World Maritime News - 21 Mar., 1997

China announces shipping guidelines

The Chinese Ministry of Communication has announced a set of operating rules. For coastal and river services, businesses have to be wholly Chinese-owned, unless they are a joint venture with a Chinese firm started before the announcement. Ships on coastal trades have to have a capacity of at least 500 TEUs, while ships on rivers have to have over 250-TEU capacity. The ministry must approve all servuce changes, and all shipping firms must submit monthly reports on container imports and exports. Ships on voyages or time-charters cannot be deployed in international trade. All shipping companies must file tariffs.

T.M.M. buys Flota Mercante GranColombiana

Transportacion Maritima Mexicana S.A. de C.V. has bought Flota Mercante GranColombiana S.A. for U.S.$20 million.

Airtours and Carnival buying Costa Crociere

Airtours P.L.C. and Carnival Corp. will buy Costa Crociere S.p.A. The purchase of the passenger ship operator will be accomplished by buying Il Ponte, the primary asset of which is a 30.7 percent stake in Costa Crociere, and offer a tender for outstanding shares. Some 56.9 percent have so far been earmarked for Airtours and Carnival. Before the deal can be finalized, Costa Crociere must dispose of its Cuban operations. It owns 50 percent of Silares Terminales Caribe S.A., a joint venture with the Cuban government that operates three cruise terminals in Cuba.

Tidewater buying O.I.L.

Tidewater Inc. announced 20 March it is buying O.I.L. Ltd. from Ocean Group P.L.C., along with O.I.L.'s marine operating units, for U.S.$525 million. O.I.L. operates a fleet of 100 vessels in most major petroleum exploration areas other than U.S. waters. The vessels will be added to Tidewater's 650.

Taiwan reducing port charges

As part of an effort to enter the World Trade Organization, Taiwan is cutting port charges on dutiable cargo from 0.5 percent to 0.4 percent on 1 July. Some U.S.$140 million will be lost to Taiwan. Within five years of Taiwan entering the W.T.O., the charges willd drop to 0.2 percent.

Renaissance Cruises suing banks in loan dispute

Renaissance Cruises Inc. and several affiliates announced 17 March they are filing a lawsuit against a consortium of banks to enforce a series of loan agreements that they made with the passenger line in 1994 and 1996. Stating that commitments made by the banks were being ignored and efforts to rectify the situation had failed, lawsuits were filed in London for breech of contract and in New York for wrongful detention of funds. The banks are Instituto Bancario San Paolo di Torino, Christian Bank, Credit Lyonnais, Union Bank of Norway, Fokus Bank, Brown Brothers Harriman, Skandinaviska Enskilda Banka and Banca Carige. Along with Renaissance Cruises, the suits were filed by Renaissance Cruises (Liberia) and Nuove Iniziative Armatoriali Sicilia. A debt restructuring agreement was signed with Istituto Bancario San Paolo and Christiana Bank in December 1994. The deal consolidated earlier loans. A second deal was signed in August 1996, which provided for the sale of vessels to reduce the company's debt. The plaintiffs are seeking an injunction forcing the defendents to proceed with the sale of two ships and stop the sale of three others. In addition, the plaintiffs are demanding an injunction to force Istituto Bancario to hand over the money from the sale of one ship "together with interest thereon, and/or a declaration that the first defendent holds such misapplied sums on trust for the first and/or third plaintiffs".

Australia, Indonesia agree to boundary treaty

Australia and Indonesia signed an agreement 14 March to resolve outstanding disputes over the international maritime borders between the two. The agreement, signed by Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer and Indonesian Foreign Minister Ali Alatas in Perth, Australia, must be ratified by the legislatures of both states. The treaty ends negotiations that began in the 1960s and covers three areas, including the seabed boundary and the Exclusive Economic Zone boundary.

Thailand to exempt shipping from corporate taxes?

Thailand has agreed in principle to exempt maritime related businesses from corporate taxes, if the companies are registered and have their headquarters in Thailand.

Kepphil forms new unit

Kepphil Shipyard has formed a new firm to manufacture and install communication equipment with transport applications, including ships. KP Automation is capitalized at 5.3 million Philippine pesos/U.S.$204,000, with Kepphil Shipyard owning 51 percent and the rest held by KP Automation.

New dry bulk line?

J.G. Goumas (Shipping) Co. S.A. is reportedly backing a new Handysize dry bulk operator.

PMB Engineering to close

Bechtel's PMB Engineering on Pelican Island in Galveston, Texas, will close 1 July. Some 300 people will be out of work.

Virginia bill defeated

A bill in the Virginia legislature that supporters said would save shipbuilders millions of dollars a year in compensation costs for injured workers has been defeated. A bill was introduced that would have mandated that shipyard and dock employers need not provide compensation if an injured employee was already covered under the U.S. Federal Workers Compensation Act or the Jones Act. Current state law allows claims under the state and federal acts. It passed earlier by 23 to 17, but a justice committee defeated it 17 to five.

New London shipbroker to focus on Greek interests

Spyros Alisafakis, Dan McSweeney, Nick Pentreath, Nick Psillas are uniting to form Athena Navigation, a new London shipbroker. The firm will primarily focus on Greek owners and charterers. Alisafakis will concentrate on tankers, while the other three deal with dry bulk carriers. Located at 143-147 Regent Street, the firm plans to take on trainees.

American Hawaii Cruises moving to New Orleans

American Hawaii Cruises is relocating its headquarters from Chicago to New Orleans, with the new office operating by 26 Sept. Marketing, sales and public relations will be in New Orleans by the end of this month, while management, passenger services and accounting will be transferred in the next six months. Vessel operations are in Honolulu. American Hawaii Cruises will join affiliate Delta Queen Steamboat Co. at Robin Street Wharf. Both are owned by American Classic Voyages Co., which remains in Chicago.

Bureau Veritas to increase U.S. business

Bureau Veritas has begun a U.S.$5 million project over the next three years to increase its U.S. business. Bureau Veritas North America will provide traditional classification and statutory work, and the number of exclusive surveyors will increase from 25 to 40, based at eight ports, next year. Tecnitas North America will provide technical support and risk assessment.

Luxembourg hires Bureau Veritas

Luxembourg's vessel registry, the Maritime Affairs Commission, has hired the Belgian unit of Bureau Veritas for safety, quality and administration services.

New Thai bunkerer

International Oil Tanking Pte. Ltd. will start a bunkering business in Thailand after its new product storage terminal opens early next month in Phet Buri. It will store 400,000 tons. At present, the firm plans to use three or four tank barges for bunkering.

Two Tacoma dockworkers suing for discrimination and harassment

Two female dockworkers of the International Longshoremen's and Warehousemen's Union have sued the Pacific Maritime Association and I.L.W.U. Local 23 for sexual discrimination and harassment at the Port of Tacoma, Wash. Lynn Scott and Gail Ross say they have been denied promotions and training opportunities, have had to endure false allegations of misconduct and poor work and verbal and physical abuse. They are seeking class-action status for the suit on behalf of at least 35 women.

I.C.T.S. in bond issue

International Container Terminal Services Inc. is issuing U.S.$111 million in convertible notes for financing a sixth berth at the Manila International Container Terminal in the Philippines, and another U.S.$48.4 million to pay $45 million of five percent notes issued in 1994 that are due in 2001. The new notes are due in March 2004 and are subject to an option of Jardine Fleming International to request a new issue of U.S.$18.6 million. They will be on the Luxembourg exchange. Also, coupons are being issued to I.C.T.S.I. Manila Holings for conversion from Philippine peso notes to shares as required to maintain control.

Greek shipping statistics

In the last 14 months, 221 vessels of 4.9 million gross tons left the Greek register. Some 2,528 seafarers are unemployed, 10 percent of the active workforce.

British fleet in 1996

At the end of 1996, British companies owned 638 trading ships, down from five percent from 1995's 675 vessels. Deadweight tons decreased nine percent, from 12.8 million to 11.6 million. Of the 638 ships, 351 are registered in the United Kingdom. Including non-trading ships, British firms own 1,821 vessels of 13.5 million deadweight tons, down from 1,849 at 14.4 million deadweight tons at the end of 1995. Some 1,399 were registered in the United Kingdom with 422 elsewhere.

Det Norske Veritas deleted 233 ships last year

During 1996, Det Norske Veritas deleted 233 ships, 80 because their surveys were overdue or because repair recommendations were not followed. The rest transferred to other classification societies. Ships struck averaged 17.8 years of age, while those transferred averaged 12 years. Some 187 were around 19 years.

Naval architects cooperating

M. Rosenblatt and Son Inc. and Pelmatic A.B. have signed a cooperation agreement. The former has concentrated on naval vessels, the latter on ferries and passenger ships.

Denholm Ship Management names U.S. representative

Bulkamerica Corp. has been named U.S. representative of Denholm Ship Management Ltd.

F.E.F.C., TACA announce changes in charges

The Far Eastern Freight Conference (FEFC) will reportedly increase the cost of moving a TEU from Europe to Asia by U.S.$175 and an FEU U.S.$225 on 1 July. The decision was reportedly made last month at Kuala Lampur, Malaysia. F.E.F.C. has confirmed it will reduce its bunker adjustment factor and currency adjustment factor on 1 April. The B.A.F. for cargo between northern Europe and the Far East will be U.S.$34.38 per TEU, down from U.S.$41.54. The C.A.F. for westbound cargo from Asia, except Japan, will be cut two percent. Shipments from Japan will receive a negative currency charge of 6.5 percent instead of the current zero. Eastbound, the C.A.F. will be 6.5 percent, compared to the present 12 percent. Also, the Trans-Atlantic Conference Agreement has announced that on 1 April, the eastbound B.A.F. and westbound interim fuel particpation factor will return to December rates. B.A.F. will be U.S.$40 per TEU or U.S.$80 per FEU eastbound, and the westbound I.F.P. will be zero.

I.A.D.A. raising rates

The Intra-Asia Discussion Agreement has raised its rate for the second time in 10 months. As of 1 April, moving a TEU will cost U.S.$192 and an FEU U.S.$307. In June, refrigerated TEUs will cost U.S.$250 and refrigerated FEUs U.S.$402.

C.G.M. to start independent Europe to Indian Ocean service

Compagnie Generale Maritime will start an independent service between Europe and the Indian Ocean in May. Four 600-TEU vessels will be chartered on a 14-day service. Ports include Felixstowe, England; Antwerp, Belgium; Rouen, Nantes/St. Nazaire and Marseilles, France; transshipment at Damietta, Egypt; Reunion; Mauritius; Madagascar; Mombasa, Kenya; and by transshipment at Mombasa, Mayotte and Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania.

OT Africa Line adds third ship, call at Monrovia

OT Africa Line Ltd. is adding the 1,100-TEU capacity containership Karawa to its service to western Africa. Frequency will now be 12 days. In addition, OT Africa Line will call at Monrovia, Liberia, for the first time in seven years.

Far Eastern Shipping ending Australia to Japan route

Far Eastern Shipping Co. will suspend service between Australia and Japan after 29 years. It is part of the service to Hong Kong and Manila, the Philippines, and the other calls have extended the frequency and times to point that it was not economically viable. Now, five ships will have fixed-day departures from Hong Kong, Manila and the Australian ports of Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney.

Maersk increasing frequency of South Africa service

Maersk Line is adding ships to its Europe to South Africa service, increasing the calls from every two weeks to every week. Ships sail from Algeciras, Spain, to Walvis Bay, Namibia, and the South African ports of Cape Town and Durban.

Crowley American Transport adding third ship

Crowley American Transport Inc. is adding a third weekly fixed-day sailing in early April from the U.S. east coast to Central America. On Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays, ships will depart Port Everglades, Fla., for Santo Tomas, Guatemala, and Puerto Cortes, Honduras. San Salvador, El Salvador, and Managua, Nicaragua, will be serviced by transshipment. As a result of the increased frequency, a third ship, the Mint Arrow (Bahamian-registry 5,200-dwt, 304-TEU capacity containership built in 1996, operated by Clipper Denmark ApS), will be used.

Starcraft Ferry ends service in Manila

Three weeks after starting service on the Pasig River, Starcraft Ferry Corp. has been ordered to end operations by the City of Manila, the Philippines.

Texaco to place offshore supply/storage ship in Gulf of Mexico

Texaco has announced plans to position an offshore supply/storage ship in the Gulf of Mexico for very large crude carriers and ultra large crude carriers moving between Corpus Christi, Texas, and Pascagoula, Miss. The ship will have a high pump rate and can store 25,000 tons of heavy fuel, with a separate compartment for distillate. It will operate continuously.

Alaska withdrawing the Malaspina from service

The Alaskan Department of Transportation has announced that the Malaspina (U.S.-registry passenger ferry built in 1963) will be withdrawn from the Alaska to Prince Rupert, British Columbia, Canada, route in October. The vessel does not meet the new international Saving of Life at Sea (SOLAS) requirements. Closten Associates is conducting a survey of the vessel for the department.

Strike at Chittagong

A strike over planned privatization of port facilities began at the Port of Chittagong, Bangladesh, on 16 March. It is believed 10,000 people have been involved.

Bill to stop lease of Long Beach property

Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., has introduced a bill in the U.S. House of Representatives to stop the transfer of the closed U.S. Navy facility in Long Beach, Calif., to China Ocean Shipping Co. The bill would prevent any part of the former base to be transferred to a commercial shipping company owned or controlled by a foreign country.

Study to be done on joint ports in Myanmar and Thailand

Sahaviriya Group Corp. Ltd. is planning to develop a port in Bokpyin, Tanintharyi, Myanmar, to link with Bagn Saphan, Thailand. Under a memorandum of understanding signed 17 March, a feasibility study on the Golden Gateways Project for development of the ports will be done. The port in Myanmar would become the western gateway and the Thai port the eastern gateway. A road, rail and pipeline bridge will connect them. The port in Bokpyin would be built and operated by Sahaviriya Group with transfer to Myanmar later. Through the port development at Bokpyin, cargo moving from Thailand will be cheaper, since the Strait of Malacca will be avoided.

Itochu to begin work on largest tank yard in China

Itochu Corp. plans to build a liquid chemical tank yard in China. It will establish a management firm and two other companies to supply Chinese domestic fiber and resin manufacturers with benzene and styrene. At 36 million liters/9.4 million gallons, it will be the largest chemical tank facility in China. Construction will start in April, with operations to begin in spring 1998. Total investment in the new company will be about two billion Japanese yen/U.S.$17.5 million, with Itochu providing 30 percent and the rest by two others, one of which is a major Taiwanese tank management company. Along with 28 tanks, there will be a berth for 35,000-dwt ships. The facility will handle 260,000 tons per year.

Large development planned at Indian port

The Port of Mormugao in Goa, India, is planning a 25-year expansion that will cost U.S.$1.43 billion, most of it by private investment. It will raise the cargo handled from 18 million tons per year to 38 million tons annually by 2005. In the outer harbor, four berths (to handle three million tons per year), a breakwater and two offshore breakwater berths for liquifed petroleum gas and petroleum will be built. The last berths will handle four million tons per year. Four berths will be added at Vasco Bay to handle two million tons. Off Baina Bay, 11 berths for bulk and general cargo plus two additional berths will be added to handle 8.4 million tons per year. Through the berths, coal and general cargo will increase from 500,000 tons annually to nine million and six million, respectively. Berths 5 and 6 will be rebuilt to a length of 450 meters/1,500 feet, able to handle vessels with a draft of 13 meters/43 feet. They will be operating by 1999.

Ports Canada Police to be abolished, ports to assume own security

Canadian Transport Minister David Anderson announced a new policing model on 14 March for the country's six major ports. Anderson also announced additional funding for the lower British Columbia mainland for the transition and a new criminal intelligence unit. Police services at the ports of Vancouver, British Columbia; Montreal and Quebec City, Quebec; Saint John, New Brunswick; Halifax, Nova Scotia; and St. John's, Newfoundland, are currently provided by Ports Canada Police under Canada Ports Corp. Once the new model is in place, Ports Canada Police will be abolished. Basic security will now be the responsibility of the ports, while local police will assume other standard services. Federal entities will handle functions at ports that are within their jurisdiction. Canada Ports will provide Canada$1 million to the Vancouver Police Department for the transition. It is hoped the new model will be in place at all six by fall. Meanwhile, Vancouver Port Corp. is prepared to contribute C$350,000 and Fraser C$10,000 annually for five years towards the establishment of an intelligence-gathering task force at Vancouver for area ports.

Neptune Orient Lines and P. & O. plan terminal at Laem Chabang

Neptune Orient Lines and Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Co. Ltd. plan to develop a container terminal at Laem Chabang, Thailand. The project will cost between U.S.$5 million and U.S.$10 million.

New oil terminal to be built in Indonesia

A memorandum of understanding to build an oil tank terminal was signed 17 March by an Indonesian consortium led by the Sailm Group, a Singaporean consortium led by the Sembawang Group and Tomen Corp. The facility at Karimun, Indonesia, will have an initial capacity of five million barrels, which will be expanded to 10 million barrels. It will cost 407 million Indonesian rupiah/U.S.$177 million.

New passenger terminal at Curacao

The Curacao Port Authority will build a new cruise ship terminal by summer 1998. Costing over U.S.$8 million, it will be outside the Anna Bay entrance on the western shore of Willemstad. At first, there will be one berth.

Japan aiding Subic Bay planning

Japan is providing financial assistance for a feasibility study on a master plan for Subic Bay, the Philippines. The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority has signed an agreement with the Japan International Cooperation Agency, with the study to begin in May.

Shell Pipe Line leasing Louisiana oil terminal

Shell Pipe Line Corp. recently signed a 20-year lease agreement to operate an oil terminal in Louisiana and convert it to a commercial facility. It was operated by the U.S. Department of Energy as part of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.

I.C.T.S. to operate Ensenada

International Container Terminal Services Inc. has won a 20-year concession to operate the Port of Ensenada, Mexico, it was announced 13 March. I.C.T.S. bid U.S.$3.2 million for the 14-hectare/35-acre site. New equipment and a general upgrade is planned.

Legislation may remove threat, and change shipping lanes, in San Francisco

Legislation has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives to remove rocks less than 12 meters/40 feet below the surface of San Francisco Bay and establish new shipping lanes. More than 800 tankers transit the bay annually, and it is feared that the bay could be polluted by a large oil spill if a tanker was to strike one of these rocks. The most important sites are three areas northwest of Alcatraz Island. They are in the westbound lane, and are not a problem when only one ship is passing. But if two or three are passing each other in the area, the threat of hitting the rocks increases. Under the proposed bill, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers would have to remove rocks so that lanes would have a depth of 17 meters/55 feet below low tide. If it becomes law, the bill mandates a feasibility study within a year and the rocks must be removed in three years with the U.S. government paying 75 percent. The U.S. Coast Guard must then modify the lanes and re-route ships. Also, ships of the U.S. Maritime Administration would be subject to surveys of the Coast Guard as rigorous as commercial tankers.

New tug rules at Hamburg

A new law has been passed regulating tug equipment and the number of standby vessels allowed at the Port of Hamburg, Germany. It is the result of an on-going conflict that began when Kotug challenged five German tug firms that serve the port. The new regulation states that a towing company with one to four tugs has to have one on standby. Companies with between five to eight tugs have to have two vessels constantly operating. Three crewmembers must be aboard and the master must speak German. Two daylight radars are now needed, and the towing gear has to fulfil certain technical requirements. The new regulations were modelled on the ocean-going tug rules of Seeberufsgenossenschaft.

Hawaiian harbor fees increasing

Activities associated with Hawaiian ports will have to pay 25 percent more in commercial fees starting 1 April. The increase will raise U.S.$7.5 million in fiscal year 1998 to make port improvements, especially at the Barbers Point Basin and Pier 40 at Honolulu. Also, the extra assessment on cargo for other islands entering at Honolulu has been eliminated.

Judge bars single-hull tankers from Lake Maracaibo

A judge in Cabimas, Venezuela, has banned single-hull tankers from Lake Maracaibo and Las Piedras as of 16 April. The date is delayed so that current contracts can be fulfilled. The move comes after two recent groundings in the area, in which one tanker spilled at least 20,000 barrels of crude oil. The ban will be enforced by the Venezuelan Army. In addition, Petroleos de Venezuela S.A. will not be able to sell oil or oil derivitives to ships in the Lake Maracaibo channel.

Maersk buys stake in Salalah Port Services

Maersk Line has bought 15 percent of Salalah Port Services Co., which is developing a port at Mina Raysut, Oman.

Royal Navy to shift control of Portland

Portland Port Ltd. will become the statutory harbor authority for the Port of Portland, England, replacing the Royal Navy's Queen's Harbour Master. Portland Port bought the naval facilities last year and applied to manage the facility commercially. A hearing on the proposed change was held in October.

Berthing fees cut at Laem Chabang

The Port of Laem Chabang, Thailand, has announced a new berthing fee structure. Ships up to 30,000-gt will be exempt, while ships over 30,000-gt will only pay for the additional tonnage.

Gdansk Shipyard employees continue protests

Employees of Gdansk Shipyard continued their demonstrations in Gdansk, Poland, on 14 March. Some 1,200 people again blocked roads in the city to protest a decision by the yard to dismiss the remaining 3,800 workers and cease operations. On 17 March, workers yelled yelled "thieves, thieves" and threw coins at Bank Gdanski S.A. and PeKaO S.A., which have refused credit to the yard. Pope John Paul II issued a statement on 16 March to the workers, stating, "I want to tell you that, just as I was with you in heart and prayer when you fought for freedom, so I am now with you and your families in this struggle for survival. I pray to God that your efforts bear fruit to save this symbol of the historic battles and sacrifices made in defending the dignity of the people and of the nation." On 19 March, police forcefully removed 70 employees occupying the Polish Treasury Ministry. Adam Giera, a representative of the workers, was transported, unconscious, to a hospital. Members of Solidarity, who took part in the action, said Giera was beaten by police. Protesters threw chairs and flower pots at police in riot gear, who used tear gas to disperse the crowd. Shipyard workers occupying the Polish Economy Ministry and Polish Labor Ministry left without confrontation. Elsewhere, workers threw bricks and red paint at the government's Social Democratic Party offices in Gdansk. To chants of "Down with Communists" the group of 1,000 hung a pig's head covered with red paint on the building and burned an effigy of Polish Prime Minister Wlodzimierz Cimoszewicz. Tires were burned at the provincial governor's office nearby. Protests continued 20 March, with workers throwing stones, red paint and firebombs at the Social Democratic Party offices in Warsaw.

Engineer killed at Greek shipyard

A tug engineer was killed the morning of 19 March when part of a crane broke and struck Stathis Halazonitis, 64. Halazonitis was an engineer on the tug Kronos of Hellenic Shipyards at Skaramanga, Greece.

E.C. reportedly approves aid to Spain

The European Commission has reportedly approved 135 billion Spanish pesetas/U.S.$940 million in aid for Spanish shipbuilding. Capacity must be cut 12.5 percent and shipyards that do not turn a profit by the end of 1998 must be closed. Approval of aid to German and Greek yards may be forthcoming.

Mypegasus to operate to September

Employees of bankrupt Bremer Vulkan Verbund A.G. have agreed that the trustee firm, Mypegasus, will operate to September. Afterwards, it will provide the employees with education opportunities at a cost of 17 million German marks/U.S.$10 million.

Royal Navy orders three attack submarines to be built at V.S.E.L.

The United Kingdom on 17 March ordered three nuclear-powered attack submarines for the Royal Navy at a cost of two billion British pounds/U.S.$3.2 billion. To enter service starting in 2005, the Astute-class (formerly known as the Trafalgar Batch 2-class) will replace the Swiftsure-class. The submarines will displace about 5,400 tons surfaced and 5,900 submerged, and will be 91 meters/300 feet long, have a beam of 10.0 meters/32.8 feet and a draft of 8.25 meters/27.1 feet. They will be equipped with a total of 30 Harpoon anti-ship missiles, Spearfish torpedoes and Tomahawk land attack missiles and five 533-millimeter/21-inch torpedo tubes. Propulsion will come from a PWR.2 pressurized-water reactor for a speed of over 30 knots. To minimize noise, the submarines will take in water and move it through a geared turbine drive before it is propelled out by a pumpjet developing 15,000 shaft horsepower. There will be two auxiliary alternators for emergency propulsion and a retractable auxiliary electric propulsor. Sensors will include a Type 1007 navigation radar, a Type 2076 sonar suite (Type 2074 active/passive bow array, Type 2077 high-frequency under-ice active navigation and passive towed array), a UAP intercept suite and a CK 091 mast with periscope, optronics and antennas. The crew will be 12 officers and 97 enlisted. All three will be built at Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering Ltd., the first time the United Kingdom has bought submarines with one contractor designing, building and servicing them. Invitations for tenders were issued in July 1994, and shortly after the bids were made in June 1995, General Electric Co. P.L.C. bought V.S.E.L. Both had made bids. The bid actually went to General Electric's Marconi, which will build them at V.S.E.L. The bids were kept separate and the assessment ended in December 1995. In total, the British government says the work will provide jobs for 7,000 people.

Royal Carribean Cruises formally orders 130,000-gt ship

Kvaerner Masa-Yards Inc. has received a second order from Royal Carribean Cruises Ltd. for a 130,000-gt passenger ship of the Project Eagle-class. The ship was an option that was acquired with the first ship, and the latest vessel will be delivered in 2000. An additional option, for a ship in 2001, was added, but that ship will cost U.S.$1.5 billion instead of the U.S.$1 billion cost of the first two. The ships are built at Turku New Shipyard and will carry 3,100 passengers.

P. & O. Nedlloyd places U.S.$220 million order for containerships

P. & O. Nedlloyd Ltd. has ordered five 2,900-TEU capacity containerships from Kvaerner Warnowa-Werft G.m.b.H. for U.S.$220 million. They will replace the Encounter Bay-class ships of 1969, and two chartered vessels, operating between the Mediterranean and Australasia. The 22.5 knot ships will have 400 refrigerated container plugs and will be built to enable later hull lengthening. They will enter service in 1998 and 1999.

A.P. Moller orders three product tankers

A.P. Moller has ordered three 35,000-dwt product tankers from Guangzhou Shipyard International Co. Ltd. The first will be delivered in early 1999.

Kvaerner, Heerema unit get order from Esso

Kvaerner and the Norwegian subsidiary of Heerema have signed a letter of intent for an order worth up to U.S.$540 million. They will build a floating production, storage and offloading vessel and a wellhead platform for Esso's Jotun field off Norway.

Cascade General to refit the Independence

Cascade General Inc. has won a contract from American Hawaii Cruises to refit the Independence (U.S.-registry 7,366-dwt passenger ship built in 1950). The ship will receive 28 new pre-fabricated cabins for the crew, freeing up existing cabins to be converted for passenger use. Other work includes re-tiling the pool and refurbishing the main dining room and show lounge. Work will begin in late May.

Damen Shipyards Hardinxveld to build cutters for new coast guard

The Royal Netherlands Navy has selected Damen Shipyards Hardinxveld to build three cutters for the new Netherlands Antilles and Aruba Coast Guard.

Dalian New Shipyard launches third tanker

The Dalian New Shipyard launched a 150,000-ton oil tanker on 15 March. It is one of the largest capacity vessels ever built in China, and is the third of its kind for a Norwegian company.

Ro/ro launched at Sumitomo

Sumitomo Heavy Industries Ltd. has launched a 5,830 vehicle capacity ro/ro for a Norwegian company. The ship has 13 decks, five of which can move vertically to accommodate larger vehicles, and it can carry 13,350 tons. The ship is 190.05 meters/623.52 feet long, has a 32.26-meter/105.8-foot beam and has a height of 31.4 meters/103 feet. There is a single 17,400-horsepower diesel for 19.4 knots. Construction began in August.

Waller launched for Royal Australian Navy

The Royal Australian Navy's Collins-class Submarine Waller (SM 03) was launched on 14 March at Australian Submarine Corp. in Adelaide, Australia. The Waller was ordered 18 May, 1987, and laid down 19 March, 1992.

Salalah Port Service orders cranes for new facility

Oman and Salalah Port Services Co. on 17 March signed two contracts for a total of U.S.$45 million for 18 cranes, including gantries. One of the orders went to Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries Co. Ltd., which has received a U.S.$36.38 million order for six container cranes. The cranes will be installed at a new port facility at Mina Raysut, Oman, with delivery by August 1998.

Finnyards to dissasemble oil rig

A jack-up oil rig will be dissassembled into three pieces by Finnyards Ltd. It will be taken by Russian waterways to the Caspian Sea for use. The work on the 5,000-ton Marawah will be supervised by the American Bureau of Shipping. -- Steve Schultz - Whitefish Bay, Wis., U.S.A. - sschultz@execpc.com

"When beholding the tranquil beauty and brilliancy of the ocean's skin, one forgets the tiger heart that pants beneath it; and would not willingly remember, that this velvet paw but conceals a remorseless fang" - Herman Melville from "Moby-Dick; or, The White Whale," Chapter 114, Paragraph two

Crewmember aboard fishing vessel dies after accident

A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod, Mass., evacuated an injured crewmember from the Max & Andrew (U.S.-registry 21-meter/69-foot fishing vessel homeported at Hyannis) at 1327 20 March. David Crowley, 32, of Hyannis, sustained chest and head injuries and the Coast Guard was contacted at 1212. The vessel was three kilometers/two miles east of Highland Light at the time. The helicopter landed at Massachusetts General Hospital at 1344, where Crowley was pronounced dead.

Greek vessel reportedly fires on Turkish-registry ship

Turkey said 14 March that a Greek Coast Guard vessel fired on a Turkish-registry vessel carrying tourists in the Aegean Sea at 2030 13 March. The Turkish Foreign Ministry summoned the Greek ambassador to Turkey, Dimitris Nezeritis, to make a diplomatic protest. Reportedly, as the Deniztur (Turkish-registry) approached Agathonisi, south of Samos Island, Greece, a Greek Coast Guard vessel contacted the ship on Channel 16 to investigate if the ship was caryring illegal migrants. Turkey said the ship, sailing a scheduled route, did not reply and was fired on. Greece has denied any shots were fired at the ship.

Illegal weapons imported at Long Beach

The U.S. Customs Service sezied two containers of illegal weapons 14 March from a warehouse at the Otay Mesa border crossing in California. Inside the containers were thousands of unassembled grenade launchers and M2 carbines. The arms were discovered after a worker at the warehouse became suspicious and contacted the Customs Service. Both containers arrived aboard a ship and were unloaded in Long Beach, Calif. They were then trucked south and were to be delivered in Mexico.

Albania update: more refugees and rescues, war risk insurance in effect

Several countries have launched operations to remove their citizens from Albania. As part of these actions, naval vessels from Greece, Italy, the United States and others have been sailing in the Adriatic Sea, with helicopters and vessels evacuating foreign nationals. Thousands, of Albanians and others have been leaving the country for Italy, with Italy reporting 10,600 on its shores. The ferry service from the Port of Durres to Bari, Italy, ended 13 March. Since then, people have sought passage on any vessel available, and reports have suggested that the majority of the fleet of the Albanian People's Navy is in Italy. On 14 March, the Kyoto I (Panamanian-registry 1,180-dwt tanker built in 1978, operated by Adriatic Tanker Shipping Co.) arrived at Brindisi, Italy, from Durres. The 42 migrants and the Russian crewmembers aboard said it was one of the last civilian vessels to leave Durres. The voyage took 12 hours, as the Kyoto I ran low on fuel in the middle of the Adriatic and waited for an at sea refueling. Some 858 Albanian migrants were rescued 15 March after an Albanian People's Navy vessel ran agroynd off Brindisi, Italy. Italian Coast Guard personnel rescued the group from the 324 in heavy seas. Those aboard included a woman about to give birth, a 10-day old infant and dozens of children. They left Vlore, Albania, at mid-morning 15 March, and sailed to Otranto, Italy, where they were turned away. After trying to dock in Lecce, the vessel was allowed to enter Brindisi when the engine began to fail, 12 hours after sailing from Vlore. As the vessel was escorted into port just before midnight, it drifted into shallow water 365 meters/1,200 feet from a petrochemical plant. Small boats took the migrants off in groups of 30, with the last just after dawn. In Brindisi, they were finger-printed and bused to temporary lodging. On 16 March, armed men briefly hijacked a small Greek-registry passenger vessel in an attempt to reach Italy. They were stopped by armed citizens of Sarande after a speedboat chase. The vessel turned back. U.S. Navy and Marine Corps personnel have been involved in at least three rescues of migrants. A U.S. helicopter dropped Marines and sailors into the Adriatic to rescue 55 Albanians whose vessel capsized at dusk while sailing for Italy on 16 March. A distress call stated the vessel lost power, and a utility landing craft with rescue swimmers headed to it. En route, the Albanian vessel capsized and sank. An SH-60B Seahawk helicopter from the Oliver Hazard Perry-class Guided-Missile Frigate U.S.S. Hawes (FFG 53) worked to locate survivors, while the Tarawa-class Amphibious Assault Ship U.S.S. Nassau (LHA 3) and the Austin-class Dock Amphibious Transport U.S.S. Nashville (LPD 13) sent additional boats. Abother 30 were taken off a foundering vessel, and all are aboard the U.S.S. Nassau. The Ticonderoga-class Guided-Missile Cruiser U.S.S. Leyte Gulf (CG 55) rescued 20 Albanians 17 March after an SH-60 series Sea Hawk helicopter found a powerless 7.6-meter/25-foot vessel drifting in the Adriatic Sea. As a small boat from the cruiser sailed to it, the passengers jumped overboard and began swimming. Some 20 men were rescued and the vessel was taking in tow. The passengers said they had been at sea for five days, and had gone three days without fresh water or food. Three suffered from severe dehydration. On 17 March, an Albanian naval vessel ran out of fuel 37 kilometers/23 miles off Brindisi with 900 aboard. All but 120 were taken off and were ferried to Bari. On 18 March, 100 people reportedly left Durres on a derelict vessel using paddles and sails made of garbage bags. The vessel ran aground and the migrants returned. This week, people have been charging exorbant amounts for passage to Italy, with several confrontations reported. As a response to the refugees, Italy on 19 March declared a state of emergency, which allows the country to send back to Albania people deemed "undesirable," such as criminals. It also allows at-sea inspections of vessels carrying migrants and the seizure of any vessels arriving in Italy. The latter provision, ostensibly, is to keep more Albanians from arriving, since some vessels are acting as a shuttle service. But it also will keep unseaworthy vessels off the Adriatic. The Instituite of London Underwriters and Lloyd's of London announced 18 March that Albania has been placed under the War Risks Trading Warranties. As a result, the area is considered a war zone and standard insurance policies will not cover damage or other situations. Additional insurance will have to be taken out for ships to sail near Albania with insurace coverage.

Two people evacuated from ships at sea

A U.S. Coast Guard HH-60J Jayhawk from Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater, Fla., evacuated a person aboard the Galaxy on 8 March, 53 kilometers/33 miles north of Bahia de Cabanas, Cuba. The person, who was suffering from acute appendicitis, was taken to an ambulance at an airport in Key West, Fla. The SKS Tyne (Norwegian-registry 110,000-dwt combination ship built in 1996, operated by Westfleet Management A/S) requested advice from the U.S. Coast Guard on 11 March regarding a crewmember with possible pneumonia. A Coast Guard flight surgeon recommended an evacuation, and a 12-meter/41-foot utility boat from Coast Guard Station Islamorada, Fla., took the person to the Monroe County Emergency Medical Services unit in stable condition.

U.S. Coast Guard drops food and water to Haitian-registry vessel

The Na Na Express (Haitian-registry) broadcast a distress call on 7 March about 26 kilometers/16 miles northwest of Matthewtown, Great Inagua, the Bahamas. The ship reported it was adrift with a disabled engine and the crew did not have any water, food or fuel. A U.S. Coast Guard HH-60J Jayhawk from Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater, Fla., dropped food and 19 liters/five gallons of water to the ship. The vessel later arrived at Matthewtown.

Boarding finds cocaine, cash in Florida

A boarding party from the U.S. Coast Guard "Point"-class Patrol Boat Point Martin (WPB 82379) went aboard the Class Act (U.S.-registry sailing vessel) on 7 March, 48 kilometers/30 miles east of Boca Raton, Fla. After seeing fresh fiberglass work in the cockpit and discrepancies in documenation, the vessel was escorted to Coast Guard Station Ft. Lauderdale for a more thorough boarding. During that boarding 158 kilograms/348 pounds of cocaine and U.S.$7,500 in cash was found. The U.S. Customs Service took custody of the vessel, cocaine and money, and arrested the master.

Farmland starts barging on the Missouri

Farmland Industries has starting barge operations on the Missouri River early, due to the high risk of flooding which could interfere with fertilizer shipments. The first eight barges arrived in Kansas City, Mo., on 10 March. The official river opening is 1 April.

U.S. Coast Guard finds vessel fishing in restricted area

The U.S. Coast Guard's Bear-class Medium-Endurance Cutter U.S.C.G.C. Escanaba (WMEC 907), on patrol 184 kilometers/115 miles east of Cape Cod, Mass., at 2300 19 March, seized the catch of the Perseverance (U.S.-registry 26-meter/84-foot long scallop boat homeported at Fairhaven). The vessel was found 2.9 kilometers/1.8 miles inside Closed Area II with no lights. The catch was estimated at U.S.$67,500, and the vessel is under escort to New Bedford, with the "Island"-class Patrol Boat U.S.C.G.C. Jefferson Island (WPB 1340) taking over the morning of 20 March. For fishing in a restricted area, the vessel's owner, K & T Fishing Inc., may face up to U.S.$100,000 in fines. The operator is Kenneth Thuestad.

Pacific Teal arrives in Japan

The Pacific Teal (British-registry 3,125-dwt vessel built in 1982, operated by James Fisher and Sons P.L.C.), carrying radioactive waste from France, arrived the morning of 18 March at the Port of Mutsu Ogawara at Rokkashomura, Aomori Prefecture, Japan. The waste was transported to a storage facility of Japan Nuclear Fuel Ltd. Japanese power companies send their spent fuel to France for removal of plutonium and other reusable material. Forty cubes of glass containing the waste generated from the process will be stored at Rokkasho for 30 to 50 years before transfer and final burial. The 20-ton shipment left Cherbourg, France, on 13 Jan. Over the next 10 to 20 years, about 3,000 more blocks of waste from Japan sent to France and the United Kingdom are expected to arrive in Rokkasho. During the docking on 18 March, about 400 protestors demonstrated near the port and six Greenpeace members in two inflatable boats attempted to get near the Pacific Teal.

Greek Navy vessel salvaged

The Greek Navy Antipliarchos Lascos-class Guided-Missile Patrol Boat H.S. Antipliarchos Kostakos (P 25) was raised 15 March by Tsavliris. It has been placed on pontoons and will be inspected. The vessel sank at 1845 4 Nov. after it was in a collision with the the Samaina (Greek-registry 3,783-gt, 810-dwt ro/ro and passenger ferry built in 1962, owned and operated by Arkadia Lines Naftkik Eteria) off Vathi, Samos Island, Greece. The naval vessel sank and three petty officers and a warrant officer are missing. The Samaina, sailing from Vathi to Karlovasi, did not suffer any serious damage and none of the 71 passengers and 51 crew were injured. According to witnesses, the ferry suddenly changed course to port and hit the starboard area of the warship's stern. The H.S. Antipliarchos Kostakos sank in 151 meters/495 feet of water about one kilometer/0.6 miles from Samos.

Maersk Dubai officers leave Canada

The six officers of the Maersk Dubai (Taiwanese-registry 29,872-gt, 31,160-dwt, 2,138-TEU containership built in 1983, owned and operated by Yangming Marine Transport Corp.) left Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, on 20 March for Vancouver, British Columbia, via Toronto, Ontario, where they will board a Mandarin Airlines aircraft for Taipei, Taiwan. They have been told to appear at the office of Chief Prosecutor Richard Su in Kaohsiung District Court on 28 March. On 6 March, Justice Michael MacDonald in Halifax ruled that the six cannot be tried in Canada or Romania for alledgedly killing three Romanian stowaways at sea. The ship arrived in Halifax on 24 May. Eight Filipino crewmembers deserted, alledging that the master and officers subdued a Romanian stowaway on deck during the voyage. The crew said he was never seen again, inferring that he was forced overboard. They also said that on 12 March, 1996, the crew was forced to put two other Romanian stowaways on a raft made of oil drums 48 kilometers/30 miles off Spain. The crew said they had protected another Romanian stowaway, and he was later brought ashore. After an assault on the ship by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to take the crew into custody, legal proceedings began to determine what country would try the master, first mate, second mate, chief engineer, chief cook and radio officer. MacDonald said there was enough evidence to charge the master and four crew with second-degree homicide, and to charge the master and three officers with two counts of manslaughter. Following interrogations in Kaohsiung, the six may be tried by a Taiwanese court. Canada decided not to appeal the ruling in Halifax, after spending Canadian$200,000.

S.A.S. Emily Hobhouse completes torpedo exercise

The South African Navy's Maria Van Riebeeck-class Submarine S.A.S. Emily Hobhouse (S 98) successfully completed a torpedo firing exercise on 4 March. The submarine is serving as the trials ship for a new South African combat system.

Norwegian-registry fishing vessel fitted for deep-sea perch

Due to dwindling cod catches, the Sildoy (Norwegian-registry fishing vessel homeported at Bergen) has received a special line to fish perch at a depth of 1,000 meters/3,300 feet in the North Atlantic. The lines, 10 centimeters/four inches in diamater, are fitted with 250 hooks. The fish that deep are not protected by quotas for the most part.

Last Socanav tankers under Petro-Nav

The three remaining tankers owned by bankrupt Socanav Inc. are now being operated, and are probably owned by, Petro-Nav Inc., a subsidiary of Group Desgagnes Inc.

Edward L. Ryerson to fit out

The Edward L. Ryerson (U.S.-registry 12,170-gt, 7,637-nt, 220-meter/730-foot "classic Laker"-design bulk carrier built in 1960 by Manitowoc Shipbuilding Inc. at Manitowoc, Wis.; owned and operated by Inland Steel Co.) is being reactivated and will sail on the Canadian and U.S. Great Lakes starting 4 April. The ship has been laid-up at Bay Shipbuilding Co. since 24 Jan., 1994.

U.S. Military Sealift Command chartering two vessels

The U.S. Military Sealift Command announced two time-charter contracts on 14 March. Van Ommeren Shipping (U.S.A.) Inc. will receive U.S.$23,592,099 for the charter of the Strong Virginian (U.S.-registry 16,169-gt, 17,968-dwt ro/ro built in 1984 by Bremer Vulkan Verbund A.G. at Vagesack, Germany; owned and operated by Van Ommeren Shipping), which will be based at Diego Garcia as part of a maritime prepositioning squadron. If options are exercised, the contract will total U.S..$47,992,099 and last until March 1999. The ship was first chartered in July 1992 and was refitted to carry a 500-bed portable military hospital. Cormorant Shipholding Corp. will receive U.S.$60,491,500 for the time-charter of the American Cormorant (U.S.-registry 10,195-gt, 52,092-dwt float-on/float-off ship built in 1975 by Eriksberg Mek. Verkstads at Gothenburg, Sweden; owned by Cormorant Shipholding and operated by Osprey-Acomarit Ship Management Inc.), which will fulfill a similar role at Diego Garcia by carrying several craft. The ship, a converted 135,900-dwt tanker, has been chartered since 1982 and has been at Diego Garcia since 1985. It has typically carried 7,000 tons of equipment, including two floating cranes, 14 landing craft, four tugs and two LASH barges carrying assorted equipment. The ship will be on time-charter until November 2001.

Fugro firms renew charters for three survey ships

Two Fugro businesses have renewed five-year charters on three survey vessels owned and operated by Eidesvik and Co. A/S. Fugro-Geoteam will use the Geo Searcher (Norwegian-registry 2,000-dwt vessel built in 1982) and the Geo Surveyor (Norwegian-registry 630-dwt vessel built in 1965) in the central and northern U.K. sectors of the North Sea. The Geo Scanner (Norwegian-registry 630-dwt vessel built in 1965) will be used in Norway.

Le Brave renamed

The Le Brave (Canadian-registry 8,471-gt, 4,657-dwt, 3,584-nt tanker built in 1977 by Mitsubish Heavy Industries Co. Ltd. at Shimonoseki, Japan; owned and operated by Imperial Oil Ltd.) has been renamed the Imperial St. Lawrence. The ship was repainted while laid-up in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, recently.

Eighteen migrants killed trying to reach Greece

Eighteen migrants are missing after a vessel carrying them from Turkey sank the night of 16 March in Turkish waters, just off the islet of Ro, Greece. An Iranian man notified local authorities after he said he swam to Ro when the vessel sank. Two other male survivors were found. Reportedly, 21 people, including three women and three children, bought the unpowered boat in Kas, Turkey, to reach Kastellorizo, Greece, where they would ask for asylum. The three survivors are hospitalized in Kastellorizo, where one, whose wife was four-months pregnant, is being treated for severe shock.

Explosion at Greek shipyard kills one worker, injures seven

An explosion aboard the Evgenia (Greek-registry 500-dwt tanker) the afternoon of 15 March at a shipyard in Perama, Greece, killed one person and injured seven. It is believed that welding work during plate replacement ignited fumes in a cargo tank, while a crew was painting nearby. As a result of the incident, labor unions at the yard called a daylong strike and rally to protest what they say are unsafe working conditions and a high unemployment rate in the area. Among the problems noted was that a crew painting aboard the ship did not have a license from the port authorities. The owner of the shipyard, Vardis Kelaidis, and Panagiotis Fyntanis, responsible for the painting crew, were arrested 16 March. The master of the ship, Panagiotis Vryonis, was hospitalized with burns and is to appear in court on charges of negligence. Arrest warrants have been issued for the tanker's owners, Yiannis and Alexandros Boufis.

Crew rescued as the Sea Boekanier sinks north of Cuba

On 8 March, a 406 Mhz emergency position indicating radio beacon was activated about 34 kilometers/21 miles north of Nuevitas, Cuba, aboard the Sea Boekanier (839-dwt dry cargo ship built in 1968). Shortly after, the Solaro (37,700-dwt tanker built in 1996, operated by Carbofin S.p.A.) reported a distress call from the ship. The Duden (Turkish-registry 26,975-dwt bulk carrier built in 1981, operated by Sohtorik Denizcilik San Ve Tic A.S.), sailing in the area, was asked to divert and assist as part of the Automated Mutual Vessel Emergency Response (AMVER) system. A U.S. Coast Guard HU-25A Falcon from Coast Guard Air Station Miami located the ship, which had a 50-degree list to starboard. The crew abandoned the ship into a liferaft, and were rescued by the Duden. The Sea Boekanier, which had recently been renamed from Briana, sank.

Bridge near Baton Rouge hit three times in as many days

The U.S. 190 bridge over the Mississippi River at Port Allen, La., was hit by vessels three days in a row recently. On 15 March, a tugboat allided with the bridge and the next day, a tow of 14 barges hit the structure. The most serious involved a tow of 25 barges, which allided with the bridge about 1700 17 March. A section of river four kilometers/2.5 miles long, was closed. A tank barge owned by Ingram Barge Co. capsized and began leaking its cargo of 1.5 million liters/400,000 gallons of benzene and toluene, forcing the evacuation of 16 homes, Southern University, a jail at Port Allen and two riverboat casinos including the Casino Rouge. Half of the 2,600 students who live at the university went to the fieldhouse at Louisiana State University, where they spent the night. The Advocate newspaper pushed its deadline up in case the evacuation area was extended. The barge was pushed downstream to the Placid oil refinery on the west bank, where a crane from New Orleans will attempt to salvage it. The allision broke the tow apart, with three carrying crushed stone sinking. Two were refloated 18 March, while the third was positioned against the capsized tank barge to stabilize it. Two other tugs reportedly ran aground. Both the U.S. 190 bridge and the Interstate 10 bridge were closed for inspection. On 19 March, another tow of 12 barges broke free about 10 kilometers/six miles downstream, but were quickly brought under control.

Danish-registry catamaran sinks fishing vessel

On 13 March, the Cat-Link II (Danish-registry 250-dwt passenger catamaran built in 1995, operated by Condor Ltd.) collided with a vessel in the Strait of Kattegat in Denmark. The other vessel, a fishing vessel, sank but the only person aboard, Preben Jensen, 61, was rescued. Apparently, the Cat-Link II did not see the cutter by radar.

Bulk carriers in collision south of Malaga

The Theodoros S. (Cypriot-registry 16,521-gt, 27,023-dwt bulk carrier built in 1977, operated by Samios Shipping Co. S.A.) collided with the Gulsum Ana (Turkish-registry 18,221-gt, 33,423-dwt bulk carrier built in 1975, operated by Mardeniz Denizcilik) about 48 kilometers/30 miles southwest of Malaga, Spain, on 15 March. The collision was at 36 degrees 09.3 minutes north, 04 degress 36.5 minutes west. The Theodoros S. took on water and had other damage, but was taken in tow by the Remolcanosa Cinco (Spanish-registry tug) for Cadiz, Spain. The Gulsum Ana had minor damage and anchored at Malaga.

U.S. Coast Guard cutter assists Massachusetts fishing vessel

On 16 March, George Bragdon, of Dennisport, Mass., contacted his wife from his 27-meter/90-foot fishing vessel Resolute, with six aboard, to say that the vessel was disabled with engine problems. Just after 0700, Bragdon's wife contacted the U.S. Coast Guard. After attempting to contact the Resolute, homeported at New Bedford, for 30 minutes, an HU-25A Falcon from Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod was able to signal the vessel in conditions that included 30 knot winds and three-meter/10-foot seas. The Resolute was 176 kilometers/110 miles east of Provincetown. The Coast Guard's "Island"-class Patrol Boat U.S.C.G.C. Jefferson Island (WPB 1340) arrived at 1630 and began a tow to Provincetown. As of 17 March, it was planned to transfer the tow to a commercial salvage vessel near Race Point.

Containership grounds entering Riga

The Sea Regina (Cypriot-registry 8,902-gt, 8,968-dwt containership built in 1984, operated by C.F. Peters) ran aground in poor visibility entering the Port of Riga, Latvia, on the morning of 16 March. An attempt by four tugs to refloat the ship the same day failed.

Eburna runs aground at Geelong

The Eburna (Isle of Man-registry 18,659-gt, 31,374-dwt tanker built in 1979, operated by Shell International Trading and Shipping Co. Ltd.), sailing from Geelong, Victoria, Australia, to Esperance, Western Australia, ran aground leaving Geelong on 19 March. The ship sailed to Adelaide, South Australia, where a survey found severe damage to shell plating on the port side forepeak.

Tanker aground at Canakkale

The Ahmed Karaosman (Turkish-registry 4,147-gt, 6,887-dwt tanker built in 1982, operated by Ofisi Gemi Isletme Basmodurlugu), sailing from Aliaga to Trabzon, Turkey, ran aground south of Kepez Lighthouse at Canakkale, Turkey, on 18 March.

Japanese government giving 5.3 billion yen as spill compensation

The Japanese government will pay 5.3 billion Japanese yen this month to local governments as compensation for cleaning an oil spill. The Nakhodka (Russian-registry 13,157-gt, 20,471-dwt tanker built in 1970, operated by Primorsk Shipping Co. and owned by Prisco Traffic Ltd.) broke in half 0250 2 Jan. about 130 kilometers/81 miles northeast of the Oki Islands, Shimane Prefecture, Japan. Thirty-one of 32 crew were rescued and the master was killed. The Nakhodka carried 19,000 tons of grade C heavy fuel, or 19 million liters/five million gallons or 133,000 barrels. The spill was estimated at more than five million liters/1.3 million gallons or 5,000 tons and has affected eight Japanese prefectures. The bow came ashore at Mikuni, Fukui Prefecture. The money will cover 80 percent of the costs of local governments, and another two billion yen has already been given to local entities involved in the spill. In the latest amount, five billion yen will be given to 12 prefectures and 143 cities, towns and villages. Another 300 million yen will go to 17 prefectures and 464 cities, towns and villages that sent people, equipment and supplies to assist.

Thomas G. Thompson investigating Derbyshire

The lead ship of the Thomas G. Thompson-class Oceanographic Research Ship, owned by the United States but operated by the University of Washington, left Guamn recently for a 47-day study of the Derbyshire. The bulk carrier sank in the South China Sea killing all 44 aboard in 1980. It is hoped the expedition will answer several of the questions surrounding the sinking. The Thomas G. Thompson will sail to Yokohama, Japan, at the end of April.

Was that percussion floating by?

A storm in the North Atlantic recently swept several containers off a ship. Among the contents of some of them were 1,300 garbage cans, but not just any cans. Manufactured by Garrods of Barking, England, they are "Victorian," built of hot-dipped galvanized steel. The shipment was headed to the United States for use in "Stomp," the show which uses garbage cans and other items as percussion. The cans by Garrods are prized by the "Stomp" members as excellent instruments for their show.

America's Cup update

A 27-year-old person was charged in Auckland, New Zealand, on 14 March with criminal trespass and damage after he alledgedly attacked the America's Cup with a sledgehammer. The trophy, created in 1848, is to be returned to its English manufacturer for repairs. A Maori group claimed responsibility, saying the action was to protest the "illegal occupation of New Zealand" by predominantly European settlers, or Pakeha. The protester is being held without bail, partly because there are outstanding charges stemming from other incidents.