The head of the Investigative Court number 3 of Gandía, Amparo Tur Escrivá, has issued a provisional dismissal order in the case investigating the disappearance of Carmen Fernández, the 43-year-old woman from Cangas who worked aboard the 'García del Cid', assigned to the fleet of the Higher Council for Scientific Research (CSIC), about which nothing has been heard since September 2023. Carmen Fernández had denounced one of the ship's crew for harassment and therefore requested the CSIC, dependent on the Ministry of Science, for a transfer so that she would not have to coincide with him. According to family defense sources, the anti-harassment protocols were not executed and the woman did have contact with the man before setting sail from the port of Valencia. Her lawyer, Diego Leis, has confirmed that they will appeal the dismissal of the case before the Provincial Court of Valencia.
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GRANDE AMBURGO
After the arrival of the “Grande Amburgo” at the O'swald Quay in Hamburg en route from Santos, three tons of cocaine with a value of around 150 million euros, the majority of it having been destined for the German market, were found by the police. The local authorities had received a tip about a drug mafia gang member who was a sailor on the ship. Police found that more than 400 kilograms of cocaine were hidden a the fire truck. The sailor was arrested in the harbour. Crew members had apparently made further cocaine discoveries on the ship. They collected more than 500 kilograms and locked the coke in the workshop to later hand it over to the police. For the removal, the investigators needed a forklift, which was guarded at the quay by heavily armed police officers. A total of three tons of coke were seized by police and customs.
BERGFJORD
On Feb 21, 2024, the 'Bergjord' ran onto a rock massif in Ksamil due to a suspected defect of the steering system en route to Hereke with a cargo of scrap and an ETA as of Feb 25. After communication with the captaincy of the port of Saranda, the ship was towed to the Limion marina, where the ship was docked without problems. It had suffered damage at the bow and the port side foreship, which was heavily dented and possible breached, causing a port side list. The situation was to be evaluated by regarding the ship's navigational compliance. Reports with photos and video: https://top-channel.tv/2024/02/21/anija-tregtare-me-flamurin-shqiptar-perplaset-me-shkembinjte-ne-zonen-e-ksamilit434/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSiKENF19VE https://alfapress.al/english/aktualitet/anija-tregtare-me-flamurin-shqiptar-perplaset-me-shkembinjte-ne-ksami-i96769 https://dosja.al/aktualitet/ishte-nisur-drejt-turqise-anija-shqiptare-me-skrap-perplaset-me-shkem-i354212
BATUHAN A
The search for the missing four crew members of the 'Batuhan A' was continuesd by TCG 'Akın' and the 'Nene Hatun'. The coordination of dives to the wreck in a depth of 51 meters was provided by the TCG 'Akın'. The 'Nene Hatun' was performing imaging and scanning with its ROV. The searches of shore-based teams on the coastline were continued too. The bodies of the 33-year-old cook Zeynep Kılıç, and Hüseyin Tutuk, who sent a video he took to his wife before the ship sank, were found. Zeynep Kılıç had previously told that she did not want to work on the ship again during the winter months. The statements made in the conversation between Chef Zeynep Kılınç and Çiriğ four months ago have been released. Report with photos: https://kisadalga.net/haber/detay/marmarada-batan-batuhan-a-gemisinde-hayatini-kaybeden-zeynep-kilincin-mesaji-ortaya-cikti_93946
CMA CGM JULES VERNE
The French shipping company CMA CGM said on Feb 20, 2024, that the 'CMA CGM Jules Verne', en route from Jeddah to Port Keelung, has transited the Red Sea, escorted by the French frigate 'Alsace', after the company suspended transits through the region earlier in February due to the maritime security situation. The French Navy on Feb 20 shot down two drones launched from Yemen towards the Red Sea. The French Navy has two frigates deployed in the Southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. The European Union on Feb 19 announced the launch of a naval operation, known as EUNAVFOR ASPIDES, to protect freedom of navigation in the Red Sea against Houthi threats. The Operation ASPIDES will closely coordinate with EUNAVFOR ATALANTA, the EU’s ongoing counter-piracy operation off the Horn of Africa and western Indian Ocean, in order to contribute to maritime security, from the Suez Canal to the Strait of Hormuz.
SALVAMAR ADHARA
In the night of Feb 21 the MRCC of Salvamento Marítimo in Tenerife mobilized the 'Salvamar Adhara' to accompany a cayuco to Restinga. There was strong wind in the area. On Feb 22 at 2:53 a.m. the disembarkation of the 82 migrants began in La Restinga. Photo: https://twitter.com/salvamentogob/status/1760576446009852385/photo/1
CLARA INSIGNIA
After the refloating of the 'Clara Insignia' near Ramallo, ships have again arrived at the ports in the area of influence of Rosario after the Chamber of Port and Maritime Activities had received notification from authorities that ships could go up the Paraná again to the Rosario terminals.. However, they must load less cargo than usual due to dredging tasks carried out in that sector of the river. As the Rosario agricultural port hub is located at kilometer 410 of the Paraná, due to the accident the vessels could not reach the terminals in that area, nor could those that were docked in the Rosario ports return to international waters.
ROSSINI
To protect fishing stocks, the 'Rossini', actually serving as emergency accommodation for refugees in the Regensburg district, can no longer be moored near Donaustauf and returned to Bach on the Danube in the afternoon of Feb 22, 2024. The ship, which currently accommodates 180 people, was in Bach from Feb to July 2023, before moving to Donaustauf, after the ship was no longer allowed to be at the pier during the spawning season, which begins in March. A corresponding permit was therefore only granted until Feb 2024. The situation is different in Bach, where since 2009, mooring has been possible all year at the community's pier. How long the ship will stay this time is unclear. According to the district office, up to 45 asylum seekers per month are currently assigned to the Regensburg district; until recently there were 100. The department of the authority responsible for accommodating people is assuming that the numbers will increase again in the spring. However, precise forecasts are difficult.
STAR SERVICE
Beached at Chittagong 15.02.24 as Fukuda https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=885588426692037&set=a.518272956756921
RED JET 6
Red Funnel has been forced to cancel at least six sailings on its hi-speed Red Jet service in the afternoon and into the evening of Feb 21 due to a technical issue with the 'Red Jet 6'. The 3:35 p.m., 4:45 p.m. and 5:55 p.m. crossings from Southampton have been pulled, as well as the 4:10 p.m., 5:20 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. sailings from West Cowes with leaving the 'Red Jet 7' the only ferry on the route. At 7.35 p.m. Red Funnel confirmed that the disruption would continue into Feb 22 with the 06:05 a.m., 07:15 a.m. and 08:25 a.m. sailings from Southampton having been cancelled as well as the 06:40 a.m., 07:50 a.m. and 09:00 a.m. sailings from West Cowes. Teams were working to resolve the issue at the Isle of Wight Ferry Terminal in Southampton.
WSF SPOKANE
Washington State Ferries reported in the afternoon of Feb 20, 2024, that the 'Spokane', currently assigned to the Edmonds-Kingston route, has a bent propeller blade and had to be taken out of service in Kingston for repairs. This meant a one-ship service in the night to Feb 21.
ST NIKOLAS
The Philippine Undersecretary of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Eduardo Jose de Vega, has confirmed that one of the 18 Filipino sailors aboard the 'St. Nikolas' was released earlier in Febriary. He gave no further details about the sailor, but mentioned that Philippine authorities were working toward the release of the other crew members on board. On Jan 11, the Iranians had seized the vessel, which has since been anchored in Bandar Abbas. Greece was able to secure the release of a cadet on Jan 19. The ship's owner, Empire Navigation, said the crew on board was safe and hoped other crew members would be released soon. De Vega said that nothing was clear about the fate of the ST NIKOLAS and the matter was before the Iranian courts. Philippine authorities are actively seeking the release of the crew of the ST NIKOLAS and the GALAXY LEADER, the car carrier hijacked by the Houthis in November.
HDMS IVER HUITFELDT
On FEb 22, 2024, the 'Iver Huitfeldt', which is part of the US-led operation Prosperity Guardian in the Red Sea, with the aim of protecting civilian shipping in the area against attacks by Houthi forces in Yemen, has completed its integration with the other warships in the force. The frigate started patroling the areas where the Houthi movement has previously attacked commercial traffic. The crew was ready to respond to threats against the ship and other ship traffic in the waters. Alongside the daily patrol, a large part of the crew's everyday life is about maintaining the ship and inspecting weapon systems and main machinery. The frigate is part of the American-led operation under the international maritime coalition Combined Maritime Forces, which is made up of 39 countries. The 'Iver Huitfeldt' may at a later date transfer to the new EU naval force that is being built in and around the Red Sea.
ISLANDER
On Feb 22, 2024, the 'Islander' was hit by two missiles in the Gulf of Aden, southeast of the city of Aden, in southern Yemen causing a fire on board. Coalition forces were responding to the fire. The ship appeared to be heading from Map Ta Phut, Thailand, towards the Red Sea. Other merchant vessels are advised to move away from the vessel. Yemen's Houthi rebels who say they are acting in solidarity with the Palestinians in the context of the war in Gaza.
FUKUDA
Beached at Chittagong 15.02.24 https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=885588426692037&set=a.518272956756921
KAHLOKE
The 'Kahloke', the only ferry providing service between the Denman and Hornby islands, broke down on Feb 19, 2024, resulting in nearly a dozen sailing cancellations before noon. The mechanical issue with the number two engine led to 10 morning cancellations between Gravelly Bay and Shingle Spit between 7:30 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. More sailings were at risk of cancellation if crews couldn’t fix it, said B.C. Ferries in a notice at around 8:30 a.m. while the crew was working to resolve the issue. In an update at 12:38 p.m., the operator said the Kahloke’s mechanical issue had been repaired. The vessel resumed service with the 12:05 p.m. sailing from Shingle Spit, which departed 30 minutes behind schedule. Yet the HICEEC says the Hornby Island ferry service “continues to grapple with challenges,” particularly involving the Kahloke ferry. It says it understands “the frustrations and inconveniences faced by fellow ferry passengers underscores the very real impact on people’s lives,” pointing to early Monday morning when people were already lined up for soon-to-be-cancelled sailings.
RUBYMAR
The 'Rubymar', loaded with fertilizer, was captured down very much by the stern near the Bab al-Mandab Strait on Feb 20 and 21, but not sunk, as the Houthis had claimed on Feb 19. While the ship was to be towed to Djibouti, it could, however, still sink, given the amount of damage. A tug was expected on site withing 2-3 days. The ship's operator, the Blue Fleet Group, said that one missile had hit the side of the ship near its engine room, and a second missile hit the vessel's deck without causing much damage. The crew, after abandoning the ship, was taken to Djibouti. Reports with photos: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-68363692 https://www.bnr.nl/nieuws/internationaal/10541186/brits-schip-zinkt-na-aanval-houthis?itm_campaign=artikel&itm_medium=ticker&itm_source=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bnr.nl%2Fpodcasts
GR. COSTA DAVORIO
The US Coast Guard and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have scheduled follow up witness testimony in the evening of Feb 22 in support of the ongoing investigation into the fire that occurred on July 5, 2023 aboard the 'Grande Costa D’Avorio', while docked at the Port of Newark, New Jersey. The scheduled virtual testimony was from Renato Mandapat, who was the chief engineer at that time. The video of the testimony was scheduled to be posted on Feb 23 to the investigation site at https://www.news.uscg.mil/News-by-Region/1st-District-Northeast/PADET-New-York/Grande-Costa-DAvorio-Investigation/. The session will not be streamed live. Additional testimony from other witnesses is still being scheduled. A follow up news release and tweet will be posted to share the dates of additional testimony once scheduled. The latest information can be found on the investigation’s website at https://www.news.uscg.mil/News-by-Region/1st-District-Northeast/PADET-New-York/Grande-Costa-DAvorio-Investigation/.