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The Houthi terrorists have launched an attack on the 'Motaro' on Oct 28, 2024, as it was passing through the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait in the Red Sea. One explosion occurred near the vessel at 2:35 p.m. GMT, followed by another at 3:03 p.m. GMT and a final explosion at 4:37 p.m. GMT. The vessel and its crew were reportedly safe, and the ship continued the voyage from St. Petersburg to the next port of call, Changjiangkou. The vessel has no known connections to Israel and has not docked at any Israeli port in the last three years, The Houthi militants also claimed attacks on two other vessels, the 'Maersk Kowloon' and the 'SC Montreal' in the Arabian Sea.

The 'Kathrin', which has been hounded by activists with accusations that it was carrying explosives to Israel since it left the Far East and was turned away from a port in Namibia and later in Malta and ports in the Adriatic with Amnesty International calling for the ship to be denied docking privileges as part of its campaign for an arms embargo to stop the war in Gaza, and the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories Francesca Albanese also issueing a statement alleging that there were eight containers of RDX Hexogen explosives bound for Israel among the cargo aboard the 'Kathrin', has docked at Porto Romano, Durrës on the morning of Oct 24.

The care and maintenance of the alleged drug trafficking 'Matthew' in Cork has cost the State €5.3 million over the past 12 months. The bulk carrier was seize following a dramatic inter-agency operation, involving members of the Army Ranger wing, off the south east coast. Gardaí and Revenue Customs officers found 2.2 tonnes of cocaine worth an estimated €157 million. Under the provisions of the Customs Act 2015, the ship was seized by an Officer of Customs on OIct 19 following the alleged seizure of drugs on board.Since its seizure, the ship has remained tied up at the Port of Cork's Marino Point berth, shifting occasionally to Passage West to facilitate other ship deliveries. In June, eight men charged in connection with the seizure were given a trial date of Jan 13, 2025 at the Special Criminal Court. The vessel is now forfeit to the Revenue Commissioners. It is the Revenue's intention to dispose of the vessel as soon as the legal position allows.

After running aground twice in the Paraná River near Rosario on Oct 22, 2024, the 'Beyond 2' was finally refloated by the tugs 'Candela S,', 'Brutos' and 'Ona Don Vicente' on Oct 23. The ship anchored in the Rosario Harbor to receive routine inspections. The ship was loaded with 33000 tons of sorghum, which were destined for China.

The US Coast Guard medevaced an ailing man from the 'Pacific Dragon II' 78 miles off Kahului, Maui, on Oct 22, 2024. Coast Guard Sector Honolulu command center watchstanders received a medevac request aon Oct 21 t 4:57 p.m. from the ship, stating that a crew member was experiencing abdominal pain. Watchstanders consulted with the duty flight surgeon, who recommended a medevac. An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point launched and rendezvoused with the Pacific Dragon II about 78 miles northeast of Kahului. The helicopter crew arrived on scene at 4:03 a.m. and transported the 35-year-old man to Maui Memorial Medical Center in Wailuku, Hawaii. He is reportedly in stable condition. Report with video: https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/3942491/coast-guard-medevacs-ailing-crewman-from-fishing-vessel-78-miles-offshore-kahul/

The 'Ruby' has finally been allowed to dock in the port of Great Yarmouth. The vessel with its cargo of fertilizer had been anchored at a safe distance off Margate since September in pos. 51° 31' N 001° 45' E, and now has received permission from the UK Government and the Ministry of Transport to enter Great Yarmouth, as the port has the capability to handle dangerous cargo, and the transshipment of such chemicals is common practice across the port group. The ship left its anchorage on Oct 27 at 1 p.m. and was approaching the port the next morning at around 7 a.m. UTC. The damaged vessel was initially anchored in the European Economic Zone but moved closer to shore due to inclement weather in the North Sea. While the damage has not rendered the ship unseaworthy, it requires repairs, which can only be carried out after the cargo has been unloaded.

On the morning of Oct 28, the 'Kalliste' requested the medical evacuation of a passenger and a companion. Salvamento Marítimo deployed the SAR boat 'Salvamar Spica' (MMSI: 225987262), which took the two off and transported them to the port of Almería, from where the patient was transferred to the hospital for further medical care.

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/

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.

The master was airlifted to a hospital on the morning of Oct 22, 2024, from the 'Atlantic Power' in Government Cut. Just after 10 a.m. The ship was anchored offshore when he was injured in a slip and fall on the exterior stairs. A fire rescue boat initially responded but the conditions in the water made it difficult to get the person safely off the ship, so a fire rescue helicopter also responded. At 10 a.m. the victim was hoisted from the ship onto a Miami-Dade Fire Rescue helicopter. He transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center. Report with video: https://www.local10.com/news/local/2024/10/22/person-airlifted-from-tugsupply-ship-in-government-cut/

The 'Bootes', suffered an einge failure in the far north of Grøtsundet, east of Reinøya, on Oct 24, 2024. There was no immediate danger. Another Russian trawler is in the immediate vicinity of the vessel, while the crew was working to solve the problem, says Nedrevåg. At 7.30 p.m. the trawlerwas takein tow by the tug 'Borg Parat' (IMO: 9067269) to Tromsø, where it was safely berthed at 8.30 p.m. The ship left the port again on Oct 25 towards the fishing grounds.

The US Coast Guard medevaced a 71-year-old man from the 'Carnival Jubilee' off Galveston, Texas, on Oct 26. Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston watchstanders received a medevac request at 5:19 p.m. from the ship, stating the passenger presented symptoms of a heart attack aboard the vessel. Watchstanders consulted with the duty flight surgeon, who recommended a medevac. Watchstanders directed the launch of a Coast Guard Station Galveston 45-foot boat and coordinated with the Galveston Fire Department to assist with the medevac. The response vessel crew arrived on scene, embarked the passenger and transported him to Station Galveston and into the care of emergency medical services personnel.

Emergency personnel rescued four stowaways who had travelled on the helm of the 'MSC Fiametta' that left from Lome on Oct 19, 2024, and docked at the Port of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria on Oct 26 at around 5:45 p.m. (local time). Shore based workers observed how four men were on the helm. They were rescued by the SAR boat 'Salvamar Nunki'Ä and taken to the dock. The stowaways were Nigerian nationals and were apparently in good health despite having climbed onto the helm of the ship while it was docking in the port of Abidjan. Members of the Dock Fiscal Patrol and agents of the National Police participated in the rescue operation. After the appropriate procedures, the stowaways will be re-embarked on the 'MSC Fiammetta'. It will be the ship's consignee who will be in charge of finding a way to return the four men to their country of origin. Report with photo: https://rtvc.es/polizones-rescatados-tras-pasar-seis-dias-en-el-timon-de-un-buque-271024/

The 'Cassandra' docked at the ferry berth in Batangas after having been seized by the Bureau of Customers on Oct 16, 2024. The master of the tanker and the 11 crew members have been charged with oil smuggling. When the tropical storm Kristine struck the vessel on Oct 23, it suffered damage to the hull, as wind and waves pressed the ship against the quay. The vessel sustained some water ingress from hull damage below the waterline and developed a list to port side. The ship was apparently flooded partially, and resting on the bottom. An oil sheen has been observed in the water around the tanker. Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rX1782W3vtQ

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.

The 'Ambience' has once again been blocked from sailing into Amsterdam by climate change protestors, this time with 170 delegates attending the Advantage Latitude cruise conference amongst the 1,400 passengers onboard. 120 Advantage members and 50 of its suppliers, including UK cruise line representatives,were aboard the ship for the consortium’s annual three-day Latitude cruise conference. The captain made the announcement that the ship would be diverted as it set sail from London Tilbury for a three-night round-trip cruise. Instead of docking in the city centre, the ship docked at IJmuiden on Oct 25, 2024, which was a 45-minute drive away, and passengers could travel by shuttle bus to the city centre. The ship had received advanced information that Extinction Rebellion protestors planned to chain themselves to the locks on the approach to Amsterdam on Oct 25 and 26 , preventing ships from going in and out.

The 'Moliva', carrying hundreds of tonnes of possibly toxic industrial waste returned to Durres on Oct 28, 2024, months after setting sail to dispose of the material in Thailand. It has on board around a hundred containers filled with suspicious waste, and was set to be tested by Albanian authorities. The 'Moliva' left Albania in early July and according to documents its cargo consisted of industrial waste, specifically iron oxide, whose export is authorised. However, information of a whistleblower suggestedthe cargo actually contained electric arc furnace dust (EAFD). Classified as toxic waste, this dust must be stored and transported under very strict conditions. Ultimately rejected by Thailand, the ship turned back and returned to Albania with stopovers in Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Turkiye. The Durres prosecutor's office has launched an investigation into the smuggling of prohibited goods and has indicated it planned take samples of the samples for analysis upon the ship's arrival at Durres to determine whether the containers indeed contained toxic waste. The Durres prosecutor's office, which is working in cooperation with the European anti-fraud office (OLAF), ordered on Oct 27 the seizure of the containers upon their arrival to prepare for their opening under safe conditions. Report with photo: https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/28/10/2024/ship-with-suspected-toxic-waste-returns-to-albania

The 'Svanen Vest' (built 1948) has sunk in Gothenburg in the Eriksbergs Port at Hisingen at the quay on Oct 28, 2024. Only a part of the wheelhouse was protruding above the surface. The rescue service was alerted just before 07:00 a.m. It was ensured that no people have been on board, but there will be environmental damage. Oil and diesel was leaking from the charter ship. Also port staff and the Swedish Coastguard were deployed to the scene. To limit the spread of the spill, the rescue service has placed oil booms and was trying to collect what was on the surface. At 11 a.m. the rescue service's operation was about to end. Report with photo: https://omni.se/25-meter-langt-fartyg-sjunkit-vid-kaj-i-goteborg/a/wgx5PM

On Oct 22 and Oct 24, the German army attacked the decommissioned "Karlsruhe" with explosives in the Baltic Sea to test how vulnerable the navy's ships are. Early on the afternoon, the frigate was again blown up about four kilometers off the coast of Schönhagen (Rendsburg-Eckernförde district). This time, a much larger explosive charge was used. On Oct 22, about 50 kilograms of explosives were used, this time it was 175 kilograms. The explosive charge was intended to imitate a sea mine. The explosion went according to plan. It was the last explosives test for this year. The ship was deliberately damaged with explosives in order to find out how explosions affect the ship and the crew, in this case crash test dummies. The findings are to be incorporated into new ship construction projects. The two explosions and their evaluation were technically carried out by the Military Technical Office 71 (WTD 71) in Eckernförde, which reports to the Koblenz Federal Armed Forces Procurement Office, which will draw conclusions about the consequences of such explosions on the existing fleet and take them into account when building new ships. The 'Karlsruhe' was taken back to Kiel. Report with video: https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/schleswig-holstein/Fregatte-Karlsruhe-mit-175-Kilogramm-Sprengstoff-angegriffen,marine1496.html

The 'Lochnevis', serving on the route Mallaig-Armadale, suffered an issue withthe mooring equipment on the morning of Oct 28, 2024. As a consequence, this service may be liable to disruption or cancellation at short notice. A spare part has been ordered and an update was to be provided as soon as possible.