An Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) report stated that the tail rotor of an Agusta A109 helicopter struck a handrail while landing on the 'Tai Keystone' on Dec 6, 2023, as the pilot did not detect the obstacle, and the ship’s crew were using an older version of the vessel’s helicopter operations checklist. The report detailed that the helicopter was conducting marine pilot transfer operations to the bulk carrier, which was about 240 km north-east of Mackay, Queensland. As the helicopter’s wheels touched down on the ship’s helicopter landing site, the tail rotor struck an upright handrail that was not identified by the pilot during his approach. The pilot reported hearing a shredding noise and an increase in the engine pitch before completing the emergency shutdown procedure. The helicopter siffered substantial damage and was secured to the deck of the vessel, which then returned to Hay Point to allow the helicopter to be recovered. The ATSB investigation found that the ship’s crew was using an older version of the vessel’s helicopter operations checklist, which did not require the removal of the handrail, and the handrail was not removed during preparation of the landing site. In addition, the handrail was not painted in a color that contrasted with the ship’s deck, which was not in accordance with international guidance. The helicopter was also not positioned correctly during the landing, resulting in its tail rotor being outside the obstacle free zone. While it is the responsibility of the pilot in command to ensure that a landing area is safe, vessel operators should ensure their procedures and landing areas on ships are aligned with the relevant guidance material. To best aid pilots, objects that present a threat to a landing helicopter that are retractable, collapsible or removable should be painted in an appropriate color to ensure they are visible if forgotten or missed. Since the accident, the ship’s operator has updated the relevant checklist, and the helicopter operator has amended its procedures to ensure helicopter pilots are provided with a visual representation of each individual vessel’s helicopter landing site prior to departure. Report with photo: https://www.marinelink.com/news/old-checklist-led-helicopter-incident-513209
News
CALEDONIAN ISLES
Caledonian MacBrayne announced further delays to the return of the 'Caledonian Isles', which will be out of action until the end of August. The vessel was deemed unfit to return to service during its annual inspection at the Cammell Laird Yard in Birkenhead in January, leaving the main means of crossing between Ardrossan and Brodick relying on a single, smaller ship, the 'Isle of Arran'. In February, the ferry operator insisted the 'Caledonian Isles' would return in June, but this has now been revised until at least the end of August. The scope of repairs will take significantly longer than anticipated. The steel repair work required is understood to involve removing all the engines at a cost of £5 million. As part of the works, the auxiliary engines and their bedplates were removed from the vessel to allow access to the double bottom water ballast tank tops. The structure below the main engines is being supported using hydraulic jacks, whilst the steel around these engines is renewed. The main engines will need to be lifted off their bedplates to allow access under the engines for renewal of the tank top steel directly below the sump.
Santa Marta
ISACOL S.A.S. - Ship Agents in Colombia. With more than 40 years of experience in Colombia's ports, ISACOL is the country's leading agent for tanker ships. Our services: - Ship Agents - Protective Agents - Husbandry - Consultancy Please visit our website at https://www.isacol.com and contact us!
Papenburg
Ocean Residences, based in Malta, will have their residence ship called NJORD constructed by Meyer. The ship is to be 290 meters long and equipped with 118 apartments. An oceanographic and atmospheric laboratory with high-quality technical equipment is also to be set up on board the M / Y NJORD. These include drones and a telescope. Scientists and experts are supposed to collect data on environmental, marine and air conditions and create new maps of the ocean floor while traveling around the globe. All collected data should be made available to the general public. Ocean Residences originally planned to have this ship built by Brodosplit and the Norwegian Kleven shipyard Images: https://www.cruisedeck.de/meyer-werft-sichert-sich-neubau-auftrag-von-ocean-residences/
OAK EXPRESS
the cargo m/v 'Everwin 11' (IMO: 8630992) allided with the 'Oak Express' on April 11, 2024, at Batangas. The 'Oak Express' was docked in Mabini town’s Landoor pier when the 'Everwin 11' hit its port quarter due to strong sea currents and winds, causing the vessel to drag while maneuvering. The tanker suffered dents, scratches, and punctured port quarter platings. As of April 25, the 'Everwin 11' was still under the custody of the Coast Guard District Southern Tagalog. The 'Oak Express' left the port of Batangas on April 23 at 11.35 a.m. UTC, headed to Shekou.
OASIS OF THE SEAS
A 74-year-old female passenger from Belgium caused the 'Oasis of the Seas' to return to Bermuda on April 24, 2024, at 5 a.m. The ship, which en route from Miami, Florida to Cadiz, arrived in local waters at 1 a.m. to drop off a 69-year-old passenger from the USA, who needed medical attention. The passenger was taken to Ordnance Island and escorted safely to KEMH.
Barranquilla
ISACOL S.A.S. - Ship Agents in Colombia. With more than 40 years of experience in Colombia's ports, ISACOL is the country's leading agent for tanker ships. Our services: - Ship Agents - Protective Agents - Husbandry - Consultancy Please visit our website at https://www.isacol.com and contact us!
Burgas
Gypsies from the poorest country in the EU - Bulgaria, have attempted to board unnamed motor vessel at Port of Burgas outer anchorage, Maritime.bg reported. The information has been confirmed by the authorities in the country. The regional governor of Burgas has appointed an urgent investigation into the so-called first piracy act in the Bulgaria's European waters. According to Maritime.bg, the attackers were not caught after their approach to the ship was detected by local services. An unknown number of gypsies are said to have sailed in a speedboat and had a ladder to board the unnamed motor vessel, under cover of the night ten days ago. A few years ago, the Libyan GNMT accused Bulgaria of supporting a "purely pirate act" when, under unknown and highly dubious circumstances, the company lost control of motor tanker BADR. The case unfolded again near Burgas. Report in Bulgarian: https://www.maritime.bg/75948-2/
EVERWIN 11
the 'Everwin 11' allided with the tank m/v 'Oak Express' (IMO:9405916), on April 11, 2024, at Batangas. The 'Oak Express' was docked in Mabini town’s Landoor pier when the 'Everwin 11' hit its port quarter due to strong sea currents and winds, causing the vessel to drag while maneuvering. The tanker suffered dents, scratches, and punctured port quarter platings. As of April 25, the 'Everwin 11' was still under the custody of the Coast Guard District Southern Tagalog. The 'Oak Express' left the port of Batangas on April 23 at 11.35 a.m. UTC, headed to Shekou.
ODYSSEY OF THE SEAS
The 'Odyssey of the Seas' diverted to Bermuda on April 23, 2024, to drop off a 31-year-old male crew member who required medical attention. The ship, which was on its way from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to Ponta Delgada in the Azores, arrived in local waters at 7 p.m., and the Indonesian crew member was taken to Ordnance Island by the pilot and rescue boat 'St George' and transported by ambulance to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.
Cartagena
ISACOL S.A.S. - Ship Agents in Colombia. With more than 40 years of experience in Colombia's ports, ISACOL is the country's leading agent for tanker ships. Our services: - Ship Agents - Protective Agents - Husbandry - Consultancy Please visit our website at https://www.isacol.com and contact us!
Ulsteinvik
On June 8, 2021, the NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC RESOLUTION (IMO 9880685) was docked out at the Norwegian Ulstein shipyard. Full article + photo gallery: https://www.cruisedeck.de/national-geographic-resolution-ausgedockt/