WORSHIP LIGHT

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OPMC clarified issue with Worship Light

The Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (OPMC) clarified that the entry of the 'Worship Light' did not breach any COVID-19 measures. The OPMC confirmed that the vessel, with regards to COVID-19 entry protocols, was fully compliant and said that with regards to the Standard Operating Procedure, all Foreign Vessel entering Solomon Islands must comply with the 14-day period immediately before entering the port unless exempted by the Oversight Committee and must also supply the following information to the Comptroller: 1. Full reasons (business case) for request for early clearance 2. Voyage route and all ports visited with dates and time in each port for past 3 weeks 3. Health clearance certification of crew at last port of call by competent medical authority 4. Names and passport details of all crew 5. Prior 3 week travel history of all crew 6. Prior 3 week medical history of all crew 7. Details of any crew who embarked and or disembarked during the voyage, and full reasons why they embarked / disembarked (for example, Were they sick? What sickness, symptoms 8. Complete Cargo manifest destined for Honiara Under the Customs legislation, the clearing of vessels and permission to grant discharging of Cargoes vests with the Comptroller of Customs. The necessary approvals were granted by Customs. These protocols include ensuring that Health Officials board the vessel before Customs, Immigration and Biosecurity. The OPMC said that the issue with MV Worship Light was “not COVID-19 related but a matter under the Solomon Islands Maritime Safety Administration Act 2009. The letter issued by the Director of SIMSA is issued pursuant to Regulation 20 of the Maritime Safety Administration (Ship and Port Security) Regulations 2011 and is not related to the State of Public Emergency in any way as implied. The Prime Minister will be making Orders to formalise the Standard Operating Procedures and breach of these Orders will be subject to penalties.

Bulkcarrier broke quarantine rules

The 'Worship Light' entered the Solomon Islands last week and delivered cargo brought in from Zhangijagang in China under suspicious circumstances. The vessel was said to have carried amongst others, a consignment of medical equipment required for the country’s Covid-19 preparedness activities. It spent four days in Honiara and sailed to two other local destinations before returning to China. Both SIPA and SIMSA banned the vessel from entering for failure to comply with maritime requirements, standards, and procedures. In spite of this ban, the vessel was allowed to enter and berth at a private wharf at Ranadi, disobeying the order by the responsible authorities, and the vessel was even allowed to berth at a private wharf not controlled by SIPA, and not in the approved wharves, as per the quarantine requirements. The vessel’s berthing at the privately owned jetty was done without SIPA and marine officers' involvement. The vessel did not undergo the 14 day quarantine period set for foreigners or travelers entering the country in the emergency period. It came to the Solomon Islands from China and that it spent less than the required days in Honiara. As of April 30, 2020, the ship was anchored in pos. 07° 9.03' N 157° 11.15' E near the Solomon Islands.

Cargill Reveals the Name of the World's Largest Kite-Powered Vessel

Cargill has signed an agreement with Greek ship owner/manager Anbros Maritime S.A. (Anbros) to install the world's largest kite on its Aghia Marina dry bulk cargo vessel. The Aghia Marina typically transports cargoes of agricultural and industrial raw materials. The 170 metre long carrier, built in 1994, has a service speed of up to 14 knots and can carry about 28,500 tonnes of dry bulk cargoes at any one time, making it the largest vessel to use the wind power technology created by SkySails GmbH (SkySails). Under the terms of the agreement, the 320m2 kite will be installed on the Aghia Marina in the first quarter of 2012, and the system will be fully up and running in a matter of weeks thereafter. Anbros has now joined Cargill and SkySails in the development and testing of the technology. Read more at skysails http://www.skysails.info/english/information-center/news/news/article/cargill-verkuendet-den-namen-des-weltweit-groessten-skysails-schiffs/472/2e1db0dcb0/