News

The passengers on thre 'Serenade of the Seas' had to spend an extra two days at sea, which effectively turned a 7-night cruise into a 5-night cruise: Hurricane Helene, now a Category 3 storm, had forced the Port of Tampa to close temporarily while the storm made it impossible for ships to dock safely. The storm, which was expected to become a Category 4 hurricane, was set to make landfall on the night of Sep 26. The current cruise that was supposed to arrive back in Tampa on Sep 27. The ship was due to arrive in Tampa on Sep 29. Cruise passengers who booked flights directly through the cruise line automatically got their flights changed to the new dates. In addition, Royal Caribbean was taking care of the extra costs of airfare changes for guests who booked their own flights. The compensation for the flight adjustments were in the form of $200 refunds per person for domestic flights and up to $400 per person for those flying internationally.

On Sep 26, the motor boat 'Glorieta' with one person on board was disabled and adrift 400 meters from the buoys of the Llarga beach in Tarragona. The skipper was indicating that he did not know how to anchor. The CCS Tarragona of Salvamento Marítimo mobilized the 'Salvamar Fomalhaut', which took the boat in tow and safely pulled it to the waiting dock of the marina.

Beached at Alang 25.09.24

Aboard the 'Leeuwin' the de-rigging process to remove its masts, spars and rigging, which were significantly damaged has got ahead with all the damaged parts having been taken off the ship as of Sep 26. The parts were to be assessed by the crew with the intention of salvaging as much as possible, It was too early to determine a detailed timeline of any repairs to the ship or to know when the vessel will return to serving the young people of Western Australia, until all damage is assessed, it is impossible to know the nature and extent of repairs and the funds and resources required to complete those repairs. Report with photos: https://thewest.com.au/news/wa/leeuwin-update-iconic-ship-one-step-closer-to-setting-sail-after-damaged-parts-removed-from-ship-c-16187660

Joshua Darrell Lowe was indicted for an alleged bomb hoax on the 'Carnival Sunrise'. He was charged with making a false bomb threat, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Michigan said on Sep 25, 2024. The cruise line received an email from Lowe in January stating that “someone might have a bomb” on the 'Carnival Sunrise', as it was on its way to Jamaica from Miami, Florida, The crew searched more than 1,000 cabins and notified the U.S. Coast Guard and authorities in Jamaica, receiving a Marine Police escort to port. Lowe, who is from Bailey, Michigan, faces up to five years in prison if convicted. The 19-year-old will also have to pay restitution for costs resulting from the hoax. Court documents did not list an attorney for Lowe. The Federal Bureau of Investigation was investigating.

Work to identify a vessel responsible for pharmaceutical bottles washing ashore along the South African east coast from Gqeberha through to nearby north eastern towns on the Indian Ocean coastline, was actively being investigated by the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA). For identification, analysis and safe disposal of the pharmaceutical products SAMSA said it was working through an Incident Management Systems (IMS) committee involving among others, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment, South African Police Service (SAPS), Eastern Cape Disaster Management and the South African Health Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA). At South Africa’s Sunshine Coast medicinal products were collected enmasse over the past week, after several cargo vessels traversing this part of the Indian Ocean, lost collectively close on 200 containers within about eight weeks since July 2024 from the 'CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin', 'CMA CGM Belem', 'Maersk Stepnica', 'Rio Grande Express' and 'MSC Antonia'. Iin addition to tracking down the specific vessel on which the consignment of pharmaceutical produces might have fallen from, the SAMSA was also closely monitoring the coastline in collaboration with local authorities to track any further containers or goods that might wash ashore. The SAMSA was aware of the container that washed ashore on the East Coast near Port St Johns and has been informed of pharmaceutical bottles containing pills that have been washing ashore in the Port Alfred, Kenton, Cannon Rocks, and Boknes areas since Sep 9. Efforts were underway to monitor and address any hazards that may arise. SAMSA was currently working to identify the vessel responsible for the pharmaceutical bottles washing ashore. The owners of the vessels were fully cooperating with SAMSA and other relevant authorities and have committed to undertaking clean-up operations along the coastline should any contamination or further cargo loss occur. Report with photos: https://blog.samsa.org.za/2024/09/12/mop-up-underway-of-containers-and-pharmaceutical-bottles-found-on-the-south-african-eastern-coastline-samsa/

On Sep 26, 2024, the 'Højestene' has canceled several departures as the ferry needed repairs. Affected were the scheduled departure from Svendborg at 11.15 a.m., from Skarø at 11.55 a.m,, from Drejø at 1.10 p.m. and from Skarø at 1.45 p.m., while the ship was undergoing repairs in Svendborg. The normal ferry service was expected to resume at 2.45 p.m. with a departure from Svendborg.

The Yaghan Ferry ran aground on Sep 25, 2024, in the Labbe Pass sector, near the Tamar Pass close to Manuel Rodríguez Island, with 42 people - 30 passengers and 12 crew members - on board in adverse weather. The 3rd Naval Zone of the Chilean Navy started an SAR operation. The passengers were rescued with Navy ships, and then transferred to different farming centers in the area. The service boat “Puerto Natales” and the patrol boat “Marinero Fuentealba” with a helicopter from the Aeronaval Group South and a container to combat pollution on board, wree deployed by the Maritime Government of Punta Arenas. The crew remained on the ship, which has been stabilized, to receive the divers who were to carry out repairs so that the route to the city may be resumed. Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rb3c6oHjujI

Beached at Aliaga 23.09.24 https://www.instagram.com/p/DAXfMISN-3M/

Ukrainian authorities have charged a second senior officer of the 'Usko MFU', who was detained since July for trading in Crimea , which was annexed by Russia. The region’s exiled prosecutors’ office, still under the control of the Kyiv government, filed charges against the man on Sep 25. He was facing up to five years in prison, as does the master of Azerbaijan nationality, who was commanding the ship when Ukraine arrested it in July. Kyiv has vowed to prosecute all vessels trading in Black Sea ports brought under Moscow’s control after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. Ukraine managed to get its hands on the 'Usko MFU' because it sailed within the reach of Kyiv authorities just a few months after calling in Sevastopol in Crimea. The authorities seized the vessel in early July in the Danube near the Ukrainian port of Reni, where it has been held since. The ship had loaded more than 3,000 tonnes of agricultural products in Sevastopol in November 2023, destined to Turkey.

The 'Pioneer', which was recently sanctioned by the US over the Ukraine war, is crossing the Suez Canal for the first time and likely on its way to Asia, Kjell Eikland, director of the Oslo-based intelligence and consulting firm Eikland Energ, said on Sep 25. The loaded vessel started crossing the canal on the morning, likely heading towards Asia across Yemeni waters, in what would also be a first for a full cargo since the Houthi group starting disrupting traffic.Crossing the canal would indicate that either a buyer had been found in Asia or that it was moving closer to the region to facilitate closing of a deal. There was no indication it has been sold, and probably won’t be until it reaches some destination. # The vessel is one of nine ships sanctioned by the US that is believed to be part of the so-called Russian dark fleet, at the also sanctioned Arctic LNG 2 facility. As such, the 'Pioneer' is carrying the first cargo loaded early in August from the plant’s first production unit, or train, with a 6.6m tonnes per year (9bcm/year) capacity. The ship was unlikely to deliver to terminals in Egypt and Jordan due to the US sanctions. It was still three days away from the Bab el-Mandeb strait in the tip of the Red Sea near Yemen, where Houthi rebels have been attacking ships. The 'Pioneer' was involved in a “fake” ship-to-ship transfer in the Mediterranean with another sanctioned vessel, but had yet to unload its cargo, according to its reported draft data. It was insured by a New Zeland company. Russia may have to shut down its Arctic LNG 2 plant soon if sanctions continue to impede it from selling cargoes.

Work to identify a vessel responsible for pharmaceutical bottles washing ashore along the South African east coast from Gqeberha through to nearby north eastern towns on the Indian Ocean coastline, was actively being investigated by the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA). For identification, analysis and safe disposal of the pharmaceutical products SAMSA said it was working through an Incident Management Systems (IMS) committee involving among others, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment, South African Police Service (SAPS), Eastern Cape Disaster Management and the South African Health Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA). At South Africa’s Sunshine Coast medicinal products were collected enmasse over the past week, after several cargo vessels traversing this part of the Indian Ocean, lost collectively close on 200 containers within about eight weeks since July 2024 from the 'CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin', 'CMA CGM Belem', 'Maersk Stepnica', 'Rio Grande Express' and 'MSC Antonia'. Iin addition to tracking down the specific vessel on which the consignment of pharmaceutical produces might have fallen from, the SAMSA was also closely monitoring the coastline in collaboration with local authorities to track any further containers or goods that might wash ashore. The SAMSA was aware of the container that washed ashore on the East Coast near Port St Johns and has been informed of pharmaceutical bottles containing pills that have been washing ashore in the Port Alfred, Kenton, Cannon Rocks, and Boknes areas since Sep 9. Efforts were underway to monitor and address any hazards that may arise. SAMSA was currently working to identify the vessel responsible for the pharmaceutical bottles washing ashore. The owners of the vessels were fully cooperating with SAMSA and other relevant authorities and have committed to undertaking clean-up operations along the coastline should any contamination or further cargo loss occur. Report with photos: https://blog.samsa.org.za/2024/09/12/mop-up-underway-of-containers-and-pharmaceutical-bottles-found-on-the-south-african-eastern-coastline-samsa/

Work to identify a vessel responsible for pharmaceutical bottles washing ashore along the South African east coast from Gqeberha through to nearby north eastern towns on the Indian Ocean coastline, was actively being investigated by the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA). For identification, analysis and safe disposal of the pharmaceutical products SAMSA said it was working through an Incident Management Systems (IMS) committee involving among others, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment, South African Police Service (SAPS), Eastern Cape Disaster Management and the South African Health Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA). At South Africa’s Sunshine Coast medicinal products were collected enmasse over the past week, after several cargo vessels traversing this part of the Indian Ocean, lost collectively close on 200 containers within about eight weeks since July 2024 from the 'CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin', 'CMA CGM Belem', 'Maersk Stepnica', 'Rio Grande Express' and 'MSC Antonia'. Iin addition to tracking down the specific vessel on which the consignment of pharmaceutical produces might have fallen from, the SAMSA was also closely monitoring the coastline in collaboration with local authorities to track any further containers or goods that might wash ashore. The SAMSA was aware of the container that washed ashore on the East Coast near Port St Johns and has been informed of pharmaceutical bottles containing pills that have been washing ashore in the Port Alfred, Kenton, Cannon Rocks, and Boknes areas since Sep 9. Efforts were underway to monitor and address any hazards that may arise. SAMSA was currently working to identify the vessel responsible for the pharmaceutical bottles washing ashore. The owners of the vessels were fully cooperating with SAMSA and other relevant authorities and have committed to undertaking clean-up operations along the coastline should any contamination or further cargo loss occur. Report with photos: https://blog.samsa.org.za/2024/09/12/mop-up-underway-of-containers-and-pharmaceutical-bottles-found-on-the-south-african-eastern-coastline-samsa/

Upon the return from St Mary’s on the evening of Aug 31, 2024, the 'Scillonian III' encountered a mechanical issue which requiredthe vessel to run at a reduced speed. As a result day trips have been cancelled. To assist with a prompt departure on Sep 1, passengers were requested to check in and embarkation at 2:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.

On Sep 24, 2024, the 'Fanagoria' crashed into the wall of a restaurant's summer veranda on the Don embankment in Rostov-on-Don, t. No one was hurt as a result of the incident. The Rostov Investigative Department for Transport of the Western Interregional Investigative Department for Transport (MIDT) of the Investigative Committee of Russia was conducting a pre-investigation. The wooden paneling of the wall of the restaurant's summer veranda was damaged. The tug suffered scratches at the starboard side aft.

arrived Chittagong Anchorage 26.09.24

The 'Baltic Arrow' became wedged in a river bank during attempts by its pilot to correct its position as it prepared to enter port, marine investigators of the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB)have found. The ship, en route from Riga to Wisbech in Cambridgeshire with a cargo of timber, got stuck in the River Nene on June 25 at 08:49 a.m. BST at a speed of six knots, with the stern then pushed onto the eastern bank by the flood tide, wedging the vessel across the river. At 08:14 it had passed the Cross Keys swing bridge on the Nene, reducing speed in preparation for the berthing manoeuvre at the Port of Wisbech. One of the two pilots on board noticed the vessel was slightly to port of the planned track and attempted to correct its position, but the bow quickly swung to starboard. The vessel was refloated with tug assistance 11 hours later by the Wisbech Harbour Authority. The MAIB has recommended a review of vessel suitability for transits to and from the Port of Wisbech. The Wisbech Port stated that all berths at Wisbech port were NAABSA berths, which stands for 'not always afloat but safely aground' so, technically, all vessels ground whilst moored here during low water. The MAIB report said the pilot did not realise they had over-corrected the vessel until it was too late, and helming it for two hours may have led to a lapse of concentration. The vessel's bridge team was communicating ineffectively, and insufficient action had been taken to prevent the incident happening again after the 'Baltic Express', a sister vessel, also ran aground in February 2023. The Wisbech Harbour Authority has commissioned an independent inquiry into the incident, as well as a review into the suitability of transits to and from the Port of Wisbech. The Galleywood Shipping (Baltic Arrow) Ltd has also considered introducing an additional bridge watchkeeper and reviewed the ship's rudder capabilities. Report with photos: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c80r780nv22o

Guests on the seven-night cruise of the 'MSC Seashore' from Miami, Florida to The Bahamas were informed on Sep 21, 2024, that some of the ports that were on the itinerary were no longer going to be possible because of Hurricane Helene. Initially, guests on the 'MSC Seashore' were supposed to visit Mexico, Grand Cayman, and Jamaica. However, deeming those areas unsafe, the captain decided early on to avoid the ports and traded them out for ports in Nassau, Puerto Rico, and Grand Turk instead. It was later confirmed that it would also be impossible for the ship to return on Sep 26 to Port Canaveral, Florida as a result of winds expected to be blowing at "50 miles per hour. The passengers instead had a bonus day at sea and will reach the port only when conditions were safe to do so.

Work to identify a vessel responsible for pharmaceutical bottles washing ashore along the South African east coast from Gqeberha through to nearby north eastern towns on the Indian Ocean coastline, was actively being investigated by the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA). For identification, analysis and safe disposal of the pharmaceutical products SAMSA said it was working through an Incident Management Systems (IMS) committee involving among others, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment, South African Police Service (SAPS), Eastern Cape Disaster Management and the South African Health Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA). At South Africa’s Sunshine Coast medicinal products were collected enmasse over the past week, after several cargo vessels traversing this part of the Indian Ocean, lost collectively close on 200 containers within about eight weeks since July 2024 from the 'CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin', 'CMA CGM Belem', 'Maersk Stepnica', 'Rio Grande Express' and 'MSC Antonia'. Iin addition to tracking down the specific vessel on which the consignment of pharmaceutical produces might have fallen from, the SAMSA was also closely monitoring the coastline in collaboration with local authorities to track any further containers or goods that might wash ashore. The SAMSA was aware of the container that washed ashore on the East Coast near Port St Johns and has been informed of pharmaceutical bottles containing pills that have been washing ashore in the Port Alfred, Kenton, Cannon Rocks, and Boknes areas since Sep 9. Efforts were underway to monitor and address any hazards that may arise. SAMSA was currently working to identify the vessel responsible for the pharmaceutical bottles washing ashore. The owners of the vessels were fully cooperating with SAMSA and other relevant authorities and have committed to undertaking clean-up operations along the coastline should any contamination or further cargo loss occur. Report with photos: https://blog.samsa.org.za/2024/09/12/mop-up-underway-of-containers-and-pharmaceutical-bottles-found-on-the-south-african-eastern-coastline-samsa/

Work to identify a vessel responsible for pharmaceutical bottles washing ashore along the South African east coast from Gqeberha through to nearby north eastern towns on the Indian Ocean coastline, was actively being investigated by the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA). For identification, analysis and safe disposal of the pharmaceutical products SAMSA said it was working through an Incident Management Systems (IMS) committee involving among others, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment, South African Police Service (SAPS), Eastern Cape Disaster Management and the South African Health Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA). At South Africa’s Sunshine Coast medicinal products were collected enmasse over the past week, after several cargo vessels traversing this part of the Indian Ocean, lost collectively close on 200 containers within about eight weeks since July 2024 from the 'CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin', 'CMA CGM Belem', 'Maersk Stepnica', 'Rio Grande Express' and 'MSC Antonia'. Iin addition to tracking down the specific vessel on which the consignment of pharmaceutical produces might have fallen from, the SAMSA was also closely monitoring the coastline in collaboration with local authorities to track any further containers or goods that might wash ashore. The SAMSA was aware of the container that washed ashore on the East Coast near Port St Johns and has been informed of pharmaceutical bottles containing pills that have been washing ashore in the Port Alfred, Kenton, Cannon Rocks, and Boknes areas since Sep 9. Efforts were underway to monitor and address any hazards that may arise. SAMSA was currently working to identify the vessel responsible for the pharmaceutical bottles washing ashore. The owners of the vessels were fully cooperating with SAMSA and other relevant authorities and have committed to undertaking clean-up operations along the coastline should any contamination or further cargo loss occur. Report with photos: https://blog.samsa.org.za/2024/09/12/mop-up-underway-of-containers-and-pharmaceutical-bottles-found-on-the-south-african-eastern-coastline-samsa/