The Thai and US navies have been entering the fifth day of their joint operation to search for the remains of five crew members missing from the HTMS 'Sukhothai'. A search will be conducted in the main engine room, quartermaster clerk’s room and deck walkways on Feb 26. 35 Thai and 14 American naval divers are taking part in the 19-day mission.The US has deployed the supply ship “Ocean Valor”, which is participating in the Cobra Gold multinational military exercise. The Thai government has allocated Bt90 million for the Bt200-million mission, and the US has provided Bt110 million. The operation has found that the corvette was resting upright on the seabed and has attracted a lot of marine life. The divers have, so far, succeeded in retrieving the corvette’s nameplate and a Buddha statue from the wreck. They have also salvaged some weapons, which will be decommissioned. The operation will not involve lifting the entire ship from the seabed, but will focus on collecting evidence, from both inside and outside the vessel, in an attempt to identify the exact cause of the sinking, as well as the destruction of hazardous materials. Reports with photos: https://thethaiger.com/news/national/buddha-sculpture-found-in-thai-us-navy-salvage-operation-of-sunken-htms-sukhothai https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thai-us-navies-continue-search-of-htms-sukhothai-wreck-today/
News
MV BRP DATU SANDAY
The Philippines on Feb 25, 2024, accused the Chinese Coastguard of attempting to block the BRP 'Datu Sanday' from delivering supplies to fishermen, the second such alleged incident near a disputed reef in two weeks. The BRP 'Datu Sanday' was supplying fuel to fishermen near the Scarborough Shoal when it was harassed by a China Coast Guard vessel and three other Chinese ships on Febr 22. Three of the four Chinese vessels came within 100 metres of the bow. An incident report also listed shadowing, vessel transponder jamming and other dangerous manoeuvres. Despite these manoeuvres, the naster of the ship managed to evade the blocking attempts. A week earlier, the BRP 'Datu Tamblot' had a similar encounter in the area.
FAR SOUND
The Solstad Maritime has continued clearing its unemployed anchor-handling tug supply units and sold the 'Far Sound' along with the 'Far Scimitar' for a net gain of about $7m. Both ships, which had been laid up in Asia for many years, have been delivered to an undisclosed buyer. The company also disposed of the 'Nor Spring' in Nov 2023, netting around $4.8m.
RUBYMAR
Yemen’s Houthi group stated on Feb 24 that it would allow the 'Rubymar' to be salvaged in exchange for bringing relief aid into the Gaza Strip. The ship could be towed in exchange for bringing relief trucks into Gaza. This is an offer that can be considered,” Muhammad Ali Al-Houthi, a member of the group's Supreme Political Council, said in a statement one day after the Yemeni government called on countries around the world, organizations, and bodies concerned with preserving the marine environment to quickly deal with the ship. There was no comment from Britain or Israel regarding the statement. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said on Feb 24 that “the unprovoked and reckless attack by Iran-backed Houthi terrorists caused significant damage to the ship, which caused an 18-mile oil slick. “The M/V Rubymar was transporting over 41,000 tons of fertilizer when it was attacked, which could spill into the Red Sea and worsen this environmental disaster. The Houthis continue to demonstrate disregard for the regional impact of their indiscriminate attacks, threatening the fishing industry, coastal communities, and imports of food supplies.” Report with photos: https://alkhaleejonline.net/%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%A9/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D9%88%D8%AB%D9%8A-%D9%8A%D8%B4%D8%AA%D8%B1%D8%B7-%D8%A5%D8%AF%D8%AE%D8%A7%D9%84-%D9%85%D8%B3%D8%A7%D8%B9%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D9%84%D8%BA%D8%B2%D8%A9-%D9%85%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%A8%D9%84-%D8%B3%D8%AD%D8%A8-%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%A8%D9%8A%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%B1
FOURMENTIN
In the morning of Feb 25, 2024, the CROSS Gris-Nez was informed that a migrant boat was in difficulty off the coast of Calais and deployed the 'Jacques Oudart Fourmentin' to check the condition of the boat. Once on scene, the crew noticed that there was only one person on board. The crew rescued the shipwrecked man. When it arrived at the dock at Boulogne-sur-Mer, he was taken care of by the land rescue services and the border police.
DEBI
The Orissa High Court has ordered the arrest of the 'Debi' from which 22 packets of cocaine were seized. The Paradip International Cargo Terminal (PICT) Private Ltd. had moved Orissa High Court seeking recovery of charges towards berth hire. Customs officials had seized cocaine valuated at ₹220 crore from vessel, berthed at PICT. The cocaine packets were concealed in the cranes of the ship. Subsequently, Assistant Commissioner, Paradip Customs Division directed the traffic manager, Paradip Port Trust, that no movement authorisations should be given to the vessel without prior consultation. The suspected ship had its last port of call from Gresik and was destined to Denmark. The PICT had sought recovery of ₹7.95 crore towards berth occupancy. V. Narasingha, Admiralty Judge, passed a order for arrest of vessel at Paradip Port.
CG RELIANCE
The 'Reliance (WMEC 615)' returned to their homeport on Feb 24, 2024, following a 57-day counterdrug patrol. Patrolling in support of Joint Interagency Task Force-South, the vessel stopped two drug trafficking ventures, detaining six suspected traffickers and preventing nearly 4,000 pounds of cocaine, and 5,400 pounds of marijuana, worth more than $57 million, from entering the United States. The drugs were seized in the international waters of the Eastern Pacific Ocean. During the patrol, the 'Reliance' conducted an at-sea case transfer with the Ecuadorian Navy, strengthening the partnership between the United States and Ecuador in the regional effort to combat transnational organized crime. In addition, the cutter made port calls in Ecuador, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Panama for the first time in the ship’s 59-year history. The cutter also crossed into the Southern Hemisphere, prompting a time-honored equatorial crossing tradition for the Reliance crew. Before returning to Pensacola, the crew conducted aviation training with aircraft from Coast Guard Aviation Training Center Mobile and steamed in formation with Coast Guard Cutter Diligence (WMEC 616) to commemorate the cutters’ upcoming 60th anniversaries in summer 2ß24. Report with photo: https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/3685936/us-coast-guard-cutter-reliance-interdicts-57-million-in-illicit-drugs-during-ea/
FLOATING BRIDGE 6
The 'Floating Bridge 6' will always need a boat to help push it during spring tides, a report has found. A review of the ferry in Cowes concluded that no changes to the current vessel would allow it to cope with the strongest fast-flowing spring ebb tides. The report by consultancy firm 3S, costing almost £50,000, looked at recommendations and options for the future for the council-owned service. An agreement with Solent and Wightline Cruises to provide a support barge, the 'Seaclear' is due to run out in 2025, but could be extended. The barge is used to keep the chain ferry running in all tides after an issue meant the chains were snagging. The 'Floating Bridge 6' is more than 100 tonnes heavier than its predecessor. A lighter, radically redesigned smaller vessel would go some way towards achieving the required chain depth and resolving berthing issues. The Isle of Wight Council is considering its options and if it was to get an electric vessel, which is the authority's leader's preferred choice, it could be faster and reduce downtime. The report is due to be discussed at a meeting of the council's scrutiny meeting on Feb 27, 2024. The vessel has faced a number of issues - last summer a software problem meant it was out of service for a month, costing the council £112,000 in repairs and lost revenue during the summer tourist season. Crossings are also due to be paused for a week while the annual refit takes place from March 4. A launch for foot passengers and cyclists will run but drivers face a 12-mile detour via Newport.
SPIRIT OF MANDURAH
The police was hunting a group of vandals who targeted the 'Spirit of Mandurah' in Mandurah. CCTV footage showed three people walk onto the jetty where the vessel was docked on Feb 24, 2024, at around 10 p.m. The trio then threw spotlights into the water after going inside. The vandals also deployed the life raft and threw it overboard as well. The vessel was now out of action until the life raft has been repacked into a metal container, the gas cylinder that deploys the raft has been recharged and emergency supplies like food and water have been replaced. Report with photos: https://www.coastlive.com.au/news/local-news/mandurah-marine-rescue-vessel-targeted-by-vandals/
AMERA
On Feb 25 the 'Amera' resumed service and left the port of Las Palams following a two-month delay to a major refurbishment and modernization project. After spending several months at a shipyard in Gdansk, the vessel embarked the passengers currently sailing onboard the 'Celestyal Journey'. Chartered to Phoenix Reisen, the 'Celestyal Cruises'Ä took over part of Amera’s 2023-24 World Cruise – which was scheduled to sail in December – when the ship’s drydock was first delayed. The ship is set to offer a revised itinerary across South America before resuming the original schedule of the global voyage. The changes to the original route were necessary due to the geopolitical situation in the Red Sea, which the Amera would need to cross in order to offer the planned itinerary. Instead, the ship is now sailing to various destinations in South America and the Atlantic Ocean, such as Mindelo and Praia, in Cape Verde; Recife and Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, and Montevideo. The 'Amera' will also be visiting Chile and sail around the Cape Horn before resuming its original itinerary in Peru in mid-April. As part of the World Cruise’s original schedule, the vessel is set to visit additional destinations in South America, the Caribbean, North America and Northern Europe on its way to Germany. After completing the world cruise in mid-May, the 'Amera' is set to offer departures from Bremerhaven. During its recent drydock, the 834-guest ship underwent a major modernization project that included the replacement of its main engines, in addition to updates to electrical systems, propellers and machinery. The ship also saw upgrades to its hotel facilities, with bathroom refurbishments in several passenger cabins, as well as new carpeting, upholstery and more.
HMS DIAMOND
On Feb 25, 2024, the HMS 'Diamond' was reloading its Sea Viper missile armament at the Royal Navy base in the port of Gibraltar. The ship has been on a repair stop since Feb 10, 2024m and is finalizing its preparation to return to the waters of the Red Sea, where it has become one of the main assets of the conflict against the Houthis. During its two-month deployment to the Middle East conflict zone, HMS 'Diamond' came under three separate attacks by the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels and managed to destroy nine drones using its Sea Viper missile and cannon system. Report with photo: https://www.europasur.es/gibraltar/destructor-HMS-Diamond-misiles-Sea-Viper_0_1879012745.html
TORM THOR
The Danish-owned 'Torm Thor' was attacked in the Gulf of Aden en route from Tanjung Telepas to Djibouti on Feb 24, 2024, by the Houthi militia with several missiles. However, the attack on the tanker was averted by the American destroyer USS 'Mason', which shot down the ballistic missiles. There was thus no damage to either the warship or the 'Torm Thor', which berthed in Djibouti on Feb 25 at 5 p.m. UTC.
ISLANDER
An Indian warship played an important role in providing aid to the 'Islander' after a suspect drone or missile attack in the Gulf of Aden, which led to the injury of one of the crew members. Responding to a distress call, the Indian warship reached the vicinity of the 'Islander' to ensure the safety and security of the seafarers. Upon arrival, an explosive ordnance disposal team from the Navy boarded the vessel to address any remaining hazards, after which the 'Islander' was cleared for onward travel. At the same time, a medical team provided important medical assistance to the injured crew member. Reports with photos: https://proiqra.com/indian-navy-warship-persian-gulf-ship-salvage-update-ship-missile-drone-attack-indian-warship-rescues-ship-in-gulf-of-aden-ship-catches-fire-after-attack-marines-help-injured-crew-member-pi/ https://pipanews.com/indian-warship-rescues-merchant-vessel-attacked-in-gulf-of-aden-india-news-pipa-news/#google_vignette
SALVAMAR MACONDO
On Feb 24 the 'Salvamar Macondo' located a canoe at 2:32 a.m. eight nautical miles south of Gran Canaria and proceeded to escort it to Arguineguín. After the arrival in port, the 19 migrants of sub-Saharan origin disembarked. The response was coordinated by the MRCC of Salvamento Marítimo in Las Palmas. Photo: https://twitter.com/salvamentogob/status/1760945651330715686
JASMINE
A joint operation by the Nigerian Navy and the Cameroonian Navy has led to the interception of the 'Jasmine', laden with 30,000 litres of crude oil suspected to have been stolen from Nigeria. The Navy ship NNS 'Victory' inspected the vessel on Feb 24, 2024, at the Ibaka in Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom. The tanker was spotted within Nigerian territorial waters following credible intelligence and collaboration with the Eastern Naval Command Centre. The Nigerian Navy patrol boat NNS 'Ekulu' was sent to intercept the suspected vessel and interrogate the crew. Upon noticing the NNS 'Ekulu', the suspected vessel proceeded to the international waters between Nigeria and Cameroon, just as the NNS 'Ekulu' was in its hot pursuit. With the support of the Cameroonian Navy, the vessel was intercepted and brought to Ibaka with eight Nigerians on board. The captain of the intercepted vessel, Mr Pere-Ebiye Abraham, claimed its ownership and said he went into illegal bunkering because of hardship. He had used to use the vessel to ferry planks from Nembe Waterside in Rivers, but the business dwindled and he had to switch to illegal bunkering. It was the second time he was moving crude of about 30,000 litres from around the Babangida Platform to an illegal refinery in creeks. Report with photo: https://dailytimesng.com/nigerian-cameroonian-navies-nab-vessel-laden-with-stolen-crude/
FAR SCIMITAR
The Solstad Maritime has continued clearing its unemployed anchor-handling tug supply units and sold the 'Far Sound' along with the 'Far Scimitar' for a net gain of about $7m. Both ships, which had been laid up in Asia for many years, have been delivered to an undisclosed buyer. The company also disposed of the 'Nor Spring' in Nov 2023, netting around $4.8m.
CARNIVAL CELEBRATION
On Feb 24, 2024, the 'Carnival Celebration', en route to Miami, rescued a number of migrants 20 miles north of Cuba. The homemade boat was in precarious conditions with about 20 Cubans aboard. They were removing water from the boat with buckets to prevent the rustic vessel from collapsing. The Coast Guard sent a speedboat to the scene. The process to follow was to return the irregular migrants to Cuba. Report with video: https://wsvn.com/news/us-world/carnival-celebration-crew-pull-20-migrants-to-safety-after-spotting-small-vessel-north-of-cuba/
ARCCARIBE
Colombia is preparing the recovery of the first pieces of wreckage of the galleon 'San José', in the midst of a million-dollar dispute with a treasure hunting company. The Minister of Culture, Juan David Correa, announced that the exploration will begin between April and May 2024. The American company Sea Search sued Colombia for $10 billion, its estimate of the value of 50% of the sunken treasure. The crew of the 'ARC Caribe' was meanwhile preparing in the port of Cartagena to undertake the largest underwater archeology mission in the recent history of Latin America. The 'San José' was sunk by English pirates off the coast of Cartagena de Indias in June 1708. The extraction of the objects will be a scientific test to analyze how they react in the surface after resurfacing. On Feb 23, 2024, Colombia's government unveiled plans for the deep-water expedition to explore the 62-gun, three-masted galleon. In the ship's hold was accumulated wealth taken from Spain's colonies in South America, including 116 steel chests full of emeralds and millions of gold and silver coins. The government is committed to investing approximately $4.5 million this year alone in the archaeological exploration of the historic relic. The first phase of the scientific research will focus on surveying the deep waters surrounding the shipwreck, using state-of-the-art technology to gather vital information with submerged robotic technology, a navy ship, and cameras meticulously tracking movements at a depth of 600 meters. Colombia discovered the 'San José' in 2015, prompting a slew of legal and diplomatic disputes and shrouding its exact location in secrecy. The legal battle over the ship's rightful ownership has spilled over into the US, Colombia, and Spain. Sea Search Armada, a group of American investors, claims $10 billion — 50% of what they assume the galleon treasure is worth. The group claims to have discovered the sunken sailing ship in 1982. The Colombian government said it had begun arbitration litigation with the firm. The Colombian expedition is set to launch in spring depending on weather conditions for patrimonial reasons, not a monetary exploit. The expedition aims to reveal what life and death was like for the 600 people on board the galleon before it sank. Report with photos: https://uk.news.yahoo.com/expedition-300-old-shipwreck-could-134834056.html
FAIRPLAY-56
Lifeboats from Großenbrode and Heiligenhafen were called to assist a crew member of the 'Fairplay 56' on Feb 24, 2024. At around 1:15 p.m., the captain of the tug reported by radio to the MRCC of the DGzRs in Bremen that a sailor had fallen down a companionway and needed urgent medical attention. At this time the ship was around five nautical miles northwest of the island of Fehmarn. The Heiligenhafen station and the crew of the lifeboat 'Bremen' of the Großenbrode station were alerted. The lifeboats along with two emergency paramedics immediately set off to the “Fairplay-56”, which was heading towards the two boats, which rendezvoused west of Fehmarn off the Flügge lighthouse 45 minutes after the alarm was raised. The medical team first stabilized the patient aboard the tug before he was transferred onto the 'Bremen' with a stretcher. In Heiligenhafen the sailor was handed over to the land rescue service.
CARNIVAL LEGEND
The 'Carnival Legend' suffered engine trouble on the afternoon of Feb 24, 2024 off the coast of Florida, leading to a delayed return to Baltimore and a postponed embarkation for the passengers on Feb 25. The vessel, en route from the Bahamas to Baltimore, experienced an engine malfunction, prompting a halt in its movement. In the evening, the ship was off the coast of West Palm Beach, Florida, with a northward trajectory, sailing at a speed of four knots. The next morning, the ship made an unscheduled stop at Port Canaveral, and has since resumed course towards Baltimore, maintaining a cruising speed of 19 knots. Given the altered schedule, guests scheduled to board Carnival Legend on Feb 25 have been informed of the delay in embarkation. An alert has been issued, advising: "The ship has developed an issue that is affecting its cruising speed and will be returning later than scheduled. As a result, embarkation for your cruise will be revised. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide you with timely updates. Please do not proceed to the cruise terminal until you receive our final update. We will be in touch by 2:00 (ET), Saturday, February 24. We apologize for this unexpected change of plans and thank you for your understanding." The ship had set off from Maryland on Feb 18 for a 7-night cruise to Half Moon Cay and Freeport, originally slated to conclude her voyage in Baltimore on Feb 25.