The USS 'Boxer (LHD-4)' has returned to San Diego, California, on April 11, 2024, after suffering an engineering casualty, forcing the amphibious warship to return for repairs. The USS 'Boxer' and elements of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit left on April 1 for a Pacific deployment that had been on hold due in part to maintenance issues on the big deck. Following the departure, the 'Boxer' operated off the coast of California recertifying Marines with MV-22B Ospreys after a grounding that was lifted last month. Navy officials did not detail the casualty, but it was thought that the casualty was related to the ship’s rudder. The repairs could take two to three weeks based on the early damage estimates. Marines and aircraft from the 15th MEU were offloaded from the 'Boxer' prior to its return. Report with photo: https://news.usni.org/2024/04/11/uss-boxer-headed-to-san-diego-for-repairs-pacific-deployment-stalled
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CONCORDIA BAY
The 'Concordia Bay' suffered a mechanical failure of its bow thruster on April 5, 2024, making the vessel unserviceable. The Falkland Islands Government (FIG) was notified by the Workboat Services Ltd. about the issue of the vessel, which has been contracted to undertake the Ferry and Coastal Shipping contract. The 'Concordia Bay' was brought back to Stanley on April 7 for investigations. The Workboat Services Ltd. were working with suppliers. All Ferry and Coastal Shipping services are suspended during this period. Once definitive timelines for repair are known, Workboat Services Ltd. and FIG will jointly advertise a revised schedule, taking into account urgent needs as a priority.
LIBERTY OF THE SEAS
Level Parker, the father of the 20 year-old Leion Parker, who was missing since he jumped off the 11th deck of the 'Liberty of the Seas', believes his son is still alive and may survived because he's a master diver who works on a commercial fishing boat. He also had multiple life rings thrown at him. US Coast Guard officials called off their search for Levion on April 9, five days after he jumped from the 11th deck of the ship. Francel Parker, who runs an AC business in Port Charlotte, Florida, has also slammed Royal Caribbean for serving his son booze: "I'd like to know how my son was served so much alcohol." The minimum age for drinking on Royal Caribbean cruises departing from the US and the Caribbean is 21. The 'Liberty of the Seas' was just hours from returning to Fort Lauderdale after a four-day cruise when dad Francel caught up with Levion and brother Seth, 18, emerging from a hot tub at around 3.30 a.m. He said to his dad, 'I'll fix this right now,' and jumped out the window in front of other passengers, 57 miles off Grand Inagua at 4 a.m. on April 4, while the hot tub was still packed with revelers. Report with photos: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13296965/Levion-Parkers-dad-believes-20-year-old-son-alive-jumping-Royal-Caribbean-cruise-ship-hes-master-diver.html
DALI
The Unified Command continued to remove containers onboard the 'Dali' and clear bridge wreckage at the Key Bridge incident site on April 11. Salvors continued to remove containers from the foreship as part of the effort to gain access to the portion of the Key Bridge that lies atop the ship. The transfer of containers from the 'Dali' will continue in the coming days, as weather permits. As of April 11, approximately 38 containers have been removed. The removal of the containers is a critical step required to safely move the 'Dali' and eventually fully re-open the Fort McHenry Channel. Removing containers allows for safe access to then remove the pieces of the Key Bridge that lie across the ship’s bow, taking weight off the ship and ultimately enabling the ship’s movement. In parallel, wreckage and debris removal continued at the site, including breaking up of submerged roadbed from span 19, and the removal of a section of span 17. The rubble and debris have been taken to Sparrows Point, Maryland for processing and recycling. While marine traffic is still limited, 69 vessels have transited through since the creation of the temporary alternate channels with the goal to open the limited access deep draft channel. The team of local, state, federal and community responders remained focused on the safe and efficient removal of debris and wreckage from the federal channel and waterway. The COTP issued a Broadcast Notice to Mariners (BNM) via VHF-FM marine channel 16. Mariners are requested to monitor channel 16 for the latest information. Report with video: https://www.keybridgeresponse2024.com/post/update-12-multimedia-release-removal-of-containers-onboard-m-v-dali-and-bridge-wreckage-clearing-co
LAUREN JACKSON
On March 31, 2024, the 'Lauren Jackson' suffered a problem with its steering indicators near Barangaroo wharf in Sydney’s CBD, requiring a system reset. Two days later also the ferry 'Ruth Park' was tied up at the Balmain shipyard. According to the operator Transdev, the 'Ruth Park' experienced a mechanical issue, together with the effects of wash created by another passing vessel. The issue was caused by a faulty component has been resolved, with the component replaced, and the vessel was due to return to service following successful sea trials.