16 years after the grounding of the Panamanian-flagged ferry “Assalama” (IMO 6712631), while leaving the port of Tarfaya on April 30, 2008, the removal and scrapping work on the ship, which stoically resisted the storms and inclement weather during all this time, was in an advanced state. The work involved a pontoon equipped with a crane and assisted by the “Koole 32”. The ferry, due to strong prevailing winds and the narrowness of the entrance, had allided with the breakwater of the port during the departure maneuver. On board, 114 passengers and several vehicles, and then ran aground in shallow waters. It was declared a total loss. Since then, it has been a tourist attraction in the area. Report with photos: https://www.puentedemando.com/el-pecio-del-ferry-assalama-ya-es-historia/?fbclid=IwY2xjawFXjghleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHUosRAFDReQCFXKEmWt7OH47hBQujSfcODTq_jiO7v5NBdhyJdeWEMRpwA_aem_crT-u1tTRes1veK9p1pMWA
News
SHINGLE
The sinking of the 'Shingle' in Killala Bay as an artificial reef was scheduled to take place on Sep 18 at 3.30 p.m. lThe ship had eft New Ross Harbour on Sep 15 and arrived in the bay on the afternoon Sep 17. The fish carrier was seized by Customs officers at Drogheda Port as part of a €14m tobacco seizure in 2014 and was held by the Revenue Commission. It remained in the dry dock at New Ross ever since. The Killala Bay Ships 2 Reef Ltd. invested up to €35,000 into the project, and they have also received €50,000 in funding from Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) towards it. The ship has since undergone thorough preparations including environmental procedures making it eco-friendly and fit for purpose as an artificial reef. The go-ahead to sink the vessel was given in July whenthe Mayo County Council granted planning permission for the preparation, transportation, positioning and placement of the vessel on the seabed as Ireland’s first artificial reef, Iit is hoped that the project can bring a boost in diving tourism to the west of Ireland as well as promoting local marine ecology. Report with video: https://www.westernpeople.ie/news/watch-smuggling-ship-heads-for-mayo-bay-ahead-of-scheduled-sinking_arid-31927.html
CATALINA COMMANDER
On Sep 11, 2024, a fire broke out aboard the 'Catelina Commander' off the coast of Nova Scotia. It was towed to theLower East Pubnico wharf, while smoke billowed from the fishing vessel. The crew was rescued, but the fire flared up again after vessel was towed to the port. The Woods Harbour Shag Harbour Volunteer Fire Department responded to the fire, which was still raging on Sep 12.
SALVAMAR ALPHERATZ
On Sep 17, the CCS Tenerife of Salvamento Marítimo got a telephone call from a cayuco, which was located 8.3 nautical miles west of Tenerife. The call was made by one of the occupants of the boat, who also indicated that they had left from the city of Nouadhibou. The cayuco with 54 migrants on board, including 11 minors, was located by the ferry 'Benchijigua Express' that covers the Tenerife-La Gomera route, Salvamento Marítimo mobilized the 'Salvamar Alpheratz' to assist. The SAR boat escorted the cayuco to Los Cristianos, where it arrived on the early afternoon, where medical attention wasprovided by SUC and Red Cross personnel, before the migrants were taken to a health center. Report with photo: https://x.com/salvamentogob/status/1836064755468972400
FV SIEMPRE PERLA
On Sep 17, 2024, at 7 a.m. a strong episode of spring tides has caused serious problems in the port of Vigo, where the ‘Siempre Perla’ has suffered a considerable list to starboard side, which has required the intervention of several tugs and emergency teams in dock 4 of the port, opposite the Cepsa supply point. The longliner was in the middle of a diesel bunkering operation at the O Berbés, when a failure in the valve system prevented the fuel from being redistributed to the port side, which led to an imbalance in the weight of the vessel. It touched part of the dock and with the ebb and flow of the tide the inclination increased. The intervention of two tugs, among them the 'Sanmartín', and a shore based crane enabled it to recover its position at midday. An anti-pollution barrier was also deployed to control any possible spillage into the sea. Reports with photos: https://www.vigoe.es/vigo/maritima/siempre-perla-escorado-en-el-puerto-de-vigo-debido-a-la-marea/ https://www.elprogreso.es/articulo/a-marina/estabilizan-pesquero-siempre-perla-que-escoro-puerto-vigo/202409171325381785678.html https://cadenaser.com/galicia/2024/09/17/el-palangrero-siempre-perla-estabilizado-tras-escorar-en-o-berbes-este-martes-radio-vigo/
DALI
Families of three of the workers who died when the 'Dali' plowed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore in March announced on Sep 17 that they will take legal action to hold the owners of the vessel legally liable for the deadly collapse. The families of three of the six victims asked a federal court to prevent the Grace Ocean Private Ltd., the Singapore-based company which owns the Dali, from escaping legal liability with regard to the maritime disaster. In April, Grace Ocean Private Limited and Synergy Marine Pte Ltd., as manager of the 'Dali', had filed a petition for exoneration from or limitation of liability in the federal district court in Maryland over the incident. Should the federal district court in Maryland allow the case to proceed, the victims' families could pursue legal action to obtain monetary compensation for the deaths of their relatives. The Gupta Wessler LLP was planning to file the motion to hold the Grace Ocean Private Ltd. legally liable before a deadline on Sep 24, which was triggered following the April petition. A preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) found that a crew member of the 'Dali' accidentally disabled the vessel’s equipment during in-port maintenance while it was moored at the Seagirt Marine Terminal in Baltimore on March 25. The ship experienced a second blackout due to insufficient fuel pressure for the online generator.
PELICAN OF LONDON
On Sep 12, 2024, the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has published its report into the drowning death of a cook on board the 'Pelican of London' on Oct 2, 2023, in the port of Sharpness (Gloucestershire), which could possibly have been prevented. The cook fell between two stools after a night out when he boarded the ship via the gangway upon his return. The Marine Accident Investigation Branch investigated and made recommendations in a safety bulletin. The sailing training vessel was moored at the quayside in Sharpness for maintenance. Mark Glover (64) was a volunteer cook. He had been ashore that evening and had probably been drinking. Upon his return, Glover, an experienced seaman, tried to board the ship via the gangway. However, he lost his balance when he tried to take the last step of the gangway onto the ship. He was not reported missing until the next morning. On the afternoon of Oct 3, police divers found his body in the water at the quay. The MAIB noted that there were no specific rules on board the ship regarding the use of alcohol and drugs. The crew members had no guidelines on how much alcohol was still acceptable and when it was no longer responsible to come on board in an apparent state. The gangway was a second risk factor. The mandatory safety rope as a hand guide was not adequate: the rope was too slack. Furthermore, the net to catch someone who unexpectedly fell was not properly installed. It served more as a slide than as a safety net For good safety, the handrail must be at least one metre high. The safety net under the gangway must be carefully installed under the entire span between the quay and the ship. Full report: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66dee82b0f4ba0621b08665c/2024-10-PelicanOfLondon-Report.pdf
SS GRAYWOLF
On the evening of Sep 17, 2024, the 'SS Graywolf', carrying a cargo of copper, was in danger of sinking off the coast of Sinop. The ship began taking in water 39 miles off İnceburun. The Coast Guard Black Sea Regional Command responded to the distress call. The ship was listing approximately 20 degrees to port side, but could be stabilized by the Coast Guard and shifted to the city’s natural harbour under the supervision of a rescue boat and a helicopter. It was anchored one mile offshore. A detailed examination was to be conducted by divers. Report with photo: https://www.haberaktuel.com/sinop-aciklarinda-ss-graywolf-isimli-gemi-sahil-guvenlik-tarafindan-kurtarildi-sinop-aciklarinda-ss-graywolf-isimli-gemi-sahil-guvenlik-tarafindan-kurtarildi-2938996 https://www.kastamonugundemgazetesi.com/kuru-yuk-gemisi-kurtarildi/67637/ https://www.aynahaber.net/sinopta-batma-tehlikesi-geciren-geminin-limana-demirlemesi.h35548
SALVAMAR SUHAIL
On Sep 17, the sailing yacht 'Ana' with two people on board was disabled and adrift in the mouth of Puerto Sherry due to an engine failure amd finally ran aground.The LS 'Jupiter', 'Salvamento Pto. Sta. María' and 'Salvamar Suhail' were mobilized to assist. The latter managed to take the boat in tow and pulled it to the dock of Puerto de Santa María.
FELICITY 8
On Sep 17 the PCG District Southern Tagalog was monitoring the grounded LCT 'Felicity 8', which was stuck some 200 meters away from the shore of Barangay Tilik, that ran aground after it nearly hit a fishing boat in Lubang, Occidental Mindoro, en route to the port of Tilik from Cabangan in Zambales. To refloat the 'Felicity 8', the Coast Guard instructed the crew to drop anchor and reduce the cargo to lighten the vessel. Following an inspection, members of the PCG Sub-station Lubang reported that the vessel’s bow was stuck and no sign of an oil spill was spotted. The PCG asked the captain of the m/v 'Banton Pearl' and the f/v 'Orene' to tow the 'Felicity 8' to deeper waters, but they failed. A diver hired by the PCG to inspect the hull of the ship for possible water omgressfound the opposite side of the port beam had flattened. The PCG advised the master to renew the vessel’s documents, including the safety and seaworthiness certification. As a safety precaution, fishermen were told to avoid fishing near the 'Felicity 8' Report with photo: https://www.philstar.com/nation/2024/09/18/2386024/pcg-monitoring-beached-cargo-ship
FV BREIZH ARVOR II
Desmond (Des) Hurley, 29, a crew membe rof the the 'Breizh Arvor II', fell off a ladder on Dec 14, 2023, fracturing his upper neck, which led to cardiac arrest and instant death, an inquest has heard. The Coroner’s Court in Bantry, Co Cork, heard he lost his balance while on a ladder in the accommodation deck of the family-owned fishing vessel. The ship had been fishing at the Porcupine Bank off the southwest coast of Ireland when the accident occurred. Coroner Frank O’Connell said unfortunately, it was a case “of lightning striking”, leading to a “one in a million death.” Mark Hurley, who is a brother of the deceased, said he asked Desmond to take over at the wheelhouse at close to midnight on Dec 13. Desmond went downstairs to change his jumper. Mark went looking for his brother when he did not come back up from the accommodation deck in a matter of minutes. He went looking for him in the accommodation deck and saw his brother lying on the floor. He and another crew member administered CPR on Des, but to no avail. Des had sustained a mark on his forehead. Mark, in his role as skipper, instructed the crew to haul in their nets so they could return back to shore. Mark contacted the Valentia Coastguard. He then called Medico to speak to a nurse. The crew member Haralambie Floren said he had experience in first aid and assisted Mark with CPR on Des, however, the administering of CPR was difficult because of sea swells. Sergeant Stephen O’Sullivan, who was on duty at Castletownbere Garda Station onthat day, said they were informed a death had occurred at sea. The fishing vessel returned to Castletownbere the same evening. Having accessed the scene, his opinion was Des probably slipped on a step as he made his way back up the timber stairs of the accommodation deck, having retrieved his jumper. Des possibly hit his head off the door frame of the room. Scenes of crimes investigators assessed the scene as a formality as there was no suggestion of anything untoward having happened. The Marine Casualty Board and the HSE were contacted as a matter of course. Dr Margaret Bolster carried out an autopsy on the body of Mr Hurley at the morgue in Cork City and found he sustained a fracture of the upper neck bone. She indicated the injury had caused Des’s heart to stop. In conclusion, coroner Frank O’Connell noted there was “strong circumstantial evidence” Des lost his footing on the ladder, sustained a neck injury and suffered cardio respiratory failure, concluding the death had occurred as a result of “extreme bad luck”.
ABEILLE NORMANDIE
A body was discovered off the coast of Ambleteuse in the English Channel on the morning of Sep 17, who could be a migrant. The crew of a fishing vessek spotted the body. The 'Abeille Normandie' then intervened to recover the body and bring him ashore. It was probably the body of an migrant, according to the maritime prefecture. He in a state of decomposition, making it impossible to determine whether it was a person reported missing during the sinking of a boat that left eight dead on the night of Sep 14 off the coast of Ambleteuse. However, the maritime prefecture did not rule out that the body was that of a migrant who disappeared during a shipwreck of Sep 3 off the coast of Wimereux that left 12 dead.
FOURMENTIN
On the early morning of Sep 16, the CROSS Griz-Nez was informed via the emergency medical aid service (SAMU) 62 of the presence of a migrant boat in the Berck-sur-mer sector. The CROSS deployed the 'Jacques Oudart Fourmentin' to locate and monitor the boat. After several hours of navigation, some people on the boat requested assistance from the patrol vessel, which then rescued 20 people, The other migrants were wishing to continue. Given the risks of falling overboard or injury incurred by the people in the event of forced intervention, the decision was made to let them continue their journey. The others were dropped off at the quay of the port of Boulogne-sur-Mer.
GUARDAMAR CALIOPE
On Sep 17 a cayuco was located 10 nautical miles from El Hierro. The 'Guardamar Calíope' was mobilized by the CCS Tenerife of Salvamento Marítimo. It managed to locate the boat and accompanied it to the port of La Restinga, where the 68 people on board safely disembarked.
POLAR PRINCE
On the first day of a hearing expected to last two weeks into the causes of the implosion of the "Titan" submersible on Sep 16, 2024, the US Coast Guard shared new findings about the last moments on board. Representatives of the Coast Guard testified that the 'Titan' had been exposed to the weather while in storage for a period of seven months between 2022 and 2023. In addition, the hull of the "Titan" had never been inspected by a third party in accordance with standard procedures. Shortly before the submersible "Titan" imploded on the way to the wreck of the "Titanic", the crew sent the message "Everything is fine here" to the surface. This is evident from an animation on the fate of the "Titan" in the North Atlantic, which was presented by the US Coast Guard on Sep 16. The presentation shows that the crew members of the "Titan" communicated with crew on board the "Polar Prince" via text messages. They exchanged information about the depth and weight of the "Titan". The crew on board the "Polar Prince" inquired whether the ship could still be seen on the on-board display, because as the submersible continued to descend, the crew lost the signal that indicated the depth and weight of the'Titan', but shortly afterwards contact was lost. According to the lawsuit, the 'Titan' had "lost weight" about 90 minutes after launch, suggesting the team had apparently tried to abort the dive. During the hearing, the first photo of the submersible wreck has been released to the public, showing a large portion of the hull sticking upright on the ocean floor. Report with photo: https://globalnews.ca/news/10759640/titan-sub-wreck-photo-image-coast-guard-hearing-titanic/