The raging storm in Black sea region devastated not only Russian and Ukrainian shipping, but Turkish as well. In Samsun port two cargo vessels were beached by the storm, Turkish coaster Hay K and Russian ro-ro Feruz. As far as it may be understood from Turk media news with the help of Google translator, Master of the Russian ferry Feruz impressed the onlookers with his seamanship skills, he managed to manoeuvre the vessel to the beach in most safe way. From the pics and vesseltracker.com – google earth map it may be assumed, that vessel either was in a small harbor of Mert Park, or intentionally lead the vessel in harbor in order to avoid grounding along more dangerous, open to the sea coastline. The 16 crew is safe and remains onboard, salvage and crew waiting for weather improve. See pics at www.odin.tc/news/...

The raging storm in Black sea region devastated not only Russian and Ukrainian shipping, but Turkish as well. In Samsun port two cargo vessels were beached by the storm, Turkish coaster Hay K and Russian ro-ro Feruz. The Hay K was pushed to the embankment somewhere along Samsun coastline, as seen on the pic. See pics at www.odin.tc/news/...

Taurus required assistance from Ukrainian and Russian maritime authorities, vessel is waiting for ice channeling and ran out of fuel and provision somewhere in the middle of Azov sea. Vessel is en route from Samsun to Azov, last known AIS position is dated Jan 22 2012, Kerch Strait, it means vessel is in Azov sea from Jan 23 up until now. Maritime Bulletin www.odin.tc

Savannah USCG: Savannah Pilots reported the UASC Khor Fakkan had run aground near Elba Island during inbound transit up the Savannah River at approximately 0400 LT Feb 08 2012. Three tug boats were dispatched to the scene and refloated the UASC Khor Fakkan at approximately 0640 LT. Then the vessel was escorted under its own power to the Garden City Terminal. Maritime Bulletin www.odin.tc

The "Costa Concordia" has shifted 24 inches (60 cms) since it ran aground three weeks ago, edging closer towards a rocky shelf which could send it plunging down into the sea. If the cruise ship was prised from its rocky resting place it could roll to a depth of more than 230ft, making salvage operations much harder. The movement of the ship is being monitored on an hourly basis through sophisticated instruments attached to the hull. If the ship was to plunge to the seabed, it could rupture its fuel tanks. Experts said that there is no immediate prospect of the cruise ship breaking up or sinking deeper into the sea. But if the rate of movement increases, then the vessel will become more and more unstable. The death toll stands at 17 but 15 are still missing, presumed dead.

The attempt of the "Harlingeland" to break through the ice from Wangerooge to Neuharlingersiel had to be aborted on Feb 7, 2012. The ship had sailed from Wangerooge in the morning but had to turn around between Spiekeroog and the mainland after having got stuck in ice. On Feb 8 the „Harlingerland“ would attempt to get to Hooksiel.

www.shipwrecklog.... www.shipwrecklog....

The "Ben K" was nabbed by the Namibian Navy on Feb 2, 2012 eight miles north of Swakopmund. The tanker was apparently at anchor north of Swakopmund. The navy sent its patrol ship "Brendan Simbwaye" to investigate. On board the patrol ship was a squad of Namibian marines, who boarded the Nigerian tanker and remained onboard as the ship was directed to Walvis Bay, where she was detained pending investigation. The ship has been described by Namibian authority as unseaworthy and suspicious. The "Ben K" was on her way from the port of Lagos to India. On board was a crew of 13 – two Pakistanis and 11 Indians. Namibian naval sources said the vessel’s AIS system had either been disabled or was non-functioning. Namibian authorities were considering laying charges against the vessel’s crew. The "Ben K" is registered in Nigeria and owned since 2007 by Genesis Worldwide Shipping, PO Box 1148, 41, Itapeju Street, Apapa, Lagos, Nigeria. Class was withdrawn in November 2007.

Svitzer salvage teams on Feb 7 focused on the labour-intensive task of emptying containers of wood on the bow section of the "Rena", and preparing the bundles of timber for removal by helicopter. Salvors also worked on securing hatch covers on the bow section which had been observed moving with the swell late last week. This work is ongoing. No dive operations were undertaken due to the swell, but it was hoped divers would be able to resume inspecting the stern section on Feb 8. Wind and swell conditions were forecast to ease and remain good until Feb 10. Salvors also expected to begin installing scaffolding to assist with the removal of the content of the remaining refrigerated containers on the deck of the bow section. Braemar Howells teams have received 479 containers removed from the "Rena" by salvors and a further 70 recovered from the sea and beaches, making a total of 549 now ashore. Heli-lifting of debris from Matakana Island will take place on Feb 9 and 10. A survey of the Motiti Island beach line will be conducted over the next two days in preparation for more clean-up operationsShoreline Clean-up Assessment Teams were doing surveys on Motiti Island and areas towards the East Cape, checking for areas that have been previously affected by oil or following up on reports from the public. On Feb 7, the teams identified some areas affected by oil that may require further clean-up work – these have been logged and will be followed up by clean-up teams once the surveys are complete. A total of 50 oil spill responders were working on clean-up operations in the field.

The owner of the S.S. Badger ferry will be allowed to apply for an individual permit to continue operating on Lake Michigan while dumping its coal ash overboard. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Tuesday that the Lake Michigan Carferry Co., which operates the Badger, can proceed with an official application for an individual National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit. The company filed a petition with the EPA in November basically asking to be allowed to seek the permit. More at www.mlive.com/new...