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News
SUKHOTHAI
All 58 retrieved items of the 'Sukothai' were transferred to the Juk Samet Port at the Sattahip Naval Base aboard the 'Ocean Valor' on March 12 for urther investigations. It could take at least a mongth to retrieve the frigate's CCTV footage. Four missions were conducted during the salvage oeperation which was wrapped up on March 11, including finding the remains of five crew members, investigating the ship's mechanics, disarming weapons and retrieving sentimental items. All divers, after conducting a total of 82 dives oor 67 hours and 53 minutes underwater, were safe. The divers had been divided into two teams. The first consisted of 14 divers, seven each from the RTN and US Navy, who dove with surface supply air quipment and used the 'Ocean Valor' as base. The other consisted of 40 scuba divers from the RTN with the HTMS 'Mannai' as base. The operation kicked off on Feb 22 as part of the US Navy's Cobra Gold joint exercise, 36,9 kilometers from the shore in the Bang Sapah district. Reports wiht photos: https://www.thephuketnews.com/sukhothai-salvage-operation-ends-memorial-planned-91582.php https://maritime-executive.com/index.php/article/search-of-lost-thai-navy-frigate-ends-without-finding-missing-crew
GEO BARENTS
On March 11, the 'Geo Barents' docked in Genoa, carrying 129 migrants. Other castaways were disembarked in Civitavecchia, Lazio. Among them were vulnerable women, men, and several very young children, ending the latest rescue operation carried out by the ship operated by Doctors Without Borders (MSF). On March 7, the 'Geo Barents' rescued 261 people from two overcrowded wooden boats. The survivors, including several women and children, were of 12 different nationalities and had left the previous night from the coast of Libya. The Red Cross has set up a hosting facility for the 129 migrants who remained on the 'Geo Barents' after it reached the port of Civitavecchia, chosen by Italian authorities as the destination for the disembarkation of the first group of rescued passengers. MSF has complained about "senseless multiple disembarkations", recalling that, "under international law, everything should be done to 'reduce as much as possible the time spent by rescued people on the ship that assists them'. MSF criticized Italian authorities last week for ordering the rescued migrants' disembarkation in two distant ports. The choice of two ports and the fact that they were "so distant" implied "duplicating maneuvers, diminishing efficiency and increasing costs, as well as inflicting further suffering on these people who instead need protection and aid," the president of MSF Italia, Monica Minardi, denounced, highlighting the lengthy transit time between Civitavecchia and Genoa, impacting the 'Geo Barents's availability for potential rescues in the Central Mediterranean.
SEA-WATCH 5
Sea Watch has contested the seizure of the “Sea Watch 5”, which has been blocked for 20 days by the Italian authorities in the port of Pozzuolo, after disembarking 51 migrants and the body of a deceased young man. Sea Watch contested this decision and planned to challenge the measure in court, emphasizing the importance of not hindering rescue operations at sea. In addition, the Italian Supreme Court recently established jurisprudence by considering that Libya was not a safe port, thus opening the way to possible appeals by relief NGOs and calling into question the Italian government's migration policy. Also the German NGO Sea Eye has announced its intention to file a complaint against the Italian authorities for the seizure of the "Sea Eye 4" for 60 days in the port of Reggio Calabria. In recent hours, the 144 migrants rescued by the humanitarian ship in the central Mediterranean, including 20 unaccompanied minors, two babies and several families, have disembarked in this port. The first group of 84 migrants were from different countries such as Gambia, Ivory Coast, Somalia, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Guinea, Mali, Senegal and Ghana, while the second group of 60 migrants came from Syria, Egypt, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sudan and Burkina Faso. The NGO will initiate proceedings before the competent courts, thus contesting the reason given for the blocking. According to Italian authorities, the ship interrupted a Libyan Coastguard operation, which Sea Eye categorically disputes. A boat of the so-called Coastguard arrived at high speed, while the 'Sea Eye 4' had already started to evacuate the inflatable boat in distress. Additionally,the Libyans acted recklessly by pointing their weapons at the crew of the rescue ship.
CG VENTUROUS
The 'Venturous' repatriated 65 migrants to Haiti on March 12, 2024, following the interdiction of a migrant venture near Great Inagua, Bahamas. A good Samaritan notified watchstanders in the Seventh Coast Guard District command center of a sailing vessel in distress on March 7. Once aboard the Coast Guard cutter, all migrants receive food, water, shelter, and basic medical attention. Report with photo: https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/3704408/coast-guard-repatriates-65-migrants-to-haiti/
SARCO
Beached at Alang 12.03.24 https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=3653436208264242&set=pcb.10162888216463943
SUKHOTHAI
As a 19-day salvage mission at the HTMS 'Sukothai' came to a conclusion on March 11, the bodies of five missing crew members remained missing. The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) joined with its US counterpart to find the missing crew members. Admiral Chatchai Thongsaard, Commander in Chief of the Royal Thai Fleet, said the joint mission begun on Feb 22 had resulted in the salvage of 58 items of physical evidence, including a CCTV camera recording device. The items should help in determining the cause of the ship’s sinking. The RTN expected to announce the cause of the ship’s sinking within a month. The new evidence should be sufficient to draw a conclusion without having to raise the whole ship from the seabed. Divers from the RTN and the US Navy, who were in Thailand to join this year’s Cobra Gold military exercise, had explored every accessible room and cabin of the ship without finding the bodies the five missing crew members. The search included the ship’s bridge, command centre room, commander’s room, radio room, ward room, engine room, radar room, chart room, and hallways. The diving crews were successful in decommissioning three armaments on the ship, namely harpoon guided missiles, torpedoes, and communication devices. Two 22-millimetre guns and 10 rifles brought ashore for the Naval Ordnance Department to inspect. Divers also brought up 11 objects of sentimental value from the ship, namely the ship’s nameplate, a Garuda statuette, a Buddha statuette, a portrait of King Taksin, a low relief of the Prince of Chumphon, the ship’s bell, an RTN flag, a mast, an anchor, the ship’s commission plate, and the nameplate of the ship commander. Report with photos: https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40036301
YILDIZLAR 2
Beached at Chittagong 13.03.24 https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=898659448718268&set=a.518272956756921
NAVE CAIO DUILIO
The 'Caio Duilio', serving in the European Union’s naval mission in the Red Sea, has shot down two drones as acts of self-defense, Italy’s Defense Staff said on March 12. The destroyer already had shot down another drone on March 2. The EU’s mission Aspides in the Red Sea was launched in February to help protect the key maritime trade route from drone and missile attacks by Yemen’s Houthi militia.
AITA MARI
The' Aita Mari' has rescued 43 boat people and taken to a safe port, and now returns to Euskadi after leaving the port of Syracuse on March 12, 2024, after its 12th mission in the waters of the Central Mediterranean. If the weather is good it will take 15 days to reach Euskadi. The objective is to carry out some of the pending updates. For this reason, the NGO SMH keeps the crowdfunding campaign active. The visit to Euskadi will also serve to bring closer this solidarity project to Basque citizens. Since 2020, Aita Mari had not returned to the Basque Country. The ship will spend the first month of her stay in Bilbao, next to the Itsasmuseum maritime museum, and the second in Pasaia San Pedro, in time for the Pasaia maritime festival. During all this time, round tables, talks, debates and visits to the ship will be held.
SEA-EYE 4
The German NGO Sea Eye has announced its intention to file a complaint against the Italian authorities for the seizure of the "Sea Eye 4" for 60 days in the port of Reggio Calabria. In recent hours, the 144 migrants rescued by the humanitarian ship in the central Mediterranean, including 20 unaccompanied minors, two babies and several families, have disembarked in this port. The first group of 84 migrants were from different countries such as Gambia, Ivory Coast, Somalia, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Guinea, Mali, Senegal and Ghana, while the second group of 60 migrants came from Syria, Egypt, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sudan and Burkina Faso. The NGO will initiate proceedings before the competent courts, thus contesting the reason given for the blocking. According to Italian authorities, the ship interrupted a Libyan Coastguard operation, which Sea Eye categorically disputes. A boat of the so-called Coastguard arrived at high speed, while the 'Sea Eye 4' had already started to evacuate the inflatable boat in distress. Additionally,the Libyans acted recklessly by pointing their weapons at the crew of the rescue ship. Furthermore, the humanitarian ship “Sea Watch 5” has also been blocked for 20 days by the Italian authorities in the port of Pozzuolo, in southern Italy, after disembarking 51 migrants and the body of a deceased young man. Sea Watch contested this decision and planned to challenge the measure in court, emphasizing the importance of not hindering rescue operations at sea. In addition, the Italian Supreme Court recently established jurisprudence by considering that Libya was not a safe port, thus opening the way to possible appeals by relief NGOs and calling into question the Italian government's migration policy.
QMS GLORIA
The US Coast Guard medevaced two men on March 12, 2024, and was searching for another one after an allision with a rig at ship shoal 87. Coast Guard Sector New Orleans watchstanders received a report from the boat 'Linedout' that they were taking on water with two people onboard, and a third man who fell overboard. Watchstanders broadcasted an urgent marine information broadcast and coordinated the launch of a Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter and a Station Grand Isle 45-foot boat to conduct the medevac for the two men and search for the man who fell overboard. The crew of the 'QMS Gloria' responded to the urgent marine information broadcast and recovered the two injured men. The aircrew arrived on scene and searched the vicinity for the third man. After no visual reports, the aircrew hoisted the two men aboard the helicopter from the liftboat and transported them to awaiting emergency medical services personnel at the University Medical Center, New Orleans. They were reported conscious and responsive. A Coast Guard Station Grand Isle 45-foot response boat continued searching for the missing man. Future search plans included a Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter, an Aviation Training Center Mobile HC-144 aircraft and the Coast Guard Cutter 'Tigershark'.
RIO XUNCO
On March 12, 2024, a crew member of the 'Río Xunco' needed to be medevaced 17 nautical miles north of Ribadeo. The SAR vessel 'Salvamar Alioth' was tasked to take the fisherman off and transported him to Burela for further medical care.
KUM YA
The 'Kum Ya', known for smuggling coal in violation of U.N. sanctions, docked at Pier 17 (PPK-3) in the port of Vanino, Russia, on March 6, 2024 at 5:19 a.m. The U.N. listed the 'Kum Ya' as an illegal coal carrier for alleged coal smuggling to China in 2021. U.N. Security Council resolutions 1718 and 2397 explicitly limit the trade of North Korean coal. The Pier 17, the docking location of the vessel, is recognized as the “coal pier”. Despite the absence of indications of coal being loaded or unloaded, such a move raised suspicions of illegal coal transfer, especially given the heightened concerns about arms trade between North Korea and Russia. Report with photo: https://www.chosun.com/english/north-korea-en/2024/03/12/5OIMFZXTSVBETNJ5KJO7XNOM5Y/
OPEN ARMS
Since March 12, the 'Open Arms' is underway to Gaza with a barge loaded with 200 tons of aid alongside, after a four-day delay, via a new Cyprus-Gaza sea corridor set up to ship aid into the war-torn enclave. World Central Kitchen, the U.S. charity behind the mission, plans to provide millions of meals through the corridor. The construction of a jetty on the Gaza coast that WCK will use to offload the aid was well underway. The goal of the mission, for which the United Arab Emirates has provided the bulk of the funding, was to establish a highway of boats and barges stocked with millions of meals continuously headed towards Gaza. WCK, which has set up a joint operation in the port city of Larnaca with Spanish refugee charity Open Arms to stockpile, pack and palletize rice, flour, legumes, canned vegetables, and canned fish and meat, had a further 500 tons of supplies ready to go. The 'Open Arms' had been scheduled to set sail on March 8 in the night on a pilot mission, timed to coincide with the announcement by the European Union, Britain, the United Arab Emirates and United States of a new Cyprus-Gaza maritime corridor to ship aid to a temporary port the United States is constructing on the coast of Gaza. The sailing was postponed first to March 11 and then March 12, due to technical difficulties surrounding the offloading of the aid once it arrived off the coast of Gaza due to the fact construction work on the port the United States is building had yet to begin. Report with photo: https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2024/03/12/cyprus-first-aid-ship-gaza/6141710233827/
OSCAR I
Beached at Gadani 13.03.24 https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=887160223205345&set=pcb.887161106538590
KAIARAHI
On March 13, 2024, all passenger sailings betweeen Picton and Wellington on the 'Kaiarahi' have been cancelled until the afternoon of March 17 at the earliest. The Cook Strait ferry continued sailing with freight, but would not take passengers until a mechanical fault is fixed. The operator Interislander initially cancelled the three sailings on March 13, but has now extended the cancellations, after, dring a scheduled asset maintenance survey, a fault was found with the lifeboat reengagement system, used to reattach the lifeboats onto the ship after use. While the safety of the ship was unaffected, further testing revealed a faulty part requiring replacement. Until that part is sourced, the ferry would not take passengers. Customers were contacted and transferred to the next available sailing, or offered a refund.
ABDULLAH
In the afternoon of March 12, 2024, about 20 armed pirates hijacked the 'Abdullah', en route from Maputo to Hamriyah with a cargo of coal, 1000 kilometers off the coast of Somalia and have taken the 23 crew members hostage. Several pirates approached the ship in a small and a large boat, boarded the vessel and captured the entire crew. The captain, Abdur Rashid, valiantly attempted to fend off the attackers, but the sheer force and organization of the pirates proved insurmountable. The security company Ambrey confirmed the hijacking and warns other ships in the vicinity to keep their distance. The hijacked ship came to a standstill, then turned around and has meanwhile reached the coast of Somalia. Atiq Ullah Khan, the chief officer of the 'Abdullah', sent an audio message to his wife. It said, “Share this message with everyone. (They are) taking mobile phones from us. The final thing is, if they are not paid, they are ordered to kill us one by one. They said that the sooner they get payment, the sooner they will release us. Spread this message everywhere.” 11 out of the 23 crew members are residents of Chattogram. The crew members are: Captain Mohammad Abdur Rashid, Chief Officer Mohammad Atikullah Khan, Second Officer Mazharul Islam Chowdhury, Third Officer Tarequl Islam, Deck Cadet Sabbir Hossain, Chief Engineer ASM Saiduzzaman, Second Officer Toufiqul Islam, Third Engineer Rokon Uddin, Fourth Engineer Tanvir Ahmed, Engine Cadet Ayub Khan, electrician Ibrahim Khalil, seaman Md Anwarul Haque, seaman Md Asifur Rahman, seaman Sazzad Hossain, seaman Joy Mahmud, seaman Nazmul Haque, seaman Ainul Haque, oiler Mohamamd Shamsuddin, Ali Hossain, fireman Mosharraf Hossain Shakil, chief cook Shafiqul Islam, general steward Nur Uddin, and fitter Saleh Ahmed. Reports with photo and video: https://en.somoynews.tv/news/2024-03-13/sailors-send-messages-from-hijacked-ship https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/2024/03/12/pirates-board-bangladeshi-ship-off-coast-of-somalia/
SALVAMAR IZAR
On March 12, 2024, the sailing yacht 'Wind of Deserts' was disabled due to an engine failure and a lack of wind with three people on board at Morro Jable upon Fuerteventura. The 'Salvamar Izar' was mobilizaded by the CCS of Salvamento Marítimo in Las Palmas. It took the ship in tow and safely pulled it to port. Photo: https://twitter.com/salvamentogob/status/1767613479576358942