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The U.S. Department of Justice has filed criminal charges against the former captain of the 'Liberty Glory', John Merrone, for allegedly drugging and sexually assaulting a U.S. Merchant Marine Academy cadet aboard the bulk carrier. The charges, filed in the Eastern District of New York, were marking the first DOJ prosecution for sexual assault aboard a U.S. commercial vessel in over 40 years, according to counsel in the case. According to the indictment, Merrone faces five criminal counts for events that occurred on Sep 9, 2019, aboard the vessel, en route from Bahrain to Corpus Christi, Texas. The charges were including aggravated sexual abuse for allegedly drugging and rendering the female victim unconscious before sexually assaulting her, sexual abuse for engaging in sexual acts while the victim was incapable of consent, and three counts of abusive sexual contact related to non-consensual sexual contact while the victim was either unconscious or incapable of consent. Justice4Mariners serves as counsel for the victim, along with a second victim who was also allegedly drugged. The case has highlighted systemic issues within the maritime industry. Merrone had previously been convicted of false imprisonment and battery in Florida, yet continued working in the commercial fleet while the USMMA continued sending cadets to serve aboard his ships. Following public pressure, the American Maritime Officers union expelled Merrone, citing multiple credible allegations and concerns about crew safety. Shortly after, he surrendered his Merchant Mariner Credential to the Coast Guard and accepted a lifetime ban from the U.S. maritime industry.

Fiji's Maritime Safety Authority has launched an investigation into the Goundar Shipping Ltd. following two incidents involving its vessels. On May 26, 2025, the 'Lomaiviti Princess VI' ran aground on a routine trip to Ono-i-Lau in southern Lau. It got stuck at the entrance to Ono-i-Lau, where it always anchored, and started taking in water. The ferry was refloatedd and towed back to Suva by the 'Lomaiviti Princess XII', which also took on board the passengers, after villagers had stepped in to ferry stranded passengers to nearby islands using small boats. The company posted on social media about this incident, saying "GSL Management would like to sincerely thank the people of Ono-i-Lau for your tremendous support following the mishap. "We acknowledge and appreciate your assistance in ensuring the passengers were safely brought ashore. On June 2, the uncrewed 'Lomaiviti Princess II' capsized when it was being towed away from Narain Jetty in Suva by Fiji Ports. The vessel had been tied up at Narain Jetty since 2019. Regarding the sinking, the Minister Ro Filipe Tuisawau said the matter was under investigation and a release would be issued after he receives an update on the matter. An boom to contain oil was laid out around the ship, and the wreck was monitored for any oil leaks.

On May 31. 2025, the 'Pando 1' was detained in Novorossiysk with 35 deficiencies: 1) Certificate & Doc - SOPEP Not as required 2) Certificate & Doc - Oil record book Not as required 3) Certificate & Doc - Garbage record book Not as required 4) Certificate & Doc - Manning specified by the minimum safe manning doc Missing 5) Safety of navigation - Charts Expired 6) Safety of navigation - Nautical publications Expired 7) Safety of navigation - Pilot ladder and hoist/pilot transfer arrangement Damaged 8)) Safety of navigation - Voyage or passage plan Not as required 9) Safety of navigation - Electronic charts Not as required 10) Safety of navigation - Lights, shapes and sound signals Not as required 11) Safety of navigation - Monitoring of voyage or passage plan Not as required 12) Safety of navigation - Compass correction log Not as required 13) Fire safety - Fire dampers Inoperative 14) Fire safety - Fixed fire exthinguishing installation Inoperative 15) Fire safety - Fire fighting equipment and appliances Not as required 16) Pollution Prevention - Garbage shipboard handling Not as required 17) Pollution Prevention - Ballast Water Record Book Not as required 18) Propulsion and auxiliary machinery - Auxiliary machinery Not as required 19) Propulsion and auxiliary machinery - Gauges, thermometers Not as required 20) Propulsion and auxiliary machinery - Bilge pumping arrangements Not as required 21) Propulsion and auxiliary machinery - Operation of machinery Not as required 22) Life saving Appliances - Rescue boats Not properly maintained 23) Life saving Appliances - Lifebuoys incl provision and disposition Not as required 24) Life saving Appliances - Inflatable liferafts Not as required 25) Radio communications - Other (Radio communications) Other 26) Radio communications - Reserve source of energy Not as required 27) Water/Weathertight - Scuppers, inlets and discharges Not as required 28) Water/Weathertight - Railing, gangway, walkway and means for safe passage Not as required 29) Living and working - Messroom (location) Not as required 30) Living and working - Ropes and wires Not as required 31) Labour conditions - Protection machines/parts Not as required 32) Labour conditions - Dangerous areas Unsafe 33) Emergency systems - Emergency lighting, batteries and switches Not as required 34) Radio communications - Radio log (diary) Not as required 35) ISM - Ism certificate Not as required The vessel was released again on June 1 and left the port en route to Conakry with an ETA as of June 30. The last detentions were on Dec 5, 2024, in Kocaeli with 12 deficienes for 22 days and in Karadeniz Eregli.on Jan 24 with 19 deficiencies. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063576908591

Several men hired by an international organised crime group in Dubai to crew he 'Matthew' were under financial pressure and succumbed to the temptation to earn thousands, the Special Criminal Court in Dublin has heard. Eight men admitted their roles in trying to smuggle cocaine worth over 157 million euros. The Irish Army Ranger Wing has been praised in court for putting their lives at risk when they boarded the vessel in severe weather conditions while the crew attempted to steer the ship to high seas. Six of the men arrested on board the 'Matthew' had ignored repeated warnings from the patrol vessel 'LE William Butler Yeats '. Two other men were rescued from a boat that was bought in Castletownbere, which had been purchased to collect drugs from the main vessel. The Ukrainians Mykhailo Gavryk and Vitaliy Vlasoi, both 32; Iranians Soheil Jelveh and Saeid Hassani, 39; Filipino Harold Estoesta, 31, and Dutch national Cumali Ozgen, 49, all pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine for sale or supply on board the 'Mathew' betweenSep 24 and 26, 2023. Ukrainian national Vitaliy Lapa, aged 62, with an address at Rudenka, Repina Str in Berdyansk, pleaded guilty to attempting to possess cocaine for sale or supply between Sep 21 and 25. Jamie Harbron, aged 31, of South Avenue, Billingham in the UK, also pleaded guilty that on a date between Sep 21 and 25, both dates inclusive, he attempted to have cocaine in his possession for the purpose of sale or supply, an offence under the Misuse of Drugs Act. Colman Cody SC, counsel for Lapa, told the sentence hearing that his client was not aware of the full scale of the operation and did not fully understand it or the structures of the criminal organisation. The married father-of-two was told he would be paid 5,000 euros for his involvement in the operation. Lapa had been in the merchant navy and had previously worked on fishing boats. He had recently retired and was a pensioner in Ukraine. The Detective Superintendent Keith Halley agreed that Lapa was at the lower end of the structure. Estoesta was the second officer on board the vessel, who said he had met some of the crew in Venezuela. The court heard how some members of the hired crew were distracted at night while those from the criminal enterprise had loaded some of the cargo containing drugs on to the vessel. They claimed that they had been entertained with alcohol while the so-called spare parts were being transferred onto the ship. Estoesta admitted he was concerned it was more than spare parts, as he saw armed men on the other ship, which was offloading the large cargo. He said he didn't argue as he was terrified and was alone in the ocean. He thought the cargo may have contained contraband, like weapons or cigarettes. His barrister, Michael Hourigan, said that he had a genuine fear of the consequences if he did not follow orders. Vlasoi, a 33-year-old sailor, became involved in the operation after he was contacted when he posted his sailing credentials online. The court heard that he is married with a five-year-old child, who is now living in Ireland with the accused's mother. Paul O'Higgins SC for Vlasoi told the court that his client's realisation of the situation came too late when he discovered that the enterprise was being run at a higher level by people not on the ship. He told gardai that there were outside forces in control. He was told he would be paid 5,000 euros for his part in the operation. Mr O'Higgins said that his client found himself in a vulnerable financial position as he tried to provide for his family during the war in Ukraine. Hassani, the 3ird officer of the bulk carrier, qualified from maritime college in 2009 and had been at sea constantly for over a decade. Mark Lyam SC, for the 40-year-old, told the court he is married with a six-year-old daughter, and that he had financial responsibility to provide for his family, including medical care. Mr Lyam said he succumbed to temptation because of that financial pressure and wanting to spend more time with his family. The court was also told that he sent a text to someone in Dubai thanking them for the opportunity. Hassani, who was airlifted from the boat, was described as being the lowest rank in terms of officers. Meanwhile, Michael O'Higgins SC, counsel for Harbron, described his client as a drug abuser who was induced into the operation to clear a drug debt. Described as being a last-minute entry into the enterprise, he was offered a 10,000 euro reduction on his drug debt of 20,000 euros. The court heard how Harbron, who was on board the second ship, the f/v 'Castlemore' (MMSI: 25000435), had no sailing experience, was not able to operate the radio and was not able to locate the life vest on board. Mr O'Higgins said he had no role in organising, financing or giving directions. Harbron suspected the cargo on board the 'Matthew' was drugs, but he said he was shocked when he saw the size of it. Brendan Grehan SC, counsel for Dutch national Ozgen, admitted to having loaded three crates of drugs onto the vessel and also played a part in trying to burn drugs by getting paint thinners. He said he expected to earn a bonus of between 50,000 euros and 100,000 euros. Mr Grehan said that Ozgen, who had no sailing experience, has a son with a serious health issue following an operation on a brain tumour, and it was partly the attraction in terms of getting involved in that he would get money to help (his son) out. He was involved in a misguided attempt to get money for his family. Keivon Sotoodeh, junior counsel for Jelveh, told the court that his client is a 51-year-old with two adult children. Mr Sotoodeh said Jelveh was simply following orders and accepts he got himself involved in this. The matter has been put back to July 4. The men have been remanded on the same terms and conditions. Report with photos: https://www.corkbeo.ie/news/local-news/crew-hired-cork-cocaine-ship-31791589

On Jan 24, 2025, the 'Pando I' was detained in Karadeniz Eregli with 19 deficiencies. 1) Certificate & Doc - SOPEP Not as required 2) Certificate & Doc - Garbage record book Missing 3) Certificate & Doc - Oil record book Missing 4) Certificate & Doc - Manning specifiec by the minimum safe manning doc Not as required 5) Propulsion and auxiliary machinery - Auxiliary machinery Not as required 6) Propulsion and auxiliary machinery' - Bilge pumping arrangements' Inoperative 7) Propulsion and auxiliary machinery - Operation of machinery Not as required 8)) Pollution Prevention - Ballast Water Management System' Not as required 9) Emergency systems - Emergency ligghting, batteries and switches Not as required 10) Life saving Appliances - Rescue boats Not ready for use 11) Life saving Appliances - Inflatable liferafts Not as required 12) Living and working - Messroom (location) Not as required 13) Living and working - Ropes and wires 'Not as required 14) Radio communications - Other (Radio comm) Other 15) Safety of navigation - Pilot ladders and hoist/pilot transfer arrangements Damaged 16) Safety of navigation - Voyage or passage plan Not as required 17) Safety of navigation - Charts Not updated 18) Safety of navigation - Lights, shapes and sound-signals Not as required 19) Water/Weathertight - Covers (Hatchway,-. portable,-. tarpaulin etc Not as required The vessel was still anchored in Eregli as of Jan 29. The last detenton was on Dec 5, 2024, in Kocaeli with 12 deficienes for 22 days. The vessel left Kocaeli on Dec 26 bound for the Tuzla shipyard area for permanent repairs and sailed from there on Jan 12, only to be detained again in the next port of call, Karadeniz Eregli. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063576908591