The 'Margaritaville at Sea Paradise' fell short during an unexpected health inspection from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on May 1, 2024. The examination was conducted by Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) officials. The incident report, available on the CDC's website, showed the ship was given a failing score of 83. An 86 is needed to pass. One of the complaints listed was the ship's whirlpools, designed to hold a maximum of four people, had six bathers. The report also highlighted some sanitation concerns involving food and drink on the cruise. An investigator was also concerned about whether a crew member had washed his hands while working with food. The gloves worn by the crew member handling the ice making components of the ice machines were stored with tools. It was unclear if the crew member washed his hands before putting on gloves. There were glove boxes for food handlers on the bulkhead next to the ice machines that could be used instead. Water bottles were also found stored on soiled pallets, while food preparation areas were also found to be soiled and/or poorly lit. Another crew member was unable to demonstrate competency about chemicals to clean lettuce. The crew member washing lettuce heads and immersing them in an antimicrobial solution for fruits and vegetables could not demonstrate competency in verifying the concentration of the chemical used. He could not use a test strip correctly to verify the concentration of the solution and did not know what an acceptable test result would be. The CDC also noted that a freezer, several refrigerators and multiple deep fryers were all out of service. Following internal policies, immediate corrective actions have been taken to address the issues identified in the inspection. Many of these issues have already been resolved, and the operator will be working with USPH [United States Public Health] for a re-inspection as soon as possible.
News
Oslo
Port of Oslo in Norway has signed a cooperation agreement with an environmental non-profit organisation to help it become emission-free. The Port of Oslo, which first talked about its zero-emission ambition in June, will partner with the Oslo-headquartered Bellona Foundation to achieve its zero-emission goal. Emissions in the port are anticipated to be reduced by 85% by 2030 and gradually reduce until they are eliminated. “The Port of Oslo is in full swing with the green transition, and has begun the phasing in of emissions-free solutions,” said Port of Oslo chairman, Roger Schjerva. “It is enthusiastic about working alongside the Bellona Foundation and exchanging ideas and solutions with Bellona’s network of environmental experts and organizations. Maritime transport and urban ports are crucial in reducing the world’s greenhouse gas emissions from the transport sector.”
Walvis Bay
In the morning of Aug 17, 2019, around 7 a.m. a fire broke out aboard the Namibian trawler "Ocean Tide", 296 gt (IMO: 7220839), which was moored at the jetty of the Seaworks Fish Processors. One of the 20 crew members on board, was found dead following the fire. The deceased was identified as 40-year-old Hausiku Mathews Sivambo. It was believed he became trapped inside the vessel and burned to death. His body was removed the next morning. The family of the deceased was present at the scene. A police investigation into the cause of the fire was ongoing. Report with photo: https://www.nbc.na/news/one-dead-after-vessel-caught-fire-walvis-bay.21902
ANVIL POINT
On May 15, 2024, the Indian Coast Guard medevaced a 62-year-old critically ill crew member from the 'Anvil Point', en route from Dubai to Muara, off Kochi. Following the rescue operation, the patient was shifted to Renai Hospital in Ernakulam. The Coast Guard deployed the patrol ship 'C-410' for the operation. Report with photos and video: https://news.abplive.com/kerala/indian-coast-guard-evacuates-ill-crew-member-from-merchant-vessel-off-kochi-1687918
USAV JAMES LOUX
A combined effort between Cyprus, the UN, the United States and the United Kingdom is underway to deliver much-needed humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. Departing from Larnaka port on May 15, 2024, the USAV 'James Loux'of the US Army, was en route to Gaza with a fresh shipment of aid for the population. Included on the aid ship is the first British humanitarian aid package for Gaza, which includes nearly 100 tonnes of materials, including 8,400 shelter coverage kits, as part of a £2 million aid package. The aid will be distributed within Gaza as soon as feasible. The pier built by the US Navy and Army will serve as a crucial entry point for aid, facilitating the delivery of international aid into Gaza. Report with photos: https://knews.kathimerini.com.cy/en/news/humanitarian-aid-ship-en-route-to-gaza-expected-arrival-in-18-hours
Batumi
The Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Company (ASCO) will launch a test voyage of a feeder vessel along the Black Sea container route Batumi-Constanta by September 20. The vessel will sail every 10 days (3 times a month). If cargo volumes increase, the growth in the number of vessels and the regularity of sailings on the line is also expected.
Newcastle
Australia’s New South Wales government said on Wednesday it will fast track its review of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal at the port of Newcastle, proposed by a South Korean firm, as the state urgently looks to beef up gas supply. The $430 million Newcastle GasDock LNG project, planned by South Korean firm EPIK, was declared “critical state significant infrastructure”, which means the project will not have to go to the state’s independent planning commission for approval, saving several months in the review process.
ABDULLAH
The 23 crew members of the 'Abdullah' met their families on the afternoon of May 14 as the vessel reached the Chattogram Port. The crew members received a warm welcome when the vessel 'Jahan Moni-3', carrying them from Kutubdia in Cox's Bazar, reached New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT)-1. The crew members will go to their respective homes. Care was taken to send them to their destinations safely. New crew members took charge of the 'Abdullah' on May 14 and sailed for the United Arab Emirates. Report with photos: https://www.voanews.com/a/crew-members-reunited-with-families-at-chattogram-after-pirate-captivity/7613312.html
PILGRIM
Beached as Dead Vessel at Aliaga as Dunay 09.05.24 towed by Tug Horoz https://www.instagram.com/p/C7BBemRtdbX/?img_index=1
Krishnapatnam
Gautam Adani is looking to expand his ports empire by closing in on buying a 65-70 per cent stake in Krishnapatnam Port Company Ltd, the entity promoted by Hyderabad-based CVR Group to run a private deep-water port at Krishnapatnam in Andhra Pradesh’s Nellore district. Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ), India’s biggest private port operator, is expected to pay more than ₹5,500 crore to buy the stake which will give it access to the country’s largest waterfront area (for a port) of 12.5 km and a transit storage area of 6,800 acres. It started operations in 2008. Currently, the port has a draft of 18.5 metres, a depth that can accommodate full-loaded Capesize vessel of 200,000-tonne capacity.
Shenzhen
Chinese city-gas distributor Shenzhen Gas will launch next week in southern China its first fully-owned terminal to import liquefied natural gas (LNG), a company executive told Reuters on Friday. This will make Shenzhen Gas the second city gas distributor backed by a local government that owns an LNG import facility.