The 'Resolute (WMEC 620)' returned to its homeport in St. Petersburg on June 8, 2024, following a 60-day patrol of the Caribbean, in support of Homeland Security Task Force – Southeast’s Operation Vigilant Sentry and Joint Interagency Task Force-South's counterdrug mission. While deployed within the Coast Guard’s Seventh District area of operations, and off the southwest coast of Haiti, the Resolute crew, together with the Coast Guard Cutter 'Mohawk (WMEC 913)', interdicted one go-fast vessel, apprehended four suspected smugglers and seized 3,736 pounds of marijuana worth more than $3.5 million. In addition to the drug interdiction and deterring illegal maritime migration, the 'Resolute' conducted over 24 hours of SAR efforts for two missing mariners after the Vanuatu-flagged schooner 'De Gallant' sank approximately 20 miles north of Great Inagua on May 21, 2024. The 'Resolute' refueled Coast Guard helicopters searching for the missing sailors, conducted strategic search patterns, and recovered floating debris from the 'De Gallant's life rafts. Together, Coast Guard and Royal Bahamas Defence Force crews covered over 3,700 square miles before suspending the search.
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GUARDAMAR TALIA
On June 9, the 'Salvamar Izar' has rescued 55 people from one inflatable boat, and the 'Guardamar Talía' 56 miogrants from another one, while the 'Guardamar Concepción Arenal' rescued 60 people from a third boat. All migrants were transferred to Puerto del Rosario, Fuerteventura. The reszce operations were coordinated by the CCS Las Palmas of Salvamento Marítimo. Report with photo: https://x.com/salvamentogob/status/1799821148731101684
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.
PACIFIC HONOR
On June 7, 2024, the 'Pacific Honor', while sailing 355 nautical miles east of Mogadishu, was approached by a suspicious small boat. The master of the vessel stated that the small boat with six armed people on board, came close to one and a half miles to the vessel which had armed guards on board. However, the boat departed at that point, and the bulk carrier continued its voyage from Mina Saqr to Mombarsa with an ETA as of June 10.
SALVAMAR IZAR
On June 9, the 'Salvamar Izar' has rescued 55 people from one inflatable boat, and the 'Guardamar Talía' 56 miogrants from another one, while the 'Guardamar Concepción Arenal' rescued 60 people from a third boat. All migrants were transferred to Puerto del Rosario, Fuerteventura. The reszce operations were coordinated by the CCS Las Palmas of Salvamento Marítimo. Report with photo: https://x.com/salvamentogob/status/1799821148731101684
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
GUARDAMAR C.ARENAL
On June 9, the 'Salvamar Izar' has rescued 55 people from one inflatable boat, and the 'Guardamar Talía' 56 miogrants from another one, while the 'Guardamar Concepción Arenal' rescued 60 people from a third boat. All migrants were transferred to Puerto del Rosario, Fuerteventura. The reszce operations were coordinated by the CCS Las Palmas of Salvamento Marítimo. Report with photo: https://x.com/salvamentogob/status/1799821148731101684
SALVAMAR AL NAIR
On June 8 the fishing vessel 'Betania' sighted a precarious boat 40 nautical miles northeast of Arrecife. The CCS Las Palmas of Salvamento Marítimo mobilized the 'Salvamar Al-Nair', which located the boat and rescues the 54 occupants, among them one woman, all of Maghreb origin. They were transferred to Arrecife. In another mission, the 'Salvamar Al Nair' was mobilized by the CCS Las Palmas and has rescued 43 people of Maghreb origin from a boat which was located 20 nautical miles northeast of Arrecife, and transferred them to the port.