On oct 28, 2024, at midday, the Port Authorities of Corfu, Igoumenitsa, Preveza, Lefkada, Kefalonia, Katakolo, Kyllini, Messolonghi and Patras were informed about the damage to one of the three generators of the 'AF Claudia' west of Corfu. The ship was operating a scheduled route from the port of Venice to the ports of Igoumenitsa and Patras, with 133 passengers on board. The ship sailed to the port of Patras, where it moored safely. The Central Port Authority of Patras initially prohibited the ship from sailing, while upon presentation of a certificate of class maintenance from the recognized organization that monitors it, it was allowed to continue the planned route. The passengers who were going to disembark at the port of Igoumenitsa were forwarded to their destination by the management company.
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SOLO CREED
The 'Solo Creed' has been arrested in Angola on Oct 20, 2024 through the Attorney General’s Office. The arrest of a ship meant its restriction by court order to secure a maritime legal claim and to prevent fleeing to avoid penalties. On Febr 7, the tug was towing the barge 'Gulfstream' when the latter reportedly overturned on a reef and then began to leak bunker oil in the waters off Cove, Tobago. The oil contaminated part of Tobago’s coast and also reached Grenada and Bonaire, spilling 51,000 barrels of oil, with the Government donating $50 million towards clean-up out of $134 million sought by the Tobago House of Assembly (THA). Trinidad & Tobago has filed a preliminary claim for $244 million to pay clean-up and damage costs, while the Finance Ministry has hinted that the amount could be higher. The tug’s value is estimated to be far less than the claim. Authorities are still working to find out the tug’s current ownership so that they can take legal action against those responsible for the environmental damage.
SALVAMAR ADHARA
On Oct 28, the 'Salvamar Adhara' accompanies a cayuco, whichg was located two nautical miles south of La Restinga, with 81 sub-Saharan people on board, among them seven women and three minors, to the port of La Restinga. The response was coordinated by the CCS Tenerife of Salvamento Marítimo.
SPIRIT OF DISCOVERY
A passenger aboard the 'Spirit of Discovery' died of his injuries after the cruise ship was hit by force 11 winds on Nov 4, 2023, in the Bay of Biscay, an interim MAIB report of the incident has revealed. Eight passengers were taken to hospital when the ship arrived at Portsmouth in Hampshire. Prior to the incident, the ship had to cancel a visit to Las Palmas as the weather worsened and was instead heading towards La Corona when that port was closed because of the conditions. The captaintook the decision to return to the UK when the ship's propulsion safety system was activated in the poor weather causing it to veer suddenly to the left, bringing the vessel to a sudden halt. There were 943 passengers and 503 crew on board. At about 12.30 on Nov 4, 2023, the ship lost propulsion which led to the vessel moving violently while the crew restarted the vessel's engines. The propulsion issues, storm force conditions and vessel motions continued until the following morning when the 'Spirit of Discovery' was able to continue its passage. During this period over 100 passengers were injured. Eight of the seriously injured passengers were taken directly to hospital on arrival at Portsmouth, England, one of whom later died from their injuries. The MAIB's investigation has considered all aspects of the accident to determine the causes and circumstances of the propulsion loss in heavy weather and the on-board response, including analysis of the vessel's intended passage, preparations for operating in heavy weather, the on-board response to passenger injuries and damage, and the medical treatment of injured passengers. The interim report stated that the investigation was nearly complete and a full report will then be issued for consultation with the parties involved.
HMNZS MANAWANUI
All three containers that fell off the HMNZS 'Manawanui' have been retrieved. The task was pulled off between the New Zealand Defence Force and local contractors and authorities. After four days of coordination and effort between the New Zealand Defence Force, the local contractor Ark Marine and the support of the Samoan authorities, all boxes were removed. Two of the three-metre shipping containers were empty, while the third contained food. The kai was buried at a landfill, with the three containers safely disposed of at the port. While Samoa is hosting the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, with KIng Charles and Queen Camilla, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters in attendance, the NZ Defence Force was monitoring the wreck and the shoreline, which meant one dive, one drone flight and one beach patrol daily, with the timing coordinated so as not to disrupt the event. Report with photos: https://www.teaonews.co.nz/2024/10/23/containers-retrieved-from-manawanui-shipwreck-in-samoa-as-chogm-starts/