The 'ES Spirit' was arrested in Singapore waters on Feb 29, 2024. The vessel was added to the list of vessels under Sheriff’s arrest in Singapore’s court system. The vessel was arrested at 12.24 p.m. The arresting solicitor listed was law firm Oon & Bazul LLP. The ship was being held at Singapore’s Western Petroleum Anchorage A. No details regarding the reason behind the arrest were provided. The tanker was arrested in Singapore waters on Jan 2 too. The arresting solicitor listed was also Oon & Bazul LLP.
News
RED JET 6
On March 16, 2024, the Isle of Wight to Southampton Red Jet service has been suspended. Initially the service had been running a revised timetable due to a water jet issue on the 'Red Jet 6'. However, the operator has confirmed its Red Jet services have now been suspended following an issue with the 'Red Jet 7' regarding the starboard side jet room. The Red Jet sailings at 10.20 a.m. from Southampton and 10.55 a.m. from Cowes were cancelled due to the same technical issue.
PACIFIC 01
The Houthis announced on March 15, 2024, that they attacked the 'Pacific 01' while it was traveling in the Red Sea. The ship reported an explosion while traveling in the Red Sea about 65 nautical miles west of Al Hudaydah, Yemen. The Houthis then claimed responsibility for the attack on the ship and referred to the vessel as an "Israeli ship". The ship's crew was reportedly safe. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations initially reported that the ship had been hit by a missile. However, the UKMTO reversed its statement after a daylight inspection of the vessel revealed that no damage was found to the vessel. The ship and crew were described as safe and continued their voyage.
FRONTIER ASUKA
The police boarded the 'Frontier Asuka', which was docked in Port Talbot on March 15, 2024, over concerns about a person's welfare. South Wales Police reportedly sent specialist teams to the ship. It was believed that both police and border force officials attended the scene after the alarm was raised. The circumstances and condition of the person on board were not known but the police was understood to be working with other agencies to establish what happened. There were no wider public safety concerns, and the ship was not in danger. Report with photo: https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/police-board-ship-docked-port-28833957
RED EAGLE
The CEO of Red Funnel Ferries has apologised for the disruption and delays on the weekend of March 15/16, 2024, which brought misery to hundreds of people travelling between Southampton and Cows upon the the Isle of Wight The 'Red Jet 7' had suspended its passenger service on March 16 because of technical problems in the propulsion system. A technical team was working to resolve the issue. Red Jet will be offering a replacement service from March 17, which will take 50 minutes rather than the Red Jet's 28 minutes crossing. An issue with a fuel leak on the 'Red Eagle' meant the ferry was also out of commission for a time, causing major delays and crowded crossings because of the backlog.
GEOLOG DM.NALIVKIN
On MArch 16, 2024, a fire broke out abaoard the 'Geolog Dmitriy Nalivkin' at Livadia Repair and Shipyard in Nakhodka. As a result, the interior of the ship was damaged by fire. There were no dead or injured. The cause of the fire and damage were being established. Investigators of the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations assessed the ship. The vessel is an expedition vessel, the scientists on board are engaged in environmental and hydrometeorological research in the Arctic and was under maintenance at the time of the fire. Report with photo and video: https://newsnhk.com/pod-nahodkoy-v-livadii-zagorelos-issledovatelskoe-sudno-geolog-dmitriy-nalivkin-na-sudoremontnom-zavode/
YM WITNESS
When the 'YM Witness' arrived at the private container port Evyaport in Kocaeli on March 16, 2024, at 1.40 p.m. UTC, en route from Ashdod, it was unable to stop while maneuvering and knocked over the large container cranes. The operator of one of the cranes was seriously injured in the incident. The vessel had a pilot aboard but for unknown reasons appeared to be coming towards the dock at a steep angle and was unable to stop in time. Several containers were also knocked from the vessel into the port waters when the gantries collapsed onto its deck. Local police and fire responded to the incident which was currently under investigation. Report with photos and video: https://maritime-executive.com/article/video-ym-containership-takes-out-cranes-while-docking-in-turkey
ABDULLAH
Despite six days passing, the pirates who hijacked the 'Abdullah' have made no contact with the ship's owner and have not issued any demands. The owner has reached out to various media outlets seeking assistance in securing the safe return of the ship and its crew. The Kabir Group stated on March 16: "All sailors aboard the hijacked ship are in good health. A sailor contacted the owners on Saturday night to update them on their condition. However, food supplies on board are depleting rapidly as the pirates are sharing meals with the sailors. We are actively working to ensure the safe return of the crew. We have initiated contact with several media outlets for assistance, but have yet to receive a favourable response." Meanwhile, for the past six days, family members of the 23 sailors held hostage have been enduring extreme anxiety. Some relatives have fallen ill due to the stress.
KING RICH
On March 13, 2024, the People's Committee of Quang Nam province requireds the authorities to ensure that the process of salvaging the 'King Rich' from the Cu Lao Cham beach must be on schedule and absolutely avoid environmental pollution. It has sent a document to relevant agencies and units on monitoring and coordinating the salvage process in the Tan Hiep commune (Hoi An city, Quang Nam). The People's Committee of theQuang Nam province assigned the Provincial Commanding Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and SAR, the Provincial Border Guard Command, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment, the People's Committee of Hoi An City and related branches such as the Quang Nam Maritime Port Authority to inspect and supervise the Vietnam National Marine Co., Ltd. as salvors. The salvage work must be carried out on schedule according to the approved plan, with absolutely no environmental pollution occurring during the process. On Dec 1, 2023, at around 10:30 a.m. the tanker had been spotted adrift off Cu Lao Cham island and ran aground at 11:05 a.m. near Bai Huong village. At the time of discovery, there were no crew members on the ship, its bow was damaged, and it was at high risk of sinking. The ship is owned by the Kindom Co., Ltd. in Tainan City (Taiwan). Report with photo: https://thanhnien.vn/quang-nam-truc-vot-tau-king-rich-mac-can-o-vung-bien-cu-lao-cham-1852403130904314.htm
OPEN ARMS
A barge carrying 200 tons of relief aid towed by the 'Open Arms' reached a temporary pier in Gaza on March 15, where a famine threatens after months of war. The barge was carrying, among other things, rice and flour, supported by the EU and the US. The emergency aid on board the barge was donated by the American organization “World Central Kitchen. The US military has started to establish a floating port off the coast of Gaza, which will be able to receive emergency aid for the Palestinians. It will take up to 60 days and involve more than 1,000 soldiers to establish the temporary port, which can accommodate over two million. meals a day for the citizens of Gaza. The sea corridor was approved by Israel, which had previously inspected the cargo on the barge from the World Central Kitchen to ensure that it did not contain weapons or anything else that could be used for military purposes.
CGCALDER
The 'Alder' accidentally discharged about 500 gallons of diesel fuel 30 miles offshore of Fort Bragg, California, on March 15, 2024. The buoy tender was on its way to Humboldt Bay omn the orning while the vessel was about 30 miles offshore from the town of Fort Bragg. Coast Guard officials swere investigating and evaluating potential impacts to sensitive sites, but did not expect the shoreline to be affected.
FRONT POLLUX
Two crew members off the Swiss flagged s/y 'Nina Pope' (MMSI:269107270) were rescued and one was presumed drowned after the yacht sank about 2,400 kilometers southwest of Cape Town. They were rescued on March 13, 2024, from a life raft after swift intervention by South Africa’s Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre which requested the passing 'Front Pollux' to divert its course to the yacht, which had been on its way to Cape Town from Tristan da Cunha. Despite challenging conditions, with winds up to 74 km/h and swells of up to eight metres, the tanker managed to recover two male survivors from the life raft. The German skipper of the yachht could not be saved and was presumed to have gone down with the vessel. The survivors, one with dual Swiss/US citizenship and the other Brazilian, have since communicated with their respective embassies in Cape Town, facilitated by the tanker. Both men did not require medical assistance and were currently en route to Cape Town. The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) emergency operations centre (EOC) will be assisting with their arrival early next week.
RUEN
The Indian Navy has successfully recaptured the 'Ruen' and rescued all 17 crew members who have been held captive by pirates off the coast of Somalia for three months. All 35 pirates on board have been apprehended. There have been no reported injuries among the crew. The operation took place after the Indian Navy’s destroyer, INS 'Kolkata' intercepted the vessel on March 15 in the Indian Ocean. The 'Ruen' had set sail from Somalia’s central coast, allegedly to carry out more attacks. Once on scene, pirates opened fire on an Indian Navy helicopter and a standoff ensued. With the INS 'Subhadra' providing assistance, a specialized Navy unit was able to corner the pirates, leading to their surrender. The ship had been hijacked by pirates nearly 800 miles from Somalia on Dec 14, 2023, marking the first successful hijacking of a commercial ship by Somali pirates since 2017. Pirates sailed the ship back to Somali waters where it was being held. Report with photos and video: https://www.msn.com/en-za/news/world/indian-navy-seizes-ship-from-somali-pirates-and-rescues-17-crew/ar-BB1k13hu
ERMAK
Scrapped at St. Petersburg 03/2024 https://www.shipspotting.com/photos/3686723?navList=gallery&category=70&page=1&viewType=normal&sortBy=newest
SEROJA III
On March 9, 2024, the 'Seroja III' went adrift after the anchor dragged, amid strong currents. It then ran aground in extreme weather with wave heights of 2,5-3,5 meters and heavy rain in the waters of the Sumenep Regency, ballasting en route from Makasar to Gresik, at the coast of Kangean Island in pos. 06°50, 054'S 115° 13, 656' E. The accident was first noticed by a number of Kangean Island fishermen who then reported to officers of the Republic of Indonesia Sea and Coast Guard. The Kangean Police have been coordinating with officers from the Republic of Kangean Maritime and the Coast Guard. The officers were still investigating the cause of the breakdown and the impact the accident had on the marine environment.
QUEEN ELIZABETH
An investigation has been launched into the cause of a fire which broke out aboard the HMS 'Queen Elizabeth' on March 8, while it was moored in Argyll and Bute. The aircraft carrier was en-route to Rosyth to undergo repairs when the fire broke out during a stop on Loch Long at Glenmallan. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service received a call at 11.50 p.m. to assist partners at Glen Mallan Jetty, Argyll and Bute. The operations Control mobilised three appliances and a height vehicle, and the fire was quickly put out. No ordnance was involved in the incident. Personnel in the vicinity were able to return to work. There were no reported injuries. Crews remained on standby to assist and left on March 9 at 2.15 a.m. The ship had to withdraw from a NATO exercise before because of an issue with a starboard propeller shaft coupling. The HMS 'Prince of Wales' was sent on the Steadfast Defender exercise instead, with the 'Queen Elizabeth' sailing from its base at Portsmouth to the Rosyth dockyard to fix the issue.
SALVAMAR AL NAIR
On MArch 15 at 10:50 p.m. the JRCC of Salvamento Marítimo in Las Palmas center a telephone notification from a boat 53 nautical miles off Lanzarote, requesting assistance. The maritime controllers mobilized the 'Al Nair and notified vessels in the area. At 12:40, a.m. the SAR vessel located the boat and rescued the 63 people on board. At 2:50 a.m. the disembarkation started in Arrecife. On March 16 at 8.15 a.m. another boat was located nine nautical miles off Arrecife. The 'Salvamar Al Nair' located the boat and rescued 22 people. In the afternoon of March 15 the 'Salvamar Al Nair' already had rescued 117 people from two inflatable boats about seven nautical miles southeast of Arrecife. At 5:05 p.m. the disembarkation in Arrecife began.
RED JET 7
The CEO of Red Funnel Ferries has apologised for the disruption and delays on the weekend of March 15/16, 2024, which brought misery to hundreds of people travelling between Southampton and Cows upon the the Isle of Wight The 'Red Jet 7' had suspended its passenger service on March 16 because of technical problems in the propulsion system. A technical team was working to resolve the issue. Red Jet will be offering a replacement service from March 17, which will take 50 minutes rather than the Red Jet's 28 minutes crossing. An issue with a fuel leak on the 'Red Eagle' meant the ferry was also out of commission for a time, causing major delays and crowded crossings because of the backlog.
NINA POPE
Two crew members off the 'Nina Pope' were rescued and one is presumed drowned after the yacht sank about 2,400 kilometers southwest of Cape Town. They were rescued on March 14, 2024, from a life raft after swift intervention by South Africa’s Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre which requested a passing ship, the tanker 'Front Pollux' (IMO: 9780263), to divert its course to the yacht, which had been on its way to Cape Town from Tristan da Cunha. Despite challenging conditions, with winds up to 74 km/h and swells of up to eight metres, the tanker managed to recover two male survivors from the life raft. The German skipper of the yachht could not be saved and was presumed to have gone down with the vessel. The survivors, one with dual Swiss/US citizenship and the other Brazilian, have since communicated with their respective embassies in Cape Town, facilitated by the tanker. Both men did not require medical assistance and were currently en route to Cape Town. The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) emergency operations centre (EOC) will be assisting with their arrival early next week.
CUYAHOGA
Multiple fire departments and U.S. Coast Guard personnel fought a blaze aboard the 'Cuyahoga', docked in Ashtabula for winter lay-up, in the afternoon of March 15, 2024. There were no reported injuries. The fire started at 2 p.m., and it took three hours to put it out. The fire was caused by welding works. Sparks ignited paint on the inside of the cargo hold, and the fire spread to the main deck, and the unloading belt caught fire. The fire was extinguished by late afternoon.