釜山火災ケミカルタンカー、日本領海進入 12/29/13 (NEWSIS)

　29日釜山海警によればこの日午後7時30分頃ケミカル運搬船M号(2万9200t級)が 1.6ノット速度で漂流して日本、対馬北東側11マイル海上まで流された。

　M号はこの日明け方2時15分頃事故がおきた以後15時間超えて16マイル相当を漂流して 日本領海に進入した。＞釜山海警は間欠的発火状態である火災船舶に対する鎮静化作業などを 中断したまま日本海上保安庁に船舶を引き渡した。

　火災船舶には、パラキシレン2万221t、アクリロニトリル4004t、スチレンモットー5152tなど 3種の化学物質2万9000 tが載っているが、幸いなことに、現在、化学物質や油流出被害はないと 伝えられた。

これと共にM号と衝突したG号は衝突余波で船舶前面に火事が起こったが、自らの鎮火で 大きい損害は着なかった。

G号は乗船員64人(韓国52人・ギリシャ6人・ブルガリア4人・イスラエル1人・ロシア1人)も 全部乗せたままこの日午後釜山（プサン）、甘泉（カムチョン）港の修理造船所に入港した。

　一方、G号は去る28日夜9時45分頃蔚山（ウルサン）米浦項（ポハン）を出港して試験運転中 気象悪化で慶南（キョンナム）、＞巨済（コジェ）、紅島（ホンド）側に移動中だった。 M号は同じ日夜11時頃蔚山港（ウルサンハン）を出港して中国に移動中だった。

G号乗船院は海上警察調査で"私たちの船舶で接近するケミカル運搬船を発見、衝突危険を 感じて数回にかけて無電をしたが答えなかったし、結局衝突事故が出た"と述べた。

(Yonhap News Agency)

(global.dwnews.com)

Fire on tanker (The Korea Times)

MARITIME MAISIE IMO 9251535 (ShipSpotting.com)

Cargo ship collides with chemical tanker, 91 rescued 12/29/13 (Yonhap)

A chemical tanker is on fire after colliding with a cargo ship off South Korea's
southeastern port city of Busan on Dec. 29, 2013. (Yonhap)

BUSAN, Dec. 29 (Yonhap) -- A cargo ship collided with a chemical-laden tanker off South Korea's southeast coast early Sunday, causing the tanker to catch fire, but all 91 crew members on the two vessels were rescued safely, coast guard officials said.

The 55,000-ton freighter Gravity Highway was on a test-run when it collided with Maritime Maisie, a tanker carrying 29,337 tons of inflammable chemicals, in waters about 9.2 nautical miles off the southeastern port city of Busan around 2:15 a.m., officials said.

The impact caused a fire on the tanker, which was carrying 27 crew members.

Sixteen coast guard boats, some Navy vessels and helicopters were sent to the scene, and rescued all crew members aboard the tanker, officials said. Firefighters brought the blaze under control around 10 a.m. and were trying to put it out completely, they added.

Some crew members of the tanker sustained light burns or abrasions, officials said.

About 4,000 tons of chemicals paraxylene and acrylonitrile were lost from burning, but the fire did not spread to other containers, officials said. They said no chemicals were released into the sea and the tanker is unlikely to sink.

The freighter, which was carrying 64 crew members, also caught fire that was extinguished shortly. It was being towed to a shipyard near the scene, officials said.

Officials said they were investigating the exact cause of the collision.

対馬沖で外国船衝突、タンカー炎上　船員は無事 12/29/13 (朝日新聞)
　第７管区海上保安本部（北九州市）に入った連絡によると、２９日午前２時１０分ごろ、長崎県・対馬の北西約３７キロの対馬海峡の公海上で、香港船籍のケミカルタンカー、マリタイム・メイシー号（約２万９千トン、乗員２７人）と、バハマ船籍のコンテナ船グラビティ・ハイウエー号（約５万５千トン、乗員６４人）が衝突。タンカーで火災が起きた。乗組員は救命艇で避難し、全員無事という。

　タンカーの要請を受け、韓国海洋警察庁の警備艦と７管の巡視船艇など約２０隻が消火活動にあたった。消火しながら漂流し続け、夜には一時、対馬沖の日本領海内に入った。

　タンカーは化繊原料パラキシレンなど可燃性の化学物質約３万４千トンを積み、韓国・蔚山（ウルサン）から中国・寧波（ニンポー）に向けて航行中だった。コンテナ船は韓国の造船所で建造中で、現場海域を試験航海していたという。

化学物質積んだタンカー、衝突・炎上…釜山沖 12/29/13 (FNNニュース)
　第７管区海上保安本部（北九州市）によると、２９日午前２時１３分頃、韓国・釜山(プサン)沖約１５キロの海上で、香港のケミカルタンカー（乗組員２７人）と、バハマ船籍のコンテナ船（同６４人）が衝突、タンカーが炎上した。

　韓国側が警備艇９隻、ヘリコプター２機などを出動させ、タンカーの２７人を救助。午前１０時３０分現在、同船からは黒煙が上がっている。

　コンテナ船は自力航行が可能だという。

　発表によると、タンカーはパラキシレンやアクリルニトリルなどの化学物質を約３万トン積んで、韓国から中国へ向かっていた。

　衝突現場は対馬の北端部から北西約４０キロの海上で、長崎海保の巡視船など３隻も出動して警戒にあたっている。

Cargo vessel Xing Tai 5 sank off Shanghai 12/27/13 (Maritime Bulletin)
Cargo vessel Xing Tai 5 sank in the morning Dec 27 13 in Jiangsu province waters, somewhere north of Shanghai. 11 crew were rescued and 5 remain missing, according to Shanghai MRCC. Vessel is either container ship or a general cargo loaded with containers, some 20 containers reported afloat and drifting in the area. The cause of the sinking unknown. Details of the vessel are scarce, too. There is a big number of Chinese cargo vessels engaged in coastal trading with very little information on them, restricted generally, to name, MMSI and length.
Cargo vessel Xing Tai 5, MMSI 412428950, length 112 meters, flag China.

5 missing after ship sinks off E China 12/27/13 (China Daily.com)
SHANGHAI - Eleven people were rescued and five remain missing after a container vessel sank off the coast of East China's Jiangsu province, rescuers said Friday.

The cargo vessel, "Xingtai5", sank early Friday morning in the waters off Lyusi, Jiangsu, according to the Shanghai maritime search and rescue center, which received an SOS at 7:28 am Friday.

Two maritime rescue ships and three other vessels rescued 11 crew members from the sea. The search for the remaining five continues, said the Shanghai Maritime Safety Administration.

More than 20 containers from the vessel fell into the sea and some were floating.

Maritime authorities have alerted passing vessels to avoid the area.

The cause of the sinking is unclear.

転覆から１３日…重油回収続く～和歌山・串本沖 12/23/13 (MBSニュース)

和歌山県串本町沖で座礁した、韓国船籍の２隻の船から重油の流出が続いていて、 串本海上保安署が回収作業を続けています。

今月１０日、千葉県から韓国に向かっていた海底の地盤を整備をする大型船と、 それを曳航していたタグボートが、串本町沖で強風にあおられ相次いで座礁しました。

タグボートからは重油が流出。

さらに１９日の強風で、転覆した大型船からも重油の流出が始まりました。

これまでおよそ９，０００リットルの重油が流出したと見られていて、串本海上 保安署は、海面に海水をまいて重油を分散処理したり、海岸に流れ着いた重油を 布に吸着させて除去する作業を進めています。

２隻はともに韓国船籍で、船を移動させる業者探しが難航していて、撤去のめどは 立っていないということです。

韓国船籍タグボート座礁　台船から１・９キロにわたり油流出　和歌山県沖 12/20/13 (産経新聞)

横倒しになり、船底が海面から出た状態になっている台船＝和歌山県串本町

　和歌山県串本町沖で韓国船籍のタグボート（１６０トン）が座礁した事故で、串本海上保安署は１９日、タグボートに曳航されていた台船（長さ７０メートル、幅３０メートル、高さ６５メートル）が左舷側に横倒しになったと発表した。同日朝には、台船から油が長さ約１・９キロにわたって膜状に流出したが、午後には長さ１５０メートル、幅３０メートルほどに縮小したといい、同署が対応にあたっている。

　台船は、地盤改良用の船で、杭を打ち込むための鉄骨製のやぐらが設置されていたため、１０日の座礁以降は不安定で傾いた状態となっていた。

　一方、和歌山地検田辺支部は、業務上過失往来危険容疑で書類送検された韓国籍の男性船長（６０）を不起訴（起訴猶予）とした。

串本町で座礁の作業船が転覆 12/19/13 (NHK和歌山県のニュース)

串本町の沖合で座礁した韓国船籍の作業船が転覆していたことがわかりました。
現場では座礁した作業船などの撤去するための準備が行われていましたが、作業船の転覆で撤去作業が行われるのは年明け以降になる見通しになりました。
転覆していたのは、今月１０日韓国にむかう途中、串本町の沖合でタグボートとともに座礁した韓国籍の作業船です。
全長７０メートル、高さ６５メートルの作業船は座礁した時から斜めに傾いていましたが、１８日夜からの強風などの影響で転覆したと見られています。
作業船については、撤去作業の準備として船から周辺の海域に漏れ出した油を取り除く作業が進められていましたが、作業船が転覆し、タグボートも斜めに傾いたこと
で油が漏れだした範囲が広がっているということです。
串本海上保安署などでは年内をめどに２隻の船の撤去を目指していましたが、転覆によって撤去作業が行われるのは年明け以降になる見通しになりました。

Dec 15 collision – Greek boxship COSCO Ningbo and Chinese freighter Ding Yao Jing Sheng 12/18/13 (Maritime Bulletin)

China News Service reported collision of a Chinese cargo vessel and Greek container ship, which took place in the morning Dec 15 13, at around 0620 LT. Chinese cargo ship began taking on water after the collision. All 13 of its crew members were rescued by a vessel dispatched by the Donghai Rescue Bureau of the Ministry of Transport at around 7:30 am. Chinese vessel was en route to Lianyungang, Jiangsu province from Ningbo, Zhejiang province.
As it became known, the vessels in question are container ship COSCO Ningbo and, according to vesseltracker.com, Chinese general cargo vessel Ding Yao Jing Sheng. Collision took place in Shanghai – Ningbo area off Yangtze river mouth. Chinese freighter was breached and developed a list. COSCO Ningbo damages unknown, but most probably, not serious. As of Dec 18 vessel was in Shanghai.
Ding Yao Jing Sheng didn’t sink, as of Dec 18 vessel was anchored on Yangtze mouth road with service vessel standing by.
General cargo vessel Ding Yao Jing Sheng, MMSI 412753720, length 99 meters, flag China.
Container ship COSCO Ningbo, IMO 9305582, dwt 107492, capacity 9383 TEU, built 2006, flag Greece, manager COSTAMARE SHIPPING CO SA, Greece.

Major fire broke out on LPG tanker Golden Miller, Brazil 12/17/13 (Maritime Bulletin)
Major fire broke out on board of LPG tanker Golden Miller, which was docked at terminal in Aratu, Brazil, at around 1740 LT Dec 17 13. Fire started when the vessel was loading cargo of propane. The crew was evacuated, no casualties, two crew were slightly injured. Port Aratu fire teams were fighting the fire, together with three tugs equipped with water cannons. Fire was extinguished in the evening next day, Dec 18. Fuel leak is reported. The extend of damage unknown, but seems to be serious. All photos full-scale at http://atarde.uol.com.br/bahia/salvador/materias/1556435-embarcacao-pega-fogo-no-porto-de-aratu LPG tanker Golden Miller, IMO 9021667, dwt 16248, built 1993, flag Bahamas, owner PETREDEC LTD.

座礁貨物船撤去されず　青森・深浦の海岸放置９ヵ月 12/16/13 (産経新聞)

船体が割れた座礁船。撤去の見通しは立っていない＝青森県深浦町（青森県河川砂防課提供）

　青森県深浦町岩崎の海岸でことし３月、カンボジア船籍の貨物船が座礁し、９カ月たった今も撤去されていない。中国の船主が県や町からの要請に応じず、法律でも撤去を命じることができないためだ。事態が進展しなければ、億単位の撤去費用を公費で賄うことになり、県と町は対応に頭を悩ませている。

◎県・町要請に船主そっぽ　法適用外で命令不可能／進展なければ公費負担 費用膨大「とても迷惑」

　座礁したのは「ＡＮ　ＦＥＮＧ（アン・ファン）」（約２０００トン）。３月１日夜、秋田港から室蘭港へ向かう途中、浅瀬に乗り上げた。乗組員はベトナム人と中国人計１２人で、青森海上保安部が全員を救助した。

　県河川砂防課によると、船は事故に備えた船主責任保険に加入しているが、船の所有者の中国人３人のうち１人が所在不明で、保険会社が連絡を取れていない。保険会社は「所有者３人の同意がなければ撤去できない」と県に説明しているという。

　法的にも、県が船主に撤去を命じるのは難しいケースだ。座礁現場近くの海岸は海岸法で保全区域の公共海岸に指定され、船などの放置が禁止されているが、座礁した場所は海上で公共海岸に該当せず、撤去を命令できない。船主の代わりに撤去する行政代執行も、海岸法での撤去命令が前提条件のため、適用のハードルが高い。

　県と町はこれまで所有者３人に対し計１０回、国際郵便などで撤去を求めたが、県河川砂防課の今孝治課長によると「一切返事がない」という。９月には外務省や国土交通省に協力を要請したが、解決のめどは立っていない。

　３月以降、県と町はワイヤで貨物船を固定するなどの措置を講じてきた。１１月末には金属疲労により船体が二つに割れ、再固定作業も実施。掛かった費用は計約４５００万円に上る。今課長は「撤去費用は数億円になる。大変な迷惑で、船主側に何としても撤去してもらう」と話している。

龍郷湾タンカー乗り上げ　悪天候で作業見送り 12/17/13 (KTS 鹿児島テレビ)

　１６日、龍郷町の湾内にタンカーが乗り上げた事故で、１７日の移動作業は、現場の天候が悪く見送りとなりました。
　この事故は、広島県のタンカー「たまりき丸」４９９ｔが、龍郷湾の浅瀬に乗り上げたもので、けが人はなく、重油の流出も確認されていません。
　奄美海上保安部などは、１７日朝の満潮時刻に合わせて、タンカーの移動作業を予定していましたが、現場の天候が悪く波も高かったため、１７日の作業は見送られました。
　龍郷町は、１８日の午後、船の所有者や港湾関係者に現状を説明した上で、移動作業のスケジュールを決めることにしています。

奄美大島沖でタンカー座礁　積み荷の重油、流出なし 12/16/13 (朝日新聞)

　１６日午前７時半ごろ、鹿児島県奄美大島の龍郷町の北東約５００メートル沖の浅瀬で、広島県呉市のタンカーたまりき丸（４９９トン）が座礁した。奄美海上保安部によると、重油約１千キロリットルを積んでいたが、流出はなく、けが人もいないという。船は安定しており、満潮を待って離礁作業をする予定。

座礁タグボートの重油回収　串本沖で始まる　台船も大きく傾く　和歌山 12/17/13 (産経新聞)

　串本町沖で１０日から座礁したままとなっている韓国船籍のタグボート（１６０トン）について、船内に残った重油の回収作業が１６日、始まった。天候などが安定し作業が順調に進めば、２０日頃に終了する予定という。

　串本海上保安署によると、タグボートは千葉から韓国に向かう途中、荒天のため停泊していたが、１０日未明に強風にあおられ座礁。乗組員４人はヘリコプターで救助されたが、タグボートは座礁したままで、タグボートにえい航されていた台船（長さ７０メートル、幅３０メートル、高さ６５メートル）も座礁して斜め４５度ほどに傾いた状態となっている。

　タグボートと台船ともに船底が破損したため、燃料用や発電機に使う重油が流出。一時、台船からの重油が油膜状に南東方向に長さ約３キロ、幅約２００メートルに広がった。周辺には拡散を防ぐオイルフェンスなどが設置され、現在のところ漁業に大きな影響はないとみられている。

　重油の回収作業は、午前１１時に始まり、タグボートから約１５０メートル離れた海岸からホースを伸ばし、ポンプによる抜き取り作業が行われた。いったん海岸のドラム缶に重油を集め、さらに約８０メートル分のホースを伸ばして大型タンクローリーに移された。この日の作業は午後２時過ぎに終了。約２０キロリットルの重油が回収されたという。

　同署は「今日は天候が良く順調に作業を進めることができた。早い回収に努めたい」と話していた。

韓国人船主が漁師らに陳謝　現時点で油流出はわずかか　串本町津荷の船座礁 12/13/13 (熊野新聞社)

　串本町津荷沖で１０日未明の強風により韓国籍のタグボートが座礁し、油が流出している。韓国にある船の所有会社社長が１２日午後、同町消防防災センターで説明会を開き、新宮市から同町までの漁協や海上保安庁、関係者らの前で陳謝した。海保や対処しているサルベージ会社によると、現時点での油流出はわずかで、自然蒸発する量だという。

　タグボートは２隻で地盤改良台船（高さ６５㍍、長さ７０㍍、幅３０㍍）をえい航し、千葉港から韓国釜山に向かっていた。９日午後に荒天のため串本町沖に避泊したところ、強風にあおられタグボート１隻が座礁し、台船も穴が開き浸水し動けなくなった。

　海保によると、現在海面に流出している油は１２日午前１０時４５分時点で南東約２８００㍍、幅最大１０００㍍に広がっているが、大部分は薄く、末端は自然蒸発でなくなってきているという。サルベージ会社によると、台船に積んでいた発電機や機械の油と思われ、船自体の燃料漏れは確認されていない。

　タグボートにはＢ重油４６．６㌔㍑と軽油７㌔㍑、台船にはＡ重油４１㌔㍑が残っており、全て合わせるとドラム缶４７３本分に相当。明日から油抜き取り作業が始まり、早ければ２０日（金）ごろに終わる。

　船の撤去についてはサルベージ会社が調査を進め船主と協議を進めており、タグボートは早ければ２５日（水）に岡山県の港にえい航される。関係者は「荒天になれば状況が悪化する可能性もある」と懸念している。

Freighter Asia Peace sunk off northern Phillippines, 20 rescued 12/17/13（SeaNews Turkey）

All 20 mariners of general cargo ship Asia Peace were rescued before the vessel sank off northern Philippines.

Panamanian flag M/V ASIA PEACE; with 20 all chinese crewmembers, carrying logs, outer "Asian Peace" (ASIAPEACE) December 5th round encounter stormy seas in the northeastern Philippines, sank 20 Chinese crew members were rescued by nearby vessels YANGTZEETERNAL and NAVIOSORBITER on 11 evening at 20:00.

The timber cargo hit the shell plate and damaged the hull

According to the rescued crew of Panama-registered cargo ship ASIA PEACE with a total of 20 crew members, all Chinese crewmen left the ship carrying logs bound for China, from Papua New Guinea DARU Zhangjiagang Port. At 14:39 on December 5, sailing through rough seas off northeastern Philippines suffered due to scattered timber ship loading, tilted hull, cargo hold started to take in water, 20 crew immediately sent out mayday to save themselves.Worse, the water timber was four or five meters high waves swept the beat hit the boat, a huge impact will ship broke a large hole in the hull water seriously, the crew on the ship tilted, at any time into the sea, the situation is very urgent, the captain immediately launched the emergency response, issued a distress alert.Come to the rescue ship around the sea From the "Asian Peace" round more than 30 sea miles of "Yangtze Eternal" round first signal received salvage immediately reported to the relevant parties, full shipwreck site of the incident bound to carry out rescue work.

Near the sea was churning waves, severe distress tilt the hull, rescue very difficult task, in the "Asian Peace" long command ship, the older crew before boarding, batch lifeboats heading "Yangtze eternal" round.In the boarding process, due to a large surge of panic and distress crew lifeboat capsize, "Cheung eternal" life buoy to the ship who immediately fell into the water to rescue the crew on board were killed, 15 crew members were rescued.Five crew members onboard sank eventually rescued stayTo keep the freighter, the "Asian Peace" led by long boat mate, two, wheels and a long stick to the hull sailor, a final effort. Two captain negotiation of "Yangtze Eternal" vessel near the "Asian Peace" round, by the crew to see each other play-throwing machine trying to stabilize the hull.However, due to the big waves repeatedly throwing not successful this time, accelerated sinking ship, 20:40 minutes, the "Asian Peace" completely sank, a huge swirl around the hull, the boat's five crew onboard sucked by the sea, dead or alive.Yangtze Eternal ship and came round to avoid the outer NAVIOSORBITER sea and sunken timber back and forth in the incident area search, the search in the dark waters of nearly three hours, the final four crew members were "Yangtze eternal" wheel rescued, there is a NAVIOSORBITER round crew members were rescued, 20 Chinese crew members were rescued.The ship's second officer told police the accident, after the ship sank, and he wore a life jacket to swim non-stop, because the dark night, the sea too much debris, rescue boats can not see him, he was in the upper reaches of the sea in three more than an hour, and finally got close to the boat rescue."Wreck that moment I felt that I must be dead this time, I would like my son, he was a year old, I run outside year round boat have not seen him ......" He rubbed his eyes hard, bare back full of scars.

Shekou border opened emergency "green channel"Distress crew lose all valid documents in the shipwreck,

Shekou border police opened emergency on everything "green channel", to advance to the starfish boat dock berth No. 1 pick, "Cheung eternal" after the number of berthing, immediately boarding and inspection onboard research on the verification of the identity of the rescued crew, rapid immigration formalities, let distress crew home safely as soon as possible.

Cargo Ship Sinks in Rhodes 11 Dec 2013 12/11/13（ekathimerini.com ）

The cargo ship Nour M sank at the port of Rhodes due to strong winds. Turkish crew of the ship said that Greeks left the ship to strong winds to sink after discharged all cargo.

The cargo ship Nour M sank at the port of Rhodes due to strong winds. The vessel had been detained 30 days ago when the coast guard and customs officials had discovered thousands of bullets. The Sierra-Leone flagged Nour M had was stopped near the Dodecanese island.

Abandoned General cargo vessel Rimma disabled in Bosphorus 12/07/13 （Maritime Bulletin）

General cargo vessel Rimma suffered mechanical failure while transiting Bosphorus in northern direction on Dec 6 13. Vessel reported failure at 0250 LT, Traffic control sent a tug, which took the vessel to outer Istanbul road in Marmara sea. As of afternoon Dec 6 vessel was in the same position anchored on road. Vessel was en route from Tekirdag Turkey to Yeisk Russia. General cargo vessel Rimma, IMO 8874902, dwt 3180, built 1970, flag Cambodia, manager POSEIDON LTD-KHERSON.

Theresa Bitung tanker that broke in two, still afloat 12/03//13 (Vessel Finder)

Theresa Bitung tanker ship that encountered fire in engine room and broke in two on 27 November, 2013 was in position 06 17.5N 109 02.5E yesterday, 2 December. The damaged tanker ship drifted about 250 n.m. in southern direction from the position she reported fire onboard.

Previous:

The Vietnamese Coastal Information System Station that received the distress signal instantly alerted the S&R units in the region of the accident and tried to contact the tanker for further information but didn't get any response.

Later on the same day, Vietnamese Coast Guard confirmed that tanker ship Theresa Bitung encountered fire in the engine room and crew members completely lost control of the ship. All people were forced to abandon the damaged Theresa Bitung vessel.

According to reports, relevant agencies were requested to assist the distressed tanker vessel and got feedback from the vessels operating in the area of the accident to support the burning Theresa Bitung tanker.

Tanker Theresa Bitung still afloat, drifting 12/02//13 (Maritime Bulletin)

Tanker Theresa Bitung at 0800 UTC Dec 2 13 was in position 06 17.5N 109 02.5E, vessel drifted some 250 nautical miles in southern direction from the position she reported fire, Nov 27. Condition of the vessel unknown.

Tanker Theresa Bitung on fire, crew rescued, South China November 27, 2013

Product tanker Theresa Bitung caught fire in South China Sea at around midday Nov 27 13, fire started either in engine room or in superstructure, and spread further. Tanker was ballasting from China to Singapore, distress signal was issued from vicinity 09 35N 111 38E, SW of Spratly Islands. Vessel issued distress signal reporting 26 crew moving to lifeboats. MRCC Hainan coordinated rescue operation, directing to site one of the vessels in the area, Greek bulk carrier Maiden Voyage (IMO 9552343, dwt 58722, manager Starbulk). Maiden Voyage picked up the crew several hours later and will deliver them to HK. No injures reported, it is understood that abandoned tanker is on fire and drifting. Product tanker Theresa Bitung, IMO 8618229, dwt 29995, built 1989, flag Tuvalu, manager RAFFLES SHIPMANAGEMENT SERVICES PRIVATE LTD, Singapore.

Sloppy 11/29/13 (The Philippine Star)

FIRST PERSON By Alex Magno (The Philippine Star)

When time is of the essence, controls could become sloppy. Government contracts could be awarded recklessly, injuring public interest.

So many questions are now asked of a P100 million contract awarded to clean up the oil spill threatening the livelihood of fishermen in northern Iloilo province. The contract appears to have been awarded recklessly and, as a consequence, the cleanup, if it happens at all, might be improperly done.

On Nov. 8, as Typhoon Yolanda lashed through the Visayas, Power Barge 103, moored off Estancia, Iloilo, was grounded by strong winds. The grounding resulted in damage to the hull of the power barge. Tens of thousands of liters of bunker fuel began spilling out to the sea.

The PSALM announced bidding for the cleanup of the spill soon after. The bidding happened on the evening of Nov. 20. Two bidders qualified for the bid.

After the first round of bidding, the first of the two bidders was disqualified for lack of key documents pertaining to the bid. The second was also disqualified for submitting a bid above the approved budget of P96.8 million for the cleanup job. That round of bidding was declared a failure.

Because of the emergency nature of the cleanup job, a second round of bidding was scheduled just 30 minutes after the first. That was barely enough time for the two original bidders to correct their submissions.

As a concession to the bidders, the budget for the project was raised to P100 million, exclusive of VAT. The Terms of Reference were likewise amended to allow the winning bidder to adjust the price for the contract as work proceeds.

On the second round of bidding, a third bidder came in and won the bid. This third bidder was Kuan Yu Global Technologies.

According to SEC documents, Kuan Yu Global Technologies was previously registered as Maxx Ionized Alkaline Water, Inc. Its 2013 General Information Sheet says the firm has paid up capital of only P62,500 and assets of only P75,000.

Immediately, serious questions were raised. Why was Kuan Yu allowed to participate in the second round? Why were the COA representatives present in the first round of bidding and not on the second? What happened to the post qualification proceedings where the bids and awards committee would evaluate the financial and technical competence of the winning bidder.

Kuan Yu explains their representatives arrived late for the first round of bidding and were thus excluded. That does not answer the question: If they were disqualified, why did they hang around to participate in the second bidding? Did they know the initial bidding process would fail?

The COA, for its part, says that since the process was getting late into the night, its representatives went home. At any rate, they were there merely as observers and were not integral to the process. Fine.

The very next morning (Nov. 21), the PSALM bids and awards committee (BAC) convened to evaluate the winning bidder. They recommended disqualification of Kuan Yu because the company did not have the financial capacity to undertake the project.

On the afternoon of the same day (Nov. 21), quite oddly, Senate President Franklin Drilon announced that PSALM awarded the cleanup contract to Kuan Yu. Nothing was heard since about the BAC recommendation to disqualify Kuan Yu for having insufficient financial resources to credibly undertake the project.

According to the company’s filings with the SEC, the company’s industry classification is “collection, purification and distribution of water.” The company likewise reported its business address as Lot 25, FTI Complex, Western Bicutan, Taguig City. No such company holds office in that area, a detail that calls up the practices of the Napoles NGOs.

As required by the contract, the supposedly winning bidder did deploy to the site of the oil spill a couple of days after award.

A check on the oil spill site showed several pieces of equipment of the Coast Guard Marine Environment Protection Command (MEPCOM) being used. It turns out, the president of Kuan Yu used to be a former officer of this unit.

When a team from the Department of Health visited the site of the oil spill, they were alarmed that the people hired for the cleanup job were not wearing any protective gear. It turns out, they were local residents hired to clean up the oil spills using dirt rags, plastic pails and tin cans.

Instead of oil spill booms, the firm had deployed used tire interiors. To make matters worse, the grounded barge continued to spill its deadly fuel content. Elsewhere, oil spills are cleaned up using hi-tech equipment and proper solvents. Not in this case.

Good luck to the Ilonggo fishing communities threatened by this calamity.

Reply

I have written in this space about the incredible business model evolved by Mighty Corp. that allowed the company to sell cigarettes at P1 per stick and still come off with a profit.

In response, Might sent me a letter explaining that unlike their foreign competitors, they do not pay royalties abroad, are not required to shell out branch profit remittance and hire no foreign consultants. Therefore, the company is able to price their products at just over P14 per pack wholesale so that Filipinos get the chance to “enjoy international grade cigarettes without burning holes in their pockets.”

They deny that revenue agencies are investigating their company and insist there is not a shred of proof of revenue losses to government. The company will reveal their production data only if the revenue agencies say there has been wrongdoing.

Fine. I remain as impressed as ever with their business model.

ZHOU HANG 2 - IMO 9640372 (ShipSpotting.com)

BUM JIN No.5 - IMO 9168374 (ShipSpotting.com)

Three Aground off Ulsan 11/24/13 (Shipwreck Log)

One freighter and two tankers were blown aground during the night when strong winds were whipped up near Ulsan, South Korea. The 112 meter long, 4675 dwt freighter Zhou Hang 2, 116 meter long, 11347 dwt tanker CS Crane and the 90 meter long, 3565 dwt tanker Bum Jin 5 had been at an anchorage off Ulsan. As conditions worsened, the vessels weighed anchor to move further away from shore. Before the vessels could reach a new anchorage, the winds reached 45 miles per hour and waves rose up to four meters. The vessels were pushed off course and went ashore. The Zhou Hang 2 suffered hull damage as it struck an underwater rock formation just offshore. No reports of injuries to the total crew of 46 men across all three vessels. The South Korean Coast Guard responded and were able to rescue 11 crew off the CS Crane. No information has been reported if any pollution had been released. Reports state weather alerts had been issue by authorities the day before.

Spill adds to suffering of Iloilo folk 11/17/13 (Inquirer News)

ESTANCIA, Iloilo—Hundreds of residents continue to suffer from the pungent odor of bunker fuel a week after a power barge slammed into the coast of Estancia town, Iloilo province, spilling about 200,000 liters of oil.

Health officials have warned of hazards due to the continued inhalation of and exposure to bunker fuel and have recommended the evacuation of affected residents in Barangay (village) Botongon in Estancia, about 110 kilometers northeast of Iloilo City.

But the siphoning of the remaining oil from the National Power Corp. (Napocor) Power Barge 103 and the cleanup of the coast have been delayed due to finger-pointing on who is responsible for the barge.

Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr. said the barge was recently sold by the Napocor to Salcon Power Corp. but the barge was not turned over to the new owner.

They are finger-pointing, Defensor said.

Senate President Franklin Drilon, a native of Iloilo who attended a briefing on relief operations in Iloilo on Friday, called Napocor president Ma. Gladys Cruz-Sta. Rita and asked the Napocor to take responsibility in addressing the oil spill at the moment and settle the other issues later.

Strong winds and huge waves dislodged the barge from its moorings, 200 meters from the shoreline, and slammed the 32-megawatt barge into Botongon.

The oil sheen from the spill has reportedly reached the neighboring town of Batad, according to provincial administrator Raul Banias.

Commodore Athelo Ybañez, Western Visayas Coast Guard commander, said the oil sheen had spread 5 km from the barge, affecting parts of six coastal barangays in the neighboring town of Batad.

Coast Guard oil spill response personnel have started collecting oil using skimmers and via manual scooping. Residents have also been tapped in a cash-for-work program for the cleanup.

Cleanup teams have collected 27 tons of contaminated debris and 13,000 liters of bunker fuel as of Friday.

Dr. Marilyn Convocar, Department of Health regional director, recommended the mandatory evacuation of 30 families (about 150 persons) that were closest to the oil spill site and faced the greatest health risks.

Convocar said residents should be moved 50 to 100 meters away from the site. The most vulnerable were children, the elderly, nursing mothers and those with ailments.

She also recommended the wearing of protective gear for those involved in the cleanup.

The provincial government has sent masks to affected residents.

In an earlier interview, Estancia Mayor Rene Cordero said it would be difficult to evacuate the oil spill-affected residents because evacuation centers were destroyed by Supertyphoon “Yolanda.”

Hong Kong ferry hits 'unidentified object', 85 injured 11/29/13 (BBC)

About 85 people have been injured, six of them seriously, when a high-speed ferry hit an "unidentified object" in Hong Kong, officials say.

A government spokesman told the BBC that the accident happened at 01:20 local time (17:20 GMT Thursday) near the island of Hei Ling Chau.

The boat was travelling from Hong Kong to Macau. The operator said it had 105 passengers and 10 crew on board.

The vessel was later towed to a local terminal, reports said.

"There was suddenly a loud bang. The ferry was thrown upwards. Then many passengers were thrown out from their seats," one passenger was quoted as saying by Hong Kong's Apple Daily news website.

There were no reports of any people missing, and an investigation is now under way.

Fire officers launched a search at the scene of the collision, but could not locate the unidentified object, local media reported.

"The object involved might have been broken into pieces and sunk or drifted away," one fire officer told journalists.

In a statement, ferry operator TurboJet identified the boat as the Madeira.

"The vessel has been escorted back to Hong Kong Macau Ferry Terminal. Preliminary check revealed no significant damage on the vessel body," it said.

"The company will co-operate closely with the authorities to investigate the cause of the incident," the statement added.

A spokesman for the company that operates the ferry has been quoted as saying most passengers were probably not wearing their seat belts, the BBC's Juliana Liu in Hong Kong reports.

The spokesman added the vehicle was not speeding, and there was no obvious damage to the boat, our correspondent says.

Transport accidents resulting in fatalities are extremely rare in Hong Kong.

Last year, 39 people died when a pleasure boat and a high-speed ferry collided off Hong Kong's Lamma Island.

The captains of the two vessels were charged with several counts of manslaughter and a report into the crash said "systemic failings" in the marine department contributed to the accident.

Chinese bulk carrier Xing Long Zhou 65 off Yantai in bad weather 11/25//13 (Maritime News)

The Chinese bulk carrier Xing Long Zhou 65 sank on 20 nautical miles off Yantai city, due to cargo shift in bad stormy weather. The accident happened during a passage in heavy seas, which caused capsize of the vessel together with its crew. One of the crew members from the Chinese cargo ship was found death and the another 10 are still missing, as most probably most of them were put in a trap under the water. The local authorities started search and rescue operation for the missing 11 seamen, but due to the bad weather conditions it was not successful. The bulk carrier Xing Long Zhou 65 left Qinhuangdao and lastly reported via AIS in the Miaodao Strait. The cargo ship sent a distress signal for water ingress on board and the communication ended a few minutes after that.

The bulk carrier Xing Long Zhou 65 has overall length of 88.00 m, moulded beam of 14.00 m and summer draft of 5.90 m. The ship sank in the morning of 24th November 2013 with all its crew on board. The search and rescue operations are still no time, as the bad weather in the vicinity caused sinking of one more Chinese cargo ship. The local authorities started investigation of the root cause of the accident and sinking, but most probably it was by bad stowage and cargo shifting in

Two Vessels lost off China 11/25//13 (Shipwreck Log)

The night between November 24/25, the 88 meter long freighter Xing Long Zhou 65 and the 96 meter long, bulk freighter Zihai Shun sank off China. Both vessels had been battling strong winds and heavy seas coming from a storm.

The Xing Long Zhou 65 sank on November 24 off the city of Yantai, China. A distress call was sent out, but authorites couldn’t establish communication with the vessel. Authorities believe the Xing Long Zhou 65 had foundered with 12 crew and its cargo of stone a few minutes after the distress call was sent out. Three bodies were recovered, but nine others were still missing.

The Zihai Shun sank on November 25 near Weihai City, China. The freighter was en route for Bayuquan from Wenzhou with 14 crew when it was overwhelmed in the heavy seas. Seven bodies were recovered and seven are still listed as missing.

Chinese authorities launched a search and rescue operations. Along with aircraft and helicopters, some 28 merchant vessels were searching for survivors.

Fire Extinguished on ‘Britannia Seaways’ Cargo Ship Off Norway 11/17/13 (World Maritime News )

The rescue helicopters sent from Norway were not able to lift sailors off the ship due to bad weather conditions, Norway’s Joint Rescue Coordination Centre informs.

The fire started in a container on the upper deck of the 11,000 deadweight tonne ship carrying armored vehicles and other military supplies for a military exercise in Norway. The cause of the fire is yet unknown.

Fortunately, firefighters extinguished the fire early on Sunday, 13 hours after it broke out.

According to the officials, the ship’s condition is not bad and it will sail to Bergen under its own power later Sunday. The ship will be joined by a Norwegian navy vessel.

No injuries have been reported.

Britannia Seaways 11/16/13 (World Maritime News )

The 198 meter long, 11089 dwt ro-ro freighter Britannia Seaways caught fire while in the North Sea near Florø, Norway. The Britannia Seaways was en route to Bergen in severe weather with high wind gusts and waves reaching 15 meters. During the storm, a fire broke out in a container near the rear of the vessel. The crew initially requested assistance with three helicopters dispatched to the scene. Attempts to lift the crew from the Britannia Seaways were aborted due to the bad weather. The crew eventually was able to extinguish the blaze and the Britannia Seaways continued under its own power toward Bergen. A Norwegian Navy vessel escorted the freighter to Bergen. No reports of injuries to the 20 crew and 12 military personnel on board. Reports state the Britannia Seaways had a cargo of military equipment including armored vehicles.

Boxship Heung-A Dargon sank after collision with bulk carrier Eleni, Vietnam 11/08/13 (Maritime Bulletin )

Container ship Heung-A Dragon collided with bulk carrier Eleni in the evening Nov 7 13 off Vung Tau, Vietnam, or to be more correct, was hit by a bulk carrier portside, with massive water ingress in cargo holds area. 19 crew was rescued, no injures reported. Vessel is partially above the water, i.e she rests portside in shallow waters, maybe was taken to shallows on purpose. Some containers broke free, recovery under way. Eleni is anchored on Vung Tau road. Heung-A Dragon was en route from Hong Kong to Ho Chi Minh City. Eleni was leaving Vung Tau. Eleni’s crew was 20 Bangladeshi in January 13. photos taken from thanhnien.com.vn Container ship Heung-A Dragon, IMO 9180023, dwt 18181, capacity 1032 TEU, built 1998, flag South Korea, manager HAS MANAGEMENT CO LTD, Busan. Bulk carrier Eleni, IMO 9460277, dwt 33717, built 2010, flag Marshall Islands, manager EMPIRE BULKERS LTD, Greece.

Foreign ship collision causes 19 sailors, 15 containers to fall into sea 11/08/13 (tuoitrenews.vn)

A collision between two cargo ships occurred off Vung Tau City late Thursday, causing 15 containers and 19 crewmembers to fall into the sea. These sailors were rescued and taken ashore safely, authorities reported.

The incident happened at 10:30 pm in the water at Buoy No 2 off of Vung Tau. It involved the container ship Heung- A Dragon, of South Korea nationality, and the cargo ship Elani, of Majuro nationality.

After the collision, Heung- A Dragon sank to the left side, causing 19 sailors and 15 containers to fall into the sea, while the other ship suffered damage to its prow.

Both ships used life buoys to rescue all the crewmembers and sent SOS messages.

After being informed of the incident, the Vietnam Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination center sent rescuers to the scene and brought all crewmembers of both boats safely ashore.

Le Van Chien, director of the Vung Tau Port Authority have visted the rescued saliors of Heung- A Dragon.

The Vung Tau Port Authority and the Ba Ria-Vung Tau province Border Guard Command have also sent staff to the collision site to handle the incident and prevent ships from entering the area as they could hit floating containers.

The collision happened when Heung- A Dragon was on the way to Ho Chi Minh City while Elani had just left Vung Tau after unloading cargo at the Phu My Port.

This morning, Heung A Dragon, after drifting at sea, ran aground on a reef about 400 meters off Vung Tau.

m/v Hang Sheng 18 sank after collision with boxship OOCL Southampton off Hong Kong 11/07/13 (Maritime Bulletin)

Boxship OOCL Southampton collided with Chinese cargo vessel near Hong Kong some 6 miles off the coast in the morning Nov 5 13. Chinese vessel, presumably under the name of Hang Sheng 18, sank after collision, 12 crew rescued by vessels in the vicinity. Oil stain of some 2000 by 100 meters reported spotted in the area, believed to be oil leaking from Hang Sheng 18. OOCL Southampton proceeded to Lamma Anchorage. Vessel left Hong Kong on Nov 6 bound for Singapore.
Container ship OOCL Southampton, IMO 9310240, dwt 99678, capacity 8063 TEU, built 2007, flag Hong Kong, manager ORIENT OVERSEAS CONTAINER LINE, HK.

Inspectors find MOL Comfort hull rupture amidships in disaster probe 12/05/13（SeaNews Turkey）

INSPECTION of the salvaged section of the MOL Comfort, which split in two in the Indian Ocean in June, has revealed buckling deformations measuring 20 millimetres in height at the bottom the hull amidships, reports Lloyd's List.

Water ingress in the bottom of the hull amidships is likely to have pre-dated the hull fracture, according to the preliminary report from Japan's ClassNK, the classification society that declared the ship seaworthy.

This may have been the cause of the hull rupture, but it is not conclusive, said the report.

Inspectors looked at the loads and hull strength at the time of the accident and weather conditions along with research into earlier MOL Comfort voyages extracting data on sea conditions and cargo loading to estimate the vessel load.

They also used non-linear finite element three-hold modelling, and dynamic wave loads, including whipping effects, to analyse structural hull capacity on the MOL Comfort.

The 8,100-TEU Bahamas-flagged ship, was sailing from Singapore to Jeddah when it split in two in June. All 26 crew took to lifeboats and were rescued by Hapag-Lloyd's 7,500-TEU Yantian Express, which was in the area.

Following the disaster, the Japanese carrier strengthened the hull structures of two of its sister vessels, MOL Courage and MOL Celebration following structural inspections by ClassNK and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Lloyd's Register.

m/v FERNANDA (NORFOS Shipping Ltd)

Type of vessel : refrigerated cargo ship, Ro-Ro cargo ship
Built : 1982, Astilleros de Huelva, S.A., Spain
IMO No. 7806025
Call sign : J7AM7
Flag : Dominica
Classification : BV - Bureau Veritas
DWCC : 1500 ntn (abt. 1100 pallets )
GRT: 2576
NRT: 773
DWT: 1473
Length : 74,70 м
Breadth : 14,20 м
Moulded depth : 9,70 м
Moulded draught : 4,57 м
Cargo hold : three decks, one stern ramp, one side ramp
Lower deck : S=499 m2, l=39,80 m, h=2,10 m, V=1280,2 m3 / 45500 ft3
Middle deck : S=479 m2, l=49,10 m, h=2,10 m, V=1027,7 m3 / 36280 ft3
Upper deck : S=596 m2, l=49,56 m, h=2,10 m, V=1279,1 m3 / 45150 ft3
Doors to all deck : height 2,25 m. breath 2,40 m.
Side ramp : max. load 12 tn. length 6,30 m, breadth 3,10 m
Stern ramp : max. load 12 tn. length 6,90 m, breadth 5,95 m
Reefer space : 3587 m3 / 126930 ft3 / bale
Forklift : 4 forklifts.
Temperature in the holds : - 20.0 C
Main engine power : 2394 Hp
Bow thruster : 500 Hp
Speed : 11,0 kn
Crew : 12
Certified : ISM and ISPS
Fully insured : P&I and H&M
Navigation area : А1,А2,А3

New Photos Reveal Damage to Fire Scorched MV Fernanda Off Iceland 11/04/13 (Maritime & Offshore News)

New pictures released Monday by the Icelandic Coast Guard provide some more insight into damage caused by an engine room fire onboard the MV Fernanda off the coast of Iceland.

The Icelandic Coast Guard on Monday said that coast guard and firefighting crews were able to board the vessel today and have confirmed that the fire has been put out.

The fire broke out in the engine room of the Ro/Ro cargo ship last Wednesday, October 3o. All eleven crewmembers of the Fernanda were airlifted to safety shortly after the fire broke out.

Photos of the vessel show fire and smoke damage from the Fernanda’s stern, all the way past the vessel’s superstructure and into the forward section of the ship.

Fighting the fire was the Coast Guard patrol vessel Thor, which at one point towed the smoldering vessel into port only to have the fire flare up again. The vessel was then towed, again by the Thor, out to sea to an area of Faxafloi bay that would allow for continued firefighting and to minimize the environmental impact if the ship were to sink.

Firefighting crews made good progress over the weekend and initially reported that the fire had been extinguished Sunday just as weather in the area began to pick up.

The Icelandic Coast Guard now says that the MV Fernanda will seek shelter from the prevailing winds close to Iceland’s coast and further evaluations will continue Tuesday amongst all concerned parties.

The 75-meter MV Fernanda is registered in the Dominican Republic Dominica and was built in 1981, according to the Icelandic Coast Guard.

Are the ferries in Thailand safe? (Travelfish)

Mostly. Ferries to a number of Thai islands have sunk in the past and overloading remains a problem, particularly with longtails. However these boats do not sink on a regular basis and you'd need to be escepially unlucky to be on a Thai ferry that did sink.

A lot of it comes down to common sense -- if the boat is overloaded, the boat pilot visibly drunk, most of the passengers drunk or the weather very bad, then don't get on the boat. Catching a speedboat late at night from Ko Pha Ngan's Full Moon Party to get back to Samui is not recommended -- these boats are dangerous and the passengers often not fully in control of themselves.

Travel by boat is generally quite inexpensive and the traffic frequent enough that at worst, you'll only be waiting till the next day for another departure.

Routes that we know boats have sunk on are Phuket to Ko Phi Phi, Phuket to Ko Yao Noi, Ko Tao to Chumphon and Ko Pha Ngan to Ko Samui -- though there are probably others as well.

Wheat-laden vessel sinks at Ctg Port 11/01/13 (The Daily Star)

A lighter vessel with 1,800 tonnes of government-imported wheat capsized after an oil tanker hit it near Chittagong Port channel in the river Karnaphuli yesterday.
Thirteen crew of the sunken vessel, however, got down safely, said Capt Najmul Alam, deputy conservator of Chittagong Port Authority (CPA). Wishing anonymity, a food department official in Chittagong said all the grain bought from Ukraine at US$313 per tonne was damaged.
Capt Najmul said the private vessel Blue Pacific sank around 9:30am after some of its lower parts were badly damaged after being hit by the tanker, Golden Blessings.
The tanker carrying 10,000 tonnes of refined palm oil, however, escaped damage, and the accident did not hamper vessel movement in the channel, according to officials.

Lighterage sinks at Chittagong port 10/31/13 (risingbd.com)

District Correspondent, CHITTAGONG, Oct 31: A lighterage ship-Blue Pacific- sank at the Chittagong Port channel on Thursday morning as another ship hit it.

The incident took place at 9.30am when Golden Blessing hit Blue Pacific, that was anchored in port earlier, during crossing.

Port officials say the incident has not affected plying of ships on the channel and all sailors of the ship are rescued.

Warship Philippines Grounded at Second Thomas Reef Soon Broken by Rusting 10/29/13 (Tiananmen's Tremendous Achievements)

Recently a set of 18 photos have been posted on the Internet, showing the poor conditions on board of the warship that the Philippines has grounded near the Second Thomas. The Philippine troops on the warship are desperate as the warship may be broken at anytime and there is no escape as the shoal is surrounded by Chinese coast guard ships.

Source: huanqiu.com “Philippine warship grounded at Renai Reef soon broken by rusting” (summary by Chan Kai Yee based on the report in Chinese)

Wealthy Globe IMO 6522646 Vanuatu Flag (ShipSpotting.com)

Vietnamese forces put out fire on stranded Vanuatuan ship 10/23/13 (Thanh Nien Daily)

It took more than a day for rescue forces in the southern beach town of Vung Tau to put out a fire on a foreign boat on Monday afternoon.

Wealthy Global, which had been stuck off Vung Tau for three years, caught on fire at 2 p.m. on Sunday while its owner was having people dismantle it for salvage.

The 25,000-ton and 196-meter-long boat is registered to the South Pacific island nation of Vanuatu, not far to the east of Australia, and is one of the biggest crane vessels with a lifting capacity of 5,000 tons and equipped with two helicopter pads.

Rescue boats only approached the site five hours after the fire as they were hindered by reefs, strong winds and flammable substances on the boat including tanks of oxygen and welding gas acetylene and 6,000 liters of diesel.

The 31 crew members and engineers aboard were brought to shore before firefighting boats arrived at around midnight and extinguished the fire at 3 p.m. the next day, when the boat’s cabin had been burned down to its iron frame.

Le Van Chien, director of Vung Tau Maritime Authority, said the cause of the fire is being investigated, but an eyewitness said it started from the bedroom of the crew members.

It was noticed early, but spread fast, Chien told news website VnExpress.

A source of Thanh Nien said that Wealthy Global had been stuck at the reefy waters off Vung Tau ever since it floated there after breaking its anchor while stopping near the Ho Chi Minh City coast in July 2010.

Local authorities had ordered the boat’s owner Asian Giant Limited to salvage it by the end of last year, failure of which had caused the owner to pay a VND15 million fine.

The salvage was then extended to the end of this year.

Aground foreign ship bursts into flames in Vung Tau 10/22/13 (TalkVietnam)

The Vanuatu craning ship ‘Wealthy Global’ caught fire on the Front Beach of Vung Tau City in the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau.

‘Wealthy Global’ is nearly 196 meters long and 50 meters wide, weighing 25,000 tons with capacity of 5,000 tons.

While the ship was anchoring in Can Gio District in Ho Chi Minh City, it broke moorings on July 15, 2010 and went adrift at sea. The ship ran aground on the Front Beach in Vung Tau later.

The People’s Committee in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province in March this year had fined the ship owner with VND15 million (US$710) for late retrieval of the ship.

After being informed of the fire, rescue boats of Vietnam Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination center of Zone 3 arrived at the scene to help extinguish the flames but were unsuccessful in their efforts.

However, they were able to rescue all crew members and brought then safely ashore.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

In related news, border guards at Vung Ang Gate took 12 crew members safely ashore from the burning Hai Phong Cargo ship, according to Lieutenant Colonel Dinh Ma Phong. Vung Ang Port Authorities offered them food, drink and a place to sleep.

Hai Phong Cargo ship on October 19 departed from Hon La Port in Quang Trach District in the central province of Quang Binh to Hai Phong Port, which is 10 nautical miles off Vung Ang Port when its cabin burst into flames.

Crew members sent out a distress alert as the ship went adrift at sea amid huge waves and strong winds.

Chinese heavy lift Zhen Hua 20 towed to Cape Town 10/17/13 (Maritime Bulletin)

Chinese heavy lift Zhen Hua 20 was towed to Cape Town arriving there on Oct 16 13, after suffering engine failure on Oct 4, en route from Hong Kong to La Plata, Argentina. Zhen Hua 20 was towed to Cape Twon by a Chinese salvage tug De Zhou (IMO 9350575, manager SHANGHAI SALVAGE CO).

First news: Posted on October 5, 2013
Heavy lift vessel Zhen Hua 20 suffered engine failure on Oct 4 13 off SAR western coast, in position 30 45S 013 16E area, vessel was adrift, by morning Oct 5 situation unknown. Vessel en route from Hong Kong to La Plata, Argentina. Heavy lift vessel Zhen Hua 20, IMO 7826180, dwt 47801, built 1983, flag St. Vincent, manager SHANGHAI ZHENHUA SHIPPING CO.

Thai chem tanker Danai 4 disappeared in South China Sea, probably hijacked 10/15/13 (Maritime Bulletin)

ReCAAP: On 13 Oct 13, ReCAAP ISC was alerted by the owner of Thailand-registered oil product tanker, Danai 4, reporting that he had lost contact with the vessel. The owner’s last communication with the vessel was on 10 Oct 13 at or about 2000 hrs at approximately 17.78 nm northeast of Tanjung Penawar, Malaysia, near position 1 35.48N 104 34.08E.
Danai 4 departed Singapore on 9 Oct 13 and was scheduled to anchor off Vietnam for transferring of fuel on 12 Oct 13. The tanker was laden with marine gas oil and has 15 crew onboard. The ReCAAP ISC, had alerted regional maritime authorities including the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) to assist in locating Danai 4.
Chemical tanker Danai 4, IMO 8613530, dwt 1924, built 1986, flag Thailand, manager THAI INTERNATIONAL TANKERS CO. LTD, Bangkok.

CHENG LU 15 IMO 9507128（ShipSpotting.com)

8 Chinese crewmen confirmed dead after ship sinks off South Korea 10/16/13 (SINA English)

The Chinese Consulate General in Busan, South Korea, confirmed Wednesday that eight Chinese crew members on board a cargo ship registered in Panama died after the ship sank on Tuesday in Pohang harbor amid a storm, with two still missing.

There were 18 Chinese citizens among the 19 people on the sunken ship. Nine people, including a Vietnamese crew member, have been confirmed dead, the Chinese Consulate General in Busan told the Global Times Wednesday.

"The South Korean police rescued eight Chinese survivors who held on to the ship's mast, and all of them are in stable condition now," Deputy Consul-General Zhao Dawei, told the Global Times.

"One of the survivors was blown into the sea by a strong wind and held on for hours before being rescued," said Zhao.

Zhao said that the rescue operations are still ongoing, but the bad weather and strong wind and waves have hampered efforts.

According to the consulate general, the ship was registered in Panama, but the ship owner is China's Lishen International Shipping Group Corporation in Zhejiang Province.

South Korea's coast guard said that the ship, Chenglu 15, set off from Pyeongtaek Port on October 2 and arrived at Pohang two days later to unload its cargo. It was scheduled to leave for Japan on Tuesday, but decided to stay because of the bad weather.

The Chinese Consulate Geneeral in Busan sent a team of four people to assist the rescue work and called on the South Korean side to make all-out efforts to rescue the crew.

The South Korean coast guard has established an emergency rescue headquarters, sending helicopters, ships and special rescue teams to search for the missing people.

At around 3:15 pm local time on Tuesday, the ship crew called local police, reporting that the ship ran into the seawall as its anchor had been swept away by the storm.

However, South Korean coast guard were only able to get close at 5 pm due to the strong winds and waves.

Panama Flag Cargo Ship Sinks After Running Into Seawall Off South Korea　 10/16/13 (Officer of the Watch)

Yesterday at 2130 hours local time a panama flag cargo ship, belonging to China’s Lishen International Shipping Group Corporation, with a crew of 19 sank in South Korea’s southeast Pohang harbor during a storm. The Chinese Consulate General in Busan reported that up until now 9 people have been reported dead, 8 have been rescued and 2 are missing. 18 of the crew were Chinese and 1 Vietnamese. The South Korea’s coast guard conducts the rescue operation.

The South Korean coast guard has established an emergency rescue headquarter, sending helicopters, ships and special rescue team to search the missing people. The Chinese Consulate General in Busan has also sent a team of four people to assist the rescue work and called for the South Korean side to make all-out efforts to rescue the crew.

The rescued seafarers have suffered minor wounds and are in stable condition.

According to South Korea’s coast guard the ship CHENGLU15 departed from Pyeongtaek Port of South Korea’s west coast on 2 October and arrived at Pohang after two day in order to unload her cargo. The initial schedule was to leave for Japan yesterday after unloading all the cargo, but due to the bad weather the decisions was taken to stay in Pohang harbor.

Yesterday at 1515 hours local time, the crew of the ship called the local police to report that the ship ran into the seawall as its anchor was swept away by the storm. The ship was carrying about 130 tons of bunker oil and diesel fuel.

Unfortunately the South Korean coast guard, due to the heavy weather that was prevailing in the area, was able to get to the ship at 1700 hours local time.

The ship sank after six hours in Yingri Harbor of Pohang.

10 dead after CHENGLU 15 sinks off the port city of Pohang 10/16/13 (Vessel Finder)

CHENGLU 15, a 8,461-ton cargo ship, Panama flagged , sank after a storm in the waters off South Korea's southeastern port of Pohang, South Korea, on Tuesday at around 9:30 pm local time.

According to coast guard officers, the vessel hit a seawall and sank. Eight of all the 19 crew members have been rescued, 10 died and one is still missing.

CHENGLU 15 is Panama flagged but owned by a Lishen International Shipping Group Corp, China, in Zhejiang province. The Chinese Consulate General confirmed that onboard there were 19 people – 18 Chinese and one from Vietnam. The cargo ship had unloaded its freight and was about to anchor off for Japan but the big waves sent it against the seawall. Coast guard officers stated that the vessel was carrying nearly 130 tons of diesel fuel and bunker oil.

The waves and strong winds detained the rescue operation and all the 19 crew members were missing for about 14 hours after the incident.

The rescue operation is conducted by the South Korea Coast Guard. Early, on Wednesday, eight crew members have been rescued. Some were floating, others were in front of the partly sank ship and they were wearing life jackets.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, officers of the coast guard said that they still were not authorized to report on this issue to the media.

The bodies of ten dead sailors have been found so far, one is still missing.

The rescue operation joined 4 people sent by the Chinese Consulate General in Busan.

Cargo Ship Hits Seawall off South Korea; 9 Dead　 10/15/13 (ABC News)

By HYUNG-JIN KIM Associated Press

A cargo ship hit a seawall off South Korea's southeastern coast and partly sank in an accident that killed nine crew members and left two missing, coast guard officers said Wednesday. Eight crew members were rescued.

The ship is owned by a Chinese firm and flagged in Panama, and its crew is nearly all Chinese with one Vietnamese.

The 8,461-ton ship had anchored off the port city of Pohang but high waves forced it against the seawall Tuesday afternoon, a coast guard statement said.

All 19 people on board were listed as missing about 14 hours after the accident as winds and waves hampered rescue efforts.

Early Wednesday, coast guard rescuers found eight sailors either floating in the sea or waiting for help on the front of the ship. Most of the vessel has sunk, coast guard officers said. They spoke on condition of anonymity, saying they were not authorized to speak to the media on this matter. The rescued sailors were wearing life jackets, the officers said.

The coast guard also collected the dead bodies of nine crew members but two are still missing, the officers said.

China's official Xinhua News Agency said the ship, the CHENGLU15, belonged to China's Lishen International Shipping Group Corp. in Zhejiang province.

The ship had unloaded its freight and was set to leave for Japan. The coast guard officers said the ship was carrying about 130 tons of bunker oil and diesel fuel.

Sunk cargo ship traced by Kolkata Port Trust 10/17/13 (The Times of India)

KOLKATA: The wreck of the Chinese-owned Panama-flag freighter MV Bingo, which sank nearly 22 nautical miles south of Sagar Island on Saturday night, was traced by the Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT) on Tuesday evening.

The owners of the ship have been directed to salvage the wreck as it is in the navigation channel used by ships moving to and from the ports of Kolkata and Haldia. "Our vessels were scouring the area where it was suspected to have sunk. On Tuesday evening, after the weather improved, the wreck was finally traced. It has settled on its side inside the KoPT's limits. Though ships have been informed of the exact location, it is still an impediment. We have directed the ship's owners to salvage the wreck and clear the channel," a senior KoPT official said.

He said the insurer P&I Club has responded positively to KoPT's orders. Experts from Singapore have flown in to inspect the site. The salvage operations are likely to start around November. This will be the first such salvage operations in the waters around Sagar Island in the recent past. This will also lower the threat of an oil spill.

The MV Bingo had nearly 232 tonnes of furnace oil and 30 tonnes of diesel in her tanks. Though the fuel tanks of a ship are sealed and do not rupture under normal circumstances, the water pressure outside and the corrosive nature of sea water have their effects when a ship sinks, experts said.

The 112 metre-long ship was carrying nearly 8,000 tonnes of iron ore to China. According to KoPT officials, nearly 6,000 tonnes of these were loaded at the Haldia Dock Complex (HDC) and the remaining at Sagar. For some strange reason, the ship left the anchorage at Sagar even as Cyclone Phailin approached and tried to break out to the open seas. The captain seems to have changed his mind after sailing in the rough seas for about 22 nautical miles. Even as he turned the ship back towards the Sagar anchorage, the cargo seems to have shifted in the hold, causing the vessel to list to the starboard. This was how the Coast Guard found the vessel on Saturday evening. The 18-member crew had abandoned ship by then and was rescued near the Digha coast a day later. The ship sank sometime in the night.

China thanks India for rescuing crew from sunken ship 10/16/13 (ODISHA SUN TIMES)

China on Wednesday thanked India for rescuing 17 Chinese nationals from a cargo ship which sank in the Bay of Bengal due to Cyclone Phailin.

“We want to express our gratitude to the Indian side for their help,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said.

The Panama registered MV Bingo carrying 8,000 tonne of iron ore was sailing to China after it left the Sagar anchorage on Friday. It went missing the day after.

The cargo ship sunk in rough seas caused by Cyclone Phailin off the coast of West Bengal but its crew consisting 17 Chinese and an Indonesian was rescued by the Indian Coast Guard.

Seventeen Chinese crew members were rescued off Baleswar coast by Indian Coast Guard, which responded to request for help from Chinese Consulate in Kolkata.

Hua said Chinese diplomats in India visited the rescued Chinese sailors and efforts were underway to bring them back home. (PTI)

Taiwanese Fire on board of Taiwanese bulk carrier Super Sun 10/14/13 (Maritime Bulletin )

Fire engulfed the superstructure of the bulk carrier Super Sun off Yangtze estuary on Oct 13 13. Vessel is loaded with timber. Crew evacuated to rescue boats, fire was extinguished by firefighting boats and tugs. Cargo stayed intact. No other details available. At the time of an accident vessel was positioned on outer road, either moving or anchored. Video of Super Sun on fire. Bulk carrier Super Sun, IMO 8122969, dwt 18791, built 1982, flag Panama, manager JUI ZONG SHIP MANAGEMENT CO. LTD, Taiwan.

Taiwanese freighter Bingo sunk by cyclone Phalin, 20 crew missing, Bay of Bengal 10/13/13 (Maritime Bulletin )

Indian media reported that general cargo vessel Bingo is believed to have sunk when caught in cyclone Phalin. Indian Coast Guard received emergency call at around 1830 LT on Oct 12 13 and sent ICGS Vajra to assist. Bingo was spotted some 19 nautical miles south of Sagar Island, West Bengal, Bay of Bengal, in a very poor condition with 45 degrees starboard list. Due to extremely strong wind and heavy sea, Vajra failed to rescue the crew which already left the vessel and went into life raft, and later lost contact with the raft. Crew reportedly comprises 19 Chinese and 1 Indonesian nationalities. Vessel presumably sank at a depth of some 8-11 meters, Search and Rescue operation is still under way, patrol planes are egnaged. Vessel loaded with 8000 tons of iron ore most probably, sank due to cargo shift. General cargo vessel Bingo, IMO 9385520, dwt 8733, built 2007, flag Panama, manager WISDOM MARINE LINES SA, Taiwan.

Taiwanese freighter Explosion on board of tanker Xu Yang 11, Ningbo 10/13/13 (Maritime Bulletin )

Coastal tanker Xu Yang 11 suffered an explosion on board with ensuing fire at about 1100 LT on Oct 12 13, while moored to another tanker at Zhangjianqi ship repair yard in Ningbo, China. At least 7 people were killed and 1 injured. Vessel was under way according to latest AIS signal, dated Oct 10, meaning either vessel was in ballast when docked in ship repair yard (it’s a must), or visited yard to transfer fuel, or called in for some small fix requiring wielding works. Fire was extinguished by 1400 LT. Coastal tanker Xu Yang 11, MMSI 412432170, tonnage 300 tons, built 2005, flag China.

Stranded foreign vessel leaking oil 10/06/13 (VietNam News)

QUANG NGAI (VNS)— Oil is leaking from the stranded cargo vessel Brigh Troyol, Quang Ngai Port Authority reported yesterday.

The ship, which ran aground off Ly Son Island, is now in a threatened situation and is likely to sink, added the port authority.

According to the provincial border guards, the cargo ship crashed into a reef, causing two large holes at the bottom of two chambers.

The ship was later found to be leaking fuel oil from cracks in its two oil tanks containing 387 tonnes of fuel oil.

The oil slick continues to spread out over the sea surface, said the provincial border guards.

The Quang Ngai Steering Committee for Flood and Storm Prevention and Control ordered the provincial People's Committee to work with relevant agencies to promptly rescue the sailors and deal with the oil spill.

The incident happened at 3:46am in the waters of Ly Son Island (6 nautical miles northeast of the island). After receiving a signal for help, the Border Guard Forces of central Quang Ngai Province sent 60 border guards to rescue the Panamanian cargo ship.

All 24 crew members were in stable health but remain on the vessel, insisting that they must wait for guidance from their parent company.

The 28,259-tonne ship, owned by the Vanguard Maritime Ltd Co, ran aground while on its way from Vung Ang port, central Ha Tinh province, to Bangladesh. — VNS

From(ShipSpotting.com)
Ship Name:	BRIGHT ROYAL
Type of Ship:	BULK CARRIER
Flag:	PANAMA
IMO:	8406913
Gross Tonnage (ITC):	16,775 tons
Year of Built:	1985
Builder:	Naikai Shipbuilding Setoda Factory Onomichi, Japan
Class Society:	Lloyd´s Shipping Register
Owner:	Vanguard Maritime Chittagong, Bangladesh
Manager:	Vanguard Maritime Chittagong, Bangladesh
Former name:	- Spar Ruby (Until 2009 Jun) - Solveig (Until 2000 Jun) - Manila Bellona (Until 1998 Jan) - Liberty Sky (Until 1996 Oct) - Astral Neptune (Until 1990 Mar)

Stranded foreign vessel leaking oil 10/06/13 (News VietNamNet)

VietNamNet Bridge - Oil is leaking from the stranded cargo vessel Brigh Troyol, Quang Ngai Port Authority reported yesterday.

Foreign ship in distress near Ly Son Island

The ship, which ran aground off Ly Son Island, is now in a threatened situation and is likely to sink, added the port authority.

According to the provincial border guards, the cargo ship crashed into a reef, causing two large holes at the bottom of two chambers.

The ship was later found to be leaking fuel oil from cracks in its two oil tanks containing 387 tonnes of fuel oil.

The oil slick continues to spread out over the sea surface, said the provincial border guards.

The Quang Ngai Steering Committee for Flood and Storm Prevention and Control ordered the provincial People's Committee to work with relevant agencies to promptly rescue the sailors and deal with the oil spill.

The incident happened at 3:46am on October 3 in the waters of Ly Son Island (6 nautical miles northeast of the island). After receiving a signal for help, the Border Guard Forces of central Quang Ngai Province sent 60 border guards to rescue the Panamanian cargo ship.

All 24 crew members were in stable health but remain on the vessel, insisting that they must wait for guidance from their parent company until yesterday evening, October 5.

The 28,259-tonne ship, owned by the Vanguard Maritime Ltd Co, ran aground while on its way from Vung Ang port, central Ha Tinh province, to Bangladesh

The ship in distress.

Oil from the ship.

Sailors are evacuated from the vessel.

Representatives of the parent company are now in Dung Quat Port to fulfill formalities to take the sailors home.

Captain Babnik Uzzal Chandra (Bangladesh) told the local officials about the incident.

From(Maritime Connector.com)
Ship Name:	DANUM 165
Type of Ship:	OIL/CHEMICAL TANKER
Flag:	MALAYSIA
IMO:	9542104
Gross Tonnage (ITC):	4996 tons
DWT:	7543 tons
Year of Built:	2009
Builder:	ZHEJIANG HUAXIA SHIPBUILDING - YUEQING, CHINA
Class Society:	MALAYSIA SHIPS CLASSIFICATION
Owner:	ASIA BULKERS - KUCHING, MALAYSIA
Manager:	ASIA BULKERS - KUCHING, MALAYSIA
Former name:	ASIA BRIGHT until 2012 Dec

Salvage Isn’t Easy – Danum 165　 10/06/13 (読売新聞)

The 118 meter long, 7543 dwt chemical tanker Danum 165 became disabled south of Ningbo, China in Sanmen Bay, East China Sea whilst caught in a typhoon. The Danum 165 had suffered a mechanical breakdown as Typhoon Fitow struck the area. The crew attempted to drop anchor and ride out the storm, but the strong winds and waves cause the anchor to drag. As the tanker drifted towards shore, the crew sent out a distress call asking for assistance. The Chinese Rescue Agency dispatched the salvage tug East Sea Rescue 111 to the scene. After 30 hours of battling the conditions, the tug’s crew were able to attach a towline to the Danum 165. The vessel was taken under tow to a shipyard in Putuo, Zhoushan, Zhejiang, China. No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released.

M/T Formosa Falcon Tanker runs aground off Grand Bahama　 09/27/13 (Bahamas Press)

At approximately 2:30 p.m. on 26th September 2013, The Motor Tanker- Formosa Falcon, a 39,307 ton vessel ran aground off the coast of Grand Bahama.

Reports are that the vessel was altering her position at Freeport anchorage due to her proximity to another vessel. Whilst altering its position, the vessel’s captain reported that westerly winds of 15 knots forced the vessel aground. The vessel is a fuel tanker with 12,796 tons of alkalyte. There is no evidence of emission of this product into the waters and the hull is reported intact.

An Inspector from the Port Department along with personnel from the Freeport Harbour Company and the agents for the vessel were dispatched to the grounded vessel and reported that the vessel was grounded at the bow. It was reported that there was no evidence of any breach of the vessel’s hull.

International and local marine salvage experts are on location and having assessed the situation made preparation to refloat the vessel by using tugboats and the tanker’s own engines. At high tide at approximately 2 a.m. this morning repeated efforts were made to refloat the tanker but without success.

At daylight it is intended to commence new initiatives to refloat the vessel. In the interim the vessel will be secured by tugs fast to the vessel to keep her in place in the event the weather deteriorates.

The Ministry of Transport and Aviation has been in direct contact with representatives of the ship’s owners to ensure that prompt and appropriate actions are taken, that a proper assessment of the situation has been made and a determination as to the best course of action. The Port Department and the Ministry will continue to closely monitor this situation.

Throughout this process, the Port Department Inspector has been stationed on the grounded vessel and even at this hour remains on the vessel.

The National Oil Spill Advisory Committee has also been notified and placed on alert. Further, the Ministry of Transport and Aviation and the Port Department will conduct a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding this incident.

Periodic press statements will be released as necessary to keep the public fully informed of all new developments.

Abandoned freighter Angra Star sinking in Rio de Janeiro　 09/19/13 (Maritime Bulletin)

General cargo vessel Angra Star, abandoned by the owner in Guanabara Bay, Rio de Janeiro, started to sink on Sep 17 or 18 2013, after staying on anchor unmanned for many months. According to AIS, vessel is staying at anchor since Feb 10 12. Local media reports that the owner of the vessel has gone bankrupt, 21 vessels of the company FROTA OCEANICA E AMAZONICA S.A. are anchored in Guanabara area. Rescue found some 200 tons of fuel on board. Vessel is sinking by stern, as it can be seen on photos. Police believe looters could add up to vessel’s woes by stealing nonferrous parts from engine room. Authorities said vessel will be rescued, but it won’t guarantee vessel’s safety further on.
Photo from noticias.terra.com.br
General cargo vessel Angra Star, IMO 9051026, dwt 11274, built 1994, flag Brazil, owner FROTA OCEANICA E AMAZONICA S.A.

Photo: tvkinc.com

Photo: estadao.com.br

Photo: noticias.r7.com

南アフリカのリチャードベイでアンティグア・バブーダ籍の貨物船「KIANI SATU」(IMO:914844)が座礁した。 ケープタウンの裁判所は「The respondents were ordered to remain in the vicinity until the commissioner had taken their evidence or excused them from proceedings. The respondents are the cargo ship owner, the ship's master and crew, the hull and machinery insurers, the protection and indemnity insurers, P & I associates, and Esmeralda (Antigua) Shipping Limited.」と命令している。関係者は勝手にケープタウンから離れてはいけないと裁判所から命令されている。青森の貨物船「AN　FENG8」とは大違いだ。オリンピックが東京に決まったと浮かれているが、座礁した船に対しては南アフリカよりも劣る対応しか出来ない国と言う事だ。

貨物船座礁半年、撤去めど立たず　 08/29/13 (東奥日報)

　深浦町岩崎地区で3月1日に発生した貨物船「AN　FENG8」の座礁事故は県、町と中国人船主との交渉が一向に進展しないまま、半年が過ぎようとしている。県や町はこれまで、船主に対し4度にわたり撤去要請を出したが、説明や謝罪などの反応はない。船体撤去のめどや、県や町が支払った流出油の処理費や船体固定作業費の回収の見込みが、全く見いだせない状態となっている。　現在、船周辺の海岸には流木、ペットボトルなどのごみが漂着し、さびた船体とともに付近の景観を著しく損なっている。ほぼ毎日、この海岸を散歩して

「He was using an unapproved electronic chart plotter, which is basically a bit like your GPS for the car.”...According to maritime law they are also liable for unsafe management and operation....However British authorities have still to decide whether to bring criminal charges in the case of the Danio.」
「Now the Danio did have a very basic bridge watch alarm, but it was switched off.」

Polish captain ran his ship aground as he tried to sail from Scotland to Belgium - because he FORGOT that England was in the way 09/02/13 (Mail Online)

• MV Danio cargo ship hit Farne Island, off the Northumberland coast
• Farne Island nature reserve is home to 80,000 pairs of seabirds and a large grey seal colony
• Captain had been sailing from Perth, Scotland, to Antwerp, Belgium
• Coastguard claims captain forgot land juts out into the sea and was using unapproved navigation system similar to a car's Sat Nav
• Lookout on ship was asleep when the vessel hit land, documentary claims

By Daily Mail Reporter

A polish captain ran his massive ship aground off the British coast after plotting a straight line from Scotland to Belgium - forgetting that England was in the way, it is claimed.

Blundering Tadeusz Dudek had been using an unapproved GPS device to navigate - similar to a car's Sat Nav, an investigation revealed.

And the lookout on board the 80 metre-long MV Danio cargo ship was asleep when time the enormous vessel crashed into Farne Islands, off the North-East coast, last March.

Disaster: The stricken MV Danio sitting on a mud bank on Farne Island after its captain did not realise he was approaching land

The disaster at the Farne Island nature reserve, in Northumberland, sparked fears at the time it would break up and its 27 tonnes of diesel fuel and 1,500 tonnes of timber would decimate the wildlife for decades.

Coastguard surveyor Alan Thompson told a BBC Inside Out documentary: 'They basically said "well OK we're sailing from Perth and we're going to Antwerp and we'll draw a line and we'll go the quickest way possible", without really thinking.'


Prat Nav: The ship's captain headed in a straight line from Perth, Scotland, to Antwerp, Belgium, forgetting England was in his way

Following the accident coastguard surveyor, Alan Thompson, detained the vessel at Blyth port.

He said from the evidence they looked at there was a serious failing of the ship's safety management system.

He says: 'He was using an unapproved electronic chart plotter, which is basically a bit like your GPS for the car.'

Mr Thompson says from the time the Danio left Perth to the time it went to ground, there were two positions on the chart. He said: 'They basically said 'well OK we're sailing from Perth and we're going to Antwerp and we'll draw a line and we'll go the quickest way possible,' without really thinking.'

Usually a bridge look-out should still have spotted the Farne Islands and its flashing lighthouse. Mr Thompson added: 'If he's fallen asleep it will alarm in the captain's cabin and if the captain doesn't acknowledge it, it will ring everywhere.

'Now the Danio did have a very basic bridge watch alarm, but it was switched off.'

But the German owner of the Danio, Frank Dahl, tells the BBC in Poland - where the vessel is being repaired - stresses it was his company policy to use it and he blames the Captain and the First Mate for the accident.

He tells the programme: 'The technique is perfect, it's the humans that make mistakes'.

Blunder: Captain Tadeusz Dudek's ship hit Farne Island, which is home to 80,000 pairs of seabirds and a large grey seal colony

He subsequently fired Captain Tadeusz Dudek, and the first mate. Captain Dudek via telephone then tells the BBC in broken English about whether the first mate did fall asleep and Captain Dudek replies: 'It is what he told in his statement and it looks like it is true.'

And he admits that if he had used the alarm system the accident could have been prevented, adding: 'Yes but I forgot. For sure this would not happen (if the alarm had been used).'

Eventually the ship was floated away but new research shows the captain was trying to sail a straight line from Scotland to Anterp, in Belgium - and forgot about England's jutting-out coastline in the middle.

Built in 2001, the ship was sailing six months ago with a cargo of timber but just six crew. When it ran aground, a lifeboat was scrambled to the scene from Seahouses and as the weather worsened and the drama unfolded, wildlife wardens on the Farnes feared an environmental disaster.

The islands are home to about 80,000 pairs of seabirds and a large grey seal colony.

National Trust Ranger, David Steel, says: 'To have a boat like that run aground and obviously if it had started breaking up with fuel oil and the likes spilling into the sea, it would have been devastating.'

Inside Out also reveals that 95 per cent of Britain's freight is shifted by sea and last year a third of all ships detained for serious breaches were found in the North East.

However British authorities have still to decide whether to bring criminal charges in the case of the Danio. The programme will be broadcast tonight on BBC ONE (North East & Cumbria) at 7.30pm.

How the Danio cargo ship went aground by lighthouse 09/02/13 (BBC News)

Inside Out looks at how a modern cargo ship ploughed into the Farne Islands right next to an operational lighthouse.

The MV Danio got caught on rocks on the Farne Islands off the Northumberland coast on 16 March, 2013.

Investigators looking into what caused the cargo ship to run aground have discovered a member of crew on watch "fell asleep".

Owner of the vessel, Frank Dahl, said the incident was down to "human" error.

Investigating the Danio 09/02/13 (BBC News)

Inside Out investigates what happened the night a huge container ship ran aground on the Farne Islands sparking fears of an environmental disaster.

The programme tracks down the owner of the Danio cargo ship to Poland, speaks exclusively to its’ captain and exposes a catalogue of errors which led the vessel to plough - at full steam - into the Farnes off the Northumberland coast.

Built in 2001, the ship was sailing from Perth to Antwerp six months ago with a cargo of timber.

When it ran aground, a lifeboat was scrambled to the scene from Seahouses and as the weather worsened and the drama unfolded, wildlife wardens on the Farnes feared the worst.

National Trust Ranger, David Steel, says: "To have a boat like that run aground and obviously if it had started breaking up with fuel oil and the likes spilling into the sea… it would have been devastating.”

Following the accident coastguard surveyor, Alan Thompson, detained the vessel at Blyth port. He tells Inside Out that - from the evidence they looked at - there was a serious failing of the ship’s safety management system.

He says: “He was using an unapproved electronic chart plotter, which is basically a bit like your GPS for the car.”

Alan says that, from the time the Danio left Perth to the time it went to ground, there were two positions on the chart.

“They basically said…‘well OK we’re sailing from Dundee and we’re going to Antwerp and we’ll draw a line and we’ll go the quickest way possible,’ …without really thinking.”

Alarm issues

But, according to the programme, that doesn’t explain why no one spotted the Farne Islands and a flashing lighthouse.

All large ships have an alarm system which should ensure the look-out is awake and doing their job.

Alan tells the programme: “If he’s fallen asleep it will alarm in the captain’s cabin and if the captain doesn’t acknowledge it, it will ring everywhere. Now the Danio did have a very basic bridge watch alarm, but it was switched off.”

To find out why it was switched off Inside Out tracks down the German owner of the Danio to Poland where the vessel is being repaired.

Frank Dahl is keen to show his ship had a working watch alarm and stresses it was his company policy to use it. He makes it clear that he blames the captain and the first mate for the accident.

He tells the programme: “The technique is perfect, it’s the humans that make mistakes…” He subsequently fired the captain, Mr Tadeusz Dudek, and the first mate.

In an exclusive interview presenter, Chris Jackson, also speaks to Captain Dudek for the programme via telephone. He asks about the first mate falling asleep.

Speaking in broken English, Captain Dudek says: “It is what he told in his statement and it looks like it is true.”

And he admits that if he had used the alarm system the accident could have been prevented. “Yes I should be but I forgot…. For sure this would not happen (if the alarm had been used)."

Maritime law

But can the ship’s owner sidestep all of the blame? According to maritime law they are also liable for unsafe management and operation.

Alan Thomson adds: “He employs them, it is his responsibility as the operator and owner to supply certificated personnel who are trained and familiar with the operation of the vessel.”

Inside Out also reveals that 95% of Britain’s freight is shifted by sea and last year a third of all ships detained for serious breaches were found in the North East.

However British authorities have still to decide whether to bring criminal charges in the case of the Danio.

Danio faces two weeks stranded on Farne Islands 03/17/13 (BBC News)

A cargo vessel which ran aground off the Northumberland coast could be stranded for a fortnight if it is not rescued in the next 24 hours.

Seahouses Lifeboat Station received a distress call from the 262ft (80m) vessel Danio early on Saturday.

The ship got caught on rocks on the Farne Islands about 3 miles (5km) from the mainland.

Ian Clayton, from the RNLI, said if it was not moved on Monday it could be stuck for two weeks due to lower tides.

Mr Clayton said they were waiting for more salvage equipment to be brought in and it was "extremely unlikely" there would be any attempt to move the vessel on Sunday.

The ballast tanks have been filled with sea water to make the vessel more stable should a storm hit the area, Mr Clayton said.

Timber cargo

It was hoped the ship would be moved by a tugboat during high tide on Saturday, but crews decided not to attempt to refloat the vessel as they were keen to "take their time" and "prepare a plan".

The crew of six spent the night on board.

The vessel, which was built in 2001 and registered in Antigua and Barbuda in the Caribbean, was sailing from Perth to Antwerp in Belgium with a cargo of timber.

It ran aground near Little Harcar rock, close to the Longstone Lighthouse, at about 04:30 GMT on Saturday.

Mr Clayton said there were concerns about possible environmental damage if oil started leaking from the vessel, but there have been no reports of any leaks.

The Farne Islands are home to about 80,000 pairs of seabirds and a large grey seal colony.

From(Maritime Connector.com)
Ship Name:	KIANI SATU
Type of Ship:	GENERAL CARGO
Flag:	Antigua & Barbuda
IMO:	9149811
Gross Tonnage (ITC):	16660 tons
DWT:	19796 tons
Year of Built:	1997
Builder:	HALLA ENGINEERING SAMHO - SAMHO, SOUTH KOREA
Class Society:	GERMANISCHER LLOYD
Former name:	RUBIN ACE until 2012 Dec

Kiani Satu commission nearly complete 　 09/05/13 (Eyewitness News)

CAPE TOWN – The lawyer for the owners of the multimillion Rand rice cargo ship that ran aground in the Southern Cape says the commission looking into the accident is nearly complete.

Lawyer for the owners of the Kiani Satu, Gavin Fitzmaurice, says the ship's owners don't want the media to listen in on the commission's work.

“It would be prudent for me not to disclose the details of what in fact has been recounted to the commission by the various members of the crew.

“But suffice to say that the owners of the cargo are extremely satisfied with the information which is emerging.

“It would be very interesting to know if the press did decide to approach the court for permission to in fact sit in, it would be interesting to know what the attitude of the court would be and then of course the question must be asked, what have the ship owners got to hide.”

Kiani Satu costs can be recovered 　 08/28/13 (Eyewitness News)

CAPE TOWN - Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs Edna Molewa says the cost of clean-up operations of the oil spill from stricken bulk-carrier Kiani Satu can be recovered.

The German-owned ship was carrying R70 million worth of rice when it ran aground earlier this month.

The Kiani Satu was later towed out to sea where it was sunk along with its cargo on 21 August.

In her written reply to a parliamentary question from the Congress of the People (Cope), Molewa said there's no need to charge the owners of the bulk-carrier to recover costs because they have liability insurance.

Molewa said her department is finalising the clean-up operation and has already taken steps to lodge an insurance claim to cover the costs.

Nearly 300 penguins, gannets and cormorants were admitted to a bird rehab centre from oil spilt before the carrier sunk.

(Edited by Gia Kaplan)

Kiani Satu commission of inquiry 　 09/05/13 (Knysna-Plett Herald)

Captain Durica Sjekloca (left) smiling as some of his Fillipino crew pose for a group photo at the CapeNature hut in Goukamma, relieved that their ordeal at sea was over. (Photo: Anoeschka von Meck.)

KNYSNA NEWS - Senior crew members of the sunken cargo vessel, the Kiani Satu, are still not allowed to leave South Africa, pending the commission of inquiry which will start on Monday, September 9.

The rest of the 19 original crew members, who were saved and airlifted when the 168m bulk carrier ran aground on sandstone rocks off the Goukamma coast on Thursday, August 8, have already left the country.

The entire crew had originally been taken to a Mossel Bay hotel while their official documentation was processed after they were airlifted onto South African soil to escape their stricken vessel.

The Kiani Satu was on its way from Vietnam to Ghana with 330 tons of engine fuel and 15 000 tons of rice. The cargo was lost when the vessel sank in 1 000m of ocean, 110 nautical miles South off Buffel's Bay, after the South African Maritime Safety Authority (Samsa) had struggled for days to refloat the ship.

The owners and the insurers of the lost cargo approached the Western Cape High Court to ask that an order be granted that the ship's owner, Esmeralde (Antigua) Shipping Limited, make relevant documents and its crew available to determine what had gone wrong. Judge Willem Louw granted the order and appointed commissioner David Melunsky to take the evidence concerned in terms of the Admiralty Jurisdiction Regulation Act. The respondents are the ship owner, the ship's master and crew, the hull and machinery insurers, the protection and indemnity insurers, P & I Associates and Esmeralda (Antigua) Shipping Limited.

"The commission of inquiry will take place in Cape Town and take between five to seven days," said Gavin Fitzmaurice, instructing attorney for the owners and the insurers of the ship's cargo. The media was banned from attending the proceedings by request of the respondent.

More oil uncovered According to CapeNature media spokesperson, Marietjie Engelbrecht, on inspection of the beaches at Goukamma Nature Reserve and Marine Protected Areas on Monday, September 2, more spilt oil was found.

Following sand movement due to storms, natural sand migration and strong winds, oil that was previously covered by sand, was found. Engelbrecht said this was a good thing, because the areas that were hidden are now exposed and clean-up operations can now proceed in full force. CapeNature staff will supervise work teams and work started on Wednesday, September 4. The clean-up should take about two weeks.

Engelbrecht stated further that a bulldozer is on standby on the site "should we need to cut a new channel West of the old mouth to drain the back flooding water and then re-close it if any possible tidal oil area becomes a threat".

CapeNature is also monitoring possible flooding upriver and there may be the possibility of opening the estuary there, as this area serves as an important breeding ground for a variety of fish species and is an important sanctuary for marine life."The areas affected that are now exposed, also include the small local 'cut-away' beach from the river mouth to Skimmelkrans where the shipwreck was. They have found that the estuary bar on the Western section has wind-exposed patches of oil for most of its surface, but the estuary mouth remains closed without any further mechanical interference," said Engelbrecht.

"Given the high wave action along our coast, high resilience of natural areas within the Marine Protected Area and the dynamic nature of our beaches, CapeNature expects a full and speedy recovery from the oil spill," Engelbrecht said.

ARTICLE: ANOESCHA VON MECK, KNYSNA-PLETT HERALD JOURNALIST

Dry Bulk Carrier Sinks 100 Miles From South Africa’s Coastline　 08/21/13 (Maritime Bulletin)

By Kevin Crowley

A bulk carrier loaded with rice sunk about 100 miles from South Africa’s south coast, two days after a ship carrying almost 150,000 metric tons of coal ran aground after leaving the east coast port of Richards Bay.

The Kiani Satu, which was beached near the Knysna coast on Aug. 8, sank to a depth of about 1 kilometer (0.62 miles) at 4 a.m., Zolile Nqayi, spokesman for South Africa’s Department of Environmental Affairs, said by phone today. The ship was dragged out to deeper waters after some of its 330 tons of fuel spilled from the vessel and washed up onto beaches about 400 kilometers west of Cape Town.

“The clean-up operation on the beach and in the estuaries is stable and manageable,” the DEA said in an e-mailed statement. “The clean-up of the estuary will be completed today and most of the oil on the beach has been removed.”

The Kiani Satu ran aground less than two weeks before another bulk carrier, MV Smart, buckled, broke in two and partly submerged Aug. 19 at Richards Bay port, about 800 miles northeast of Knysna. Richards Bay has the world’s biggest export coal terminal, according to the facility’s website.

The Kiani Satu, built in 1997, sailed under the Antigua and Barbuda flag and was insured by Standard Steamship Owners, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. The ship was carrying 15,000 tons of rice, according to the DEA. The insurer for Smart was North of England P&I Association Ltd., according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

Dry Bulk Carrier Sinks 100 Miles Knysna ship grounding probed　 09/02/13 (IOL News)

Cape Town - A commission of inquiry will begin on Monday to probe the circumstances around the grounding of a cargo ship off Buffels Bay near Knysna.

The 168-metre bulk carrier Kiani Satu sank almost two weeks ago after numerous salvage efforts managed to refloat her.

According to the SA Maritime Safety Authority, the Kiani Satu sank in 1000 metres of water 110 nautical miles south of Buffels Bay.

She ran aground at the beginning of last month, forcing the captain and his 19-member crew to abandon ship.

The ship was believed to have suffered an engine breakdown in heavy seas while carrying 330 tons of fuel oil and 15,000 tons of rice.

The cargo was later lost in the sinking.

The owners and insurers of the cargo approached the Western Cape High Court to order the ship's owner to make relevant documents and its crew available for evidence purposes.

Judge Willem Louw granted the order on Wednesday and appointed commissioner David Melunsky to take the evidence concerned in terms of the Admiralty Jurisdiction Regulation Act.

The respondents were ordered to remain in the vicinity until the commissioner had taken their evidence or excused them from proceedings.

The respondents are the cargo ship owner, the ship's master and crew, the hull and machinery insurers, the protection and indemnity insurers, P & I associates, and Esmeralda (Antigua) Shipping Limited.

Gavin Fitzmaurice, the instructing attorney for the owners and insurers of the ship's cargo, said the commission would be held in Cape Town and take between five and seven days.

Proceedings were closed to the media.

“The respondent has objected to the presence at the commission of the media. The applicant has no objection,” Fitzmaurice said.

Dry Bulk Carrier Sinks 100 Miles Cargo owners go to court over Kiani Satu　 08/26/13 (IOL News)

By Leila Samodien

Cape Town - The owners of a R70-million cargo of rice have gone to court to find out what happened aboard the Kiani Satu, which sank off Knysna.

The ship ran aground between Buffels Bay and Sedgefield on August 8.

It was later towed to deep waters and sank in the early hours of Wednesday.

On board was 15 000 metric tons of rice - worth just over $6.9-million, or about R70m - which was being transported from Vietnam to Ghana. The cargo went down with it.

In the Western Cape High Court on Friday, Judge Willem Louw heard an application by the owners of the cargo in which they seek to preserve and obtain documents, as well as the evidence of the ship’s master and crew.

This information, they claim, was “vital” in determining how the vessel’s engine broke down, why it could not be towed and the circumstances around its subsequent sinking. They are to use the information in arbitration proceedings in London to claim for their lost cargo.

The owner of the ship, meanwhile, has filed for insolvency in Germany.

Advocate Michael Wragge, SC, acting for the cargo owners, told the court that his clients feared that if the evidence was not preserved, it would be lost. He argued that there were exceptional circumstances that warranted a court order in their favour.

Among them was that there had been no explanation of the circumstances in which R70m in cargo had sunk, that there was little evidence that would determine what had caused the engine breakdown and subsequent events, that the master and crew were all from foreign countries - including Montenegro, Venezuela, the Ukraine and the Philippines - which meant their attendance at the arbitration proceedings in order to give their evidence was not guaranteed and that there had been a “lack of co-operation” on the part of the respondents.

The respondents who were represented in court on Friday were the owner of the Kiani Satu, the vessel’s insurers and a local representative of one of the insurers.

Wragge contended that representatives of the cargo owners, wanting to investigate for themselves, were prevented from boarding the vessel from the initial engine breakdown up until her sinking.

But advocate Michael Fitzgerald, SC, for the respondents, argued that no exceptional circumstances existed because it had to relate to the actual evidence the applicants were seeking to preserve, not the circumstances that gave rise to the alleged claim, such as the sinking and the insolvency.

He also denied that there had been “obstructive” behaviour on the respondents’ part, or that the fact that the crew was foreign constituted an exceptional circumstance as the crews in shipping cases were often foreign.

Fitzgerald further contended that the documents the cargo owners wanted weren’t material, saying that even if they were admissible at the arbitration proceedings, they would have “very little probative value”.

Judge Louw is yet to give judgment.

Bulk Carrier Kiani Satu Runs Aground Off South Africa　 08/08/13 (Maritime Bulletin)

By Rob Almeida

Image: NSRI

Image: Bianca Bezuidenhout, Wilderness NSRI crew

Picture Bianca Bezuidenhout, Wilderness NSRI crew

Image: NSRI

South Africa’s National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) has reported that as of 1002 local time, all 19 crew members from the bulk carrier Kiani Satu are safe after being airlifted from their stricken vessel.

The 165-meter bulk carrier was transporting a cargo of rice from Cape Town to Gabon Hong Kong to Ghana when it encountered engine troubles along the southern shore of South Africa. They alerted the NSRI at 0339 this morning of their situation.

The crew members, Ukranian and Filipino nationals, are handed into the care of Police Sea Borderline and they will be transported to Mossel Bay for visa control processing and accommodated,” commented Graeme Harding, NSRI Knysna station commander.

“The ship had washed side on to the shore during the early morning and came to rest hard aground after her anchor dragged and the tug boat was not able to hold her off against rough sea swells of 5 meters and strong gusting to 45 knot onshore winds. The decision was taken by the ships Captain to abandon the ship and the safest method was to deploy the helicopter and hoist the crew off the ship while our NSRI rescue boats stood by to assist if necessary.”

The salvage vessel SMIT AMANDLA has been dispatched from Cape Town and is expected to reach the scene the evening of 8 August, notes the NSRI.

A wet cargo of rice could spell the demise of the Kiani Satu however. As one person has noted, rice absorbs water, and thus a cargo of wet rice could put an order of magnitude more strain on the hull, complicating salvage efforts.

Rice could also be a fairly dangerous cargo from salvage standpoint. As a friend of mine in the food business explained, wet (saturated) rice is an incredibly good breeding ground for bacteria. Removing hundreds of thousands of pounds of moldy rice could require an entirely different approach to this salvage job.

SMART IMO 9137959 （ShipSpotting.com)

SMART IMO 9137959 （ShipSpotting.com)

From(Maritime Connector.com)
Ship Name:	SMART
Type of Ship:	BULK CARRIER
IMO:	9137959
Gross Tonnage (ITC):	77240 tons
DWT:	151279 tons
Year of Built:	1996
Builder:	NKK TSU WORKS - TSU, JAPAN
Class Society:	NIPPON KAIJI KYOKAI
Former name:	RUBIN ACE until 2012 Dec

Capesize bulk carrier Smart in full load ran aground and broke in two, Richards Bay 08/19/13 (Maritime Bulletin)

Greek capesize bulk carrier Smart ran aground on a sandbank off Richards Bay entrance channel at 14:10 LT Aug 19 13, reported NSRI, SAR. Vessel loaded with 147 650 tons of coal left Richards Bay Coal Terminal (RBCT) just before 13:30 with pilot on board. Vessel was bound for Fangcheng, China. Reportedly, Smart ran aground due to mechanical failure, in adverse weather condition with strong wind and sea. Tugs tried to pull vessel free, but failed. At about 16:00 cracks in a hull in middle section area emerged, vessel actually broke in two, and master requested an evacuation. 23 crew was airlifted by Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) helicopter, no injures reported. Vessel is stranded off the channel, but traffic is temporarily suspended. Nationalities of the crew unknown.
All picture full-sized can be viewed at: NSRI Flickr Page http://www.flickr.com/photos/searescue/
Daryl Visser’s Facebook account
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.353784628087208.1073741879.213002592165413&type=1
Bulk carrier Smart, IMO 9137959, dwt 151279, built 1996, flag Panama, manager UNIMAR SUCCESS SA, Greece.

Bulk Carrier MV Smart Has Split in Two After Running Aground in South Africa [UPDATE] 08/20/13 (gCaptain)

SMART IMO 9137959 （ShipSpotting.com)

Update 20 August -

The MV Smart has fully split in two overnight and authorities are scrambling to put together a plan to offload the fuel oil and cargo from the wreck perched on a sandbar just off a popular surfing beach at Richards Bay, South Africa.

A spokesperson for the South African Maritime Safety Authority (Samsa) has said there is an estimated 1,769 tons of fuel oil and 129 tons of diesel on board, but there is no immediate threat of a spill. The salvage will focus on the removal of the fuel first, the spokesperson said.

The ship had just finished loading 147,650 tonnes of coal at the Richards Bay Coal Terminal (RBCT) when she ran aground in 10 meter swells.

The Panamanian-flagged ship is registered to Alpha Marine Corp., Reuters reports. After loading at Richards Bay it was intended to deliver its cargo to a port in China, according to Thomson Reuters data.

Experts from the SA Maritime Safety Authority and salvage company Subtech are currently on board the Smart assessing the situation according to reports.

Earlier Update [AUGUST 19, 2013] -

A bulk carrier has run aground and appears to be breaking up along the east coast of South Africa near Richards Bay.

The 151,000 dwt bulk carrier MV Smart ran aground on a sandbar Monday in 10 meter swells after departing Port Richards Bay. The vessel had finished loading coal at the Richards Bay Coal Terminal (RBCT) earlier Monday.

Photos of the grounded ship show the hull has suffered structural failure at around amidships and is severely sagging.

The National Sea Rescue Institute was alerted of the grounding at about 1:30 p.m. local time. At approximately 4 p.m., the structural integrity of the ship was compromised and the captain gave the order to abandon ship, NSRI said in a statement.

All 23 crew members have been rescued by NSRI helicopter crews.

A source has told us that the vessel started to break in half and at this point may be in two pieces.

SAMSA (South African Maritime safety Authority) are en route to investigate and begin evaluations for salvage, the NSRI statement said.

A local news report said that the vessel was no longer under pilotage and may have experienced engine failure.

The incident comes just as the bulk carrier Kiani Satu was pulled free from a South African beach this weekend, but is believed to be in danger of sinking in deep water.

INDONESIA AND THE PHILIPPINES - SAFE CARRIAGE OF NICKEL ORE CARGOES CIRCULAR REF: 2011/009　02/09/2011 (North of England P&I Club )

Wednesday, 9th February 2011 CIRCULAR REF: 2011/009

CIRCULATED TO ALL MEMBERS, BROKERS AND DIRECTORS

ATTENTION INSURANCE DEPARTMENT

INDONESIA AND THE PHILIPPINES - SAFE CARRIAGE OF NICKEL ORE CARGOES

Introduction

The carriage of wet lateritic nickel ore can present very serious risks to the safety of a ship and its crew. These risks arise out of the inherent properties of the cargo, the lack of proper testing facilities at the port of loading; on occasion intimidation of surveyors representing the ship's interests and the widespread disregard by shippers of their obligations under the IMSBC Code.

In practical terms this can mean that it is very difficult to reach a firm conclusion as to whether a cargo of nickel ore is safe to carry.

Shipowners who intend to carry nickel ore are reminded of their obligations to comply with the IMSBC Code when carrying such cargoes. Members are referred to Club Circular 2010/037 dated 7 December 2010 "Mandatory Application of the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes Code (IMSBC Code)" the contents of which are deemed to be incorporated into this circular.

Members intending to carry nickel ore are also referred to the Association's Loss Prevention Briefing "Carriage of Nickel Ore" which may be viewed on the Association's website.

Recent casualties

As Members may be aware in October and November 2010 three vessels the "Jian Fu Star", "Nasco Diamond" and "Hong Wei" sank during the carriage of nickel ore from Indonesia to China with the loss of forty four seafarers. The cause of the sinkings has not yet been definitively determined but nickel ore, like iron ore fines and many concentrates, is a cargo which may liquefy, if the moisture content of the cargo exceeds the Transportable Moisture Limit (TML) when loaded. Liquefaction of such a cargo can result in loss of stability which in turn can lead to a vessel capsizing. It is therefore very possible that all three vessels were lost as a result of cargo liquefaction.

There have been a number of other recent reports of cargoes of nickel ore loaded in both Indonesia and the Philippines liquefying and causing loss of stability to the carrying vessel but fortunately not resulting in the loss of the vessel. In one such case, the carrying vessel grounded causing extensive hull damage.

Liquefaction of some ore cargoes can be caused by the normal incidents of a sea voyage, for example the motion of the ship in the seaway or vibrations caused by the running of the main engine or other on-board machinery.

The International Group informally raised its concerns about the loading and carriage of nickel ore from Indonesia and the Philippines, with the Indonesian and Philippine delegations that attended the 88th session of the IMO Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) which was held between 24 November and 3 December 2010. Intercargo made an intervention at that session expressing its concerns with respect to the hazards and risks associated with the carriage of cargoes that can liquefy such as nickel ore. In addition Intercargo pointed out that some charterers and Masters had been put under extreme pressure to accept shippers' declarations and testing reports without having been permitted the opportunity of independently verifying such declarations and reports. The Marshall Islands supported Intercargo's intervention and the Indian delegation outlined the actions that the Indian authorities were taking to improve the safe carriage of iron ore fines cargoes loaded in India.

Specific concerns associated with the loading and carriage of nickel ore

The loading and carriage of nickel ore cargoes from both Indonesia and the Philippines has given rise to the specific concerns set out below.

Most mines are situated in remote locations and loading / port facilities are therefore non-existent or very limited and loading equipment and methods rudimentary. Cargo is stock-piled, uncovered, on the beach and accordingly totally exposed to the prevailing weather conditions. The traditional practice has been to ship nickel ore cargoes in the dry season, between February and May/June when rainfall in past years was negligible. However, in recent years anecdotal evidence suggests that the distinct demarcation between the wet and dry seasons has been substantially eroded and heavy rainfall is now experienced during the dry season. The stock-piles do not therefore benefit to the same extent from solar-drying as in the past. The mines are not easily accessible due to their remoteness and it is therefore difficult for independent surveyors / experts acting for the vessel to attend the mines and take samples of the cargo to be loaded. There are few, if any, independent laboratories in Indonesia and the Philippines. The mines generally have their own laboratories but it is often not possible to determine whether the correct testing equipment is available and in a satisfactory condition or whether they are following the procedures laid down under the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes Code (the Code) when testing cargo samples. Such audits as it has been possible to carry out of mines equipment and testing and sampling procedures suggest not. Accordingly the reliability of the information and documentation which the shipper is required to provide under the Code which became mandatory internationally on 1/1/11, most notably the Transportable Moisture Limit (TML) certificate and the Flow Moisture Point (FMP), is questionable. The composition and physical properties of nickel ore vary considerably from location to location. Since the cargo is not homogenous it is difficult to accurately determine the TML and moisture content of the cargo as a whole. Frequently shippers will only provide one TML certificate for a cargo that has been drawn from a number of different sources and is not homogenous, which is contrary to the Code. Nickel laterite has a high clay content. Because of this, testing the FMP of a sample using the usual flow table method can be subjective and the results questionable. If the flow table method of testing is not suitable, section 1.1.1 of the Code provides that the procedures to be adopted should be those approved by the relevant authority of the Port State. Vessels are invariably loaded whilst at anchor from barges or landing craft which have themselves been loaded from stockpiles situated on the beach. The stock-piled cargo may well have been subject to rainfall after samples have been taken and tested, during transportation from the mine to the beach and while stockpiled on the beach. The Code requires that the interval between testing for the moisture content and loading shall never be more than seven days but in many instances this period is not observed. There have been a number of reports of surveyors appointed on behalf of vessel interests to take cargo samples and conduct independent testing, being subject to extreme pressure by shippers to accept the results of the tests carried out by the mines. In certain instances the ‘pressure' has been nothing short of physical intimidation. International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes Code (IMSBC Code)

The Code is issued under SOLAS 1974 and its Protocols. The Code sets out the internationally agreed provisions for the safe stowage and shipment of solid bulk cargoes, including cargoes that may liquefy, such as nickel ore. Those cargoes not specifically listed are covered by Section 1.3 of the Code. It became mandatory internationally on 1 January 2011.

Regulation VI/2, SOLAS 1974 requires the shipper to provide the Master or his representative with all relevant information relating to the cargo sufficiently in advance of loading to enable precautions which may be necessary for the proper stowage and safe carriage of the cargo to be put into effect.

Section 4 of the IMSBC Code sets out the obligations and responsibilities imposed on the shipper for providing information about the cargo.

Most importantly for cargoes that may liquefy (Group A cargoes), certificates should be provided evidencing the moisture content of the cargo at the time of shipment and the transportable moisture limit (TML). The TML is defined in the Code as 90% of the Flow Moisture Point (FMP). The FMP can only be determined by laboratory analysis of cargo samples. Any cargo with a moisture content in excess of the TML should not be accepted for loading (unless on specially constructed or fitted ships). Nickel ore does not have its own schedule in the Code but should be regarded as being a Group A cargo.

A. Master's obligations

The Master or his representative should monitor the loading operation from start to finish. Loading should not be commenced until the Master or the ship's representative is in possession of all requisite cargo information in writing as described above.

The Master has an overriding authority under SOLAS not to load the cargo or to stop the loading of the cargo if he has any concerns that the condition of the cargo might affect the safety of the ship.

B. Shipper's obligations

1. Cargo information

The shipper must provide the Master or his representative in writing with all information and documentation required under the Code in sufficient time before loading, to ensure that the cargo can be safely loaded onto, carried and discharged from the ship (section 4.2.1).

2. Documentation

The documentation must include:

A certificate / declaration certifying the moisture content of the cargo to be loaded together with a statement that to the best of the shipper's knowledge the moisture content is the average moisture content of the cargo. Where a cargo is to be loaded into more than one cargo space, the certificate or declaration of moisture content shall certify each type of material loaded into each space, unless, following proper sampling and testing it is apparent that the different types are uniform throughout the whole consignment. A certificate certifying the TML of the cargo together with the FMP test result prepared by a competent laboratory. The Code requires that the interval between testing for the Flow Moisture Point (FMP) and loading be no more than 6 months for regular materials unless the production process is changed in any way and the interval between testing for the moisture content and loading shall never be more than 7 days. However with irregular materials such as nickel ore every shipment should be checked. Masters should be wary of moisture content certificates provided by the shipper's laboratory and moisture content percentages that are very close to the TML. If there is significant rain between the time of testing and the time of loading, the shipper must conduct test checks (section 4.5.2) to ensure that the moisture content of the cargo is still less than its TML.

3. Laboratories

The shipper must identify the laboratory used to conduct the tests on the cargo samples. However as stated above little reliance can be placed on the results of testing conducted by mine laboratories and samples should be the subject of independent testing by surveyors and experts appointed on behalf of the vessel.

4. Stockpiles

The shipper must identify the stock piles from which the cargo is to be loaded and confirm in writing that the samples tested and in respect of which certificates have been issued / declarations made originated from those stock piles.

5. Barges

Where barges are used to transport cargo to the ship they must be capable of being individually identified by the Master / ship / appointed surveyor.

Recommended precautions

1. Loading should not be commenced until the Master is in possession of all requisite cargo information and documentation/certificates that a shipper is obliged to provide under the Code or local regulations (where not in conflict with the Code) and is satisfied that the cargo is safe to load and carry.

2. Considering the recent casualties mentioned above, Members are encouraged to consider reviewing with the Managers steps that might be considered to reduce the risk presented by this cargo before loading and in any case, if the Master is in any doubt as regards the suitability of the cargo for loading, very serious consideration should be given to the appointment of a surveyor on behalf of the ship in advance of loading to assist the Master. However, it should be made clear to the competent authority (which, in the Philippines, is likely to be the Bureau of Mines), shippers and charterers that the appointment of a surveyor by the ship is not intended to and does not relieve the shipper of his obligations under the Code or local regulations (when not in conflict with the Code).

The terms of the surveyor's appointment should include the following:

To assist the Master with compliance with his obligations under the Code and local regulations (when not in conflict with the Code). To contact and liaise with shippers to identify the stockpiles from which the cargoes are to be shipped on the subject vessel and to ensure that representative samples are correctly taken in accordance with sections 4.4 and 4.6 of the Code. To take owners' own representative samples for testing in an independent competent laboratory which is likely to be located outside the country. To liaise with an independent expert to ensure that the laboratory conducts its tests in accordance with Appendix 2 of the Code. To compare the shipper's certificates with owners' own test results for TML and moisture content. Masters should be wary of moisture content certificates provided by the mines laboratories and moisture content percentages that are very close to the TML. If there is significant rain between the time of testing and the time of loading the shipper must conduct test checks. To monitor the loading operation from start to finish, paying particular attention to the weather conditions and the presence of any moist cargo in the barges / landing craft. To stop loading if further moisture and/or can tests are conducted, as necessary, on any parts of the cargo presented for shipment (sections 4.5.2 and 8.4 of the Code). To monitor the stockpiles and/or barges to ensure that the cargo presented for shipment is from the designated and tested stockpiles and/or barges. This will involve keeping a careful tally and identification of barges / landing craft offered for loading. To ensure loading is suspended during periods of rain. To carefully examine cargo offered for loading from barges / landing craft and if in any doubt of the moisture content, conduct ‘can' tests particularly when rain has been experienced. The ‘can' test is described in section 8 of the IMSBC Code as a spot check a Master can conduct if he is suspicious of the condition of the cargo, and is not meant to replace or supersede laboratory testing which is the responsibility of the Shippers. Section 8 states that if the sample shows signs of liquefaction - i.e. flat surface with evidence of free moisture, arrangements should be made to have additional laboratory tests conducted on the material before it is accepted for loading. Nevertheless cargo should never be accepted on the basis of the ‘can' test alone as it is difficult to accurately interpret the behaviour of the sample in the can and accordingly its moisture content. The test may indicate if cargo is unfit for shipment but cannot determine if a cargo is fit to be loaded- this can only be determined by laboratory testing. 3. If the Master or his appointed surveyor is presented with any document seeking their confirmation that the cargo is safe to carry they should refuse to sign it. The obligation under the Code is on the shipper to declare that the cargo is safe to carry and signing such a document could prejudice a Member's rights of recourse against a shipper in the event of a subsequent casualty.

4. Report any instance of commercial pressure exerted on or intimidation of the Master, surveyor or experts to the Association so that this may be taken up by the Group with the Indonesian / Philippine authorities.

5. Members should consider how they might protect themselves contractually before agreeing to carry nickel ore cargoes, eg including an appropriate clause in any charterparty. Equally Members should not be pressurised into entering into charterparties which restrict their right to fully apply the provisions of the Code, appoint independent surveyors of their choice or take and test cargo samples.

6. Members should refer to the Club any contractual and / or safe carriage concerns it may have relating to nickel ore cargoes loaded in Indonesia or the Philippines

Consequences of a Member's failure to comply with the Code

The risks of loss of life, damage to the environment and loss of property are only too apparent. Members are reminded that if they fail to comply with the Code or local regulations when not in conflict with the Code, they are likely to prejudice their Club cover pursuant to Rules 26 and / or 29. All of the Group Clubs have similar Rules which in essence exclude cover for liabilities, costs and expenses arising from unsafe or unduly hazardous trades or voyages and / or where a Member has failed to comply with Classification and Statutory requirements.

All Clubs in the International Group have issued a similar Circular.

MJC SALTHOUSE

DIRECTOR - North Insurance Management Limited

As Managers on behalf of the North of England P&I Association Limited

Trans Summer IMO 9615468 （ShipSpotting.com)

Trans Summer IMO 9615468 （AFP)

From(Maritime Connector.com)
Ship Name:	TRANS SUMMER
Type of Ship:	BULK CARRIER
IMO:	9615468
Gross Tonnage (ITC ?):	33044 tons
DWT:	56824 tons
Year of Built:	2012
Builder:	XIAMEN SHIPBUILDING INDUSTRY - XIAMEN, CHINA
Class Society:	BUREAU VERITAS

World’s Most Dangerous Cargo Eyed in Bulker Sinking Near Hong Kong 08/16/13 (gCaptain)

The 190-meter bulk carrier which sank off the coast of Hong Kong during Typhoon Utor earlier this week has been reported to have been carrying nickel ore, widely regarded as the world’s most dangerous cargo.

As we reported, the Hong Kong-flagged Trans Summer sank Wednesday approximately 45 nautical mile southwest of the city after battling 15-meter waves and strong winds generated by Typhoon Utor. All 21 crewmembers were rescued mostly by helicopter after abandoning the heavily listing ship in liferafts. The Trans Summer eventually rolled over completely and sank some time later.

The sinking of the Trans Summer, built in just 2012, is typical of a slew of recent casualties involving nickel ore shipments, only this time nobody was killed. That particular maritime activity – shipping nickel ore primarily from Indonesia to China – has quickly become one of the most dangerous jobs in the world and the deadliest activity in modern shipping.

The liquefaction of nickel ore cargoes has been cited as the cause of at least four vessel casualties and the loss of 66 seafarers from October 2010 to December of 2011. In all four incidents, it was determined that too much moisture transformed the otherwise sandy ore into an unstable, muddy substance that caused the ships to list and roll over.

Earlier this year, the Harita Bauxite sank in similar fashion off Cape Balinao in the South China Sea while carrying 47,450 metric tons of nickel ore in her holds. Fifteen of her 24 were crewmembers were killed.

As a result, INTERCARGO, which represents the interests of more than 160 dry cargo ship owners and operators, has since named nickel ore “the world’s most dangerous cargo” and efforts are underway at the IMO to strengthen the International Maritime Solid Bulk Code (IMSBC), which regulates the loading and transport of bulk cargoes.

China’s official Xinhua News Agency said that the Trans Summer was carrying 57,000 tons of nickel ore when she sank, according to a report by the Associated Press.

Cargo ship sinks as Typhoon Utor strikes Hong Kong Up to 150 kph winds kill one person, leave five missing in China 08/15/13 (The Japan Times)

TRANS SUMMER

HONG KONG/BEIJING – A 190-meter-long cargo ship sank off Hong Kong on Wednesday in a strong typhoon that whipped up towering waves and forced much of the city to shut down, before killing one person and leaving five others missing as it churned through southern China on Thursday, authorities said.

Packing winds of up to 150 kph at its center, Typhoon Utor made landfall in mainland China at 3:50 p.m. in the southern city of Yangjiang, the official Xinhua News Agency reported.

More than 158,000 people had been relocated in southern China ahead of its arrival, Xinhua said.

The 21 crew members of the bulk carrier Trans Summer abandoned ship as the vessel tipped onto its side and sank 80 km southwest of Hong Kong, triggering a rescue by two helicopter teams and a passing ship.

“The waves were 10 to 15 meters high. The wind was 90 kph. . . . The ship was leaning to the left side by about 20 to 30 degrees and started to sink when it tilted almost 90 degrees,” Samuel Yip of the city’s Flying Service said.

Alan Loynd, managing director of Branscombe Marine Consultants, said such ships were designed to withstand extreme weather so something must have gone wrong: “If there’s an engine breakdown, then the ship can get turned broadside onto the weather. Then the cargo could shift, forcing the ship over.

“Once the ship loses control in those sort of severe weather conditions it can quickly turn into a disaster.”

A government spokeswoman said the Marine Department and China’s Guangdong Maritime Safety Administration would hold a joint investigation into the sinking.

As Typhoon Utor headed for mainland China, it barreled past Hong Kong, where it forced the closure of financial markets, schools and businesses and disrupted almost half of the day’s flights. Some 118 flights had to be canceled and another 320 were delayed.

A government spokesman said six people were treated in public hospitals for storm-related injuries and that there were six cases of minor flooding. Hong Kong’s streets were quiet for much of the day, with many workers staying home as businesses and schools were shuttered

As the storm passed, more people began venturing out, umbrellas hoisted, and the city returned to normal. However, the Hong Kong stock exchange had already canceled Wednesday’s session and schools remained shut for the afternoon.

By Thursday morning, the storm had weakened considerably, with winds at its center falling to 85 kph as it headed northwest through Guangxi province, about 350 km west of Hong Kong.

Cargo ship sinks in strong typhoon off Hong Kong—officials 08/14/13 (Inquirer News)

HONG KONG — Helicopter teams helped save all 21 crew from a cargo ship that sank off Hong Kong Wednesday in a powerful typhoon that generated waves of up to 15 meters, officials said.

The crew abandoned the 190-meter-long ship as the bulk carrier Trans Summer tipped on its side and sank 80 kilometers southwest of Hong Kong, Samuel Yip of the city’s Flying Services said.

Yip, a pilot who took part in the rescue operation, said two helicopter teams were dispatched after a call at 10.39am (0239 GMT) and found some crew on life rafts while others were floating in the water.

“The boat had… started to sink so the crew decided to abandon the ship,” he told AFP.

“The waves were 10 to 15 meters high. The wind was 90 kilometers per hour.

“The air crew saw the ship was leaning to the left side by about 20 to 30 degrees and started to sink when it tilted almost 90 degrees.”

The Hong Kong-registered ship was a bulk cargo vessel travelling from Indonesia to China carrying nickel, he said.

The Flying Services rescued 19 crew, while a vessel from mainland China picked up the remaining two.

Yip said the crew appeared to be mostly mainland Chinese.

Severe Typhoon Utor passed within about 240 kilometers of Hong Kong Wednesday after leaving at least six people dead in the Philippines.

Utor forced the closure of the city’s financial market and schools and disrupted hundreds of flights, but did little other damage.

A Hong Kong-Macau ferry sank during a typhoon leaving 88 people dead in 1971, one of the deadliest maritime accidents in the territory.

Criteria for Attribution of RO Responsibility （TOKYO MOU) によれば下記のとおりである。 1.RO means a Recognized Organization or other private body carrying out surveys and issuing or endorsing Statutory Certificates of ships on behalf of a flag State.
2.The RO responsibility is assessed only relating to detainable deficiencies that are:
i.covered by a statutory certificate that has been issued or endorsed by the RO with a date of survey; and
ii.the RO has carried out the last survey or verification audit for the relevant certificate(s).
3.A detainable deficiency is associated with the RO if it is:
i.serious structural deficiency including corrosion, wastage, cracking and buckling unless it is clear that the deficiency has occurred since the last survey conducted by the RO; or
ii.a serious deficiency in equipment or non-structural fittings (such as fire main, air pipes, cargo hatches, rails, masts etc.) AND it is less than
90 days since the last survey conducted by the RO, unless it is clear that the deficiency has occurred since the last survey conducted by the RO; or
iii.a serious deficiency in equipment or non-structural fittings which clearly would have existed at the time of the last survey; or
iv.a serious deficiency associated with out-of-date equipment which was out-of-date at the time of the last survey; or
v.a major non-conformity where there is clear evidence of a lack of effective and systematic implementation of a requirement of the ISM Code AND there is clear evidence that it existed at the last audit conducted by the RO. It may also include operational drills and operational control and there is clear supporting evidence of failure.
4.A detainable deficiency is not associated with the RO if it is:
i.he result of accidental or voyage damage;
ii.missing equipment that is likely to have been stolen except when it is a large quantity and the PSC inspection is taking place within 90 days since the last survey conducted by the RO; or
iii.an expired certificate unless the certificate was improperly issued by the RO following a survey conducted on behalf of the flag State.

Cebu oil spill reaches 5 barangays 08/20/13（Inquirer News）

A village official cleans the mangrove swamp off of an oil slick that affected about five villages in Cordova town in Cebu, Monday, Aug. 19, 2013. On Friday night the passenger ferry MV Thomas Aquinas and the cargo ship Sulpicio Express Siete collided off Talisay city that discharged oil from the ferry and reached the coastal villages of Cebu. AP PHOTO/BULLIT MARQUEZ

CEBU CITY, Philippines—The oil leaking out of the St. Thomas of Aquinas, the passenger ferry that sank Friday evening off Talisay City after colliding with a cargo vessel, has reached five barangays (villages) of Cordova town.

In a press release, Dr. Isabelo Montejo, regional executive director of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Region VII, said the spill had affected the seawaters off the Cordova barangays of Gabi, Catarman and Day-as and was headed toward barangays Buagsong and Basbas.

The DENR’s Environmental Management Bureau in Central Visayas collected water samples from four sites in the accident area for oil and grease tests.

Montejo assigned the Coastal Marine Management Division of the Protected Area, Wildlife and Coastal Zone Management Services and Community Environment and Natural Resources Office of Cebu City to assess the damage to mangroves in the area.

The owner of the passenger vessel, 2GO Group Inc., in a press statement assured the public it was doing all it could to contain the oil spill that has come up to the shoreline of Talisay City and other areas.

The company has hired Malayan Towage, four Japanese technical divers and an expert from the International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation Ltd. (ITOPF) to help contain the spill.

Malayan Towage has deployed tugboats to Lawis Ledge, the site of the accident, while the Japanese technical divers are getting ready to inspect the scene underwater.

2GO said the ITOPF expert would be flying to Cebu to assess the situation.

The St. Thomas of Aquinas was carrying 20,000 liters of diesel, 120,000 liters of bunker or crude oil and 20,000 liters of lube oil. 2GO said the ferry was not carrying any volatile or dangerous cargo when it sank.

Cordova was placed under a state of calamity on Monday after the oil spill affected the livelihood of its fishermen. This would allow the town to use its calamity fund to assist the fishermen and their families.—Carine Asutilla

St Thomas Aquinas - IMO 7304663（ShipSpotting.com）

From(Maritime Connector.com)
Ship Name:	SULPICIO EXPRESS SIETE
Type of Ship:	GENERAL CARGO
IMO:	7724344
Flag:	MALDIVES
Gross Tonnage (ITC):	9754 tons
DWT:	11464 tons
Year of Built:	1981
Builder:	NEW SZCZECIN SHIPYARD - SZCZECIN, POLAND
Class Society:	PANAMA MARITIME DOCUMENTATION SERVICES
Owner & Manager:	PHILIPPINE SPAN ASIA CARRIER - CEBU CITY, PHILIPPINES
Former name:	LILY CROWN until 2009 Sep ABEER S until 2004 Nov ECHO PIONEER until 2002 Dec EAL SAPHIRE until 1990 Nov COSTA RICA until 1989 Aug

Tanker Patriot Cargo Passenger vessel collides with cargo ship, sinks 08/16/13 （Sun.Star）

CEBU CITY (8th Update) -- A passenger vessel sank off Talisay City, Cebu after colliding with a cargo vessel Friday evening, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported.

At least 11 bodies were brought to the Cosmopolitan Funeral Homes in this city as of 1:20 a.m. Saturday.

Coast Guard station commander Weniel Azcuna said they received the distress call around 9 p.m. Friday, adding that rescue operation is ongoing.

He said the vessels involved are M/V Saint Thomas Aquinas of 2Go Travel bound for Cebu from Nasipit, Agusan del Norte, and M/V Sulpicio Express 7, which is bound for Davao.

Azcuna said the PCG dispatched a rescue team to the area. He said the Philippine Navy also sent its personnel, while some commercial vessels are helping in the ongoing rescue operation.

Waterfront Police Chief Inspector Wildemar Tiu said 644 adults, 24 minors, and 55 infants were onboard M/V Saint Thomas Aquinas, for a total of 723 passengers. The skipper of the ship was Captain Bermejo.

M/V Sulpicio Express Siete, on the other hand, had 36 crew, initial reports said.

As of this posting, some survivors are already in Talisay City, while others were brought to the Cebu City port area. Others were rushed to the Talisay City District Hospital and Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical center.

Some of them said they were given life jackets, and lifeboats were inflated but it was too dark at sea.

Adela Guevarra, one of the passengers, said she and her son, 4, were forced to jump to the sea as M/V St. Thomas Aquinas sank.

Another survivor said some children and elders might still be trapped inside the passenger vessel.

Mildred Lumapas, two months pregnant, said she heard a loud bang after the cargo ship collided with the 2Go Travel vessel.

She said it only took 10 minutes for the M/V Saint Thomas Aquinas to sink after the impact.

Lumapas was rescued by the fisherfolk of Kilawan, Tangke along nine other survivors, namely: Domingo Mantilla of Butuan; Janley Ellera of San Juan, Bayugan; Gemma Domino of Alipay, Hingoog City; Glenda Abanella of Quezon City; Florenda Maghuyop of Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte; Rosanna Lamanilao of Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte; Normeley Sombreo of Surigao, Agusan Del Norte; Gloria Cabudbod of Bato, Leyte; and a boy.

Lumapas said she already called her mother about what happened.

Other survivors said they were given life jackets, and tugboats were inflated but it was too dark at sea.

Adela Guevarra, one of the passengers, said she and her son, 4, were forced to jump to the sea as M/V St. Thomas Aquinas sank.

Another survivor said some children and elders might still be trapped inside the passenger vessel.

Perla Cabanes, captain of Barangay Tangke in Talisay City, said they immediately reached the shore in search for survivors after receiving reports of the collision.

A rescuer of the Basak Pardo Emergency Response team said Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama told them to bring the survivors to the City Hall.

More than 30 survivors were also housed in Sitio Salvador chapel.

The M/V Saint Thomas Aquinas is 138 meters long and 22 meters wide. It has a gross tonnage of 11,405 and with maximum recorded speed of 17.3 knots.

The M/V Sulpicio Express Siete, on the other hand, is a general cargo ship that was built in 1981. It is 146 meters long and 21 meters wide, with maximum recorded speed of 5.8 knots. (LRM/JAC/Sunnex)

History of ferry disasters in the Philippines 08/17/13（Inquirer News）

MANILA, Philippines—The sinking of a ferry following a collision with a cargo ship is the latest of many deadly accidents to have plagued the Philippines’ sea transport industry.

Inter-island ferries are one of the main forms of transport for millions of Filipinos across the archipelago, mainly because they are cheaper than air travel.

However, bad weather, particularly during the typhoon season, as well as poor maintenance, overloading of vessels and lax enforcement of safety regulations have led to many disasters.

Here is a list of major accidents in the Philippines over the past three decades:

August 16, 2013: At least 26 people are confirmed dead and 215 others are missing after the passenger ferry St Thomas Aquinas collides with a cargo vessel near the port of Cebu.

June 14, 2013: Seven people are killed when the Lady of Mount Carmel ferry mysteriously sinks near the central island of Masbate.

June 12, 2012: A storm capsizes a wooden-hulled ferry off the Coast of Palawan Island, killing at least seven.

December 26, 2009: At least six people are confirmed dead and 44 go missing after ferry MV Baleno-9 sinks.

December 24, 2009: Four people are confirmed dead with 23 missing after the wooden-hulled Catalyn B with 73 people on board collides with a fishing vessel at the mouth of Manila Bay.

September 6, 2009: Nine people are killed after the Superferry 9 tilts sharply and then sinks near the southern city of Zamboanga.

May 2009: Wooden-hulled Commander 6 cracks open and sinks just south of Manila, leaving 12 dead.

December 2008: The ferry Maejan capsizes off the northern Philippines, leaving 30 dead.

November 2008: Don Dexter Kathleen, a small wooden-hulled ferry, capsizes in freak winds off the central island of Masbate, leaving 42 dead.

June 2008: The Princess of the Stars ferry sails into a typhoon and tips over near the Coast of Sibuyan Island. Of the 850 on board, only 57 survive.

February 2004: Islamist militants firebomb the Superferry 14 near Manila Bay, leaving 116 dead.

April 2000: The cargo vessel Anahanda, overloaded with passengers, sinks off the southern island of Jolo. About 100 of the estimated 150 people on board die.

September 1998: The Princess of the Orient ferry sinks off Batangas City south of Manila. About 150 die.

December 1994: A Singaporean freighter hits the ferry Cebu City in Manila Bay, leaving about 140 dead.

October 1988: The Dona Marilyn ferry sinks off the central island of Leyte, leaving more than 250 dead.

December 1987: The Dona Paz ferry collides with an oil tanker off Mindoro Island near Manila, leaving more than 4,300 dead in the world’s worst peacetime shipping disaster.

Abandoned Grounded Cambodian cargo vessel spotted off Malolos 08/14/13 （GMA News）

An abandoned Cambodian cargo vessel was found grounded in Manila Bay off Malolos, Bulacan Tuesday morning.

According JP Soriano's report on GMA News TV's Quick Response Team, the cargo ship MV Yuan Heng, reportedly operated by Chinese nationals, may have drifted from Mariveles Port in Bataan.

Citing initial investigation, Soriano said the ship may have drifted away from the port, where it was dry-docked for four years, when Typhoon Labuyo hit the area.

Soriano said when the abandoned ship was found, it was covered in rust and some parts had already deteriorated. No engine was also found, though it was not clear when it went missing, he added.

Police are now looking for a certain Castro, who may be the possible owner of the ship, Soriano added.

According to the Philippine Coast Guard, the ship will be towed, but the date has yet to be set.

Fishermen and residents in Malolos expressed concern over the possibility that when the tide rises, the boat might drift off again and hit their fish pens, Soriano said.

The ship has no more crude oil to leak, authorities said, allaying fears of another discharge. — Amanda Fernandez/BM, GMA News

Abandoned Abandoned Chinese freighter Yuan Heng found off Manila 08/14/13 （Maritime Bulletin）

Authorities were alerted by local fishermen who reported an abandoned Chinese vessel, anchored or stranded off the coast of Malolos, Bulacan province, Pamarawan area, just 13 nautical miles NW of Manila. ABS-CBN News in a video footage showed stranded vessel describing it as a Cambodian flagged tanker under the name of Yuan Heng. According to papers found on board, vessel is owned by S-American Far Eastern Shipping Company and operated by Shandong Jinghai Industrial Group. From the look of the vessel in the video, it is definitely not a tanker, but a general cargo vessel. General cargo vessel Yuan Heng, IMO 8217790, dwt 1598, built 1983, flag Cambodia. Last AIS signal dated 19.6.2010, East China Sea. Most probably, this is the vessel in question. Investigation under way. Fate of the crew unknown, no details given on the circumstances and approximate date of the abandonment.

Abandoned Chinese cargo ship drifting off Malolos 08/14/13 （philstar.com）

MANILA, Philippines - An abandoned Chinese cargo ship identified as MV Yuan Heng was discovered in Manila Bay off Malolos, Bulacan on Tuesday.

Local fishermen reported having seen the vessel drifting off Pamarawan as typhoon Labuyo blew through the area, according to local reports.

Malolos City Hall employee Roann Dionisio said in a radio interview that her team found the ship abandoned and decrepit.

"Sobrang dumi sa loob ... 'yong mga hagdan kapag tinapakan mo parang bibigay na. Nakakuha kami ng blankets at saka flag ng China," Dionisio said.

Bulacan Governor Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado has said that the ship was originally docked at Seafront Shipyard in Mariveles, Bataan before it floated toward Malolos at the onslaught of the typhoon.

The ship was found to be owned by South American Far Eastern Shipping, operated by Shandong Junghai Group and was registered in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Sy-Alvarado added.

The governor also said the ship will be towed for dry docking. - Camille Diola

Tanker Patriot Cargo ship sinks off Krabi, 11 rescued 08/01/13 （Phuket News）

KRABI: A Thai-registered coaster, the MV Unity, sank yesterday afternoon (July 31) around 2:30 in heavy seas near Koh Pu, off the coast of Krabi.

The captain, Taweep Choonoon and all 10 crew members were rescued by a flotilla of boats included Krabi Marine Police launch 523, a boat from the Krabi Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, and another from the Krabi Provincial Administration Organisation. None of the sailors was hurt.

Pol Lt Col Chaiyasit Kancharoen, inspector of Krabi Marine Police, told the Phuket News on Wednesday evening, “We can’t begin salvaging the Unity yet. It is too dark. We will start work on that tomorrow morning.”

The Unity, he added, was employed to carry goods between the mainland and Koh Phi Phi.

This is the second cargo ship to get into difficulties in heavy weather in the waters around Phuket. On July 4 the Bangladeshi cargo ship MV Hope was abandoned by its crew south of Phuket after it listed severely. Nine crew were rescued and two were found dead. The remaining six are still missing.

Tanker Patriot boxship Gladys breached, engine room flooded 08/04/16 （Maritime Bulletin）

Situation with the container ship Gladys, which ran aground on Aug 1 13 off Cheduba Island, Myanmar, Bay of Bengal, is worse than it was previously reported, wrote The Financial Express on Aug 4. Vessel suffered a breach in engine room area with resulting water ingress. Engine room was flooded, causing a blackout. Most of the crew left the vessel, only three crew remained on board. How did the crew leave the vessel, and its’ present location, are unknown. Assumingly they have been taken on shore. Myanmar Navy boat is to deliver some supplies, food and water, to the three crew who’re staying on board. Owner chartered a tug from Singapore to refloat the vessel and tow her to Chittagong, ETA to grounding site Aug 6-7.
First news: Container ship Gladys aground off Myanmar Container ship Gladys ran aground on Aug 1 13 off Cheduba Island, Myanmar, Bay of Bengal, en route to Chittagong, Bangladesh, wrote Bangladeshi The Financial Express. Vessel grounded reportedly, after experiencing engine problems, which started soon after vessel left Port Klang, Malasyia, with 674 containers on board bound for Chittagong. Tugs are sent to refloat the vessel. Container ship Gladys, IMO 8908002, dwt 23574, capacity 1021 TEU, built 1991, flag Indonesia, manager BINTIKA BANGUNUSA.

Tanker Patriot Andalan with 5,400 tons of fuel sank in Ternate, North Maluku, Indonesia 07/31/16 （Maritime Bulletin）

According to Antaranews.com (Indonesia), product tanker Patriot Andalan sank in Port Ternate, Ternate island, North Maluku islands Indonesia, Molucca sea, on July 31. Vessel arrived to Ternate from Papua New Guinea with the cargo of 5,000 tons of heavy fuel and 2,000 tons of diesel fuel, and offloaded 1,600 tons of cargo, when the storm hit the port. It is understood, that the vessel, moved by waves, struck terminal constructions, hull was breached, and tanker sank alongside or near terminal, with the rest of the cargo, some 5,400 tons of fuel, on board. The crew and terminal staff which were on board safely left the vessel. Some of the cargo already leaked, but definitely, not all of it, as some media report. Local authorities are cleaning the spill, which is reportedly, small, and are trying to prevent further leaks. If the vessel is lying on bed alongside the terminal or some meters off the berth, being most probably, only partially submerged, then the authorities will be able to offload the rest of the cargo in a short time, preventing big-scale spill.
Pertamina company media is mentioning is a charterer of the vessel, not its’ operator. Vessel is operated by INDO MEGA MARITIM PT http://www.indomegamaritim.com/vessels.php Product tanker Patriot Andalan, IMO 8912687, dwt 7000, built 1990, flag Indonesia, manager INDO MEGA MARITIM PT.

Tanker Patriot South Korean freighter Evangeli arrested in Trincomalee 07/31/16 （Maritime Bulletin）

South Korean freighter Evangeli was arrested on July 31 13 in Trincomalee, Sri Lanka, following a claim made by South Korean bunkering company, reported Sri Lankan newspaper Times Online. Vessel loaded with 10,000 tons of granite arrived to Trincomalee on July 18 for bunkering. Koeran bunkering company meanwhile, hired a law firm in Colombo, which managed to get an arrest warrant. The 18 crew wasn’t paid for the last three months, added newspaper. General cargo vessel Evangeli, IMO 9176187, dwt 11042, built 1998, flag South Korea, manager BUMYOUNG SHIPPING CO LTD.

Ship held over Port of Brisbane oil spill 07/30/13 （Canberra Times）

A ship believed to be responsible for an oil spill in the Port of Brisbane on Sunday night has been detained in Brisbane.

Maritime Safety Queensland has ordered Dominican-flagged vessel The Danny Rose, which is berthed at wharf number 11, to remain in port.

Queensland's Marine Pollution Act 1995 gives the state government the ability to hold the vessel in the port if authorities believe it may be responsible for the oil spill.

Maritime Safety Queensland investigators have interviewed crew members, taken oil samples and a marine engineer has inspected the ship's fuel systems as part of the oil spill inquiry, a Queensland Transport spokesman said.

"A clean-up of the wharf structure and spill area is continuing with observers reporting no further oil sightings in the port," he said.

Maritime Safety Queensland is seeking Crown Law advice as part of the investigation.

「Guo Liang 677」は実際は、 モンゴル籍船 なのか カンボジア籍船なのか知らない。どちらにしろ、モンゴル籍船 や カンボジア籍船で働くこと自体が綱渡りの人生なのだから仕方がない。運がなかった！

Capsized barge: Crew members still missing, search and rescue operations ongoing （EDMW Singapore）

Hansa Brandenburg 07/17/13 （The Star Online）

On July 15, The 175 meter long, 23493 dwt container ship Hansa Brandenburg suffered a fire in the Indian Ocean near Mauritius. The fire started after there was an explosion in one of the containers and quickly spread to nearby containers. The crew contacted the authorities and were rescued by the vessel Donau Trader. All 17 crew were safely rescued and were taken to Port Louis, Mauritius. With no one attempting to extinguish the fire, the blaze continue to grow and engulfed the vessel’s superstructure. Mauritian Authorities and Coast Guard are monitoring the situation and coordinating the situation. The Hansa Brandenburg had been en route to Durban from Singapore.

Reports state the crew did not attempt to extinguish the fire before abandoning ship. The vessel was last reported still burning and adrift

Fiery nightmare for sailors trapped in burning ship 07/16/13 （The Star Online）

PONTIAN: It was a fiery nightmare for a group of crewmen who were trapped in a burning vessel used to transport oil.

“I could only think of my three-year-old daughter when we were trying to escape the burning vessel,” said one of the survivors of MT Samudera, Abhishek Kumar.

The 30-year-old from Calcutta said he was thankful to God that he and his friends managed to escape the flames.

Officials from the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) managed to save 22 crewmen but one man is still trapped on board the vessel which has been burning about 2.6 nautical miles south of Pulau Kukup here for close to two days.

“I was on duty inside the engine room when the fire broke out and things just turned chaotic.

“Without warning, a blast occurred in the ship’s engine room and we just could not put out the flames,” he said adding that the incident occurred at around 3.30pm on Sun­day.

He said he has been a crewmen for the past seven years and this was the first time he had been involved in such an incident.

Another crewmen, Pardeep, 27, said he felt sad for fellow crewman, Giridher, who is still trapped.

“We have no clue if he is still alive, but the chances are slim,” he said, adding that the group only realised Giridher was missing when they were in the lifeboat.

Meanwhile, MMEA Johor Baru enforcement chief Capt Aminuddin Abd Rashid said they were trying their best to stop the fire from spreading to other parts of the ship.

“Once we have put out the flames, we will launch a search for the missing crewman,” he said.

Aminuddin said the vessel was ferrying raw oil from Batam, Indonesia to Chittagong, Bangla­desh.

One Indian sailor feared dead in tanker fire off Malaysia 07/15/13 （The Star Online）

An Indian sailor was feared dead while 22 others were rescued from a burning but empty Indian-owned oil tanker off the Malaysian coast on Monday. Click here!

MT Samudera’s engine room caught fire at 2.40pm (local time) off the coast of Pulau Kukup in JohorState but the Southern region Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency was only alerted of the situation at 4.40pm, a maritime official said.

One person who was missing was feared dead and the fire was brought under control after some hours, MMEA official Admiral Adon Shalan said.

“The whole group was rescued and brought to the marine police jetty in Kukup at around 10.05 pm. Two crewmen who sustained burns were being treated for their injuries,” he said.

“The MT Samudra usually carries oil but we were informed by the crew that it was empty when the fire broke out,” he was quoted as saying by Star newspaper.

MT Samudera was heading to Chittagong port in Bangladesh from the Indonesian island of Batam when the fire broke out.

Tanker Samudera on fire in Malacca Strait, west of Singapore 07/14/13 （Maritime Bulletin）

Fire erupted in engine room of tanker Samudera in Malacca Strait some 2.5 nautical miles south of Pulau Kukup island, Malaysia, just to the west of Singapore. Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) received an emergency call at around 16:40 LT July 14 13. Vessel was under way, en route from Batam, Indonesia to Chittagong, Bangladesh, in ballast, with 23 Indian crew on board. MMEA sent rescue boats, 22 crew were evacuated and taken to Pulau Kukup, 1 crew feared to die in a fire. According to crew statement, fire started at around 14:45, crew wasn’t able to put it under control, fire quickly spread around. Photos provided by MMEA show that fire was restricted by engine room, but with no one to fight it, it will either die by itself or engulf the superstructure. Nobody seems to be in a hurry to fight the fire. According to the information gathered from data bases, vessel most probably was sold to ship breakers in June, and was on its’ last voyage.

Chemical tanker Samudera, IMO 8217207, flag Sierra Leone (or Indonesia, or Malaysia), dwt 17669, built 1983, manager presently unknown, last was BAHTERA LAJU SENTOSA PT, Indonesia. Vessel reported sold to undisclosed buyer since the end of June 13.

From(Maritime Connector.com)
Ship Name:	HARMONY RISE
Type of Ship:	GENERAL CARGO
IMO:	9038074
Flag:	PANAMA
Gross Tonnage (ITC):	1998 tons
DWT:	1069 tons
Year of Built:	1991
Builder:	MIURA SHIPBUILDING - SAIKI, JAPAN
Class Society:	PANAMA MARITIME DOCUMENTATION SERVICES
Owner & Manager:	HARMONY GROWING SHIPMANAGEMENT - DALIAN, CHINA
Former name:	EIYOSHI MARU NO.5 until 2009 Aug

12 Chinese sailors on sunken ship off S. Korean waters rescued 07/14/13 （GlobalTimes）

Twelve Chinese crew members aboard a Panamanian-flagged ship that sank off South Korea's east coast earlier Wednesday have all been rescued, according to the country's coast guard.

The 1,999-ton vessel that carried 12 sailors of Chinese nationality and 3,000 tons of iron ore sank at around 4:45 am local time in waters some 12 km east of the South Korean city of Ulsan, 410 km southeast of Seoul, the Ulsan Coast Guard said in an e-mailed statement.

The ship was hit on the right side of its bows by the Cypriot- flagged vessel where 24 Philippine sailors and one Greek were aboard. At that time, the fog was very thick, according to the coast guard.

The South Korean coast guard dispatched 14 patrol ships and two helicopters after the accident to rescue the sailors. The authorities are yet to identify the cause of the sinking.

Panamanian ship sinks off Korea after collision 07/14/13 （United Filipino Seafarers and Seaman）

The Panamanian cargo ship Harmony Rise has sunk off South Korea in the Yellow Sea after colliding with a bulk carrier. The bulk carrier involved in the collision is Panamax Blessing operated by Cyprus Sea Lines in Athens. All twelve (12) Chinese crewmembers were rescued by the South Korean coast carrier, according to . The bulk carrier suffered some bow damages. The collision occurred six miles on the Korean peninsula. Global Times reports, the ship was hit on the right side of its bows by the Cypriot- flagged vessel where 24 Philippine sailors and one Greek were aboard. At that time, the fog was very thick, according to the coast guard. Cargo ship Harmony Rise was built in 1991 and was managed by Dalian’s Harmony Growing Ship Management.

Ship laden with stones sinks off Pelong Rocks 07/08/13 （Borneo Bulletin Online）

Danial Norjidi & Hakim Hayat

A SHIP sank just off Pelong Rocks in Muara Saturday night due to bad weather conditions but all 11 crewmembers of foreign nationalities onboard were rescued and reported safe, as confirmed by the Ministry of Communications through the Marine Department last night.

The Kuching, Sarawak registered ship ‘Dolphin88’ was carrying 3,500 tonnes of stones and sailing through Brunei waters from Kuching to Lawas when it split into two and sank at about 8.25pm just off Pelong Rocks, 3.5 nautical miles off Meragang Beach, the Acting Director of Marine Department, Captain Basza Alexzandar Basri told the Borneo Bulletin last night.

All crew onboard were rescued by a vessel close to the area, MV Jaya Amethyst, and were attended to immediately upon landing by a medical team from Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha (RIPAS) Hospital, a press statement said.

When asked to share more details on the rescue mission, the Acting Director said, “The Muara Signal Station received a mayday call from Dolphin88, which prompted the signal station personnel to relay the mayday signal to the nearest vessel. It was acknowledged by a rescue vessel, which rushed to the location and found crewmembers already on a life raft.”

Captain Basza said the ship’s crewmembers are from Malaysia, India and Indonesia, adding that they were being taken care of at the Marine Police Headquarters in Muara and by their employers.

Meanwhile, no oil spill has been detected following the incident. Captain Basza said they are still closely monitoring the location in case of an oil spill and said as of sunset yesterday, no oil spill was detected.

The press statement said the incident is currently under investigation by the Marine Department, Brunei Darussalam (MDBD) and may be attributed to bad weather conditions. “According to the Meteorological Department, Ministry of Communications, the weather conditions during the incident were reported as heavy intensity thundershowers which occurred mostly over Brunei Bay.”

To enable the Marine Department to carry out its investigation effectively and efficiently, the public is advised to stay well clear of the area, and to navigate with extreme caution should travel be extremely necessary.

Captain Basza stressed that safety is the Marine Department’s main concern, and when asked what is being done, said, “We have lit up the vessel with a marker so that the public making use of the area will be alert.”

The plight of the vessel now remains unknown but Captain Basza said the owner of the vessel is still trying to find a source or a way to salvage the vessel.

“The owner has been very cooperative so it depends on how soon a source of salvage can be attained because you need some speciality vessels for this kind of salvage work,” he said.

From(Maritime Connector.com)
Ship Name:	MGM NO.5
Type of Ship:	GENERAL CARGO
IMO:	8804921
Flag:	CAMBODIA
Gross Tonnage (ITC):	1917 tons
Year of Built:	1988
Builder:	HONDA HEAVY INDUSTRIES - SAIKI, JAPAN
Class Society:	GLOBAL MARINE BUREAU
Owner & Manager:	SOOSUNG - PUSAN, SOUTH KOREA
Former name:	EVER SHINE until 2008 Apr HOSEI MARU NO.38 until 2002 Jan

General cargo ship MGM No 5 sank off South Korea 07/08/13 （gCaptain）

By Viliyana Filipova

The general cargo ship MGM No 5 sank after explosion on 40 nautical miles off the South Korean Namhae Island. During the accident on board of the cargo ship there were 10 crew member, as 9 of them abandoned the ship in a life raft and were later rescued by the nearby container ship FESCO Diomid. One of the crew members of general cargo ship MGM No 5 is missing as according to the witness evidences of the other crew members he went in a trap whent eh vessel sank. The reason for the explosion is unknown but according to the preliminary information from the police and coast guard the high temperature inflamed the cargo into the hold and caused explosion of gases. The vessel was on route between Incheon, South Korea and Wakayama, Japan carrying cargo of metallic powder. All rescued crew members are in good health and were transported to the hospital with helicopter. The local authorities continue search and rescue operation for the missing seamen.

The general cargo ship MGM No 5 (IMO: 8804921) has overall length of 84.00 m and moulded beam of 12.00 m. The cargo ship has summer draft of 5.30 m, when is fully loaded. The vessel has gross tonnage of 1,917 GRT and deadweight of 1,384 DWT. During the accident the ship has 10 crew members, including 2 South Koreans, 5 Myanmar and 4 Indonesians, as the missing seamen is one of the Indonesians.

MOL Comfort on Fire [IMAGES and VIDEO] 07/08/13 （gCaptain）

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) reported Saturday that a fire has broken out on the rear end of the fore part of the vessel at around 0030UTC (0930 JST) on July 6.

“We immediately requested the salvage company to start fire fighting. The tug boat and other two rescue boats are responding to the fire at the scene,” notes MOL in a statement on their website.

UPDATE: 8 July

Indian Coast Guard pollution response vessel, “ICGS Samudra Prahari” has arrived on scene to assist in the firefighting efforts on the fore section of the MOL Comfort. We spoke with the Indian Coast Guard and they note that contrary to some reports, the fire is not yet contained and firefighting efforts continue as of 1500 GMT. Here are some photos from the scene.

UPDATE: 7 July:

According to a statement on MOL’s website, the fire is not yet under control and efforts to contain the blaze have been hampered by adverse weather. Following a request by the salvage company, the Indian Coast Guard’s patrol boat “Samudra Prahari”, which is equipped with powerful external fire fighting system, has been dispatched and is now proceeding to the scene.

This is the second significant setback to befall the salvors after the stern of the vessel sank in heavy seas on June 27.

Seafarer says:
July 7, 2013 at 5:37 pm
MOL Comfort has a bit smaller sister ships known s E-Class.
This is Panamax container vessels. I used to work on MOL Expeditor which is presently in service.This vessel being 2 years old had already cracks in structures in vicinity of cargo hold No.2 visible in under deck passageway.Management was aware about this but did not do nothing. At least that time. Probably MOL Comfort had same problem of construction.

Chinese bulk carrier Fu Sheng Hai broke in two, fore section sank, Japan sea 07/16/13 （Maritime Bulletin）

Bulk carrier Fu Shang Hai which ran aground on or near Saeng island off Busan, Japan sea, on July 1 13, broke in two on July 6, reported vesseltracker.com. The fore section up to Hold 4 sank on some 30 meters depth, aft section is aground. Salvage is under way, though the decision regarding the fate of fore section is yet unknown.
Grounding news:
Bulk carrier Fu Sheng Hai aground off Busan
Bulk carrier Fu Sheng Hai ran aground on July 1 13 on or near Saeng island off Busan, Japan sea. Vessel was en route from Lianyungang China to Busan Korea, with cargo of steel and plywood. Judging from AIS, in the afternoon July 3 vessel was probably, still aground. Bulk carrier Fu Sheng Hai, IMO 9071703, dwt 52580, built 1993, flag Panama, manager FUZHOU WANFU SHIP MANAGEMENT, China.

Bulk carrier Fu Sheng Hai ran aground off Busan 07/03/13 （Sbdnews24.com）

By Viliyana Filipova

The bulk carrier Fu Sheng Hai ran aground off near Saeng island off Busan, Japan sea. The accident happened in big swell and heavy winds, which caused course change and running over a shallow and stucking there. The ship Fu Sheng Hai was on route between Lianyungang, China and Busan, Korea carrying a plywood and steel cargo on board. The Busan portal authorities sent a tug on the scene of the accident to re-float the ship, but they reported that the towing operation will be performed on high water. According to the preliminary information there are no injured people on board of the bulk carrier during the accident. The crew reported that there is no hold and damages of the bottom of the hull, but the port authorities will held inspection before re-floating the vessel.

The bulk carrier Fu Sheng Hai (IMO: 9071703) has length of 216.00 m, beam of 25.00 m and summer draft of 10.60 m. The deadweight of the cargo ship is 52,580 DWT and the gross tonnage is 31,643 GRT. The ship was built in Ukrainian shipyard Okean Shipbuilding Yard. The local authorities will inspect the ship’s strength after the accident, in spite of the fact that the bottom in this part of the Japan Sea is mud and sand. The ship is still aground, but the first attempt for re-floating will be done today.

From(Maritime Connector.com)
Ship Name:	HOPE
Type of Ship:	GENERAL CARGO
IMO:	8921482
Flag:	BANGLADESH
Gross Tonnage (ITC):	5550 tons
Year of Built:	1990
Builder:	SHIN KURUSHIMA HASHIHAMA DOCKYARD - HASHIHAMA, JAPAN
Owner & Manager:	MANSHIP - SINGAPORE
Former name:	JC HOPE until 2012 Oct BJ KING until 2010 Sep VIHAN 05 until 2005 Sep TANJONG until 2002 Nov BOUGAINVILLEA until 1998 ORCHARD II until 1998 DALLAS DHU until 1996 Oct ASEAN TRADER until 1995 Jun

M/V Hope sinking: One more survivor found after 36 hours 07/05/13 （Sbdnews24.com）

Three more crew members of Bangladeshi cargo vessel MV Hope have been rescued off the coast of Phuket on Friday.

MV Hope, the 97-metre 5,550-tonne cargo vessel, tilted to its side early on Thursday amid hostile weather in the Andaman Sea with 17 crew onboard. The crewmen had jumped onto a lifeboat into the sea.

Six of the crew were rescued on Thursday.

Thai web portal The Phuket News said German cargo vessel Buxmoon recovered two bodies which they handed over to the Royal Thai Navy. Authorities assume they were members of vessel’s missing crew.

The Navy rescued two more crew in the afternoon. Shafiqul Islam said Rahman was rescued on Friday noon, while Hossain and Fairuz were rescued in the afternoon.

Chittagong ship owners P&I Club representative Captain Mohiuddin Abdul Qader said the Thai authorities had confirmed one of those rescued was Engine Cadet Mushfiqur Rahman of Mymensingh.

“Of the two dead, one is Hope’s crew. But we are yet to know of his identity,” he added.

Buxmoon had rescued five crew members alive on Thursday from one of the lifeboats of the Bangladeshi cargo ship. Another crew, Abu Bakar Siddique, 50, was pulled out of the sea and flown to Phuket. He is now undergoing treatment at a Phuket hospital.

Two Royal Thai Navy helicopters and a patrol plane had taken part in the rescue. Navy patrol boats were also circling the area, looking for the missing crew members.

Qader said the rescue efforts would continue until Sunday morning.

He said authorities were trying to recover the vessel.

The cargo vessel was returning to Chittagong port from Malaysia’s Lumut port with 6,545 tonnes of ball clay (used in ceramic industry) for Bangladesh’s Akiz Ceramic.

Trade Bridge Shipping owns the 23-year-old ship. Shama Quader Chowdhury, wife of BNP leader Salauddin Quader Chowdhury’s brother, owns the company.

Cargo Ship Capsized Off Thailand. 11 Crew Members Missing 07/05/13 （World Maritime News）

Bangladeshi cargo ship MV Hope capsized in heavy seas south of Phuket, Thailand on Thursday morning with 17 crew members onboard, the Royal Thai Navy reported.

Six MV Hope’s crew members were rescued. Five of them were found in a lifeboat and rescued by a German container ship Buxmoon. The Royal Thai Navy managed to recue one injured sailor by a helicopter and transferred him to Phuket Hospital for recovery.

The Navy told local news portals that the search is ongoing for other 11 sailors that have gone missing.

The ship was sailing from Lumut port in Malaysia to Chittagong port, Bangladesh when it capsized due to high waves reaching up to four meters.

The MV Hope’s certificate showed that the vessel had been overloaded by 1,000 metric tonnes of cargo more than its capacity, which might have caused the accident, according to the information provided to Chittagong Port Authority by the owners, BD News 24 reports.

M/V Hope sinking: One more survivor found after 36 hours 07/04/13 （Sbdnews24.com）

Thai news agency The Phuket News has said quoting The Royal Thai Navy on Thursday that Bangladeshi cargo ship MV Hope did not sink but was lying on its side, with 11 crew members still missing.

The crewmen went missing after MV Hope ‘sank’ off the coast of Phuket early on Thursday amid hostile weather, Thai media had reported earlier.

MV Hope’s registering authority, Mercantile Marine Department’s Principal Officer Shafiqul Islam said the cargo vessel ran into massive waves and stiff crosswinds in the Andaman Sea.

He said the ship was returning with 6,545 metric tonnes of ball clay used in the ceramics industry after picking it up from Lumut port in Malaysia. “We were told that 11 of the 17-member crew of the ship are still missing. Six others were rescued.”

Thai news agency "Phuket News" said the Royal Thai Navy was conducting the rescue operations at the spot of capsize, about 29 nautical miles (54 kilometres) south of Racha Yai Island.

According to the vessel’s owners, the missing crew members were the ship’s Captain Rajib Chandra Karmakar, Chief Officer Md Mahbub Morshed, Second Officer Mobarak Hossain, Deck Cadet ‘Faizur’, Chief Engineer Kazi Saifuddin, Second Engineer Md Nejam Uddin, Engine Cadet Mushfiqur Rahman, Electricians Chhadim Ali, KB Nasir Uddin and Ali Hossain and Chief Cook Nasir Uddin.

MV Hope’s Fourth Engineer Md Abdul Hakim, Deck Cadets Mokhlesur Rahman, Abu Bakar Siddique, Md Rubel, Md Osman and Saiful Islam were rescued from the sea.

Five of them were spotted in a lifeboat and were later picked up by a German container ship Buxmoon, which will take them to Bangladesh. They are believed to be fine.

Abu Bakar, 40, was pulled out of the sea injured and was flown aboard a Thai Navy helicopter to Phuket, where he is now recovering in Vachira Phuket Hospital, the “Nation” online said.

"Phuket News" said search for the unaccounted-for crew was going on. Rescued crew members said they did get off the sinking ship in life boats but efforts to trace them drawn blank.

Islam said the 23-year old MV Hope was owned by Trade Bridge Shipping Ltd.

Sama Quader Chowdhury is the owner of Trade Bridge Shipping Ltd. She is also the wife of Jamal Uddin Quader Chowdhury, brother of BNP leader Salauddin Quader Chowdhury.

The ship’s certificate showed its load-carrying capacity was 5,550 metric tonnes. But according to the information provided to Chittagong Port Authority by the owners, it showed the ship was carrying nearly 1,000 metric tonnes more than its capacity.

Shafiqul Islam said the ship was supposed to return to Chittagong port on July 8.

Australian RCC relayed details of the ship’s last known position to its counterpart in Bangkok.

Heading northwest, it had run into heavy crosswinds and waves coming beam-on, "Phuket News" added.

A Royal Thai Navy Third Fleet helicopter was scrambled soon after that and flew out to check the spot of capsize.

A navy helicopter and patrol plane were also circling the area, looking for the missing crew members.

M/V "MOL COMFORT"
ex:APL RUSSIA
IMO NO:9358761
FLAG:BAHAMA
BUILD:
KEEL LAY-23rd AUG 2007
LAUNCH-8th MAR 2008
DATE OF BUILD-14th JUN 2008
LOA:316.00m
BEAM:45.60m
DEPTH:25.00m
DRAFT:14.535m
DWT:90613t
GWT:86692t
CAPACITY:8110teu
REEFER PLUG:630
SPEED:24.0kn
BUILDER:MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES CO.,LTD. NAGASAKI SHIPYARD
OWNER:URAL CONTAINER CARRIERS S.A.
MANAGEMENT:MOL SPMANAGEMENT (SINGAPORE) PTE.LTD.
OPERATOR;MOL

Containership MOL Comfort sinks in Indian Ocean （SYMPHONIC SHIPS）

姉妹船
MOL CREATION 2007
MOL CHARISMA ex:APL FRANCE 2007
MOL CELEBRATION 2008
MOL COURAGE ex:APL POLAND 2008
MOL COMPETENCE 2008

UPDATE: MOL Comfort Sank 06/19/13 （Vesselfinder）

MOL Comfort (ex APL Russia) sank due to yet unclear reasons, sailing from Singapore to Jeddah and after that to North Europe, leaving behind hundreds of drifting containers and a huge aftershock hitting liner sector and all of the maritime industry.

Even the scale of the consequences is hard, impossible, to estimate, not to mention consequences themselves. This is the 1st case in liner sector, when modern ocean-going liner container vessel (built in Japan!) sank in the ocean after breaking in 2 parts, like a poorly built and managed bulk carrier or over aged coaster. Nothing like this ever occurred, and no one believed it was possible, even theoretically. It just could not happen, but still, here it is. At present stage, even the weirdest theories of the real cause of this accident can not be ignored, something like explosion or several explosions, or whatever else one may fantasize.

Putting aside some exotic versions, most likely causes that come into mind are some basic design and building faults; serious disbalance of the loaded containers weight due to false cargo weight declarations and faulty cargo plan; faulty ballasting of the container ship. Most probably, if that’s the case, the sinking was caused not by just one of the above-mentioned factors, but by their combination, and triggered by rough weather.

If it is going to be found, that there were a few factors involved, then, the questions arise which require sound and unequivocal answers.

Are there some basic faults rooted deep inside ocean-going container vessels design, building and management, or was the disaster the result of a combination of negative factors. If it’s a combination of negative factors, what is the presumption of such a combination, is it negligibly small, or the odds of another incident are alarmingly high. What is the cost of lowering those odds, and how is it going to affect liner business and freight.

The questions of insurance and cargo loss coverage for shippers, especially minor ones, is also important, too.

We do not also have to forget another risk quite a number of experts are already worried over – the risk of major fire on a giant ocean-going container vessel.

One thing is clear, though. The liner sector, 1st of all majors, are going to do whatever it takes to hide unfavorable factors and especially, basic faults, if there are any. The awesome container transportation mechanism they created may not stand serious modifications, called by safety needs

Containership MOL Comfort sinks in Indian Ocean 06/18/13 （Ship Technology）

A container vessel owned and operated by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines has sunk about 200 nautical miles off Yemen in the Indian Ocean after its hull cracked amidship.

The crack in the vessel, 'MOL Comfort', reportedly caused water to flow into the cargo hold during inclement weather.

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines said in a statement that the incident occurred at about noon JST on June 17; MOL Comfort was on its way from Singapore to Jeddah carrying 4,500 containers

"Some of the containers on the vessel were lost overboard or suffered damage during the incident," read the statement. "Details are being confirmed."

There were 26 crew members onboard the 2008-built, Bahamas-flagged MOL Comfort when the incident occurred, including 11 Russians, one Ukrainian and 14 Filipinos.

All the crew members are safe and have been rescued by a coordinated operation involving the Indian Coast Guard and they are now on their way to Colombo, Sri Lanka on the Hapag-Lloyd containership Yantian Express.

According to reports from IANS News, the ICG Mumbai diverted three vessels in the area to assist, including MV Hanjin Beijing, MV Zim India and MV Yantian Express, the last of which was the closest to the scene.

Fully cellular containership MOL COMFORT (90613 Dwt), has reportedly broken in two in six to seven metre seas 06/18/13 （Heavyliftspecialist.com）

Photo : gCaptain

Stavanger Rescue Centre report that the Fully cellular containership MOL COMFORT (90613 Dwt), has reportedly broken in two in lat 12 33N, long 59 46E in six to seven metre seas. All 26 crew members were rescued by fully cellular containership YANTIAN EXPRESS. Pollution and debris reported in the area. The 2008-built MOL COMFORT is owned and operated by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines of Japan. The ship was one of 11 vessels deployed on the G6-Alliance’s MOL and APL-operated Far East to Europe Loop 1. At the time of the accident, the 316m vessel was underway from Singapore to Jeddah and located about half-way between India and Yemen. Rescue operations were coordinated by the Indian Coast Guard in Mumbai.

First photos from the accident site show that the vessel was carrying a near-full load of containers. The MOL COMFORT is one of two 8,540 teu sister vessels built for Mitsui O.S.K. Lines at Imabari’s Koyo Dockyard, Japan, and part of a wider series of 12 more or less similar vessels built between 2007 and 2011 at Mitsubishi’s Nagasaki Shipyard. A further two (near-) sister ships are due for delivery this year. The MOL COMFORT is classed by NKK and insured through the Japan Ship Owner’s P&I association,. Source : Lloyd’s MIU Casualty Reporting Service SOURCE: DMNC

No Answers, Only Questions Surround the Breaking of the MOL Comfort The breaking of the MOL COMFORT (formerly named the APL RUSSIA) is a incident that is currently sending huge shockwaves throughout the global maritime industry. The significance is on par with the loss of the Costa Concordia, minus the loss of life. Built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and classed by Class NK a mere 5 years ago, the MOL COMFORT loaded with 4,382 units (7,041 TEU) was a relatively new ship with a very high quality pedigree. New ships like this don’t just break apart in big seas, ClassNK and the other members of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) have hundreds of years of experience ensuring the safe design and construction of merchant vessels worldwide. Preventing incidents like this is part of their founding mission, it’s what they do. And that’s what containership owners, P&I firms, and the classification societies are likely most concerned with right now. What could have possibly gone wrong?

Forensic engineering, interviews with the crew on watch, or even looking at other storms she may have encountered over the past 5 years may shed some light on this disaster, but one thing is for certain… no time will be lost in the coming days and months in looking over plans, re-examining the structural engineering rules, speaking with the shipyard, and perhaps taking a harder look at routing similar ships away from comparable weather.

The MRCC in Mumbai has reported that the 2 sections are still afloat and are being monitored.

Containership MOL Comfort in Distress 06/18/13 （OOCL）

Dear Valued Customer,

We regret to inform you that the containership MOL Comfort is in distress in the Indian Ocean while under way from Singapore to Jeddah on Monday, June 17.

The vessel, deployed in the Asia-North Europe LP1 service, was reported to have sailed through rough weather conditions at the time of the incident and suffered extensive damage to the hull with water ingresses in some cargo holds.

The 26 crew members that evacuated the vessel were reported to have been safely rescued.

At this time, we understand that there is the possibility that some containers on the board the vessel are missing and/or damaged. We are in close contact with the ship owner and will update you when we have more information.

Thank you for your understanding.

ITF comment on Swanland sinking report 06/15/13（Scoop News）

Press Release: International Transport Workers' Federation

14 June 2013

ITF comment on Swanland sinking report

After fully studying the United Kingdom Marine Accident Investigation Branch’s (MAIB’s) report into the Swanland sinking, the ITF (International Transport Workers’ Federation) has issued the following statement.

The ITF condemns the lack of effective regulation and control in the international shipping industry that allowed this tragedy to occur.

The MAIB report reveals how cost cutting and negligence led to the sinking of the general cargo ship Swanland in theIrish Sea in November 2011, with the loss of six Russian seafarers.

As the MAIB notes, the Swanland is one of nearly 250 general cargo ships that have foundered in just over 10 years. In this period over 800 seafarers have perished in often ageing vessels. The Swanland was over 30 years old when the sinking occurred.

It is questionable whether such an old ship should have been trading at all; but as a minimum it needed regular maintenance and structural repairs. This report highlights the failures in its maintenance of the ship, and the fact that no structural reviews had taken place since 2009.

Even more alarming is the fact that Swanland Shipping Ltd changed the classification society of the ship from Lloyds Register to the International Naval Surveys Bureau in 2009 to reducetheir fees by 30 percent. The report highlights the fact that unscrupulous operators can make savings by cutting back on repairs and the rectification of deficiencies.

The report also reveals that the ship managers, Torbulk, did not make available to the chief officer the means toconduct the strength and stability checks on board the ship which are necessary prior to cargo loading. In addition the owners and managers of the ship seemed to be unaware of the risks of carrying high density cargoes and the importance of obtaining accurate information so that the ship could be safely loaded.

The MAIB further reveals that during the course of its investigation it became evident that many shipowners and managers are unaware of the importance of compliance with the International MaritimeSolid Bulk Cargoes Code (IMSBC), and that they may believe it only applies to bulk carriers.

The ITF believes that this accident investigation report must now be the catalyst for urgent action – in particular for general cargo ship safety to be made a priority at the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The fact that at the time of the accident the Swanland had been certified as being in compliance with all applicable statutory requirements makes a mockery of the existing regulatory framework, the ITF states.

National governments and the international shipping community can no longer stand on the sidelines as this terrible loss of life continues. The ITF is calling for:

· A wholesale review of general cargo ship safety by the IMO

· Stricterenforcement of all existing regulations

· Additional checks and safeguards to guard against the potential precarious safety of older general cargo ships

The MAIB report can be seen at www.maib.gov.uk/latest_news/swanland_publication.cfm

ENDS

Swanland sinking: Cost-cutting beforehand, says MAIB 06/12/13（BBC News）

（World news）

Regular Cowes ship Swanland sinks （Cowes.co.uk）

A cargo ship which sank off north Wales killing six crew had been subject to "money-saving" measures by the owner, an investigation has found.

Two of the Russian crew were airlifted to safety by an RAF helicopter co-piloted by the Duke of Cambridge as the Swanland sank off the Llyn peninsula.

One union official called the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) report "shocking and damning".

Swanland operator Torbulk Ltd said it was studying the detail of the report.

The Grimsby-based company, which managed the ship for the owner, Swanland Shipping Ltd, Cemex, said: "We wish to extend our condolences to the family of those who died.

"It is a huge report and we are studying its detail. Until we have done that we will not be making any further comment."

The chief officer's body was recovered from the sea, and the bodies of five crew members have never been discovered.

The investigation by the MAIB said the Swanland, which sailed under a Cook Islands flag, had not been properly maintained and was severely weakened by corrosion in the two years between its intermediate survey and the accident in the Irish Sea.

It had been carrying nearly 3,000 tonnes of limestone when it experienced a "structural failure when heading directly into rough seas and gale force winds" en route to Cowes on the Isle of Wight.

The investigation identified that the major factors contributing to the structural failure included the way the cargo was loaded - putting pressure on the midships section - and a lack of repairs in recent years.

Other contributing factors included non-compliance with an international maritime code, a lack of effective safety management and the "financial pressures of operating this type of vessel in the current economic downturn".

'Reduced cost of repairs'

In its report, the MAIB said Swanland Shipping Ltd decided to change the vessel's classification society from Lloyd's Register (LR) to the International Naval Surveys Bureau (INSB) in 2009, reducing the fees paid by about 30%.

The report acknowledged the transfer as a "money-saving" initiative, and added: "In effect, significant long-term savings are possible through reduced cost of repairs and the rectification of deficiencies. This was certainly the case for Swanland."

The report also highlighted how Swanland's crew did not regularly conduct "abandon ship" drills.

The report added: "There is no justifiable reason why the safety record of general cargo vessels should be allowed to lag behind other vessel types, such as bulk carriers, without vigorous attempts being made to redress the balance.

"It is hoped that the loss of Swanland and her six crew will be a catalyst for the work already being undertaken by the International Maritime Organisation to tackle the global issue of general cargo ship safety."

The MAIB has issued a number of recommendations including highlighting the need for all vessels carrying solid bulk cargoes to comply with regulations.

An MAIB spokesperson said: "This was a tragic and avoidable accident that cost the lives of six crew.

"Worldwide, between 2002 and 2011, nearly 250 cargo vessels foundered causing the deaths of more than 800 seafarers - statistics that bring into sharp focus the need for action to be taken to improve the safety of general cargo vessels."

The bodies of ship master Yury Shmelev, 44, chief engineer Geeadiy Meshkov, 52, second engineer Mikhail Starchevoy, 60, Able Seaman Sergey Kharchenko, 51, and ship's cook Able Seaman Oleg Andriets, 49, remain lost at sea.

Second Officer Roman Savin, 27, and Able Seaman Vitaly Karpenko, 48, were airlifted to safety and Chief Officer Leonid Safonov, 50, was pronounced dead after his body was recovered from the sea shortly afterwards.

Following the report, Bob Crow, general secretary of the RMT transport union, said: "This shocking and damning report into the avoidable and tragic sinking of the Swanland in the Irish Sea should shame our own government and the international maritime industry into urgent action.

"The seafarers on board never stood a chance. Their lives were lost in the name of profit and greed."

Cargo ship which claimed the lives of 6 crew suffered 'severe structural failure' 12/04/12（BBC News）

The ship had been carrying 2730 tonnes of limestone loaded near Llanddulas Photo: Athena Picture Agency Limited

An investigation has found that cargo ship Swanland suffered a "catastrophic structural failure" before sinking off the coast of North Wales.

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch have release their interim report revealing the ship suffered the structural failure on 27th November 2012, claiming the lives of six of its eight Russian crew. The ship took approximately 16 minutes to sink.

The wreck of the Swanland is now lying in a depth of water of approximately 80m, 12 nautical miles off the west coast of Wales.

An extensive air and sea search commenced immediately involving four lifeboats and several rescue helicopters.

At 0315, the first of the rescue helicopters arrived on the scene and spotted 2 survivors. The search for the six missing crew men continued among a large amount of floating debris. The seaborne search for the missing crewmen terminated at 1100 on 28th November.

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch say technical investigations are now nearing completion and it is anticipated that a final investigation report will be published in 2013.