The Houthis claimed over the weekend to have widened their area of operations, having targeted three merchant ships as well as US frigates, including one attack in the Indian Ocean. Security consultants however have not confirmed the attacks. and there is a history of the Houthis overstating the success of their naval attacks in the six months that they have been conducting strikes on merchant shipping in support of seeking a truce between Israel and Hamas. The Houthis claimed to have launched missiles against the 'Hope Island', the 'MSC Gina' and the 'MSC Grace F'. The ships were in three separate locations, the Red Sea, the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean, a significant ramp-up in terms of the geographic spread of attacks, if confirmed. Early indications suggested that none of these ships has been damaged.
News
MEGASTAR
On April 6, 2024, the 'Megastar' allided with a quay in Helsinki due to strong gusts of wind. The passengers hardly noticed the impact. The ship suffered minor damage. After an inspection, the ferry was allowed to set sail for Tallinn at 3 p.m. with a delay of 1,5 hours. .
QUEEN OF COWICHAN
Sailings of the 'Queen of Cowichan' between Metro Vancouver and Nanaimo saw major delays on the morning of April 6, 2024, after a medical emergency forced athe vessel to return to dock in Horseshoe Bay. The 8:25 a.m. sailing from Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay on the 'Queen of Cowichan' turned around mid-voyage and returned to the mainland. As of 10:30 a.m. the vessel remained docked in Horseshoe Bay. The 'Queen of Cowichan''s next scheduled voyage was supposed to depart Nanaimo's Departure Bay terminal at 10:40 a.m. with the vessel is now operating 132 minutes late as a result of the earlier emergency.
SITC DANANG
Eight people remained missing following the collision between the f/v "Yuenan Aoyu 36062" with the "SITC Danag" 22 nautical miles southwest of Yinggehai town in Ledong county off the southwestern coast of South China's Hainan province, resulting in the sinking of the fishing vessel, the provincial maritime search and rescue center said on April 7. Thanks to ongoing SAR efforts aided by an underwater robots and ROVs, the location of the sunken fishing boat was determined on April 6. However, due to the rapid flow of water at the site and the presence of fishing nets around the sunken ship, divers have not been able to enter the cabin. The fishermen were searched in an area exceeding 5,700 square nautical miles.
MARE JONIO
The Italian authorities arrested the “Mare Jonio” on April 5 in Pozzallo. The Italian NGO Mediterranea has to pay a fine of 10,000 euros,. Two days ago, the socalled Libyan Coastguard fired on the “Mare Jonio” as the crew rescued 58 people in Libyan waters. The migrants were disembarked in the port of Pozzallo. I
HESSEN
The “Hessen” has repelled another attack while deployed to protect merchant ships in the Red Sea on April 6 on the afternoon. The incoming missile could be destroyed. The “Hessen” has been in operation in the Red Sea since the end of February to protect merchant ships against attacks by the Houthi militia operating from Yemen. The operation is part of the EU military mission “Aspides”. On its 4th day of operations, the frigate had already shot down two Houthi drones. In mid-March it repelled an attack with a surface drone against a civilian ship.
OSCAR 1
Beached at Gadani 07.04.24 https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=901557398432294&set=pcb.901557918432242
NUYINA
The 'Nuyina' remains at the center of controversy with the latest report highlighting that it has not carried out any scientific voyages since its launch in 2021. The icebreaker, which is operated by the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD), has experienced mechanical failures which have raised concerns. as the new Australian federal government report criticizes the fact that the ship has not carried out any scientific expeditions. The only form of scientific research, according to the AAD, arrived in February2024 with its first contribution to a decades-long multinational program studying the tiny marine plants and animals of the Southern Ocean. The 'Nuyina' conducted the survey while sailing to the Casey research station. Before that, the vessel had initially been withdrawn after arriving in Australia due to an electrical problem. During the launch in 2022, it experienced a shortage of spare parts which delayed the first missions until 2023. “The Australian Antarctic Division is struggling to leave enough time on the ship to deliver marine science", the report stated, adding that with Antarctic science being a major benefit the government sought from the investment in the icebreaker, it may be necessary to consider whether the single-ship model is going to achieve all that is required in the Australian Antarctic Programme. The 'Nuyina' is equipped with four permanent scientific laboratories and can accommodate 20 more in additional containers for specialized research projects that will evolve in the coming decades. She can accommodate 117 people and 32 crew for 92 days at sea.
DALI
The Unified Command began to remove containers from the 'Dali' at the Key Bridge on April 7 as part of the effort to gain access to the portion of the bridge that lies atop the ship. The transfer of containers from the the 'Dali' will continue in the coming days, as weather permits. In parallel, wreckage and debris removal continued at the site, including portions of Span 19 that were taken to Sparrows Point, Maryland. While marine traffic was still limited, one vessel has transited through in the last 24 hours, totalling 32 since the creation of the temporary alternate channels. Report with video: https://www.keybridgeresponse2024.com/post/update-11-multimedia-release-removal-of-containers-onboard-m-v-dali-commences-at-site-of-key-bridge
COASTGUARD SHIPVEERA
The ICG 'Veera', while on patrol off the Andhra coast, saved all nine fishermen after their boat caught fire and sunk at sea on April 5, 2024, within six hours. The ship crew received a radio message from a nearby fishing boat about the fire raging onboard the Indian fishing boat 'Durga Bhavani' around 65 nautical miles from Visakhapatnam harbour. The Andhra registered boat had sailed from Kakinada harbour with nine crew members on board on March 26. On April 5, the boat caught fire due to explosion of an LPG cylinder on board. The fishermen jumped into the water to escape, but some suffered severe burns. The fishing boat, damaged due to explosion, sank within a few minutes. The ICGS 'Veera' proceeded at top speed, reaching the location within a few hours to provide assistance to the survivors. All nine survivors were shifted to the ship where they were provided first-aid by a medical team. Meanwhile, Coast Guard District Headquarters No. 6 in coordination with Joint Director of Fisheries Visakhapatnam arranged ambulances along with medical teams to evacuate critically injured to King George Hospital here for further treatment.
FV BREIZ
The day after the trial, at the maritime court in Le Havre, of five people, prosecuted after the sinking of the 'Breiz', which caused the death of three young sailors in January 2021, off the coast of Lion-sur-Mer, the 28 sea rescue volunteers from the SNSM station in Trouville-Deauville have decided to be unavailable. The lifeboat “Michel d’Ornano” from the Trouville-Deauville SNSM station will not go out to sea until further notice. The volunteer sea rescuers were deeply shocked by the legal developments following the tragedy of the sinking: 'What happens to one of the most experienced among us can happen to us tomorrow, we are bruised and upset. We ask ourselves many questions about the extent of the risks incurred by any volunteer normally carrying out their mission. In the absence of convincing answers to these questions, the station's volunteers have decided to be unavailable and will therefore not respond to Cross calls." In his pleading on April 5, Me Eric Najsztat, one of the lawyers of the captain of the SNSM boat who is tried for negligence and forgery in a ship's document, criticized the public prosecutor for "blackening the picture of someone who been an impeccable rescuer more than 900 times in his life.” In addition to a one-year suspended prison sentence, Le Havre prosecutor Bruno Dieudonné also requested on April 4 a two-year sailing ban against the rescuer. It is a “desire for social humiliation”, estimated Mr. Najsztat, who pleaded for acquittal.
MSC EURIBIA
In the night of April 6, 2024, a passenger on the 'MSC Euribia' had to be medevaced between Southampton and Hamburg by helicopter. After the medical assessment showed that the patient required further treatment in a hospital on land, the disembarkation was carried out shortly before 3 a.m. On April 7, the 'MSC Euribia' arrived at the Cruise Center Steinwerder in Hamburg for a partial passenger change.
DALI
The Unified Command continued salvage operations at the Key Bridge site on April 6. Progress included the removal of a 156-ton piece of Span 19 outside of the navigational channel, which was hoisted and loaded onto a barge for future disposal. Traffic through the alternate channels, while still limited, was gradually increasing, with 10 vessels transiting since April 5. The Unified Command emphasized that safety remains their top priority throughout the operation. All measures were being taken to ensure the safety of the divers and personnel involved in the assessment process. The current 2,000-yard safety zone around the Francis Scott Key Bridge remained in effect and is intended to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment. Members of the public may not enter the safety zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port (COTP) or designated representative. Those in the safety zone must comply with all lawful orders or directions given to them by the COTP or designated representative. The COTP issued a Broadcast Notice to Mariners (BNM) via VHF-FM marine channel 16. Mariners were requested to monitor channel 16 for the latest information.
MUGUNGHWA18
Scrapped at Busan,Korea 03/2024 https://www.shipspotting.com/photos/3694968?navList=gallery&
ICON OF THE SEAS
Edmond Bradley Solomon III, a 66-year-old South Carolina resident, was missing on the 'Icon of the Seas' in the port of Cozumel on April 3, 2024. The former VA critical care nurse had disappeared minutes after getting off the ship. Solomon was recently diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia. Solomon and his wife Mimi disembarked from the ship around 1:30 p.m. and stopped for a restroom break before leaving the terminal, where he disappeared. Solomon was reported missing just after 8 p.m., and a search and rescue operation was launched at 9 p.m. During the search, local police received a call from a taxi driver who claimed to have picked up a tourist matching Solomon’s description at around 2:30 p.m. and was asked to drop the American off at a road with beach access. Solomon had paid for the ride using his watch because he claimed he didn’t have any money. The search focused on the vicinity of Isla de la Pasión and all the beaches and businesses in the northern hotel zone were visited, without success. The couple had boarded the 'Icon of the Seas' on March 30 in Miami, Florida and made stops in Costa Maya, Mexico and Roatan, Honduras before docking in Cozumel around 8 a.m. Report with photo and video: https://nypost.com/2024/04/07/us-news/royal-caribbean-passenger-edmond-solomon-missing-in-mexico-vacation/
HARMONY OF THE SEAS
Eight boat passengers were pulled from the sea after the 'San Pedro' capsized and sank on the afternoon of April 5, 2024, at 3 p.m., a few meters away from the docked 'Harmony of the Seas' on the south side of the island of Cozumel. The boat took on water and capsized, dumping its passengers into the sea. All eight were rescued by other smaller boats in the area. Port authorities were investigating the sinking of the boat. A failed bilge pump was the cause for the eventual sinking. There were no injuries reported. Report with photos: https://riviera-maya-news.com/cozumel-tourist-boat-sinks-next-to-docked-cruise-ship/2024.html?cn-reloaded=1
OCEAN VIKING
The 'Ocean Viking' has rescued 55 people off the coast of Libya on April 7, including four minors, who were on board a "wooden boat in distress. The 55 people were recovered safe and sound, but one of them collapsed from exhaustion while boarding the 'Ocean Viking'. The boat they were on board was sailing in international waters, and a Libyan patrol boat arrived on the scene just after the rescue, but did not intervene. The Italian maritime authorities have designated the port of Livorno to disembark the rescued people, which is located 1,160 kilometers from the rescue site.
CAPTAIN LEONIDAS
The 'Captain Leonidas', the largest ship to call at Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion, has left the port of Yuzhny. This was announced by the Ministry of Community Development, Territories and Infrastructure on April 6, 2024. The bulk carrier has started exporting 195,700 products of Ukrainian metallurgical companies. Since August 2023, the Ukrainian maritime corridor has exported more than 36 million tons of cargo. At the same time, 1,286 ships have already passed through the corridor, exporting 25 million tons of agricultural products to countries in Asia, Africa and Europe. Now 135 more ships are waiting to approach the ports of the Odessa region, which are expected to export 4 million tons of various cargoes. The performance of the Ukrainian maritime corridor has already exceeded the results of the grain agreement, which was terminated after Russia started its war against Ukraine.
U32
On the morning of April 6, 2024, shortly after 7 a.m. smoke development was discovered in the engine room of the 'U 32' in Kiel-Gaarden at the Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) Shipyard. The fire brigade of the yard and several emergency vehicles from the professional fire brigade along with the police rushed to the scene. The situation was brought under control very quickly. . There were no injuries and no environmental damages. Since the submarine was in a dry dock, there was no direct access to the water. The emergency services were able to proceed directly to the covered dock next to Hall 9 and set up their logistics. The members of the TKMS fire brigade and the professional fire brigade checked the submarine, which could also be entered again after ventilation. The water police began investigating on site. An assessment of the damage and the search for the cause were due to start on April 8. The “U 32” was in the shipyard for repairs.