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Houthi claims of attack denied as false

Yemen's Houthi announced on Jan 22, 2024, that it had carried out an attack on the 'Ocean Jazz' in the Gulf of Aden with missiles in a statement broadcast by the al-Masirah group's television channel. The U.S.-flag ship has a history of carrying U.S. military cargoes. The U.S. Navy denied the reports of the successful attack and said it was in constant communication with the vessel. The heavy-lift carrier is operated by US Ocean LLC, which provides global transportation and logistics solutions for U.S. military, humanitarian aid, breakbulk, and project cargoes. The U.S. Navy’s 5th fleet called claims of the successful attack “patently false.” ”NAVCENT has maintained constant communications with M/V Ocean Jazz throughout its safe transit,” the 5th fleet stated. The 'Ocean Jazz' had arrived in the Red Sea on Jan 18 after transiting the Suez Canal. The ship has previously been chartered by the U.S. Navy’s Military Sealift Command. MSC operates non-combatant, civilian-crewed vessels providing ocean transportation services to the U.S. Department of Defense. The Houthis had threatened U.S. and British ships and naval vessels in response to military strikes in Yemen. The U.S. and UK on Jan 22 confirmed additional military strikes on 8 Houthi targets in Yemen, marking the latest round of strikes by the U.S. and the second joint strikes by the two countries. The strikes specifically targeted a Houthi underground storage site and locations associated with the Houthis’ missile and air surveillance capabilities.

Stornoway Harbour welcomed offshore construction vessel OIG Giant II

Stornoway Harbour welcomed the offshore construction vessel OIG Giant II to Arnish Pier at the end of this week. The Giant II, which tips the scales at a mighty 18,118 gross tonnes, becomes the largest vessel ever to take an alongside berth at Stornoway Harbour. The 172m long vessel was built as a heavy lift dock ship in 2010, and in 2011 underwent a major conversion so that it is now fully equipped for installation of structure and equipment at offshore locations, in support of renewable energy developments. The current visit of the Giant II to Stornoway Harbour is to load the sub-frame and ballast components of a tidal turbine, which will be installed in a test location off the coast of Orkney next week. If the tide turbine proves successful, then it is likely that orders will be placed for multiple units, some of which may be built at Arnish. http://www.stornowaygazette.co.uk/news/local-headlines/record_breaking_giant_in_stornoway_1_1975366

Special ship is getting more special

On Aug 9, 2011, the "Combi Dock IV“ returned to the Lloyd Yard Bremerhaven, only 19 months after its delivery. The ship is to be rebuilt extensively and will run for the OIG Offshore Installation Group as "OIG Giant II“ as an offshore support vessel starting in September. The task follows the conversion of the "Combi Dock II" to the support vessel "Blue Giant“ in August 2008 which is serving in the Gulf of Mexico as "OIG Giant I“ for the Harrens OIG now. The vessel will be fitted out with a helicopter platform on the foreship and an accomodation block of 500 tons weight for 86 crew with new cabins, rest rooms, pantrys a.o. as a module with a size of 13x18x21 m. It will be built at WST Weser Stahlbau and lifted on board by the sheerleg "Enak“. Two of the four cranes will be enttrengthened. A moonpool of 7,80 x 7,40 m will enable divers and equipment to pass throught the bottom. Six additional generators will be mounted. The "OIG Giant II“ also will get a sophisticated DPS Dynamic Positioning System for which the bow thrusters will have to be enlarged too and two additional stern thrusters added. Two Azipod thrusters of 3 m diameter are to be fixed undereath the hull. After its redelivery the "OIG Giant II“ first will carry three turbines for a power station.