On Aug 19, 2024, a fire broke out aboard the 'Efes' while she was sailing around 540 nautical miles east of Chennai, in the Bay of Bengal. The MRCC in Chennai called on the vessels in the area to assist vessel. Currently, the cause and nature of the fire were not known. The vessel was partially laden and had departed from Visakhapatnam on Aug 17 en route to Port Klang.
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CORSICA EXPRESS 3
Short time after the 'Corsica Express 3' had left the port of Piombino en route to Elba on Aug 20, 2024, at around 3:15 p.m., a fire broke out in the engine room of the ferry. The ship was about half an hour into the voyage and returned to port due to the presence of smoke in the engine room. The ship berthed at pier 2 where the emergency plan was activated. Three fire trucks and three ambulances, one of which was medicalized, arrived on site. The 293 people on board – 276 passengers and 17 crew members, got off the ship using emergency slides. The firefighters from Livorno and Grosseto intervened on site with three teams, five trucks, personnel from the Livorno and Grosseto diving units and with the Drago helicopter from the Cecina VF flight department. There were no serious injuries among the passengers. One man had a panic attack and another suffered minor abrasions while going down the slide. Both refused hospitalization. A woman suffered a burn from rubbing on the slide and was taken to the emergency room of the Piombino hospital. At 5:45 p.m., the fire was under control, and the passenger evacuation operations were completed. Some crew members remained on board to assist. It was not yet possible to open the ship's hatch as the mechanism, due to the fire, was out of order. An external generator would be needed. In the meantime, in the engine room, lighting was being prepared with smaller generators to assess the damage. The risk, however, was that once the hatch is opened, the oxygen could reignite the flames. It was difficult for the firefighters to carry out an inspection as the temperature inside was 50 degrees. The inspection will presumably not be carried out before late at night or in the next few days. Repprt with photos and video: https://www.iltirreno.it/piombino/cronaca/2024/08/20/news/piombino-fumo-nella-sala-macchine-del-traghetto-la-nave-torna-in-porto-1.100571340
BLUE STAR PAROS
On the evening of Aug 19, 2024, the Central Port Authority of Piraeus was informed that a 21-year-old crew member of the 'Blue STar Paros' was injured during the process of unloading the ship at the port of Piraeus. A vehicle driven by a 46-year-old citizen, injured the 21-year-old sailor in the leg, as he was moving backwards under the instructions of the sailor. The injured person was initially given first aid by the crew of an ambulance at the scene and then taken to a private clinic for medical treatment. A preliminary investigation was carried out by the Central Port Authority of Piraeus.
ULTRA GALAXY
Bad weather continues to hamper salvage work at the 'Ultra Galaxy', and oil iwa leaking from the wreck, which has split in two and capsized further. Large parts are now underwater. Aeerial inspections were conducted onAuig 18 and 19 and revealed oil in the surrounding waters, accompanied by a strong odour, indicating leaks. However the oil that has escaped was drifting within the predicted drift patterns and was washing up onto the immediate beaches, as predicted..It has already reached some beaches. The SAMSA was coordinating with the local authorities to manage the environmental impact of the spill. Additional volunteers were being drafted in to help clean up the spill. Cleanup operations were in full swing, with 170 people currently involved in the cleanup effort. This number is set to increase to at least 200 by Aug 20 to address the immediate need for enhanced cleanup operations. Additional pollution patrols were to be conducted along the length of the adjoining beaches, to ensure that no oil was drifting outside of the predicted area. Weather conditions were continued to be monitored closely to determine the most efficient, most suitable and safest course of action. Report with photos:; https://blog.samsa.org.za/2024/08/20/grounded-vessel-on-south-africas-west-coast-tears-further-into-pieces-as-wintry-stormy-weather-continues-to-wreck-it-samsa/
MT TERRA NOVA
Residents and officials of Limay town are worried over the delayed siphoning of industrial oil from the 'Terra Nova'. Much of its oil cargo has yet to be siphoned out. After conducting simulated siphoning on Aug. 7, the Philippine Coast Guard and the salvor company shifted their focus on preventing an oil spill. The municipal government is regularly updated about the activities being conducted on the vessel. The salvage team was still waiting for the arrival of a more efficient suction device. The volume of oil has to be reduced for the vessel to become lighter and attain bouyancy before it can be towed to the nearest port.
ZHONG YU MARINE
On Aug. 18, 2024, the USCGC 'Oliver Henry (WPC 1140)' rescued six fishermen and towed their disabled fishing vessel to the Satawal Atoll in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). The Joint Rescue Sub-Center (JRSC) Guam watch received a distress alert from a 406MHz Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) registered in the United Stateson Aug 17 at approximately 9 a.m.. The beacon, lent out by a Yap-based owner to outer island fishermen, was activated, signaling potential distress about 27 nautical miles north northeast of Satawal. Upon receiving the alert, the JRSC Guam team launched a coordinated rescue effort involving the 'Oliver Henry' and the 'Zhong Yu Marine', en route from Hong Kong to Pohnpei, approximately 138 nautical miles north of the PLB location participating in the AMVER program. They also coordinated with the Department of Defense to secure aviation support. The 'Oliver Henry' diverted from their patrol 238 nautical miles north-northeast of the PLB for a 10-hour transit at the best speed. Despite challenging weather conditions, including low visibility and thunderstorms in the area, the 'Oliver Henry' and the 'Zhong Yu Marine' arrived at the search area by 3 a.m. While a U.S. Navy P-8 Poseidon airplane and crew out of Kadena Air Force Base was en route to assist, the fishermen were located prior to their arrival. At 8:20 a.m. the 'Oliver Henry' located the disabled 22-foot fiberglass boat with six fishers in good condition aboard about 11 nautical miles off Satawal. The boat, which had been adrift after suffering an engine failure, was towed to the Satawal Atoll by the 'Oliver Henry', arriving roughly two hours later. The sea state, reported to be less than a foot with winds out of the east at four knots, was particularly favourable for the tow. With the vessel and crew safely returning to shore, the 'Oliver Henry' returned to Guam due to a mechanical issue to conduct repairs before returning to sea.
CMA CGM BELEM
On Aug 16, 2024, the 'CMA CGM Beöem' encountered adverse weather off the coast of Richard Bay which caused a container stow tocollapse and resulted in the loss of 99 containers in the sea. The vessel had initially sought refuge at Maputo Bay. However, after further assessments, the decision was made to redirect the ship to Qheberha (Port Elizabeth), where it arrived on the anchorage on Aug 18. Given the size of the vessel, the Port of Ngqura terminal was the only one in local area suitable for the vessel. The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) requested vessels passing through the area to report any sighting of lost containers to the appropriate authorities by contacting the MRCC. Report wiht photo: http://africaports.co.za/#8862
X-PRESS PEARL
Vitaly Tyutkalo, who was the captain of the 'X-Press Pearl' on its last voyage, has been detained since the accident by local authorities, with a prohibition to leave Sri Lanka. He was charged with, but pleaded not guilty to, two breaches of Sri Lankan environmental laws. But despite more than three years, there is no prospect that a trial will decide the issue of guilt. The crew of the 'X-Press Pearl' discovered long before the ship caught fire that a leak had occurred in a container of hazardous waste, but no ports would accept the ship so that the container could be removed.
SALVAMAR LYRA
The 14-meter ailign yacht ''Babafi' ran aground on sandy bottom in the Bahía de Roses on Aug 20. The CCS Barcelona of Salvamento Marítimo mobilized the 'Salvamar Lyra' to assist. It refloated the yacht and towed it to the port of Palamós, where it was safely berthed.
GUARDAMAR TALIA
On the afternoon, of Aug 19, the Swiss flagged sailing yacht 'Tringa' with two crew members on board got in trouble 2.5 nautical miles south of Puerto del Rosario. They had a problem with the spinnaker and required assistance. In the area, there were 20 knots of wind and a swell of 1.5 meters height. The 'Guardamar Talía' took the yacht in tow and safely pulled it to Puerto del Rosario. The response was coordinated by the Rescue Center of Salvamento Marítimo in Las Palmas. Report with photos: https://x.com/salvamentogob/status/1825795606918434915
BRP BAGACAY
The Philippine Coast Guard cutters BRP 'Bagacay' and BRP 'Cape Engaño' were damaged om the night on Aug 19, 2024 during the latest resupply missions into the disputed areas near Second Thomas Shoal. Both vessels were holed and suffered the worst damage since the incidents began in the Spratly Islands. The vessels were underway when they encountered the Chinese vessels. Both sides stated that the vessels were headed toward the waters around Sabina Shoal in the same area as Second Thomas and the latest flashpoint in the conflicts. The BRP 'Cape Engano' was the first vessel that the Chinese attempted to stop with a collision with the' CCGV-3104'. About 20 minutes later and two miles from the first incident, the BRP 'Bagacay' and the 'CCGV 21551' were in collision. The 'Cape Engano' suffered the more significant damage withf a gash measuring 3.6 feet and damage to an engine exhaust. The 'Bagacay' suffered a hole approximately 2.5 feet long and 3 feet wide and a one-foot dent on the other side of the vessel. No injuries were reported. Report with photos and video: https://maritime-executive.com/article/video-two-philippine-cg-vessels-damaged-as-each-blame-other-for-collisions
SERENITY DIVA
On Aug 19, 2024, a crew member of the 'Serenity Diva', en route from Paranagua to Singapore, fell over board about 70 kilometers south of Cape Recife in the Eastern Cape. The ship issued a distress call at 3 a.m., which was received by the MRCC in Cape Town. The captain was not sure when the crewman went missing, except that he was last seen wearing blue overalls. It was not clear whether he had a lifejacket, In response, two vessels - the 'Cedrice Oldendorff' and the 'Hoanh Son', diverted to assist in the search.
CGC OLIVER HENRY
On Aug. 18, 2024, the USCGC 'Oliver Henry (WPC 1140)' rescued six fishermen and towed their disabled fishing vessel to the Satawal Atoll in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). The Joint Rescue Sub-Center (JRSC) Guam watch received a distress alert from a 406MHz Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) registered in the United Stateson Aug 17 at approximately 9 a.m.. The beacon, lent out by a Yap-based owner to outer island fishermen, was activated, signaling potential distress about 27 nautical miles north northeast of Satawal. Upon receiving the alert, the JRSC Guam team launched a coordinated rescue effort involving the 'Oliver Henry' and the Panama flagged cargo m/v 'Zhong Yu Marine' approximately 138 nautical miles north of the PLB location participating in the AMVER program. They also coordinated with the Department of Defense to secure aviation support. The 'Oliver Henry' diverted from their patrol 238 nautical miles north-northeast of the PLB for a 10-hour transit at the best speed. Despite challenging weather conditions, including low visibility and thunderstorms in the area, the 'Oliver Henry' and the 'Zhong Yu Marine' arrived at the search area by 3 a.m. While a U.S. Navy P-8 Poseidon airplane and crew out of Kadena Air Force Base was en route to assist, the fishermen were located prior to their arrival. At 8:20 a.m. the 'Oliver Henry' located the disabled 22-foot fiberglass boat with six fishers in good condition aboard about 11 nautical miles off Satawal. The boat, which had been adrift after suffering an engine failure, was towed to the Satawal Atoll by the 'Oliver Henry', arriving roughly two hours later. The sea state, reported to be less than a foot with winds out of the east at four knots, was particularly favourable for the tow. With the vessel and crew safely returning to shore, the 'Oliver Henry' returned to Guam due to a mechanical issue to conduct repairs before returning to sea.
MV SAM MCBRIDE
Speed and equipment failure contributed to the allision of the 'Sam McBride' with the Jack Layton docks on Aug 2022, according to investigators. The ship was sailing faster thanearlier in the day, perhaps influenced by the fact that the ferry was behind schedule, and only one of the vessel’s two propellers was turning as it approached the dock, according to a Transportation Safety Board investigation. The ferry was sailing at five knots as it approached the dock, which was two knots faster than its typical approach speed. There were more than 900 people on board that day, and 20 passengers were reported injured after losing their footing when the boat struck the dock with force. Emergency services responded to the occurrence and six of the injured passengers were taken to hospital. The investigation also found multiple deficiencies related to passenger safety management and emergency preparedness, among them: The TSB found no evidence that a safety drill including a large number of people representing the vessel’s maximum capacity had ever been conducted. An emergency drill in 2018 involved only 50 people acting as passengers. The city had also been operating the ferry with a crew of six instead of the minimum 13 recommended by Transport Canada in 2009. The investigation also found that the City of Toronto did not have written procedures addressing issues like safe approach speed for docking. Instead, the masters were left to operate in the way that they deemed appropriate. Without written procedures that defined safe practice for docking, decisions around travel or docking speed may have been influenced by operational pressures. The report took Transport Canada to task for failing to establish formal procedures to ensure that emergency procedures were in place to evacuate the vessel within 30 minutes of an abandon ship order. The report also found the city was not keeping an accurate account of the number of passengers getting on the ferry and that on some voyages, there were many more children on board than the number of child-sized life jackets. The TSB made three recommendations to Transport Canada: - Implement a requirement for crew members of all passenger vessels to complete appropriate training in passenger safety management - Implement a formal validation and approval process for passenger vessel evacuation procedures - Implement a process to validate that passenger vessels are keeping an accurate count of all passengers, including a separate count of children and infants, on all voyages.
AF CLAUDIA
On the evening of Aug 20, 2024, the Central Port Authority of Patras was informed that the "AF Claudia" had suffered a mechanical breakdown while it was in the port of Patras and about to depart for the execution of a scheduled route bound for the ports of Igoumenitsa and Venice. After a control by a Coastguard official. a fault has been detected in the automatic voltage regulator-distributor system. 144 passengers had boarded the ship. The Port Authority of Patras prohibited the ferry from sailing until a certificate of seaworthiness has been presented by the monitoring classification society, while the passengers were forwarded to their destination by the care of the owner company.
SALVAMAR ADHARA
On Aug 20 a cayuco was sighted approximately one nautical mile from La Restinga in El Hierro. The CCS Tenerife of Salvamento Marítimo mobilized the 'Salvamar Adhara' to assist, which escorted it to the port of La Restinga, where the 73 migrants aboard disembarked in apparently good health. Report with photo: https://x.com/salvamentogob/status/1825936676260294789
SALVAMAR SAIPH
On Aug 20 the motorboat 'Miracles' with one crew member on board requested assistance after it went adrift due to rudder problems near Cala Gossalba in the Bay of Pollença. The CCS Palma of Salvamento Marítimo mobilized the 'Salvamar Saiph' to assist, which took the boat in tow and safely pulled it to the port of Pollença.
PCG MRRV-4411
The Philippine Coast Guard cutters BRP 'Bagacay' and BRP 'Cape Engaño ' were damaged om the night on Aug 19, 2024 during the latest resupply missions into the disputed areas near Second Thomas Shoal. Both vessels were holed and suffered the worst damage since the incidents began in the Spratly Islands. The vessels were underway when they encountered the Chinese vessels. Both sides stated that the vessels were headed toward the waters around Sabina Shoal in the same area as Second Thomas and the latest flashpoint in the conflicts. The BRP 'Cape Engano' was the first vessel that the Chinese attempted to stop with a collision with the' CCGV-3104'. About 20 minutes later and two miles from the first incident, the BRP 'Bagacay' and the 'CCGV 21551' were in collision. The 'Cape Engano' suffered the more significant damage withf a gash measuring 3.6 feet and damage to an engine exhaust. The 'Bagacay' suffered a hole approximately 2.5 feet long and 3 feet wide and a one-foot dent on the other side of the vessel. No injuries were reported. Report with photos and video: https://maritime-executive.com/article/video-two-philippine-cg-vessels-damaged-as-each-blame-other-for-collisions
SERENADE OF THE SEAS
A group from Extinction Rebellion blocked the entrance to theport of Amsterdam on Aug 19, 2024, preventing the 'Serenade of the Seas' from entering the IJmuiden lock.The small group chained themselves to the locks in the latest of ongoing demonstrations against the cruise industry in the region. The police was called in the afternoon to clear the protestors from the locks, which happened at 5 p.m. The activists were released without being arrested. Report with photo: https://www.ad.nl/amsterdam/politie-maakt-einde-aan-blokkade-sluizen-ijmuiden-door-xr~a261fcdb/