The Indian Navy’s re-capturing of the 'Ruen' from pirates off Somalia’s coast has showed how Delhi’s military has developed special forces capabilities on par with some of the world’s best, analysts said. The operation involved a navy destroyer, a patrol ship, an Indian Air Force C-17 transporter flying more than 1,500 miles to airdrop marine commandos, a naval drone, a reconnaissance drone and a P-8 surveillance jet. The success of the operation marks the Indian Navy as a top-class force in terms of training, command and control and other capabilities, according to the Council on Foreign Relations International Affairs. The risk was minimized by using a coordinated force that includes use of a warship, drones, fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, and marine commandos. Spanish, Japanese and Indian warships had tracked the bulk carrier as it was taken into Somali territorial waters. When the 'Ruen', now operated by a pirate crew, last week left Somali waters with the intent of committing acts of piracy on the high seas, the Indian Navy made moves to intercept it. The destroyer INS 'Kolkata', operating in the area to help ensure international maritime security, used a ship-launched drone to confirm the 'Ruen' was being operated by armed pirates. After the pirates fired on the drone, destroying it, and then on the Indian warship itself, the INS 'Kolkata' responded by firing on the 'Ruen', disabling its steering and navigation. As the INS 'Kolkata' sought the surrender of the pirates, the commandos parachuted in after a 10-hour flight from India. Rafts were also dropped into the ocean from the large transport for marines to reach the 'Ruen'. The Indian show of force proved too much for the pirates. Due to sustained pressure and calibrated actions by the Indian Navy over the last 40 hours, all 35 Somali pirates surrendered. Bulgarian leaders, including President Rumen Radev, thanked India and its Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the operation. The incident highlighted the professionalism of the Indian Navy, and Delhi’s marine commando force, known as MARCOS, had learned from its US and British counterparts. The captured pirates were due to arrive in India on March 23 and will be handed over to the law enforcement agencies for prosecution.
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SENJA
On March 19, 2024, at 1.:08 p.m. the police removed a bag with white or yellow powder from the 'Senja', after they took action against the ship in Tromsø. It was the shipping company itself that interrupted the fishing and reported to the police that a bag of powder had been discovered on the trawler. The matter has now been forwarded to the Norwegian Customs Authority. All crew members were tested negative.
KEOYOUNG SUN
On March 20, 2024, the 'Keoyoung Sun' en route from Himeji to Ulsan with 11 crew members - eight Indonesians, two South Koreans, one of whom the captain, and one Chinese -, and a cargo of 980 metric tons of acrylic acid on board, has capsized nine kilometers north-northwest off Mutsurejima Island in Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture. On March 20 at 12.06 a.m. the chemical tanker applied to the Moji Coast Guard for emergency anchoring to wait until the weather improved and moored off the coast of Mutsurejima at around 2:05 a.m. The issued a distress call to the Coast Guard and requested assistance at 7.05 a.m. LT (March 19, 10 p.m. GMT), reporting that the vessel was tilting over. The Moji Coast Guard dispatched patrol boats and two helicopters to the scene, and confirmed that the chemical tanker had capsized. By 5 p.m. nine crew members have been recovered, all wearing live jackets. Seven of them were dead, one was rescued with non-life-threatening injuries, and one whose condition was unknown. The Coast Guard is searching for the remaining two.the search for the others was going on. A local weather observatory was issuing warnings for strong wind with speeds of 54 km/h and high waves as of 7 a.m. The ship had dropped anchor off Mutsure island because of the stormy weather before it turned over. The wreck was found drifting bottom up in the sea with a raft nearby. Reports with photos and video: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2024/03/20/japan/south-korean-tanker-capsizes/ https://qz.com/south-korean-tanker-capsizes-off-southwestern-japan-9-1851350987 https://www.yomiuri.co.jp/national/20240320-OYT1T50047/ https://ctinews.com/news/items/4OaZ2r2oa6 https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASS3N0SP7S3NTIPE001M.html https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdvEThEJohw
BOKA VANGUARD
On March 1, 2024, at 2.10 a.m. the 'Boka Vanguard' was boarded by four perpetrators, armed with knives, at the Pulau Batam Anchorage in pos. 1° 11.6' N 103° 59' E. The intruders stole a wlding cable.
RED JET 6
Disruptions on Red Funnel's Red Jet service were to continue until at least March 22. A replacement vessel of Blue Funnel was running in its place but journeys are taking up to 50 minutes, as opposed to the usual 28 minutes. Red Funnel was to run three extra sailings from both Southampton and Cowes at peak times after a water jet issue was reported with the 'Red Jet 6' and a technical issue with the starboard jet room on the 'Red Jet 7'. The 'Red Jet 6' was docked in Southampton, alongside the 'Red Jet 4', while the 'Red Jet 7' was sent to the Wight Shipyard, East Cowes. Repairs to the 'Red Jet 7's jet propulsion system were underway. Red Jet crossings - March 19 to March 22: Departing Southampton: 05:30 / 06:40 / 07:50 / 09:00 / 10:20 / 11:30 / 12:40 / 13:50 / 15:00 / 16:10 / 17:20 / 18:30 / 19:40 / 21:05 / 22:30 Departing West Cowes: 06:05 / 07:15 / 08:25 / 09:35 / 10:55 / 12:05 / 13:15 / 14:25 / 15:35 / 16:45 / 17:55 / 19:05 / 20:15 / 21:40 / 23:05 Additional Blue Funnel crossings: Departing Southampton: 07:30 / 09:50 / 16:50 Departing West Cowes: 06:30 / 08:50 / 15:50
GARCIA DEL CID
The Government justified that the woman missing from the 'Garcia del Cio' had a single cabin, and the accused was not present. This was stated by the Executive in a parliamentary response after being asked by Podemos about who made the decision that a woman had to work with her attacker, and what responsibilities were going to be assumed in this regard. The Government recalled that the aforementioned complaint of sexual harassment took place in 2019 and added that when, in 2020, the Prosecutor's Office determined the dismissal of the criminal case,it did so because the complainant and the person she reported signed an agreement in which both explained that it had been a misunderstanding. Among other things, the agreement admitted the possibility of matching the minimum essentials with the occasion of her work activity and the complainant was also provided with an individual cabin. The Executive specified that the ship has its own agreement, with its own working conditions (salaries, permits, vacations, professional categories, etc.) but it did not include mobility of workers who were subject to this agreement. "When the missing person boarded, she did so because she had all the required reports: employment registration, certificate from the Social Institute of the Navy (ISM) and medical examination of fitness for boarding. A failure to board would imply not allowing the worker to carry out her job, counting with all the aptitude requirements. When the disappearance occurred, the person initially reported was not part of the ship's role, so he was not present when she set sail. During the entire procedure the CSIC has acted in accordance with current regulations. The Government indicated that the CSIC had carried out its own internal investigation of the events. The organization considered training in gender equality and prevention of sexual and sex-based harassment as one of the basic pillars for its prevention. Regarding the protocols for cases of sexual harassment of the CSIC, it clarified that on ships, in particular, in addition to systematically authorizing all requests for training on the subject given within the training plan of the research organization that are requested by the staff on-board or shore-based support for the activity of the fleet's vessels, numerous specific activities are carried out for the prevention, detection and treatment of incidents of any type. Finally, it highlights that in the CSIC, between 2019 and 2023, there were 12 formal complaints and 12 activations of the protocol, seven were admitted for processing and disciplinary proceedings were opened in five cases, and in three of them sanctions were applied. Cases that did not fall within the scope of application of the protocol were also monitored.
ESP NAVY SHIP
The 'Centinela-P 72' has monitored a convoy formed by the Russian frigate 'Admiral Grigorovich' and the cargo ships 'Sparta IV' and 'Ursa Mayor' and the oil tanker 'Yaz' on their way from Algeria through the Alboran Sea to the Strait of Gibraltar from March 10 to 16, 2024. The Russian warship was closely followed by the Navy patrol vessel off the coast of Almería. The Russian warship was intercepted on the northern border between Algerian and Spanish waters and was uninterrupted monitored until the frigate left the waters in the direction of the Atlantic. As soon as it became aware of the Russian presence on the border with Algeria, the patrol vessel, as part of its maritime surveillance and security mission, repositioned itself heading towards the Strait to permanently track and monitor the Russian frigate and merchant ships.
HUMANITY 1
An Italian civil court has overturned the arrest of the 'Humanity 1'. The responsible judge in the southern Italian city of Crotone found the authorities' determination of "Humanity 1" to be unlawful after his preliminary assessment on March 18. The ship had arrived in the port of Crotone after rescuing 77 migrants and was detained for 20 days. The crew of the “Humanity 1” said they had helped migrants who had gotten into distress in three boats off Libya and Tunisia. Helpers and refugees were also threatened with armed force by the so-called Libyan Coastguard. There were chaotic scenes. and one person drowned. Shortly afterwards, the people were brought ashore in Calabria. Authorities accused the crew of the ship of violating rules for rescuing migrant boats in the Mediterranean. SOS Humanity appealed. According to the aid organization, a final hearing in the process is scheduled for mid-April.
HEBRIDEAN PRINCESS
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has published an interim investigation report into the capsize of the tug 'Biter' while assisting the 'Hebridean Princess' near Greenock, Inverclyde, on Feb 24, 2023, in which George Taft, 65, of Greenock and Ian Catterson, 73, of Millport, drowned as they were unable to escape the tug, which was upturned in the water for 35 minutes before it sank. The report said the tug ‘girted and capsized’ while approaching the James Watt Dock amid good visibility, high water and a slack tidal stream. The tug’s towing arrangement, its watertight integrity, the training and experience of the personnel involved and the management of towing operations within the port have all been considered during its investigations. The MAIB report found there was no damage to the 'Hebridean Princess' which had 45 passengers on board at the time of the incident. Report with photo: https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/news/glasgow-news/tugboat-capsized-river-clyde-killing-28845668
SALVAMAR ADHARA
On March 19 a canoe was rescued by the crew of the 'Salvamar Adhara' in stormy seas near the Port of La Estaca (El Hierro). The 58 occupants were transferred to La Restinga. The LS 'Hades ' of the Cruz Roja was also mobilized, as well as the Guardia Civil. The response was coordinated by the CCS Tenerife of Salvamento Marítimo. Video: https://twitter.com/salvamentogob/status/1770347009595060519
KAPITAN LOBANOV
A fire broke out following an explosion aboard the 'Kapitan Lobanov' in the Kaliningrad Region on March 19, 2024. Around 11 a.m. the ship activated a distress signal. The trawler had seven crew members on board, four of whom were injured. The trawler sank in the Baltic Sea near the city of Pionersky. One person was said to have died and two others were missing.The injured were to be given all necessary medical aid. The regional authorities would provide support for the families of those affected. The"Kapitan Lobanov" in July 2021, already sank at the coast of Svetly, while being put on a slip for repairs of small vessels. Report with photos: https://www.tv3.lt/naujiena/uzsienis/baltijos-juroje-nuskendo-rusu-laivas-pranesama-apie-sprogima-denyje-n1325651?priority=6
ABDULLAH
Somali police and international navies were preparing on March 18 to attack the 'Abdullah', that was hijacked by pirates in the latest of more than 20 attacks since November by Somali pirates, two days after Indian commandos rescued the 'Ruen', also held by pirates. The police force from the semi-autonomous region of Puntland was on high alert and prepared to participate in an operation against the pirates holding the 'Abdullah', after they got reports that international navies were planning an attack. On March 17, the Puntland police said they had seized a vehicle that was transporting the narcotic khat to be supplied to the pirates on board the 'Abdullah'. Meherul Karim, chief executive officer of SR Shipping, stated on March 18 that they had not been informed of any such plan: "The safety of our crew members is our top priority. We couldn't afford to risk the lives of our sailors, so we declined the proposal for a rescue operation by the EU Maritime Force and the Indian Navy. We have already informed the government to deny any further approach to conduct military operations. The news of preparation to launch an attack caught our attention and we are trying to communicate with the government as we do not have any plan to allow any military intervention on the ship as there is always a risk of casualties on board." The ship was located four nautical miles from the Godobjiraan shore in north-eastern Somalia as of March 17.
RUEN
The 35 Somali pirates who surrendered to the Indian navy after it freed the'Ruen' are being brought back to India to stand trial. The pirates had hijacked the bulk carrier with the intention of using it as a mothership to launch attacks on other commercial vessels in the region. They also shot down a small observation drone flown from the destroyer INS 'Kolkata' during the rescue operation. The pirates opened fire on the warship, thereby implicating in an act of aggression against the Indian Navy, which is why they are being brought back to India. In a calibrated response in line with international laws, the INS 'Kolkata' disabled the ship's steering system and navigation aids, forcing it to stop. The Indian Navy forced the pirates to surrender and secured the release of 17 crew members from Bulgaria, Angola and the Myanmar, without any injuries. The pirates will be prosecuted in accordance with international law and guidelines. There was concern that if these pirates were allowed to leave, they could regroup and restart their attacks.
JENNIFER
The 'Jennifer', loaded with humanitarian aid for the Gaza Strip, will leave Larnaca in the coming days, the Cypriot authorities announced on MArch 19. Certain factors must be taken into account, in particular the weather conditions which must be favorable for the departure of the second vessel. The cargo has been loaded onto the ship and the necessary checks have been carried out. A meeting is planned for March 21 in Cyprus with representatives from 40 countries, in order to ensure the necessary coordination to increase the flow of humanitarian aid intended for the civilian population of Gaza and guarantee the continuity of this flow. The humanitarian aid that arrived in the Gaza Strip on March 15 aboard the 'Open Arms' was transported by a UN agency in the north of the Palestinian territory. The maritime humanitarian corridor was opened from Cyprus to deal with the insufficient aid entering by truck into the Palestinian territory.
NISSOS AEGINA
On March 19, 2024, the Central Port Authority of Piraeus was informed by the Master of the 'Nissos Aegina', that the ferry, after its arrival en route from the port of Aegina at the port of Piraeus, suffered a mechanical damage to the generator. The next scheduled sailings of the ship from the port of Piraeus to the port of Aegina were cancelled, while passengers and vehicles were forwarded to their destination by the company with other ships. The port authority banned the ship from sailing until the repair of the damage and the presentation of a certificate of class maintenance by the monitoring classification society.
YANGTZE CROWN
On March 6, 2024, at 12.35 a.m. three perpetrators boarded the 'Yangtze Crown', en route from Corpus Christi to Tianjin off Pulau Cula in pos. 1° 3.33' N 02° 103.40.23' E, The pirates stole engine spare parts. The ship berthed at the Tianjin Port Fourth Stevedoring Company Terminal on March 18.
RED JET 7
Disruptions on Red Funnel's Red Jet service were to continue until at least March 22. A replacement vessel of Blue Funnel was running in its place but journeys are taking up to 50 minutes, as opposed to the usual 28 minutes. Red Funnel was to run three extra sailings from both Southampton and Cowes at peak times after a water jet issue was reported with the 'Red Jet 6' and a technical issue with the starboard jet room on the 'Red Jet 7'. The 'Red Jet 6' was docked in Southampton, alongside the 'Red Jet 4', while the 'Red Jet 7' was sent to the Wight Shipyard, East Cowes. Repairs to the 'Red Jet 7's jet propulsion system were underway. Red Jet crossings - March 19 to March 22: Departing Southampton: 05:30 / 06:40 / 07:50 / 09:00 / 10:20 / 11:30 / 12:40 / 13:50 / 15:00 / 16:10 / 17:20 / 18:30 / 19:40 / 21:05 / 22:30 Departing West Cowes: 06:05 / 07:15 / 08:25 / 09:35 / 10:55 / 12:05 / 13:15 / 14:25 / 15:35 / 16:45 / 17:55 / 19:05 / 20:15 / 21:40 / 23:05 Additional Blue Funnel crossings: Departing Southampton: 07:30 / 09:50 / 16:50 Departing West Cowes: 06:30 / 08:50 / 15:50
VIKING SKY
The National Accident Investigation Board has made 14 safety recommendations after the accident with the 'Viking Sky' on March 19, 2029, when it lost engine power at Hustadvika in Møre og Romsdal, and believed the cruise ship should never have left the dock. It was estimated that the ship was only about a ship's length away from hitting the ground, and with 1,374 people on board, the accident had the potential to become one of the worst disasters at sea in modern times, the Accident Investigation Board wrote in its report. A disaster alarm was sounded and a massive rescue operation was launched to evacuate passengers from the 'Viking Sky'. During the long and dramatic rescue operation, more than 400 passengers were hoisted and transported to shore by rescue helicopter. The accident was due to low oil levels in all the operating diesel generators' lubricating oil tanks, in combination with pounding and rolling in high seas. The investigation has revealed operational, technical and organizational security problems which in various ways contributed to the blackout. The direct cause of the vessel's engines stopping was low oil pressure, the Norwegian Maritime Directorate stated a few days after the accident. Due to the low level of the tanks, combined with the heavy storm, the oil on the tanks sloshed so much that air was eventually sucked in. The result was that the engines were not supplied with lubricating oil and stopped. Recovery from the blackout was time-consuming, and it took 39 minutes to get both propulsion engines operating so that the ship had enough power to maintain a speed of between 1 and 5 knots. Blackout exercises had previously been carried out on board, but never based on a full blackout without a stand-by generator available. The engineers were therefore faced with a situation they had not trained to handle. The situation was stressful, the control system was complex, and there was a need to perform certain actions in a given order. Inadequate training probably contributed to the recovery being time-consuming, the Accident Investigation Board stated in its report from March 19, 2024: https://havarikommisjonen.no/Sjofart/Avgitte-rapporter/2024-05