The 'Prestigious', apprehended on suspicion of engaging in illegal oil bunkering, was still in the custody of the Nigerian Navy on the Bonny River Anchorage. The vessel belongs to an oil service and transportation company, Newcross Exploration and Production Ltd., which uses it to service barges that convey crude to oil export mother ships on the high seas off Bonny. It was arrested by the Inspector-General of Police’s Oil Bunkering Team on suspicion of engaging in illegal oil bunkering.
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SAGAMORE
The 'Sagamore' left Larnaca to a new makeshift port off the Gaza Strip on May 9, 2024. The aim was to deliver as much aid as possible via the maritime corridor. About two months ago, US President Biden commissioned the American armed forces to build a floating pier, which was recently completed. The platform is located a few kilometers from the coast of the Gaza Strip and is intended to become a hub for humanitarian aid. There is no port in the Palestinian territory deep enough for larger cargo ships.
BRP LAKE CALIRAYA
US and Philippine forces sank the decommissioned BRP 'Lake Carilya' of the Philippine Navy on May 8, 0224, at 10.50 a.m. LT during a sinkex simulating an attack on an enemy vessel near the city of Laoag, around 400 kilometers south of Taiwan. The tanker slowly dipped below the 1000 ft deep water after being struck by waves of anti-ship missiles, rockets, cannon fire and land-based artillery off Laoag. At around 8:30 a.m., a Philippine Navy’s Fast Attack Interdictor Craft (FAIC) fired a spike-non-line-of-sight missile targeting the superstructure of the mock enemy ship. After the naval attack, the Philippine Air Force utilized its AW-109 attack helicopters targeting the mock enemy vessel with rockets and guns. This was followed by the firing of C-Star missiles by one of the Philippine Navy frigates, the BRP 'Jose Rizal'. Complementing the missile strike were other naval and aerial assets participating in the simulated attack on the target ship. Reports with photo and video: https://tribune.net.ph/2024/05/08/joint-drill-sinks-dummy-vessel https://www.newsweek.com/us-allies-sink-china-made-naval-vessel-war-drills-1898419
CARNIVAL VENEZIA
A US Air Force rescue team airlifted a passenger needing urgent medical care from the 'Carnival Venezia' on May 4, 2024. The operation involved three helicopter air-to-air refuelings to reach the vessel, which was returning to port in New York City after stops in the Bahamas and Caribbean, which was sailing about 350 nautical miles from the US mainland. Called into action from Patrick Space Force Base in Florida were two HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters, two HC-130J Combat King II aircraft and two teams of combat rescue officers and pararescuemen, the release said. The mission was carried out by two HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters, two HC-130J Combat King II aircraft and two teams of rescuers. The eight-hour mission covered more than 1,200 miles round trip over open ocean. The mission was carried out by two HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters, two HC-130J Combat King II aircraft and two teams of rescuers. The eight-hour mission covered more than 1,200 miles round trip over open ocean. Because of the distance that had to be covered, the 920th Rescue Wing had to employ the helicopter air-to-air refuelings. When the aircraft arrived, rescuers were hoisted down from the helicopters and began preparing the patient for transport. The patient and his mother were taken up into the helicopter, and he received medical attention en route to a hospital on the mainland. The cruise line worked with Air Force and US Coast Guard officials to adjust Venezia’s course to meet the helicopter. The ship continued towards New York after the airlift and arrived as scheduled on May 6. Report with photos: https://edition.cnn.com/travel/us-air-force-medical-airlift-carnival-cruise-ship/index.html
CELEBRITY EDGE
Authorities in Hawaii were investigating claims that the 'Celebrity Edge' had sailed too close to shore when passing Hawaii’s protected Na Pali coast, en route from Honolulu to Vancouver. It allegedly came within 1,000 feet of Kauai’s north shore last week. Local laws prohibit ships with more than 50 passengers from sailing within 3,000 feet of the island’s coast. Hawaii’s Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) was aware of these incidents and an investigation was continuing. The DLNR has also consulted with the US Coast Guard and Department of was aware on the matter. The 'Celebrity Edge' has since left Hawaii and was heading for Vancouver, where it is due to arrive on May 11, 2024.