On the night of May 24, 2024, the “Sea Falcon”, en route from Caucedo, was in danger of sinking approximately 22 nautical miles south of Puerto Rico, while transiting toward the island of Tortola with four people on board, transporting two vehicles, construction materials, glass and a container with dry products. The US Coast Guard received a distress call from the captain, reporting that there was a crack in the ship's hull and that the estimated flooding rate was approximately 300 gallons per minute. The crew used water suction pumps that were not powerful enough to control the amount of water entering the ship. The USCG observers issued an UMIB to alert nearby vessel traffic of the danger and launched a Jayhawk helicopter to provide assistance at the scene and notified local marine units of the United Rapid Action Force (FURA) of the Puerto Rico Police. As the USCG helicopter arrived on scene, a rescue swimmer was deployed aboard the ship to assess the situation. He confirmed approximately three inches of water in the engine room due to a three-inch crack in the hull. Once a portable drain pump was installed, the rescue swimmer confirmed that the water level decreased to approximately two inches and the vessel could continue its voyage. The USCG helicopter crew later recovered their rescue swimmer and returned to Borinquen Air Station in Aguadilla. On May 28 at 11:48 a.m., the “Sea Falcon” safely arrived in Tortola.
News
ZELENGA
Representatives of the Western Interregional Investigative Committee for Transpor of the Russian Federation have opened a criminal case based on the allision of the 'Zelenga' with a railway bridge in Rostov for violation of traffic safety rules and operation of water transport․ While the ship's crew was not injured, the ship and part of the bridge suffered structural damages. The amount of damage to the owner of the ship and Russian Railwayswas more than a million Russian rubles. The cause of the accident was a failure of the steering control. The damaged vessel was towed out of the bridge and to a pier․ Trains can cross the bridge at a speed lower than usual․ Reports with photo and video: https://rtvi.com/visual/suhogruz-protaranil-zheleznodorozhnyj-most-cherez-don-foto-dnya/ https://e-nautilia.gr/rosiko-fortigo-ploio-prosekrouse-se-sidirodromiki-gefura-pou-trofodotei-tin-krimaia/#google_vignette
Chittagong
The trial transshipment of goods from India to its northeast, via the sea route, started on Tuesday after four containers bound for the region were unloaded from a merchant vessel at Bangladesh's Chittagong port, officials said on Tuesday. India and Bangladesh had signed an MOU for goods for northeast India transiting via Bangladesh's ports - a small but significant opening up of both Bangladesh's ports under the broader economic relationship between the two countries. Chittagong Port Authority Secretary Md Omar Faruk told on Tuesday: "The first ship under the trial run of transshipment of Indian goods to its northeastern states through Bangladesh arrived at Chattogram (Chittagong) port on Tuesday morning. "MV Shejyoti, carrying back to Chattogam 4 TEUs (20-feet equivalent unit) with 221 containers full of transhipment goods from India's Haldia port, reached the NCT-1 Berth, the outer anchorage of Chattogram port at around 1.25 a.m. But as night navigation is restricted in the port, that is why we started the navigation at morning," he said. MV Shejyoti had left the Syama Prasad Mukherjee port of Kolkata on July 17. Handling of the containers was completed before midnight and the container trailers started for Akhaura with an escort provided by Bangladesh's customs security. Shipping agent sources said the four containers under the trial transshipment contain iron rods and pulses. Those will head to Agartala through the Akhaura Land Port. The consignment of rods will be brought to West Tripura's Jirania from Agartala, while the pulses will go to Assam's Karimganj. Habibur Rahman of Mango Lines, the agent for the merchant vessel, had said that offloading may begin also on Tuesday after completing the formalities. Indian transshipment goods would enjoy a 28-day free-stay after offloading at the port as per the international transshipment agreement. Bangladesh will earn 254 takas from the scanning of each container loaded with transshipment goods. Bangladeshi importers also pay the same charge. Similarly, 30 takas document processing fee for each consignment of Indian goods will be levied, the same amount charged on Bangladeshi importers. Joint Commissioner of the Customs House S.M. Shamsuzzaman said the transshipped goods will have to pay police 50 takas per tonne as escort charge to reach the Indian border in Tripura from the port by road. Usually a 20 feet container carries a maximum of 30 tons of goods. According to this estimation, Bangladesh will realise around 1, 500 takas as escort charge for accompanying goods of a container to the border. Akhaura Customs Officer Harunur Rashid said they have taken necessary preparations for the transportation of the Indian goods, under the trial run. India is transporting goods to its northeastern states, using Bangladeshi ports, as per the agreement on "The Use of Chattogram and Mongla Ports for Movement of Goods to and from India" signed between Dhaka and Delhi in 2018 and a standard operating procedure (SoP) signed in October 2019. Earlier, the Indian government used the Ashuganj river port to transport goods for the Palatana Power Plant in Tripura through the Akhaura land port. On the new chapter in connectivity with Bangladesh via container shipping, India's Shipping Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said that the transit route will open new opportunities for both countries. He said that it will provide an alternative and shorter route to connect the northeast region through Bangladesh, reducing distance and time taken in transportation of goods for India and is a win-win for both the economies. On the other hand, job creation, investment in the logistical sector, enhanced business services and revenue generation are advantages that will accrue to Bangladesh. Bangladeshi vessels and trucks will be utilised to move the Indian cargo, the Indian government said. India and Bangladesh have enhanced cooperation in shipping and inland water trade in recent years. Under the Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade, in addition to the six existing Ports of Call, five more in each country have been added recently. Dredging of inland waterway routes is ongoing under an MoU, signed by the two countries on development of selected stretches of Bangladesh waterways. The trial transportation of goods to the northeastern states by road, via Bangladesh, had started earlier.
CG SEA DRAGON
The US Coast Guard decommissioned the 'Sea Dog (WPB 87373)' and 'Sea Dragon (WPB 87367)' on May 29, 2024, during a ceremony in St. Marys, Georgia. Rear Adm. Douglas M. Schofield, Coast Guard District Seven commander, presided over the ceremony honoring the years of service the Coast Guard Cutters provided to the nation. The marine protector-class cutters assigned to Coast Guard Maritime Force Protection Unit Kings Bay in the Coast Guard’s Seventh District. The 'Sea Dragon' was commissioned in January 2008 and the 'Sea Dog' was commissioned in July 2009. Following the decommissioning ceremony, the cutters will be transferred to Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point. The Coast Guard cutters 'Sea Devil (WPB 87368)' and 'Sea Fox (WPB 87374)' have relocated from Bangor, Washington, to replace the 'Sea Dog' and 'Sea Dragon'. Report with photo: https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/3788815/photo-release-coast-guard-cutters-sea-dog-sea-dragon-decommissioned-in-st-marys/
GUARDAMAR POLIMNIA
On May 29, the pleasure boat 'Troyona' with one crew member on board suffered an engine breakdown one nautical mile from Cala Castell. The CCS Barcelona of Salvamento Marítimo mobilized the 'Guardamar Polimnia', which took the boat in tow and safely pulled it to Palamós.
Beirut
A powerful explosion rocked Beirut port on Aug 4, 2020, killing and injuring dozens of people, and causing widespread damage. There was no clarity yet with regards to the cause of explosions, and what triggered it. The talk was of a firework factory which blew up. Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pR88CECmTso&feature=emb_title
Chittagong
A total of 12 units of fire fighters brought the fire under control The blazing fire at the Chittagong port was brought under control on Wednesday evening 15 July 2020. Meanwhile, Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) has formed a five-member probe body, headed by Zafar Alam, Member (Administration and Planning) of the CPA, to determine the cause of the fire and the extent of damage. The CPA Secretary Omark Faruk confirmed the matter. “Although the fire has been brought under control, smoke is still billowing from the gutted goods,” said the Secretary, The blazing fire originated at Shed No 3 of the maritime port at around 4pm on Wednesday, according to the Fire Service and Civil Defence Control Room in Agrabad, Chittagong city. A total of 12 units of fire fighters brought the fire under control. According to the CPA, goods like foam, fabrics, machineries, papers, and soda meant for destruction were stockpiled at the No.3 shed of the port. AIS/Station/ BDCGP
CG-SEA-DOG
The US Coast Guard decommissioned the 'Sea Dog (WPB 87373)' and 'Sea Dragon (WPB 87367)' on May 29, 2024, during a ceremony in St. Marys, Georgia. Rear Adm. Douglas M. Schofield, Coast Guard District Seven commander, presided over the ceremony honoring the years of service the Coast Guard Cutters provided to the nation. The marine protector-class cutters assigned to Coast Guard Maritime Force Protection Unit Kings Bay in the Coast Guard’s Seventh District. The 'Sea Dragon' was commissioned in January 2008 and the 'Sea Dog' was commissioned in July 2009. Following the decommissioning ceremony, the cutters will be transferred to Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point. The Coast Guard cutters 'Sea Devil (WPB 87368)' and 'Sea Fox (WPB 87374)' have relocated from Bangor, Washington, to replace the 'Sea Dog' and 'Sea Dragon'. Report with photo: https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/3788815/photo-release-coast-guard-cutters-sea-dog-sea-dragon-decommissioned-in-st-marys/
SALVAMAR MARKAB
On May 29, 2024, the fishing vessel 'Santa Esperanza' with two crew members on board was disabled and adrift north of Menorca. The CCS Palma of Salvamento Marítimo mobilized the 'Salvamar Markab', which took the ship in tow and safely pulled it to Ciutadella.