The plan to promote tourism on the beachfront in Visakhapatnam by converting the 'Maa' into a floating restaurant still remained on hold. Though the State government had declared an allotment of Rs 10 crore for the project, it was yet to take some shape due to procedural wrangle in getting clearance from environmental point of view. The Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) had also tied up with Shore & Ship Resorts Private Repair Ltd. to make necessary alterations within the vessel at an estimated cost of Rs 15 crore. Green activists said that the continuation of the ship just close to Tenneti Park, a popular venue for the localities and tourists in the city, was an environmental risk. The State government explored various options to make the ship fit by redesigning to convert it into a restaurant as part of an effort to promote beach tourism. However, delay in getting clearances from the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, clearance under the Coastal Regular Zone (CRZ) guidelines and other authorities turned the project jinxed. Report with photo: https://www.bizzbuzz.news/national/bid-to-convert-abandoned-bdesh-ship-into-floating-restaurant-turns-jinxed-1317293
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MEIN SCHIFF 1
On May 26, 2024, there was a minor incident on an excursion in Helsinki, which could be booked by passengers of the 'Mein Schiff 1'. On the way back from a boat trip that was part of the excursion, the captain of the boat made an announcement that the engines had broken down. All participants were stuck on the ship until another boat arrived, and the technicians were supposed to repair the damage immediately so that the tourists could continue their journey. Despite the exchange of a part, the problem was not solved, and the other ship sailed away again. This was followed by another announcement from the captain that another boat would arrive shortly. to take them back ashore, where a hop on hop off bus was already waiting to transfer the guests of the 'Mein Schiff 1' back to the cruise terminal. The passengers of the cruise ship were able to reach the 'Mein Schiff 1' on time again despite the delaying incident.
USAV MATAMOROS
On May 26, 2024, the USAV 'Matamoros' assisted in refloating a landing craft 'LCM 8558' that had grounded on the Ashdod shore on March 25. The landing craft had been working with the US-built floating pier off the coast. It was beached while assisting a US army tug that was helping move the floating pier from an area off the Gaza coast to near Ashdod due to adverse weather conditions with high swells of about 1.5 meters that emerged on May 23 and May 24, while winds gusted to some 20 knots, which necessitated moving the pier. The floating pier has been helping deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza. It was constructed after a decision in early March to deploy the unique US Army capability. The Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore capability was deployed beginning in mid-March with several vessels sailing from Fort Eustis across the Atlantic via Crete to the coast of Gaza. It began operations in mid-May. On the evening of Maya 23, several vessels involved with moving the pier broke free from their moorings. The tug was beached on Ashdod Beach, a hundred meters north of a lifeguard stand near an area called Beersheba Beach. The 'LCM 8558' tried to help the tug, but became stranded on the beach near the tug with the low tide. It had to be dug out with a front-loader. The US had been trying to free the LCM and the tug since May 25. The USAV 'Matamoros' arrived on the afternoon. It connected a rope to the LCM. On May 26 by midday the LCM was ready to be pulled off. The tide remained an issue because the low tide was around 6 p.m. Around 9 p.m. the LCM was pulled off the beach, with the hope that it would remain free of the sand. The goal was then to pull the tug off the beach. Then, the vessels will all be united with the floating pier and likely return to the coast of Gaza so humanitarian aid can be delivered again. The Israel Navy assisted in the efforts to free the ships. Report with photos: https://www.jpost.com/israel-hamas-war/article-803750
ZELENGA
On May 26, 2024, the 'Zelenga' suffered an engine malfunction in Rostov-on-Don, lost control and crashed into a pillar of the drawbridge across the Don River. The impact destroyed the wheelhouse of the ship when it got stuck under the construction. The bridge is actively involved in logistics to the Russian occupied Ukrainian Crimea which means that the accident could cause significant difficulties with rail transportation. Reports and photos and video: https://meta.ua/news/kurezi/165608-v-rostove-suhogruznoe-sudno-zelenga-poteryav-upravlenie-vrezalos-v-zheleznodorozhnii-most/ https://www.imago-images.de/st/0481334549 https://sputnikmediabank.com/story/list_336061662/ https://rumble.com/v4xi8rx-bulk-carries-crashes-into-bridge-in-rostov-on-don.html
DOGGERBANK
On May 6, 2024, the 'Doggerbank' recovered a double decker which had emergency landed off Büsum following a motor damage. At 10.20 a.m. the pilot had reported technical trouble between Heligoland and Büsum before going down on the water. The crew of the cutter saved the pilot and pulled the downed aircraft out of the water with its fishing gear. It was transported to Büsum then. Also the lifeboat "Theodor Storm“ attended, but the rescue operation had already been completed successfully. Reports with photo and video: https://www.berliner-zeitung.de/news/nach-notlandung-fischer-retten-flugzeugbesatzung-aus-der-nordsee-li.2218762 https://segelreporter.com/panorama/big-picture-tiefflieger-auf-der-nordsee-fischer-finden-flugzeug/