The 'Sea Eye 5' has rescued 110 people from distress in a series of missions between Nov 5 and 6t off the island of Lampedusa. The missions were characterized by challenges and a long struggle to coordinate the rescue measures with the Maltese and Italian authorities. The organization Alarmphone reported an emergency in the Maltese rescue zone on the morning of Nov 5. A boat with 54 people was discovered t at 10:56 a.m. The 'Sea Eye 5' was in close contact with the Maltese authorities. Despite difficult negotiations and a steady deterioration of the situation, the ship had to intervene after around five hours and evacuated the people because the boat was no longer seaworthy and water was entering. During the course of the day, further reports of maritime emergencies were received, prompting the'Sea Eye 5' to continue its search operations. The CompassCollective's sailboat Trotamar III' discovered another boat with 93 people on board, and stabilized the situation for the time being. The Italian Coast Guard then requested the 'Sea Eye 5Ä to provide assistance. On the way to the scene, the crew found another unseaworthy boat and rescued the 25 people on board. On the early morning of Nov 6, the 'Sea Eye 5' reached the 'Trotamar III' and embarked 31 more survivors ,after the 'Trotamar III' had reached its capacity limit. The Italian Coast Guard finally instructed the 'sea Eye 5' to hand over the 31 survivors from the last rescue to a Coastguard ship off Lampedusa and to take the remaining rescued people to the port of Ortona. However, the 'Sea Eye 5' could not reach this port for technical reasons. Operations manager Gorden Isler of Sea-Eye e.V. appealed to the authorities to assign a closer port, as the ship is not suitable for sea voyages lasting several days. Both ships were still heading for Lampedusa in order to enable the survivors to receive care as soon as possible. They urgently needed medical examinations.
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SPECTRUM OF THE SEAS
The 'Spectrum of the Seas' has been stuck in Yokohama since Nov 6, 2024, after encountering technical issues with its propulsion system. As a consequence, the ship’s return to Shanghai was delayed by two days from No 7 to Nov 9. The following voyage has been cancelled. The technical issues arose during a 7-night sailing from Shanghai to Japan. The ship remained stationary in port as of Nov 7.
HERMANOS GUERRERO
The 'Hermanos Guerrero' suffered a rudder failure two nautical miles west of Punta Baños on Nov 6, 2024, at around 9.30 a.mn. UTC (Lat. 36.7100 Lng. -2.8883) and requested towing assistance with four crew members on board. The CCS Almería of Salvamento Marítimo mobilized the SAR boat 'Salvamar Spica' (MMSI: 225987262) from Almería, which took the ship in tow and safely pulled it to Almerimar at around 10.45 a.m.
SALVAMAR GIENAH
On Nov 6, the 'Salvamar Spica' has rescued 15 migrants from a boat, which had been located by a merchant vessel about 20 nautical miles south of Faro Sabinal. The castaways were transferred to Almeria. The 'Salvamar Gienah' has transferred 21 people to Motril from a boat which was previously located by the Guardia Civil south of Almuñécar. On the morning, the 'Salvamar Mizar' was mobilized to a cyuco which was located ten nautical miles south of El Hierro with 55 people on board. T'he migrants were accompanied to the port of La Restinga. The 'Guardamar Polimnia' has rescued 68 people from a rubber boat 42 nautical miles east of Arrecife. Report with photo: https://x.com/salvamentogob/status/1854147707532718127
NORTH MOUNTAIN
The Panamanian authorities announced on Nov 6 to have initiated the process of canceling the registration of the 'North Way', 'North Sky', 'North Mountain' and 'North Air', which have been sanctioned by the US for illicit activities. Their registrations, along with other navigation documents provided by Panama, were to be revoked. All tankers are owned by the New Transshipment FZE, which is a subsidiary of Nthe ovatek, and were alleged by the US to have been part of the Russian dark fleet and having carried shipments from the Russian Yamal and Arctic LNG 2 projects. On Oct 18, the, incumbent president José Raúl Molino had issued a decree to establish a framework for swiftly canceling registrations and licenses for vessels that appeared on the sanctions list of the US, EU, or UK. Along with the cancellation of registration and all navigation documents issued by Panama, any other organizations that are recognized by Panama are also barred from providing classification or certification to these vessels.
NIKA SPIRIT
Ukraine’s Asset Recovery and Management Agency (ARMA) responsible for seized assets during the Russian war has received the court authority to proceed with the sale of the ÄNika Spirit', the Ukraine has detained since 2019. The product tanker, which was involved in an incident pre-dating the February 2022 invasion, will be sold to provide funds for the Ukrainian defense efforts. It can be more effective in selling seized Russian assets instead of the prior plan to manage the assets for income. THe ARMA started preparations for an online auction to sell the tanker after receiving authorization from the Dnipro District Court of Kyiv. The agency had appealed to the court for authority and is in the process of seeking an independent appraiser to set the value of the tanker. The vessel, then sailing as 'Neyma' was involved in an incident in Nov 2018 where it claimed to have grounded near the Kerch Strait Bridge's main channel. The channel was blocked to coincide with the passage of three Ukrainian naval vessels from Odesa to the port of Mariupol. The vessels were attacked by Russian forces which boarded the ships and seized 24 Ukrainian crew members. The Russian authorities charged them as civilians for violating the Russian border. The tanker berthed in July 2019 in Izmir where the Ukrainian authorities moved to detain the ship for its involvement in the incident. The vessel was displaying the name 'Nika Spirit', but was still using the same IMO identification number as Neyma. Ukraine released the crew but continued to hold the vessel. The ARMA took custody of the tanker after the invasion and in 2023 reported it had selected a manager to operate the 'Nika Spirit' until 2026. The agency has instead decided to sell the ship to quickly raise badly needed funds for Ukraine. The agency also has control of the bulk carrier 'Emmakris III', which was in the port of Chornomorsk at the time of the invasion. ARMA presented documentation in court showing the vessel’s beneficial owners were a Russian company, Linter, registered in the city of Rostov-on-Don, although the ship is registered in Panama and listed as being managed by a company in the UAE.
FD ATHINA
On Nov 6, 2024, at noon, the Port Authority of Argosaronicos was informed by the Master of the 'Flying Dolphin Athina' about a failure of the port side main engine, before the hydrofoil docked in the port of Piraeus. The ship berthed safely in the port and disembarked nine passengers, while it then had scheduled routes to the ports of Aegina and Agistrio with two passengers on board. The Port of Argosaronicos banned the ship from sailing until the repair of the damage and the presentation of a certificate of c,ass maintenance by the monitoring classification society. The passengers were forwarded to their destination by the care of the company.
HAWKS JAVAAHIRU
The Maldives Customs Service intercepted more than 8,000 cartons of cigarettes illegally shipped into the country aboard the 'Jawks Javaahiru' on Oct 25, 2024, which is operated by the Hawks Private Ltd., one of the nation’s leading fuel importers and distributors. Under a court order, authorities subsequently searched the Hawks Boatyard on suspicion that more cigarette cartons may be stored there. Approximately 1,695 million cigarette sticks of Manchester brand have been found during the search on the boatyard, in the accommodation block and workshop by the customs service. The cigarettes were brought in aboard the 'Hawks Javaahiru' and taken to Thilafushi on a local boat, whichi is owned by the company and was unloaded after regular business hours. The company management was not involved in the smuggling operation. It was done by some employees in connection with some foreigners,. The management only learned of this when police also came with a court order to search the premises, Hawks was cooperating with authorities and would conduct an internal investigatio and has suspended the employees implicated in the attempted cigarette smuggling incident. Report with photos https://edition.mv/sports/37060
GUARDAMAR POLIMNIA
On Nov 6, the 'Salvamar Spica' has rescued 15 migrants from a boat, which had been located by a merchant vessel about 20 nautical miles south of Faro Sabinal. The castaways were transferred to Almeria. The 'Salvamar Gienah' has transferred 21 people to Motril from a boat which was previously located by the Guardia Civil south of Almuñécar. On the morning, the 'Salvamar Mizar' was mobilized to a cyuco which was located ten nautical miles south of El Hierro with 55 people on board. T'he migrants were accompanied to the port of La Restinga. The 'Guardamar Polimnia' has rescued 68 people from a rubber boat 42 nautical miles east of Arrecife. Report with photo: https://x.com/salvamentogob/status/1854147707532718127
SALVAMAR SPICA
On Nov 6, the 'Salvamar Spica' has rescued 15 migrants from a boat, which had been located by a merchant vessel about 20 nautical miles south of Faro Sabinal. The castaways were transferred to Almeria. The 'Salvamar Gienah' has transferred 21 people to Motril from a boat which was previously located by the Guardia Civil south of Almuñécar. On the morning, the 'Salvamar Mizar' was mobilized to a cyuco which was located ten nautical miles south of El Hierro with 55 people on board. T'he migrants were accompanied to the port of La Restinga. The 'Guardamar Polimnia' has rescued 68 people from a rubber boat 42 nautical miles east of Arrecife. Report with photo: https://x.com/salvamentogob/status/1854147707532718127
NORTH SKY
The Panamanian authorities announced on Nov 6 to have initiated the process of canceling the registration of the 'North Way', 'North Sky', 'North Mountain' and 'North Air', which have been sanctioned by the US for illicit activities. Their registrations, along with other navigation documents provided by Panama, were to be revoked. All tankers are owned by the New Transshipment FZE, which is a subsidiary of Nthe ovatek, and were alleged by the US to have been part of the Russian dark fleet and having carried shipments from the Russian Yamal and Arctic LNG 2 projects. On Oct 18, the, incumbent president José Raúl Molino had issued a decree to establish a framework for swiftly canceling registrations and licenses for vessels that appeared on the sanctions list of the US, EU, or UK. Along with the cancellation of registration and all navigation documents issued by Panama, any other organizations that are recognized by Panama are also barred from providing classification or certification to these vessels.
AITO NUI II
One month after the 'Aito Nui II' was damaged on a reef in Hitia’a on Sep 30, 2024, will be replaced by a Caledonian tug with a 54-ton pulling force, which is expected at the Port of Papeete on Dec10. Until then, the towing operations will be carried out by the remaining port tug 'Aito Nui I' and the two port pushers that are made available by the French Navy. This allows to dock all ships less than 200 meters long. For ships measuring between 200 and 265 meters, it is still possible to dock them at the Port of Papeete if the weather conditions are favourableUntil Dec 10, the port will be able to accommodate at least 14 ships out of the 16 scheduled. The absence of the 'Aito Nui II' was beginning to worry the various economic players in the area, whether public or private. The ship will be chartered for six months, the time it takes to repair the 'Aito Nui II': The ship's keel has been completely deformed, and the impact on the reef also have caused leaks in the ship's hull according to initial findings. There are two investigations underway: an internal investigation by the port of Papeete, and another conducted by the State.
MATTHEW TT
The State proceedings from the planned sale of the 'Matthew' were set to be largely wiped out by the costs of maintaining the vessel over the past 14 months. The bulk carrier was seized on Sep 26, 2023 after a drug interdiction operation by the Naval Service, Gardaí, Army Ranger Wing, Air Corps and Revenue Commissioners. While initially valued at €9.5m, the freighter has depreciated in value since then, while the Revenue Commissioners confirmed that protection and maintenance of the vessel has cost the State €5.3m to the end of September. For the past 14 months, the ship has been berthed between Marino Point and Passage West in Cork, pending the conclusion of ongoing court proceedings, under the provisions of the Customs Act, 2015.. Eight men are due to face trial before the Special Criminal Court in Jan 2025 over the seizure. The plan is to dispose of the vessel, most likely by public auction. The vessel is now forfeit to the Revenue Commissioners. A number of individuals are the subject of legal proceedings being taken by An Garda Síochána and the 'Matthew 'is an exhibit in those proceedings and remains under the care and management of Revenue, as the seizing authority. Protecting and maintaining the 'Matthew' is costing the State €380,000 per month. Generators have to be regularly operated to keep the ship in operational status. For maintenance reasons, the ship cannot be fully shut down, even though this would reduce costs. Once all prosecutions arising from the seizure are concluded, the State will seek a court order to allow the 2.2 tonnes of drugs to be destroyed by incineration. Gardaí have liaised with police in the United Arab Emirates, United States, China, the UK, Spain and the Caribbean over the bulk carrier and its movements in the weeks before its seizure off the Irish coast.
VOLCAN DE TENO
On Nov 6, 2024, the “Volcán de Teno” suffered a technical fault affecting the stern ramp of the catamaran ferry. As a consequence, the ship was banned from sailing in the port of San Sebastián de La Gomera. The passengers who were scheduled to travel to Los Cristianos on the morning of Nov 7, did so with Fred. Olsen Express. The catamaran “Volcán de Tirajana” sailed to San Sebastián de La Gomera on Nov 7to replace the “Volcán de Teno” on the midday trip, if the issue is not resolved before then.
GRAND PRINCESS
The US Coast Guard medevaced an ailing woman from the 'Grand Princess' 70 miles off Oahu on Nov 5, 2024. Joint Rescue Coordination Center Honolulu watchstanders received a phone call on Nov 4 at 6 p.m. from the cruise ship, requesting a medevac for the 29-year-old woman who was experiencing symptoms of appendicitis, while the ship was sailing approximately 570 nautical miles northeast of Kauai. Watchstanders consulted with the duty flight surgeon, who recommended a medevac. On Nov 5 at 6:17 p.m. an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point rendezvoused with the 'Grand Princess' about 70 nautical miles east of Kaneohe, Hawaii. The helicopter crew hoisted the woman and transported her to The Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu. The patient was in stable condition. Report with video: https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/3958726/coast-guard-medevacs-ailing-woman-from-cruise-ship-70-miles-off-oahu/
SALVAMAR MIZAR
On Nov 6, the 'Salvamar Spica' has rescued 15 migrants from a boat, which had been located by a merchant vessel about 20 nautical miles south of Faro Sabinal. The castaways were transferred to Almeria. The 'Salvamar Gienah' has transferred 21 people to Motril from a boat which was previously located by the Guardia Civil south of Almuñécar. On the morning, the 'Salvamar Mizar' was mobilized to a cyuco which was located ten nautical miles south of El Hierro with 55 people on board. T'he migrants were accompanied to the port of La Restinga. The 'Guardamar Polimnia' has rescued 68 people from a rubber boat 42 nautical miles east of Arrecife. Report with photo: https://x.com/salvamentogob/status/1854147707532718127
NORTH AIR
The Panamanian authorities announced on Nov 6 to have initiated the process of canceling the registration of the 'North Way', 'North Sky', 'North Mountain' and 'North Air', which have been sanctioned by the US for illicit activities. Their registrations, along with other navigation documents provided by Panama, were to be revoked. All tankers are owned by the New Transshipment FZE, which is a subsidiary of Nthe ovatek, and were alleged by the US to have been part of the Russian dark fleet and having carried shipments from the Russian Yamal and Arctic LNG 2 projects. On Oct 18, the, incumbent president José Raúl Molino had issued a decree to establish a framework for swiftly canceling registrations and licenses for vessels that appeared on the sanctions list of the US, EU, or UK. Along with the cancellation of registration and all navigation documents issued by Panama, any other organizations that are recognized by Panama are also barred from providing classification or certification to these vessels.
NORTH WAY
The Panamanian authorities announced on Nov 6 to have initiated the process of canceling the registration of the 'North Way', 'North Sky', 'North Mountain' and 'North Air', which have been sanctioned by the US for illicit activities. Their registrations, along with other navigation documents provided by Panama, were to be revoked. All tankers are owned by the New Transshipment FZE, which is a subsidiary of Nthe ovatek, and were alleged by the US to have been part of the Russian dark fleet and having carried shipments from the Russian Yamal and Arctic LNG 2 projects. On Oct 18, the, incumbent president José Raúl Molino had issued a decree to establish a framework for swiftly canceling registrations and licenses for vessels that appeared on the sanctions list of the US, EU, or UK. Along with the cancellation of registration and all navigation documents issued by Panama, any other organizations that are recognized by Panama are also barred from providing classification or certification to these vessels.
ISLAND SCOUT
The Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure VROMI has reached a successful resolution regarding the 'Island Scout”. The cost of the salvage of the vessel from Great Bay has been settled. The vessel, was initially beached on Great Bay during the passage of Tropical Storm Ernesto, which later intensified into a hurricane, was salvaged and brought to Port St. Maarten, after which VROMI issued a liability notice to the owner, requiring them to cover the cost associated with the salvage as mandated by the National Ordinance for the removal of ships and wrecks. An agreement was reached with JWvanStee, a maritime service company responsible for managing the salvage and overseeing the towage to the port. An official inspection to certify the vessel’s fitness for towage was conducted at Port St. Maarten. The owner subsequently committed to pay all costs related to the operation, totalling just under US $70,000. This payment was made one day before the deadline on Oct 15, effectively preventing the sale of the vessel. Following the confirmation of the payment, Minister Patrice Gumbs of VROMI officially lifted the liability notice, restoring ownership and control of the “Island Scout” to its owner. With the settlement completed, country St. Maarten authorized the departure , and the ship sailed on Oct 19.