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Lomar Shipping have disposed their supramax "Ocean Prefect" 53/2003 Oshima, with SS/DD 07/2018 to Chinese Buyers for USD 9.1 mill.

MAIB report: Navigation safety in Ahmed Bin Rahid Port lacked of resource and expertise

Accident investigators have slated the navigation safety of the Ahmed Bin Rashid Port in Umm Al Quwain, UAE for a lack of resource and marine expertise. This follows an investigation into the groundings of the "Ocean Prefect", which happened once each on 10 June and 11 June 2017. The ship grounded when approaching the port on 10 June and was refloated 12 hours later with the help of the harbour tugs "Halibut Ann", "Grouper Ann", "Mullet Ann" and "Pacific Vortex". During a second attempt to enter the port the following day, the "Ocean Prefect" grounded again and suffered damage to three ballast tanks, but the ship continued to its berth. After its cargo was discharged, Ocean Prefect proceeded to drydock in Dubai for repairs, with Lloyd’s Register’s approval. These groundings occurred despite there being two harbour pilots on board at both times. They were transferred to the ship on the tug "Halibut Ann". Through its investigation into these groundings, MAIB discovered that the pilots had very limited local knowledge and the port in Umm Al Quwain lacked resource and marine expertise. MAIB also identified that the positions of the navigation marks used to indicate the limits of the port’s approach channel were potentially misleading. Tidal stream and the narrowness of the approach channel were important contributing factors to these groundings. MAIB said the tidal stream data for the port’s approaches was very limited. On 7 December 2017, MAIB presented the safety issues identified in Ocean Prefect’s groundings to the director of Maritime Transport Affairs of the UAE Federal Transport Authority (FTA). Following this meeting, the port authority has agreed with the UAE Transport Authority that: Pilotage for vessels calling at the container and bulk terminal facility will be arranged only through the port authority. The port authority will provide navigational information to visiting vessels. Leading lights will be established in the approach channel. Vessel movements will be controlled and a port control facility will be established. A hydrographic survey of the port and its approaches will be conducted. Navigational aids will be upgraded.