On March 27, a container fell into the sea at the height of the synchrolift in the port of Cartagena. The Port Authority requested assistance, and the CCS Cartagena mobilized the 'Salvamar Draco', which towed it to the Navantia dock for recovery. Photo: https://twitter.com/salvamentogob/status/1773009823245676701
News
SAKHALIN ISLAND
The 'Sakhalin Island', the seventh and final tanker carrying Sokol oil and sanctioned by the U.S., arrived at the port of Tianjin and berthed at the Shihua Crude Oil Terminal on March 27 at 5.30 a.m. UTC, discharge its Russian oil cargo. The six other sanctioned tankers offloaded their Sokol oil cargo in China earlier in March, pushing China's March imports of seaborne Russian oil to a record high. The 'Sakhalin Island' started making its way to theTianjin late on MArch 25 after floating off the coast of nearby Shandong province for more than three weeks. Russia has been struggling with a Sokol glut amid ramped up U.S. sanctions. More than 10 million barrels of the oil supplied by Sakhalin-1, a unit of Rosneft (ROSN.MM), have been floating in storage over the past three months amid payment difficulties and sanctions on shipping firms and vessels carrying the crude. India, the top buyer of Russian crude in 2023, has retreated from purchases amid tighter sanctions, giving top global oil importer China the opportunity to scoop up the light sweet grade from Russia to replace costly Iranian supply. Chinese companies that received Sokol crude in March include Sinopec, PetroChina , Sinochem, CNOOC and independent refiners in Shandong. China's seaborne Russian crude imports were set to hit a record high in March at 1.816 million barrels per day, boosted by record imports of Far East Russian grades including 440,000 bpd of Sokol and 967,000 bpd of ESPO. Apart from the 'Sakhalin Island', the six other vessels that offloaded Sokol crude in China in MArch were the 'Krymsk', 'Liteyny Prospect', 'Nellis', 'NS Antarctic', 'NS Century' and 'NS Lion'. The tankers, except the 'NS Century', offloaded their cargo within temporary waiver periods from U.S. sanctions. All tankers are operated by companies tied to Sovcomflot. The U.S. has imposed sanctions on Russia's leading tanker group for violating a $60-per-barrel price cap on Russian crude oil exports. Aftr unloading their cargo, the 'Krymsk' and 'Liteneyny Prospect' were anchored off Nakhodka, while the 'Nellis', 'NS Antarctic' and 'NS Lion' were outside Yeosu. The 'NS Century' anchored off Qingdao.
ABEILLE NORMANDIE
In the night of March 26 the CROSS Gris-Nez was informed that a migrant boat was in difficulty off the coast of Oye-Plage and deployed the 'Abeille Normandie' to assist. The crew of the emergency tug noticed that the boat had an engine failure and launcehd two semi-rigid boats which recovered 53 people. They were dropped off at the port of Boulogne-sur-Mer, where they were taken care of by shore based rescue teams and the border police.
CG-SEA-DOG
The USCG 'Sea Dog (WPB 87373)' suffered damage during the crew’s inbound transit from sea to the St. Marys River, on March 25, 204. The cutter safely moored in Fernandina Beach, Florida, with assistance from additional Coast Guard assets and a commercial towing vessel. There were no injuries to personnel, no damage to other vessels in the area, no impediments to the navigable waterway, and no reported environmental impacts as a result of the incident. The incident was under investigation.
CALEDONIAN ISLES
Due to the 'Caledonian Isles' having to undertake significant steelwork repairs at the Cammmell Laird Yard in Birkenhead since Feb 11m 2924, Calmac have reviewed the deployment plans for the summer period. The 'Isle of Arran' will continue to operate to and from Ardrossan. The 'Alfred' will operate to and from Troon from March 29 up to and including Aug 21. During this time, the 'Alfred' will carry all vehicle types except for Motorhomes/Caravans and Coaches. Customers with these vehicle types were asked to travel on the 'Isle of Arran' sailings.
DALI
The rescue workers have stopped searching for six missing people after the allision of the 'Dali' with the Francis-Scott-Key-Bridge in the evening of March 26. The US Coast Guard announced in the evening that it was ceasing the active search for survivors. Given the water temperature, it was no longer expected that anyone would be found alive after so many hours. The Coast Guarddid not want to risk the health of rescue forces because of the dangerous currents and debris in the water. After the accident, police and rescue forces had searched for several missing people from the air and in the water for many hours. Divers and infrared and sonar technology were also used. The six missing people were part of a construction crew of Brawner Builders that was tasked with filling potholes on the bridge on the night of the accident. Two of them were Guatemalan citizens. The employees were working in the middle of the bridge when it collapsed. The missing people were just taking a break and some were sitting in their trucks The container ship had left the port with tug assistance and was then heading outward with a speed of about eight knots, when it suffered a blackout and slowly veered off course. The pilot then did everything he could have done to both slow the ship and prevent it from drifting to the right towards the bridge. The pilot quickly gave a series of orders, calling for a hard rudder to port sode and for an anchor to be dropped. The vessel's lights were going off and on again, likely due to an emergency generator activating after the initial blackout, but the ship's engines never restarted. The 'Dali' was without engine power when it hit the bridge. As a result of the momentary loss of power, it was unable to maintain the desired course. The attempts to reduce speed in the last moment were in vain, so that the ship continued to divert to starboard side due to the rudder position and the loss of manoeverability. It issued a distress call which prevented the worst as the bridge could be barred for traffic ahead of the collapse, keeping many people from plunging into the depth. However, there was no chance for the construction workes to escape when the 47 year old bridge collapsed into the 16 meters deep water. Video: https://twitter.com/i/status/1772837527478772147
DALI
Divers recovered the bodies of two of the six missing workers who fell into the icy Patapsco Riverin the night of March 27, the 35-year-old Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes and the 26-year-old Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera. They were recovered from a red pickup truck submerged in about 7.62 meters of water near the bridge’s middle span. They were on a break and some were sitting in their trucks to warm up when the bridge collapsed. It was no longer safe for divers to continue operations in the area after having exhausted all search efforts in the areas around this wreckage. Based on sonar scans, it was firmly believed that the vehicles were encased in the superstructure and concrete. The six construction workers who were presumed dead were from Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador. Under the weight of the bridge's rubble, the bow of the 'Dali' lies on the bottom, but nothing seemed to be leaking. There were still more than 5.5 million liters of lubricating and fuel oil on board, plus 4,700 containers, 56 of which contained hazardous substances including corrosives, flammables and lithium ion batteries. 13 containers were damaged, two fell overboard. All containers with hazardous substances were safe. Some containers were breached and a sheen there was a sheen in the water. The voyage data recorder has been recovered and helped to establish a timeline of events. The ship had departed from Seagirt Marine Terminal at around 12.39 a.m. and had entered the Fort McHenry Channel at 1.07 a.m., before numerous audible alarms were recorded on the audio from the ship's bridge at 1.24 a.m. At about the same time, the data stopped recording, though it resumed shortly after tapping into a redundant power source. At 1.26 a.m., the pilot made a high frequency radio call for tugs to assist. He later dropped the port anchor and made another radio call at 1.27 a.m., reporting the ship had lost all power and was approaching the bridge. The ship's speed over ground was recorded at around 12.9 kph before it collided with the bridge's support pylon at 1.29 a.m. The data included GPS coordinates, audio, rudder feedback, rudder commands, as well as snapshots of the radar and electronic chart, but the VDR did not record information about engineering, like the temperature of each cylinder, and power distribution censors. The investigation could take 12 to 24 months. The NTSB will not hesitate to issue urgent safety recommendations during that time. A preliminary report should be released in two to four weeks. The Singapore port authorities have confirmed that the ship was in good condition in terms of its structural integrity and "operation of the ship's equipment". In 2023, the ship passed two inspections, and a defective fuel pressure gauge was repaired. Investigators from the Singapore Ministry of Transport's Inspection Service were on their way to Baltimore to assist the US Coast Guard. The authorities had been informed that the ship was going to undergo routine engine maintenance during the port stay, but were not informed of any problems. The accident could cost insurers billions of dollars in claims, analysts say, with one putting it at as much as US$4-billion, which would make the tragedy a record shipping insurance loss. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) in the Baltimore District has activated its emergency operations center, clearing the way for more than 1,100 engineering, construction, contracting and operations specialists to provide support to local, state and federal agencies following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26. The USACE will lead the effort to clear the channel as part of the larger interagency recovery effort to restore operations at the Port of Baltimore. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is working together with local, state, and federal partners to determine the key actions required to remove the bridge. The USACE is providing certified underwater assessment capabilities by structural professional engineers, remotely operated vehicle and sonar. In addition to underwater assessments, the USACE is providing structural engineering support, including certified bridge safety inspectors and urban search and rescue structural technical specialists. This support also encompasses waterway debris management, led by USACE debris removal vessel 'Reynolds', which patrols the waters of the Baltimore Harbor and Patapsco River for drift and debris that could be hazardous to navigation. The USACE is also poised to provide to the joint response hydrographic and topographic surveying via the CATLETT, a 61-foot survey vessel that actively supports the Baltimore district’s navigation branch, whilst additional USACE vessels were prepared to join efforts as needed for waterway debris management. Report with photos: https://apnews.com/live/baltimore-key-bridge-collapse-latest-2024
ABDULLAH
Pirates have demanded $5 million for the release of 23 Bangladeshi crew members held captive aboard the´'Abdullah'. The Indian Navy had swiftly responded to the piracy attack on the vessel, deploying both a warship and an LRMP- long-range maritime patrol. The Indian warship intercepted the hijacked vessel on March 14, ensuring the initial safety of the Bangladeshi crew held hostage by armed pirates and maintaining proximity until it arrived in Somalia's territorial waters. The Indian Navy has offered to the Bangladesh government and the ship's owner to conduct operations aboard the ship.
PANORAMA
In the afternoon of March 26, 2024, the Karystos Port Authority was informed by the Master of the 'Panorama', which was sailing on its scheduled route from the port of Marmaris to the port of Rafina, that it had suffered a loss of the electrical power due to the breakage of the cooling belt of the second generator. The ship had on board 221 passengers with their vehicles and 18 crew members. The ship returned under its own power to the port of Marmaris, where it safely disembarked the passengers, who were forwarded to their destination by the ship-owning company. The Karystos Port Authority banned the ferry from sailing until the repair of the damage and the presentation of a certificate of class maintenance by the monitoring classification society.
SALVAMAR DENEB
On March 26, 202, the Spanish f/v 'Faro de Guía' reported on VHF channel 16, that it had suffered an engine failure and was adrift northwest of the Santander Lighthouse with two crew members on board and requested assistance. The CCS Santander of Salvamento Marítimo mobilized the 'Salvamar Deneb', which took the ship in tow and safely pulled it to the fishing port of Santander.
HT8
On March 26, 2024, the 'HT 8' was used for the defusal of a 1.8 ton air mine in the Kiel Fjord off the Naval Depot in Kiel-Gaarden. At 10 a.m. divers went down and prepared the bomb, which was then lifted and placed on the pontoon by a crane. The bomb was assessed and secured on board at 11 a.m. Short time later the work boat started moving, escorted by the water police, and reached the defusing position on the Holtenau roadsted. The Kiel Fjord was barred for any ship traffic. The crew of the “HT8” lowered the two legs hydraulically at around noon, to give the “HT8” the necessary stability for the work. Preparations were made for the crew to be evacuated using a dinghy. Of the 11 people on board, only the two defusers remain on board. The divers and crew were taken out of the restricted area. Defusing only begins when the crew is out of the restricted area. Liveblog with photos: https://www.kn-online.de/lokales/kiel/kiel-bombe-auf-der-foerde-wird-dienstag-entschaerft-QMG3SOPXG2IRZY5NKZMQS3QSNU.html
DALI
The allision of the 'Dali' with the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore was expected to have a limited but significant impact on the local port and shipping operations. The effect on the overall US economy was expected to be remaining relatively limited. About a dozen large ships have been trapped in Baltimore port along with a similar number of tugs and workboats. Another 30 vessels were signalling their destination as Baltimore, one of the smaller US container ports, ranking around no. 11, which handled about 265,000 TEUs in the fourth quarter of 2023. These can be redirected to other ports along the US east coast, although such a necessary move may lead to short-term congestion and delays in those ports. The port is important for the handling of specialised cargo and bulk handling, including motor vehicles and oil. In 2023 Baltimore handled approximately 850,000 motor vehicles, all types. Baltimore is particularly important for the handling of farm and construction machinery, automobiles, imported forest products, imported sugar, imported gypsum, and exported coal. No estimates have been given so far for the clearing of debris obstructing the channel and preventing access to the port. President Biden intimated on March 26 that federal funding would be available for the rebuilding of the bridge, but first it was necessary to clear the channel of all obstacles. Much of the debris can possibly be dragged away from the channel in relatively short time, allowing trapped ships to depart the port and others to enter. Meanwhile, enquiries into the cause of the ship’s failure to navigate safely have commenced. The accident site was being treated as a crime scene.
ST NIKOLAS
Iran has released the Filipino crew members of the 'St. Nikolas', which was seized in January with 145,000 tons of oil on board. The 18 seafarers people were only allowed leave after replacement staff had been arranged. A Greek crew member was released shortly afterwards. The Filipino crew were allowed to go home in groups from the end of January. The latter returned to Manila last week.
TITARIO SEGON
The 'Titario Segon', 68 gt, suffered an engine failure on March 25 , 2024, in the L`Ametlla area, with three crew members on board. The ship requested a tow to port, and the CCS Barcelona of Salvamenot Marítimo mobilized the SAR vessel 'Salvamar Fomalhaut', which took the ship in tow and safely pulled it to L'Ametlla.
FORTUNA NO.12
Scrapped at Busan 03/2024 https://www.shipspotting.com/photos/3692523?navList=gallery&
HT8
On March 27 the 'HT 8' was back to its normal work in the Schwentine estuary following the successful defusing of an air mine weighing on the Kiel Fjord the previous day by the explosive ordnance disposal service defused a bomb on the Kiel Fjord. It was the largest unexploded bomb from the Second World War ever found in Schleswig-Holstein. Around 170 people from Kiel-Holtenau and around 1,500 people from Heikendorf had to leave their homes at 10 a.m. for several hours for the time of the defusing. At 2:05 p.m. the detonators were removed and detonated in the water. At 2:20 p.m. the team announced the successful defusing. The police boat 'Falshöft' brought the crew of the work boat back on board. At 2:38 p.m. shipping was allowed again on the Kiel Fjord. At 3:31 p.m. the blockbuster bomb arrived safely in Kiel-Holtenau. The unexploded bomb was loaded onto a transporter and prepared for the transport to Groß-Nordsee. Video: https://www.ndr.de/fernsehen/sendungen/schleswig-holstein_1800/Entschaerfung-einer-Luftmine-in-der-Kieler-Foerde,shmag114954.html