proceeds from a $350 million Chubb insurance payout are also available to cover debris removal and salvage work, according to the MDTA. Meanwhile Maryland officials announced a new lawsuit on Sep 24 echoing several other recent filings. The state’s claim seeks punitive damages against Grace Ocean Private Ltd. And Synergy Marine Group as well as costs associated with cleaning up the wreckage and rebuilding the bridge. It also cites lost toll revenues, environmental contamination, damage to the state’s natural resources and other damages. Officials said they’re still working to quantify the total monetary loss.
ANDROS KING
The Greek crew of the Golden Star Ferries shipping company that was on board the 'Volcán de Taburiente' of Naviera Armas to close the purchase and take it to the Aegean Sea, has abandoned the ship on Sep 23 by order of the Greek company. The ship has been docked for over a week at the Nelson Mandela dock in the port of Las Palmas, waiting for the Greeks to take it, but there have been complications. Apparently, the buyer shipping company has requested that a team of divers went down to check the underwater hull. Different sources of the crew that has sailed on board the ferry in recent years explained that the ship has been having a problem of cracks in the hull for years, due to the fact that four engines were installed instead of the two that should have been mounted according to its design, which were producing strong vibrations in the stern.
KM KARYA NIAGA
During the unloading of cement from a trailer into the cargo hold of the KM 'Karya Niaga', which was docked at the Martapura Baru Port, Banjarmasin Barat District, Banjarmasin City, South Kalimantan, a crane suddenly malfunctioned, causing the crane's boom to fall and strike a private employee, aged 38, and Muhammad Ali Zainudin (35), a foreman, on Sep 20, 20244 at 4 p.m. WITA. Both victims were underneath the crane, After the incident, the victims were immediately evacuated and rushed to RSUD Ulin and TPT Hospitals. Muhammad Ali Zainudin sustained minor injuries, while Toha remains in critical condition with an open head wound. The malfunction was suspected to be due to damage to an unidirectional bearing, which was unable to bear the load being lifted. Further investigation into the cause of the accidentwere ongoing. Preliminary findings suggested that the crane's mechanical failure was the primary cause of the incident. Authorities continued to oversee the investigation to ensure safety at the port. Report withj photo: https://hubla.dephub.go.id/Indonesianmaritimesafetyinformation/page/news/read/23127/kecelakaan-kerja-di-atas-km-karya-niaga-dua-korban-terluka-satu-dalam-kondisi-serius-workplace-accident-aboard-km-karya-niaga-two-injured-one-in-serious-condition
DE XIN SHANG HAI
Three containers were knocked of the 'Vladivostok' (IMO: 9130145) on Sep 21, 2024, at 9.45 p.m. LT in Nansha at the at the Phase III container terminal, when it was hit by the 'De Xin Shang Hai', which was arriving at Nansha from Hong Kong on its maiden voyage. .The Guangzhou MRCC responded and sent two patrol boats along with two tugs to manage the situation. Within two hours, two of the containers were secured to the 'Vladivostok', and the remaining container was secured by another tug to prevent it from drifting off. A salvage boat came by 2:45 a.m., and all three containers had been successfully retrieved on Sep 22 at 8:30 a.m.
SAAREMAA I
Following an unexpected failure of a temporary repair on the 'Saaremaa', he ferry has been pulled from service, leaving no ferries othe roun te between Nova Scotia and P.E.I.m as the 'Confederation' is undergoing hull work in Pictou. There have been problems with two of the four main engines on the 'Saaremaa' this summer. A temporary fix was in place on one of them, and more-permanent repairs were being done on the other. In the meantime, the ship was running on just three engines. But the temporary fix failed during the vessel's last run on the evening of Sep 23, 2024, leaving the ferry with just two functioning engines. As a result, the vessel had to be tied up to fix the main engine that was already being repaired. Technicians from the company that manufactured the engine were already on board, when the second engine failed. The plan was to complete the permanent repair that was already underway, at which point the vessel would be able to run again within two or three days. On the morning of Sep 24, Northumberland Ferries cancelled all sailings until at least Sep 27.
GEO BARENTS
After the disembarkation on the morning of Sep 23 in Genoa, the Italian authorities imposed a double detention on the 'Geo Barents'. The first measure, provided for by the Piantedosi decree, provided for a 60-day detention and was based on the recurring accusations of not having respected the instructions of the so-called Libyan Coast Guard during the rescue of people in difficulty at sea. The second detention order followed an inspection of the ship by Port State Control, which found eight technical deficiencies. It wais the fourth time that the ship has been detained for fulfilling its legal obligation to save lives at sea. Accordiong to Doctors without Frontiers, the measures clearly demonstrate that the authorities want to prevent the 'Geo Barents' from returning to sea. The Italian authorities continue to give credibility to the Libyan Coast Guard, accused by the UN and other human rights NGOs of committing crimes against humanity".
OLYMPIC SCOUT
The National Transportation Safety Board said on Sep 24, 2024, that the captain of the 'Montlake' failed to line up his vessel correctly while approaching the Hylebos Bridge in Tacoma, Washington on Oct 12, 2023,, causing the assisting tug 'Olympic Scout' to strike the bridge’s already deteriorated fender system. The 'Montlake', coupled to the 'Sodo', a 289-foot-long, 78-foot-wide barge, forming an articulated tug and barge unit, and was navigatomg outbound on the Hylebos Waterway in Tacoma. The captain requested the Hylebos Bridge operator to open the bridge. While waiting, the ATB had to pause,, causing its bow to drift from the channel’s center towards port side. Although the captain attempted to steer starboard to align with the bridge, the drag from the 'Olympic Scout' on the port bow prevented the ATB from moving in that direction. When the ATB began its transit of the waterway, it was 1,276 feet from the bridge. The channel between the Hylebos Bridge fenders measured 150 feet wide. However, the combined width of the 'Montlake/Sodo' (78 feet) and the 'Olympic Scout' (26 feet) was 104 feet, leaving only 23 feet of clearance on each side of the vessels. Because of the short distance to the bridge and the speed of the ATB, there was insufficient time to correct the lineup before the 'Olympic Scout' struck the fender. The investgators suggested that slowing or fully stopping the ATB’s forward motion earlier would have provided the operators more time to correct the lineup and successfully transit through the opening between the bridge’s protective fendering. While the Hylebos Bridge itself remained undamaged, the fender system required replacement at a cost of $2.43 million. Notably, precasualty inspections in 2017 and 2022 had already identified significant deterioration of the fender piles due to marine borer damage and fungal decay. A marine surveying and consulting firm stated, The damage caused by the [Olympic Scout contact] resulted in significantly more damage being sustained as would have been, had the fendering structure been of sufficient structural strength. Full report: https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Reports/MIR2426.pdf
BIG HORN
The USNS 'Big Horn', being deployed to the Middle East, suffered damage on the night of Sep 23, 2024, after apparently running into something in the Arabian Sea and suffered damage to the ship’s rudder post and water flooding into a mechanical space. No crew members were njured in the incident. The extent of the damage was still being assessed and an investigation was ongoing. The 'Big Horn' was anchored off the coast of Oman earlier on Sep 24, but commercial tugboats were deployed to tow the vessel to a nearby port. Officials did not detail the circumstances of the allision, but the incident occurred in a part of the Arabian Sea that can be crowded with small fishing boats and vessels that can make maneuvering a large ship difficult. It was unclear if the 'Big Horn' ran aground or struck an object underwater.
JIN HSIANG FA
The U.S. Navy’s Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 25 (HSC-25) conducted a successful medical evacuation of a 37-year-old crew member of the ' Jin Hsiang Fa' approximately 138 nautical miles northwest of Saipan on Sep 21, 2024, with coordination from U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam. Following a request for assistance from the Rescue Coordination Center (RCC) Taipei at 10:30 p.m. on Sep 20, the Joint Rescue Sub-Center (JRSC) Guam began coordinating the response with HSC-25. The man was suffering from severe medical symptoms, including leg swelling and reduced consciousness. Responders consulted the duty flight surgeon, who recommended a rapid evacuation and access to advanced medical care. The 'Jin Hsiang Fa', originally transiting over 350 nautical miles north of Guam, was directed to proceed toward Saipan to expedite the medevac. The Navy’s MH-60S Knighthawk helicopter crew launched from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, and refueled in Saipan before heading offshore. The Knighthawk crew rendezvoused with the 'Jin Hsiang Fa' at twilight and safely hoisted the ailing crewman. He was then transported to Guam, arriving just before sunset, where awaiting emergency medical services met them and transferred him for further treatment. Report with video: https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/3915158/us-coast-guard-navy-medically-evacuate-ill-crewman-from-foreign-fishing-vessel/
VLADIVOSTOK
Three containers were knocked of the 'Vladivostok' on Sep 21, 2024, at 9.45 p.m. LT in Nansha at the at the Phase III container terminal, when it was hit by the 'De Xin Shang Hai' (IMO: 1061843), which was arriving at Nansha from Hong Kong on its maiden voyage. .The Guangzhou MRCC responded and sent two patrol boats along with two tugs to manage the situation. Within two hours, two of the containers were secured to the 'Vladivostok', and the remaining container was secured by another tug to prevent it from drifting off. A salvage boat came by 2:45 a.m., and all three containers had been successfully retrieved on Sep 22 at 8:30 a.m.
AAL GENOA
The 'AAL Genoa' suffered an engine failure on the afternoon of Sep 23, 2024, en route from Ngqura to the port of Melbourne. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) was notified of the issue at 1.15 p.m. when the vessel was approximately 18 kilometres off Point Nepean, near the entrance to Port Phillip Bay. The AMSA advised that the vessel anchored overnight approximately 4.5 kilometres off the coast of Sorrento, with the emergency tug 'Svitzer Albatross' from Geelong in attendance overnight. A second tug, the Melbourne-based 'Tingari', also arrived on the scene to assist. Towing lines were successfully attached to the vessel by both tugs, and it was pulled to the Port of Melbourne. It moored at Melbourne’s inner anchorage in pos. S 37° 54' S 144° 55' E on Sep 24 at 9 a.m. UTC, where was to remain overnight, with the 'Svitzer Albatross' remaining on standby.
QUEEN ANNE
Plymouth RNLI's relief All-Weather Lifeboat ‘Volunteer Spirit’ was requested to launch by Falmouth Coastguard to assist with a medical evacuation from the 'Queen Anne', en route from Southampton, UK, to Cadiz, 1.5 nautical miles south of the Plymouth Breakwater on Sep 23, 2024, at 5.39 a.m. The lifeboat, launched from the Millbay Marina at 6.15 a.m. and made best speed towards the cruise ship, already diverting to Plymouth from the English Channel, and finally rendezvousing just before 6.25 a.m. Once on scene the patient was assessed by the casualty care crew, and in consultation with the cruise ship’s medical team the decision was made to evacuate the person to the lifeboat via the pilot ladder to be taken back to the Plymouth Lifeboat Station into the care of South Western Ambulance Service for onward treatment in hospital. Report with photo: https://rnli.org/news-and-media/2024/september/24/plymouth-rnli-volunteers-evacuate-injured-crew-member-from-323m-ocean-liner
MONTLAKE
The National Transportation Safety Board said on Sep 24, 2024, that the captain of the 'Montlake' failed to line up his vessel correctly while approaching the Hylebos Bridge in Tacoma, Washington on Oct 12, 2023,, causing the assisting tug 'Olympic Scout' to strike the bridge’s already deteriorated fender system. The 'Montlake', coupled to the 'Sodo', a 289-foot-long, 78-foot-wide barge, forming an articulated tug and barge unit, and was navigatomg outbound on the Hylebos Waterway in Tacoma. The captain requested the Hylebos Bridge operator to open the bridge. While waiting, the ATB had to pause,, causing its bow to drift from the channel’s center towards port side. Although the captain attempted to steer starboard to align with the bridge, the drag from the 'Olympic Scout' on the port bow prevented the ATB from moving in that direction. When the ATB began its transit of the waterway, it was 1,276 feet from the bridge. The channel between the Hylebos Bridge fenders measured 150 feet wide. However, the combined width of the 'Montlake/Sodo' (78 feet) and the 'Olympic Scout' (26 feet) was 104 feet, leaving only 23 feet of clearance on each side of the vessels. Because of the short distance to the bridge and the speed of the ATB, there was insufficient time to correct the lineup before the 'Olympic Scout' struck the fender. The investgators suggested that slowing or fully stopping the ATB’s forward motion earlier would have provided the operators more time to correct the lineup and successfully transit through the opening between the bridge’s protective fendering. While the Hylebos Bridge itself remained undamaged, the fender system required replacement at a cost of $2.43 million. Notably, precasualty inspections in 2017 and 2022 had already identified significant deterioration of the fender piles due to marine borer damage and fungal decay. A marine surveying and consulting firm stated, The damage caused by the [Olympic Scout contact] resulted in significantly more damage being sustained as would have been, had the fendering structure been of sufficient structural strength. Full report: https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Reports/MIR2426.pdf
ICON OF THE SEAS
The US shipping company Royal Caribbean International had to cancel a cruise of the 'Icon of the Seas', which was due to start on Sep 28, at short notice. The reason for this were unscheduled repairs. Problems had already occurred on the current cruise because the ship was not reaching full cruising speed. Work was being done to resolve the technical problems on board the ship and expected to be completed next week, which is why the one-week Caribbean cruise from Sep 28 to Oct 5 was cancelled. The company will refund all services already booked and compensate guests with a travel credit in the amount of the cruise cost for a future trip with the shipping company. On the current cruise, the call at the port of Charlotte Amalie on the island of St. Thomas had to be canceled due to the technical problems on board. The voyage had started in Miami en route to Philipsburg on St. Maarten and was continued with two more days at sea via Royal Caribbean's private island Perfect Day at Coco Cay in the Bahamas back to Miami, where the ship will then stop operations on Sep 28 in order to carry out the necessary repairs.
ROYAL PRINCESS
A US Coast Guard helicopter aircrew medically evacuated an 8-year-old boy from the 'Royal Princess' approximately 20 miles west of Eureka on Sep 25, 2024. Coast Guard Sector Humboldt Bay watchstanders received notification at approximately 7 a.m. from Sector Columbia River relaying a request from the 'Royal Princess', stating that the boy was diagnosed with appendicitis and needed to be medevaced. Sector Humboldt Bay watchstanders then coordinated the launch of an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter around 8 a.m. The helicopter arrived on-scene, hoisted the boy along with his family aboard and transferred him to emergency medical services at Saint Joseph Hospital in Eureka around 9:40 a.m. Report with video: https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/3916380/coast-guard-medevacs-8-year-old-boy-from-cruise-ship-near-eureka/
DALI
The construction company that employed six workers who died when the 'Dali' struck Baltimore’s Key Bridge and caused its collapse is suing the owner and operator. The suit came just one day after the families of three of the victims of the collapse announced they also plan to sue. Hunt Valley, Maryland-based Brawner Builders Inc. alleged that the owner commpany Grace Ocean and manager Synergy Marine Group acted negligently, leading to the fatal collapse on March 26. The contractor filed suit on Sep 18, seeking to challenge the companies’ attempts to limit their liability and to recoup costs associated with the loss of six employees as well as equipment on the bridge at the time of the collapse. It was the third major lawsuit in a few days against the Singaporean companies. The Department of Justice also filed a suit against the companies last week, seeking $100 million in damages for the cleanup and removal effort. In an earlier lawsuit, the families of three of the construction workers who died in the Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore are suing the owner and manager of the 'Dali'. The state of Maryland has added to the legal troubles facing the owner and operator of the 'Dali'. Officials announced a new lawsuit on Sep 24 that echoed several other recent filings alleging the owner and manage to have sent an unseaworthy ship into U.S. waters.