The 'Heriberto Hernandez' repatriated 38 migrants to the Dominican Republic on April 24, 2024, following two interdictions of unlawful, irregular migration attempts near Puerto Rico. The repatriated migrants were transferred to Dominican Republic authorities during a rendezvous with a Dominican Republic Navy vessel just off the Dominican Republic. Two other interdicted migrants remained in U.S. custody facing criminal immigration charges in the U.S. District Court of Puerto Rico. During the interdiction on April 21, a Coast Guard HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircrew sighted a 20-foot grossly overloaded makeshift vessel, approximately 45 nautical miles northeast of Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Coast Guard watchstanders in Sector San Juan diverted the 'Heriberto Hernandez' to intercept the suspect vessel. Following the interdiction, the crew embarked 13 migrants, who claimed to be Dominican Republic nationals. During an interdiction on April 22, the aircrew of a Coast Guard HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircraft sighted a 30-foot grossly overloaded makeshift vessel, approximately 31 nautical miles west of Ricon, Puerto Rico. Coast Guard watchstanders at Sector San Juan diverted the 'Winslow Griesser' to intercept the suspect vessel. Following the interdiction, the crew embarked 31 migrants, of which 27 claimed to be Dominican Republic nationals and four claimed to be Haitians. Report with photo: https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/3755880/coast-guard-repatriates-38-migrants-to-dominican-republic-following-2-interdict/
News
SALVAMAR ALGENIB
The motor boat 'Las Palomas' (MMSI: 224271690) with two crew members on board suffered an engine failure on April 25 and asked for assistance about 14 nautical miles from Garrucha. The CCS Almería of Salvamento Marítimo mobilized the 'Salvamar Algenib', which took the pleasure boat in tow and safely pulled it to Garrucha. Report with photos: https://twitter.com/salvamentogob/status/1783492593738821689
T-MARE
As the Ukraine attempts to restore operations in the Black Sea, the container ship 'Pros Hope' (IMO: 9319557) was welcomed in Chornomorsk on April 21, 2ß24, after a two-year gap since the Russian war started on Feb 24, 2022. The ship sailed again on April 25 en route to Constanta. This call followed the arrival of a feeder vessel at the beginning of April, which marked a significant success in the restoration efforts in the Black Sea. At the beginning of the month, a Turkish freight forwarder initiated a container service connecting the port through a feeder operation using the 'T Mare', which called at Chornomorsk on April 4 en route to Constanta. Another ship, the 'T Moon', was added to the feeder operations between Romania and Turkey, another success in the restoration efforts being made towards Black Sea maritime operations.
PACIFIC ACHIEVDL
The 'Pacific Achievement' ran aground at km 341.8 of the Paranà River on April 21, 2024. The Coastguard has re-instated navigation at the area on April 22 with a draft restriction of 10.39M FW. The ship was refloated and resumed its voyage from San Lorenzo to the Delta Zone with an ETA as of April 25.
TAI KEYSTONE
An Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) report stated that the tail rotor of an Agusta A109 helicopter struck a handrail while landing on the 'Tai Keystone' on Dec 6, 2023, as the pilot did not detect the obstacle, and the ship’s crew were using an older version of the vessel’s helicopter operations checklist. The report detailed that the helicopter was conducting marine pilot transfer operations to the bulk carrier, which was about 240 km north-east of Mackay, Queensland. As the helicopter’s wheels touched down on the ship’s helicopter landing site, the tail rotor struck an upright handrail that was not identified by the pilot during his approach. The pilot reported hearing a shredding noise and an increase in the engine pitch before completing the emergency shutdown procedure. The helicopter siffered substantial damage and was secured to the deck of the vessel, which then returned to Hay Point to allow the helicopter to be recovered. The ATSB investigation found that the ship’s crew was using an older version of the vessel’s helicopter operations checklist, which did not require the removal of the handrail, and the handrail was not removed during preparation of the landing site. In addition, the handrail was not painted in a color that contrasted with the ship’s deck, which was not in accordance with international guidance. The helicopter was also not positioned correctly during the landing, resulting in its tail rotor being outside the obstacle free zone. While it is the responsibility of the pilot in command to ensure that a landing area is safe, vessel operators should ensure their procedures and landing areas on ships are aligned with the relevant guidance material. To best aid pilots, objects that present a threat to a landing helicopter that are retractable, collapsible or removable should be painted in an appropriate color to ensure they are visible if forgotten or missed. Since the accident, the ship’s operator has updated the relevant checklist, and the helicopter operator has amended its procedures to ensure helicopter pilots are provided with a visual representation of each individual vessel’s helicopter landing site prior to departure. Report with photo: https://www.marinelink.com/news/old-checklist-led-helicopter-incident-513209
CG PELICAN
The 'Pelican' interdicted a lancha and seized 350 pounds of illegally caught fish in federal waters off southern Texas on April 25, 2024, in coordination with Coast Guard Sector Corpus Christi watch standers, and Coast Guard Air Station Corpus Christi aircrews. The patrol boat located and stopped four Mexican fishermen engaged in illegal fishing north of the Maritime Boundary Line. After interdicting the lanchas, Coast Guard personnel seized 350 pounds of red snapper, along with fishing gear and highflyers on board the vessels. They detained the men, brought them ashore and transferred the detainees to U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel for further processing. The seized fish will be split and donated to the Harte Institute to support Illegal Unreported and Unregulated Fishing research and Sea Turtle Inc. to help feed and rehabilitate turtles. Report with photos: https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/3694110/coast-guard-interdicts-lancha-crew-seizes-350-pounds-of-illegally-caught-fish-o/
SALVAMAR ENIF
On April 25, the CNCS received a rediobeacon alert from the Spanish flagged fishing vessel 'Monterero' with two crew members on board 23 nautical miles southwest of Trafalgar, which had suffered an engine failure and requested assistance. The CCS Tarifa of Salvamento Marítimo mobilized the 'Salvamar Enif' from Barbate, which took the ship in tow and safely pulled it to the port of Conil.
PROS HOPE
As the Ukraine attempts to restore operations in the Black Sea, the 'PRos Hope' was welcomed in Chornomorsk on April 21, 2ß24, after a two-year gap since the Russian war started on Feb 24, 2022. The ship sailed again on April 25 en route to Constanta. This call followed the arrival of a feeder vessel at the beginning of April, which marked a significant success in the restoration efforts in the Black Sea. At the beginning of the month, a Turkish freight forwarder initiated a container service connecting the port through a feeder operation using the feeder vessel 'T Mare' (IMO: 9007001), which touched Ukraine while en route to Romania. Another ship, the 'T Moon', was added to the feeder operations between Romania and Turkey, another success in the restoration efforts being made towards Black Sea maritime operations.
LA 06695
When on April 24, 2024, the 'LA-06695' was towing the barge 'LA-06883' of the Minh Linh Company Ltd., loaded with gravel, from Ky Ha (Quang Nam) to the Ly Son district (Quang Ngai), the barge suddenly sank four nautical miles from Ly Son district. The incident left at least four people dead and one person currently missing. When the authorities arrived at the scenem they initially found three bodies. By the afternoon, one more body was found. The five crew members included Pham Van Hiep (captain), Dang Minh Phuong (Long An); Vo Tan Khuong, Vo Van Nhieu and Bui Minh Tri (Quang Ngai). Currently, the four bodies found have not been identified. The Quang Ngai Maritime Port Authority has coordinated with Ly Son District People's Committee and the Ly Son District Border Guard Station to continue the SAR operation. The Quang Ngai Maritime Port Authority also issued a notice to the Region II Maritime SAR Coordination Center to support the search for the missing crew members. Report with photos: https://petrotimes.vn/quang-ngai-chim-sa-lan-khien-4-thuyen-vien-tu-vong-710033.html
DENAK VOYAGER
Beached at CHittagong 25.04.24 https://www.facebook.com/100057226638708/videos/768579022082818
OAK EXPRESS
the cargo m/v 'Everwin 11' (IMO: 8630992) allided with the 'Oak Express' on April 11, 2024, at Batangas. The 'Oak Express' was docked in Mabini town’s Landoor pier when the 'Everwin 11' hit its port quarter due to strong sea currents and winds, causing the vessel to drag while maneuvering. The tanker suffered dents, scratches, and punctured port quarter platings. As of April 25, the 'Everwin 11' was still under the custody of the Coast Guard District Southern Tagalog. The 'Oak Express' left the port of Batangas on April 23 at 11.35 a.m. UTC, headed to Shekou.
CG SEA OTTER
The 'Sea Otter' was among the units responding to a fire that started on the Oceanside Pier in San Diego on the afternoon of April 25, 2024. Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector San Diego Joint Harbor Operations Center received notification from the Oceanside Fire Department of a fire on the pier, that was reported to have originated from a vacant restaurant. The 'Sea Otter' was in the area, and the crew began responding to the fire with the use of pumps and hoses. Members of the California Fire Department and San Diego Sheriff’s Department also arrived to assist with response efforts. There have been no reported injuries. Report with photo: https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/3756773/coast-guard-partner-agencies-respond-to-pier-fire-near-oceanside/
AK DISCOVERY
On April 25, 2024, a fire broke out in the engine room of the 'AK Discovery' in front of Akbaş during the transit of the Dardanelles wen route from Abu Qir to Varna. The General Directorate of Coastal Safety of the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure coordinated the response, and the fire was extinguished. Cooling work on the ship was continued. After the cooling works have been completed, the ship was taken in tow by the 'Kurtarma 13' (IMO:9913573). Coordinated by the Çanakkale Ship Traffic Services Center, the ship was taken to Karanlık Liman, accompanied by the tug 'Türkeli' and assisted by a pilot, and moored in pos. 40° 01.08' N 026° 16.40' E. Reports with photos: https://twitter.com/kiyiemniyet/status/1783544764446462197 https://twitter.com/kiyiemniyet/status/1783560469648679096
BALSA 94
On April 25, 2024, at 3 p.m. UTC the 'Balsa 94' was the first large vessel to leave the port of Baltimore, en route to Saint John with an ETA as of April 29, after an involuntary 33-day stay due to the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. Two hours after a new temporary channel was opened by the US Coast Guard, the ship sailed past the remains of the bridge. It had arrived in Baltimore on March 23, three days before the bridge collapsed, and had thus been in Baltimore for 33 days The ship was assisted out through the narrow temporary channel, which has a depth of 11.5 meters by two tugbs and at a speed of less than five knots. The ship was followed by i.a. the car transport ship 'Carmen' from Wallenius Wilhelmsen, which had been ready for departure before the collapse of the bridge. The shipping company has previously estimated that the involuntary stay would cost them 5-10 million. Dollar in lost operating earnings. The temporary channel is open for four days, during which the port will prioritize the approximately 12 larger ships that have been waiting to leave for a month. Three ships were lined up April 25 to be allowed to enter the port of Baltimore through the new temporary channel, while container barges continued to use another cleared passage with a depth of six meters. Reports with photos and video: https://www.maritimedanmark.dk/forste-storre-skibe-slap-ud-efter-33-dage-i-havnen https://apnews.com/article/key-bridge-collapse-channel-opened-ship-dali-e8694bd668589ad82e37b88b9ed84246 https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/first-cargo-ship-passes-through-newly-opened-channel-in-baltimore-since-bridge-collapse/ar-AA1nEr3c
NEPTUNE
On April 24, 2024, at 12.28 a.m., the RNLI boats of Burton-on-Trent and the Barry Dock offshore lifeboat were tasked to support a a medical evacuation from the 'Neptune'. A man was suffering from chest pains, and the Coastguard helicopter Rescue 187 had been tasked to the incident. The lifeboat 'Doris Day and Brian' was quickly launched, andheadedy towards the Hinkley nuclear power station exclusion zone, whereit liaised with the Barry Dock lifeboat and the rescue helicopter. The lifeboats were on scene in case the helicopter was unable to land a winch man on the 'Neptune'. In that case, they would have been able to take the casualty on board, and transfer him onwards to the helicopter. The patient was air lifted to Southmead hospital and the lifeboats were stood down as not required. Report with photo: https://rnli.org/news-and-media/2024/april/24/burnhamonsea-rnli-paged-at-0028-am-to-support-a-medical-evacuation