News

A crew member, aged 57, of the 'MGD Joy', en route from Cartagena to Hereke, needed to be medevaced on Dec 7, 2023, after falling ill aboard the ship around 110 nautical miles southwest of Paphos. The SAR Coordination Centre activated the Nearchos plan to rescue him, sending a helicopter with a specialised nurse on board to transport him to the Paphos general hospital. The man was hoisted, and the helicopter safely touched down at the Paphos general hospital at 10:15 a.m.

The crew of the 'Waesche (WMSL 751)' offloaded approximately 18,219 pounds of cocaine, with an estimated street value of more than $239 million, on Dec 6, 2023 in San Diego. The offload was a result of six separate suspected drug smuggling vessel interdictions or events off the coasts of Mexico and Central and South America by the Coast Guard Cutters 'Waesche' and 'Active' in November. - USCGC Waesche – 1,550 kg (3,417 lbs) cocaine (Nov. 7); - USCGC Waesche – 1,309 kg (2,886 lbs) cocaine (Nov. 15); - USCGC Waesche – 1,140 kg (2,513 lbs) cocaine (Nov. 16); - USCGC Waesche – 2,510 kg (5,534 lbs) cocaine (Nov. 20); - USCGC Active – 1,735 kg (3,825 lbs) cocaine (Nov. 23); USCGC Active – 20 kg (44 lbs) cocaine (Nov. 24). The biggest of the six interdictions was the most recent interdiction, occurring on Nov. 20, which was an interdiction of a self-propelled semi-submersible (SPSS) carrying more than 5,500 pounds of cocaine. The interdiction of the SPSS was the first in the Eastern Pacific since 2020. Report with photos: https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/3609652/multimedia-release-coast-guard-crew-offloads-more-than-239-million-worth-of-coc/

The Singapore Supreme Court has arrested the 'Eleen Armonia', which was moored at the East Anchorage in Singapore, on Dec 4, 2023, at 12.25 p.m. The arresting solicitor was Allen & Gledhill LLP. The vessel was remained stationary at the Eastern Bunkering Anchorage as of Dec 8.

In a significant drug bust, Costa Rica's Drug Control Police (PCD) seized 200 kilos of cocaine concealed aboard the 'Dole America' at the Gaston Kogan dock in Moin, Limon,on Dec 5, 2023. The vessel, originating from Colombia, was en route to the port of Antwerp. Despite the substantial find, no arrests were made on the scene. However, the PCD has launched an investigation to identify and apprehend those responsible for the drug trafficking operation. Upon a thorough inspection of the vessel, officials discovered eight packages of the illicit substance hidden in the engine room. The seizure was part of the so-called Operation Sovereignty, a government initiative geared towards combating drug trafficking in ships and export containers.

On Dec 7, 2023, the 'Frankfurt am Main' requested the medical evacuation of a sick crew member by helicopter 50 nautical miles from the Cabo de Gata. The CCS Almería of Salvamento Marítimo mobilized the SAR helicopter Helimer 207, which hoisted the patient and took him to the Almería Airport, where an ambulance picked him up for further transport to a hospital for further medical care.