Salvage crews within the Key Bridge Unified Command were preparing for the removal of bridge section four, which lies across the bow of the 'Dali'. The operation required careful handling of roadbed material, crushed containers, and bridge fragments currently resting on the bow. The salvage teams were meticulously preparing for the refloat of the ship, ensuring all aspects of the wreckage impacts are thoroughly evaluated and addressed. The complexities of this next phase of operations required thorough preparation, strategic planning, and specialized expertise. Specialized equipment has been employed to closely monitor the positioning and movement of the 'Dalo' and the bridge wreckage in contact with it. Report with photos: https://www.keybridgeresponse2024.com/post/update-18-multimedia-release-key-bridge-unified-command-prepares-for-removal-of-bridge-piece-on-top
News
AMBIENCE
On May 3, 2024, the 'Ambience' reported a missing crew member during the final stage of its world cruise en route from Lisbon to Tilbury. Shortly after breakfast he failed to report for duty. Eventually, an extensive search was initiated by the cruise line to locate the missing crew member along with the Spanish Coast Guard. The cruise ship started retracing its previous route in the Atlantic Ocean west and South of A Coruna and West and North of Vigo, to locate the missing crew member. On May 5, the ship arrived in Tilbury.
OHSHU MARU
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) on May 3, 2024, issued a warrant of seizure and detention (WSD) of the 'Ohshu Maru' for drifting and loitering in the Bohol Sea since April 22, en route to the port of Kinuura, while there was no contraband found aboard the ship. The warrant was issued because the captain did not give a notice of arrival when the vessel started drifting to the Bohol Sea on April 22. The ship’s master only has 24 hours after its arrival to file a notice or protest explaining the circumstances of the change in its course. The vessel was advised by its charterer to drift to a safe place at Philippine Sea while en route to the port of Kinuura. Captain Agmata was also adamant that he and his crew did not allow any vessel to come close to their ship while it was ddrift. But while the letter expressed his apology for not reporting immediately, the vessel must still be subjected to seizure proceedings because it is the proper forum for Mr. Agmata to explain what happened. The explanation was still subject to approval under the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act and other applicable laws, rules, and regulations. The warrant also recommended the vessel be continuously under monitoring by the Philippine Navy and Philippine Coast Guard until a clearance from the proper authorities has been issued. The vessel’s intent to avoid detection of any irregular movements made it the subject of inspection proceedings because of the possibility of its involvement in smuggling activities. The 'Ohshu Maru' turned off its AIS transmission in Malaysia for a day and eight hours before entering Philippine waters. Even the Coast Guard Station in Siquijor was unable to establish a radio communication with the ship. The vessel, its master, and crew could face charges in violation of Sections 214, 218, 300, and 1212 of the CMTA, the Customs Memorandum Circular No. 08-2019, and Customs Administrative Order No. 15-2020.
DALI
The Unified Command on May 1 has recovered the body of another missing victim at the Key Bridge incident site on May 1. The victim was identified as Miguel Angel Luna Gonzalez, 49, of Glen Burnie, Maryland. AFter the Unified Command salvage teams had located one of the missing construction vehicles, it promptly notified the Maryland Department of State Police. Maryland State Police investigators along with officers from the Maryland Transportation Authority Police and the FBI responded to the scene and recovered the body of the construction worker inside a red truck. Assistance was also provided by the Maryland State Police Underwater Recovery Team and Crime Scene Unit. Salvage crews within the Key Bridge Unified Command were preparing for the removal of the piece of bridge lying on top of the 'Dali'. The operation required careful handling of roadbed material, crushed containers, and bridge fragments currently resting on the bow. The salvage teams were meticulously preparing for the refloat of the DALI, ensuring all aspects of the wreckage impacts are thoroughly evaluated and addressed. Teams have strategically removed 182 containers from the vessel to facilitate the removal of the piece of steel structure, referred to as “section four.” Report with photos and video: https://www.keybridgeresponse2024.com/post/update-18-multimedia-release-key-bridge-unified-command-prepares-for-removal-of-bridge-piece-on-top
MINCK
On April 30, the CROSS Gris-Nez was informed that several migrant boats were in difficulty in the Strait of Pas-de-Calais. On the morning, a boat requested assistance off the coast of Audinghen, and the CROSS Gris-Nez deployed the 'Minck', which rescued two people. Several people still on board the boat refused the assistance offered by French rescue services and continued on their way. The people rescued by the 'Minck' were then dropped off at the dock in Calais. On the evening, the CROSS Gris-Nez engaged the BSAM 'Rhône' to assist a boat in difficulty off the coast of Sangatte, which picked up a family of five people including three children. Several people still on board the boat refused the assistance offered by French means and continued on their way. The people picked up by the 'Rhône' were then dropped off at the dock in Calais.
CONCEPTION
The captain of the 'Conception' was sentenced to four years in prison and three years of supervised release by a federal judge on May 2, 2024. Jerry Boylan was convicted last year of a federal Civil War-era charge known as seaman’s manslaughter and prosecutors had been seeking 10 years in prison. Boylan is scheduled to surrender in July. U.S District Judge George H. Wu heard more than 17 victim impact statements for several hours in the crowded courtroom, including from the mother of the youngest victim, 16-year-old Berenice Felipe, and the Quitasol family, who lost five people in the fire.
KNOSSOS PALACE
In the evening of May 4, 2024, the Unified Center for Coordination of SAR in Heraklion was informed by the Master of the 'Knossps Palace' that while the ship was carrying out a scheduled route from Heraklion to the ports of Milos and Piraeus, a 9-year-old passenger required immediate hospital treatment. The ship returned to the port of Heraklion, where the patient disembarked safely and was transported by ambulance to the University General Hospital of Heraklion for the provision of first aid. Afterwards, the ferry set sail with 119 crew members and 951 passengers on board to the port of Milos.
BRABUS
On May 5, 2024, the 'Brabus' suffered a rudder failure at the northern entrance of the Bosphorus while sailing from Trabzon to Bandırma. The tug 'Kurtarma 10' and the lifeboat 'Kiyem 8' were sent to the scene. Under the coordination of the Istanbul Ship Traffic Services Center and assisted by a pilot, the ship was towed to the anchorage in Büyükdere for repairs: Photos: https://twitter.com/kiyiemniyet/status/1787322731253408119 https://twitter.com/kiyiemniyet/status/1787348358761242926
MSC ARIES
On May 3 the Iran has released the 25 crew members of the 'MSC Aries', while the vessel remains under judicial detention. The Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian stated that Iran still maintained control of the vessel. The release of the crew was deemed a humanitarian gesture, allowing them to return to their respective countries along with the ship’s captain. Iran’s foreign ministry previously stated that the 'MSC Aries' was seized for violating maritime laws and alleged ties to Israel. The vessel was leased by MSC from Gortal Shipping, a subsidiary of Zodiac Maritime, partially owned by the Israeli businessman Eyal Ofer.
YSER
On the morning of May 1, 2024, the CROSS Gris-Nez was informed by the Dieppe semaphore that a migrant boat was off the coast of Dieppe ad deployed the lifeboaat 'SNS 080 - Notre Dame de Bonsecours' from the SNSM station in Dieppe, on exercise in the area, to check the situation of the boat. The SNSM launch was then relieved by the 'Yser' of the Maritime Gendarmerie, which reached the boat in difficulty on the afternoon. The 'Yser' recovered 66 castaways including women and children. They were then dropped off at the port of Dieppe where they were taken care of by the land rescue services and the border police.
PACIFIC ADVENTURE
A passenger on the 'PAcific Adventure' fell into the water on the night of May 6, 2024, at 4 a.m. LT almost 20 kilometers off Sydney at the headlands of Sydney Heads for reasons that were still unclear. Numerous emergency services searched for the missing man using boats and a helicopter for more than six hours. His body was finally discovered at 10.30 a.m. The ship was returning to Sydney after a three-day to Moreton on Queensland's southeast coast with 2,600 passengers on board. The relatives of the casualty were looked after by the staff on board. Many of the other passengers observed the large-scale nighttime search operation. Another cruise on the ship that was scheduled to depart in the afternoon has been postponed. The police launched an investigation.
KMP.SAMUDERA UTAMA
The KMP 'Samudera Utama' ran aground in the waters of the Bali Strait in pos. 08°09.4581' S 114°26.3417' E on 6 May 2024, at 3.55 a.m. WITA due to strong winds and currents. The ship was waiting for the high tide to get off the ground to immediately dock at Gilimanuk Harbor. The ferry was en route from Gilimanuk Port to Ketapang Port. After refloating, it returned to Gilimanuk Harbour with all passengers and crew members still on board. Report with photo: https://bali.tribunnews.com/2024/05/06/kmp-samudera-utama-kandas-di-selat-bali-diduga-karena-angin-dan-arus-laut-yang-kencang#google_vignette
RHONE FRENCH WARSHIP
On April 30, the CROSS Gris-Nez was informed that several migrant boats were in difficulty in the Strait of Pas-de-Calais. On the morning, a boat requested assistance off the coast of Audinghen, and the CROSS Gris-Nez deployed the 'Minck', which rescued two people. Several people still on board the boat refused the assistance offered by French rescue services and continued on their way. The people rescued by the 'Minck' were then dropped off at the dock in Calais. On the evening, the CROSS Gris-Nez engaged the BSAM 'Rhône' to assist a boat in difficulty off the coast of Sangatte, which picked up a family of five people including three children. Several people still on board the boat refused the assistance offered by French means and continued on their way. The people picked up by the 'Rhône' were then dropped off at the dock in Calais.