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Ukraine’s Asset Recovery and Management Agency (ARMA) responsible for seized assets during the Russian war has received the court authority to proceed with the sale of the ÄNika Spirit', the Ukraine has detained since 2019. The product tanker, which was involved in an incident pre-dating the February 2022 invasion, will be sold to provide funds for the Ukrainian defense efforts. It can be more effective in selling seized Russian assets instead of the prior plan to manage the assets for income. THe ARMA started preparations for an online auction to sell the tanker after receiving authorization from the Dnipro District Court of Kyiv. The agency had appealed to the court for authority and is in the process of seeking an independent appraiser to set the value of the tanker. The vessel, then sailing as 'Neyma' was involved in an incident in Nov 2018 where it claimed to have grounded near the Kerch Strait Bridge's main channel. The channel was blocked to coincide with the passage of three Ukrainian naval vessels from Odesa to the port of Mariupol. The vessels were attacked by Russian forces which boarded the ships and seized 24 Ukrainian crew members. The Russian authorities charged them as civilians for violating the Russian border. The tanker berthed in July 2019 in Izmir where the Ukrainian authorities moved to detain the ship for its involvement in the incident. The vessel was displaying the name 'Nika Spirit', but was still using the same IMO identification number as Neyma. Ukraine released the crew but continued to hold the vessel. The ARMA took custody of the tanker after the invasion and in 2023 reported it had selected a manager to operate the 'Nika Spirit' until 2026. The agency has instead decided to sell the ship to quickly raise badly needed funds for Ukraine. The agency also has control of the bulk carrier 'Emmakris III', which was in the port of Chornomorsk at the time of the invasion. ARMA presented documentation in court showing the vessel’s beneficial owners were a Russian company, Linter, registered in the city of Rostov-on-Don, although the ship is registered in Panama and listed as being managed by a company in the UAE.

The fire aboard the 'X-Press Pear' has become controversial amid allegations of corruption in handling compensation claims under the previous government. The island nation had a political leadership change in Sep 2024, with Anura Kumara Dissanayake elected as its new president. The new Sri Lankan government has decided to reopen the case in the wake of allegations that a $6.4bn insurance claim filed in Singapore was mishandled, in order to unearth possible lapses and to ascertain how the claim can be recovered. Abot $8m was settled by the ship’s insurer or P&I club, in multiple stages, against the massive claim. A litigation was ongoing against the feeder line in Singapore, and against its London-based insurer in a UK court. Sri Lanka has legal constraints against the carrier or its insurer in the face of “no asset base” for them in the country to underwrite the damages through potential confiscation, sources believe. Multiple sources, including those attached to the Sri Lanka Marine Environmental Protection Authority, had earlier flagged concerns about some “intentional laxity and delays” by agencies of the previous government in pursuing the claim for damages.

The 'Nissos Rhenia' is being repaired at its anchorage since Oct 31. It has activated maritime and ecological safety protocols on Nov 5. The repair works began on Oct 31.  A protocol of action was activated by the National Maritime Authority of Portugal and the Portuguese Navy, which sent the corvette NRP 'António Enes' to the area. Once on scene, the ship contacted the tanker and is currently monitoring navigation in the area, ensuring the safety of other ships in the vicinity. The repairs by a technical team are expected to last  until the end of this week, so it can continue its journey to its port of destination.

On Nov 5, a ferry reported to the CROSS Gris-Nez that it had observed a body adrift off the coast of Calais. The PSP 'Cormoran' was diverted to the scene, and the PSMP 'ESMP 03' of the Calais maritime gendarmerie was also deployed to carry out a search in the area. Early in the afternoon, the 'Cormoran' reported to the CROSS that it had located two bodies adrift in the sea. The two deceased persons were recovered by the PSMP boat and deposited at the quayside in Calais. The bodies were then taken care of by the maritime gendarmerie, and an investigation was opened by the Boulogne-sur-Mer public prosecutor's office.

A US Coast Guard helicopter medically evacuated a 39-year-old male crew member off the´ 'Polaris Voyager' about 28 nauticlal miles west of Oceanside, on Nov 5, 2024. Coast Guard Sector San Diego Joint Harbor Operations Center watchstanders received notification from the tanker, reporting that the crew member was experiencing symptoms of a stroke and needed to be medevaced at approximately 12:10 p.m. Watchstanders then diverted an Air Station San Diego MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter aircrew to conduct a medevac around 12:30 p.m. The aircrew arrived on-scene, hoisted the patient into the helicopter, and transferred him to Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla in San Diego around 2:30 p.m. The patient was reported to be in a stable condition. Report with video: https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/3957532/coast-guard-medevacs-39-year-old-male-from-oil-tanker-near-oceanside-calif/

The 'Guardamar Talía' rescued 129 people from a cayuco that had been sighted by a fishing boat on Nov 4 about 150 nautical miles south of the island El Hierro. In Lanzarote, The castaways were taken to La Restinga on Nov 5. The 'Guardamar Calíope' has rescued 220 people from four inflatable boats at the same time, and the 'Guardamar Urania' has recovered the bodies of two Moroccan men six nautical miles southest of Arrecife. Report with photo: https://x.com/salvamentogob/status/1853796892536176689

arrived Chittagong Anchorage 04.11.24

The State proceedings from the planned sale of the 'Matthew' were set to be largely wiped out by the costs of maintaining the vessel over the past 14 months. The bulk carrier was seized on Sep 26, 2023 after a drug interdiction operation by the Naval Service, Gardaí, Army Ranger Wing, Air Corps and Revenue Commissioners. While initially valued at €9.5m, the freighter has depreciated in value since then, while the Revenue Commissioners confirmed that protection and maintenance of the vessel has cost the State €5.3m to the end of September. For the past 14 months, the ship has been berthed between Marino Point and Passage West in Cork, pending the conclusion of ongoing court proceedings, under the provisions of the Customs Act, 2015.. Eight men are due to face trial before the Special Criminal Court in Jan 2025 over the seizure. The plan is to dispose of the vessel, most likely by public auction. The vessel is now forfeit to the Revenue Commissioners. A number of individuals are the subject of legal proceedings being taken by An Garda Síochána and the 'Matthew 'is an exhibit in those proceedings and remains under the care and management of Revenue, as the seizing authority. Protecting and maintaining the 'Matthew' is costing the State €380,000 per month. Generators have to be regularly operated to keep the ship in operational status. For maintenance reasons, the ship cannot be fully shut down, even though this would reduce costs. Once all prosecutions arising from the seizure are concluded, the State will seek a court order to allow the 2.2 tonnes of drugs to be destroyed by incineration. Gardaí have liaised with police in the United Arab Emirates, United States, China, the UK, Spain and the Caribbean over the bulk carrier and its movements in the weeks before its seizure off the Irish coast.

On Nov 5, 2024, a crew member who was in critical medical condition, was medevaced from the 'Celebrity Edge' off the coast of New South Wales, while the vessel was on a 4-night roundtrip voyage from Sydney to Hobart. The airlift operation was a coordinated effort involving the Australian Maritime Safety Authority. A rescue helicopter, supported by an additional aircraft, was dispatched to ensure the crew member received the necessary medical attention. Report with photo and video; https://www.cruisemummy.co.uk/urgent-medical-airlift-conducted-for-crew-member-on-celebrity-edge-cruise-ship/

The Canary Islands Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Center (ARCC Canarias) carried out a rescue mission, requested by Maritime Rescue (SASEMAR), in which the Air and Space Forces intervened, on Nov 5, 2024. At 3:20 p.m., an HD.21 Super Puma helicopter from the 82nd Group of the Armed Forces of Wing 46, based at the Gando Air Base, was mobilized to medevac a 60-year-old Danish passenger, who was in a serious condition due to peritonitis, aboard "MSC Seaside", which was located approximately 470 kilometres southwest of Gran Canaria. To optimise the mission, a D.4 "VIGMA" aircraft was also activated, which provided information on the winds at high altitude and facilitated the rescue manoeuvre by communicating with the cruise ship. The aircraft guided the helicopter on the course and speed that the ship had to maintain to facilitate the hoisting operation, while the satellite communications capacity (SATCOM) allowed real-time contact to be maintained between the SAR air resources and the ARCC Canarias. Once the passenger was hoisted on board the helicopter, he was taken to the helipad of the Juan Negrín Hospital, where he was picked up by an ambulance from the Canary Islands Emergency Service and taken to the hospital for treatment. The helicopter landed safely at Gando Air Base at 8:00 p.m., completing a total of 4 hours and 20 minutes of flight. Report with photo: https://teldeactualidad.com/art/166079/un-helicoptero-de-gando-rescata-pasajero-en-estado-grave-a-470-km-de-gran-canaria

On the night of Nov 4 , the CROSS Gris-Nez was informed that a migrant boat was in difficulty, after having suffered an engine failure off the coast of Audresselles. The 'Minck' was deployed to the scene and assisted all 51 people on board the boat. They were then dropped off at the quayside in Boulogne-sur-Mer, where they were taken care of by the departmental emergency services and the border police.

On Nov 5, a migrant boat was reported adrift two nautical miles southwest of Cabo de Gata. The CCS Almería of Salvamento Marítimo mobilized the 'Salvamar Spica' to assist, which rescued the 16 people on board and transferred them to Almería. At Banco del Hoyo in Cádiz, a merchant ship spotted an inflatable boat with eight people on board. The CCS Tarifa of Salvamento Marítimo mobilized the 'Salvamar Enif', which took them to Barbate. Report with photo: https://x.com/salvamentogob/status/1853814082488402026

The 'Guardamar Talía' rescued 129 people from a cayuco that had been sighted by a fishing boat on Nov 4 about 150 nautical miles south of the island El Hierro. In Lanzarote, The castaways were taken to La Restinga on Nov 5. The 'Guardamar Calíope' has rescued 220 people from four inflatable boats at the same time, and the 'Guardamar Urania' has recovered the bodies of two Moroccan men six nautical miles southest of Arrecife. Report with photo: https://x.com/salvamentogob/status/1853796892536176689

The 'Razouk'', en route from Aliağa to Varna, suffered an engine failure in front of Karanlik Liman during the transit of the Dardanelles Strait in the night of Oct 7, 2024, at around 8 p.m. UTC. The ship got assistance by the tug 'Kurtarma 3' (IMO: 9335939). The ship was moored in pos. 40° 03' N 026° 19' E under the coordination of the Çanakkale VTS Center and the escort of a strait pilot, where it remained stationary as of Oct 9. Video: https://x.com/i/status/1843394730836598805

The 'Solidaire' arrived in the port of Naples with 81 migrants of various nationalities on board on Nov 5, 2024. The reception operations, coordinated by the Prefecture, were carried out according to the plan agreed upon in the preparatory meeting held yesterday at the Government Palace. They involved the Juvenile Court Prosecutor's Office in Naples, the Municipality (Welfare Department), ASL Napoli 1 Centro, the Port Authority, the Maritime Health Office, the Regional Civil Protection, law enforcement, the Port Authority, the Fire Department, the Italian Red Cross, and the Diocesan Caritas. After initial identification and a preliminary health check, the migrants were transferred to the Residence of the Ospedale del Mare, provided by ASL Napoli 1 Centro, for further police operations and health assessments. Subsequently, they will be assigned to the Extraordinary Reception Centers in the region.

A 53 year old crew member of the 'Madre Margarita' had to be urgently medevaced on Nov 2, 2024, 230 kilometers from the Port of Mar del Plata., by a helicopter of the Argentine Naval Prefecture (PNA) as he was suffering from acute coronary syndrome. he national Maritime Authority received a radio communication from the Captain of the fishing vessel after the man was suffering from difficulty breathing, pain in the chest, neck, head and intense sweating. Given this situation, a radio consultation was carried out with a doctor belonging to the Mar del Plata Prefecture, who diagnosed “acute coronary syndrome with respiratory difficulty” and gave the Captain some instructions, including the immediate return to port. After a second radio consultation to determine the evolution of the crew member, the doctor of the Prefecture suggested performing an aeroevacuation, since the man did not show improvement. Thus, a helicopter of the Force took off from the Astor Piazzolla airport with a rescue team from the Mar del Plata Air Station, which intercepted the "Madre Margarita" about 124 nautical miles from the local port. The aircraft was placed over the fishing vessel and the Prefecture personnel carried out the medevac to the airport, where an ambulance was waiting for him. Upon arriving at the destination, the man was sent to the medical unit, which took him to a private hospital in the city for better medical care.

The salvage of the 'Taurus I' has entered its final stage as of Nov 5. After two months, the wreck of the ship, which suffered a fire and subsequently sank in the Buenaventura Bay in 2022, the final stage of the removal has begun. After the refloating of the vessel, the disposal was carried out, under the supervision of the General Maritime Directorate (DIMAR), guaranteeing compliance with current regulations. The General Maritime Directorate, through the Port Captaincy of Buenaventura, has verified that the extraction of the wreck from a depth of, approximately 12 meters. was carried out safely. The salvage operation had started on Aug 28 and was carried out by the Colombian company Servicios Portuarios SAS (SerPort) and the international company Resolve Marine. So far, the process has progressed according to plan and without problems in the towing maneuvers. Underwater inspections, diving and evaluation activities of the vessel's condition have been carried out, as well as the verification of possible remnants of fuel and organic waste, along with an analysis of the seabed. In addition, an extraction plan was implemented that included the transfer of the vessel to a shallower area and its refloating. Following the disposal of the remains, inspections will be carried out to verify its condition and ensure that it is in optimal conditions for safe transit and anchoring in Buenaventura Bay. The General Maritime Directorate will continue to supervise maneuvers at sea to ensure that all activities are carried out safely and in strict compliance with maritime regulations, avoiding any negative impact on the marine environment.

The service of the 'Cowes Floating Bridge 6' across the River Medina has been suspended on the morning of Nov 6 due to a cable that needed replacing. Usual operational wear and tear’ meant that a cable needed to be urgently replaced, resulting in a suspension of service until the engineers had fixed the problem. Contractors arrived on site at 09:00 a.m. A launch service between East Cowes and Cowes was put in operation for foot passengers and cyclists at this time.

On Nov 5, a migrant boat was reported adrift two nautical miles southwest of Cabo de Gata. The CCS Almería of Salvamento Marítimo mobilized the 'Salvamar Spica' to assist, which rescued the 16 people on board and transferred them to Almería. At Banco del Hoyo in Cádiz, a merchant ship spotted an inflatable boat with eight people on board. The CCS Tarifa of Salvamento Marítimo mobilized the 'Salvamar Enif', which took them to Barbate. Report with photo: https://x.com/salvamentogob/status/1853814082488402026

The 'Guardamar Talía' rescued 129 people from a cayuco that had been sighted by a fishing boat on Nov 4 about 150 nautical miles south of the island El Hierro. In Lanzarote, The castaways were taken to La Restinga on Nov 5. The 'Guardamar Calíope' has rescued 220 people from four inflatable boats at the same time, and the 'Guardamar Urania' has recovered the bodies of two Moroccan men six nautical miles southest of Arrecife. Report with photo: https://x.com/salvamentogob/status/1853796892536176689