SCORPIUS

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Charter extended

five to seven months trading East Coast South America, 9100 $ daily, Hamburg Süd

Charter

30 - 50 days charter extension, trading Asia - East Africa, Maersk

Cargo ship with giraffe on board diverted to search for Russian yachtie in distress

The crew of the "JPA Scorpius" enroute Auckland-Melbourne tried to rescue a Russian sailor on Apr 19, 2013, in the morning. The Russian sailor, who was on a round-the-world yacht trip, had activated a distress beacon, and vessels in the vicinity were asked for help. The "JPA Scorpius" joined the search for the struggling yachtsman for about an hour before being stood down because of their precious cargo - the 15 month old giraffe Nakuru which was on her way to Melbourne Zoo. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority had two aircraft searching for the man since 1.30 a.m. The HMAS "Melbourne" joined the search party temporarily but had to pull out because of terrible conditions, which made for 10-metre swells. The "JPO Scorpius" was expected to dock in Melbourne on Apr 20 at 6.30 a.m. The solo yachtsman, who left the Victorian town of Portland on Apr 13 en route to New Zealand, was located by a C-130 Hercules about 12.30p.m. The yacht was dismasted, and a Victoria Police helicopter picked the sailor up about 220k m south of Mallacoota later in the afternoon. He was taken to Mallacoota to be treated for mild hypothermia.