mna circular 2020 - #10 the pulse may 2020 · 2020-05-26 · mna circular 2020 - #10 23rd may 2020...
TRANSCRIPT
MNA CIRCULAR 2020 - #10 23rd May 2020
1
The Pulse
The MISSION of The Merchant Navy Association is to bring all serving and retired Seafarers together in a spirit of
companionship, consideration and commitment towards a united lobby for the Community of the Sea Hi Shipmates,
Please find below more snippets of information since circular #9 was published 8th May 2020. My thanks to MNA National Secretary, Pete Sinke’s daily publication “Maasmond Maritime - Shipping News
Clippings”, Lloyds List, gCaptain, Maritime London, Flashlight and many others from the T’internet, not
forgetting the items sent in by Readers and any other source I can access.
MNA National Contact Points
National Secretary, David Parsons = Email : [email protected] Tel: 01935 414 765
Welfare & Events, Tim Brant, - Tel: 01472 85 11 30, Email : [email protected]
National Membership Secretary, Roy Glencross - Mobile: 07738 425875
Email [email protected]
MNA Slop Chest, The Supply Officer:- Sandra Broom [email protected] 0121 244 0190
If you call her, it may go to an answerphone. Please leave a message and she will call you.
Change of Address???? If any member has changed any of their contact details (Postal, E-mail or
Telephone) it is important that you inform ROY GLENCROSS and copy to David Parsons, Tim Brant &
myself. If informing by e-mail send to:- [email protected] , [email protected],
[email protected], [email protected]
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MARITIME ARTIST CORNER
Source DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2020 – 131
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We are pleased to say we are now able to offer our supporters the
facility to make donations via our
Just Giving page.
This is a secure means of making payments and enables us to
claim Gift Aid from the Treasury.
Go to www.justgiving.com Click on ‘Search' at the top right-
hand side and type in Merchant Navy Association.
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Athenia: Is this the wreck of the first British ship torpedoed in WW2?
• By Jonathan AmosBBC Science Correspondent 5 October 2017 Shipwreck-hunter David Mearns says sonar data shows the
transatlantic passenger liner Athenia to be lying 200m down
on Rockall Bank, off Ireland.
A German submarine torpedoed the ship hours after Britain
declared war on Hitler in 1939 - more than 100 people,
including many Americans, were killed.
Germany initially denied involvement fearing the US would
join the war.
U-boat commander Fritz Julius Lemp had mistaken the liner
for an armed cruiser and the German naval authorities tried
to cover up the sub's actions.
They even attempted to blame the sinking on Winston
Churchill, who on that very day - 3 September, 1939 - was
appointed First Lord of the Admiralty.
The Germans said he had ordered a British submarine to fire
on the Athenia as part of a plot to force Washington's hand. The full truth only emerged at the Nuremberg
Trials.
Athenia: Timeline to a disaster
Media captionBritish Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain
declared war on 3 September, 1939
Chamberlain's famous "this country is at war with Germany"
broadcast was delivered shortly after 11 in the morning. The
torpedo from U-30 struck the Athenia at 7:38 that evening.
She was slow to go down, disappearing beneath the waves,
stern first, at 11 the next morning.
Image copyrightGSIImage caption The
sonar contact matches the dimensions of
the Athenia in all details
The remains of the first British ship to be
sunk in WW2 appear to have been
identified on the Atlantic seabed.
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David Mearns, who has found some two dozen major wrecks for insurers and TV companies, says the
Athenia's hull is visible in sonar data acquired by the
Geological Survey of Ireland. It is split in the aft section
where the torpedo hit, but otherwise is sitting proud of the
sediment and looks to be in reasonable shape.
To the untrained eye, sonar imagery can be difficult to
interpret, but Mr Mearns says the dimensions of the target
match exactly what would be expected of a 160m-long,
13,500-tonne passenger liner. What is more, the coordinates
are very close to those
sent out by the
Athenia's radio officer
in his distress call, and recorded in the logbooks of the vessels that
came to the rescue.
"Can I go into a court of law and say, '100%, that's Athenia?' No.
But barring a photograph I can say in my expert opinion there's a
very, very high probability that that's Athenia. Everything fits,"
said Mr Mearns, who sets out the case in his book The Shipwreck
Hunter.
Wasted pursuit
The relatively shallow water on Rockall Bank, an area of raised
seabed a few hundred km from the Irish coastline, means it should
be reasonably straightforward to send down a remotely operated
vehicle to investigate the sonar contact.
The marine scientist first got
involved in the search for the
wreck in a commission from
the BBC. Producers had
wanted to stage a live,
underwater broadcast
from the sunken
remains of a famous
ship.
In the end, the TV idea
was dropped, but Mr
Mearns still hopes an expedition can be mounted by
someone.
It is the first wreck in his consultancy career "which I've
identified from my armchair, so to speak".
Searching the seafloor for sunken ships in this way is usually
a wasted pursuit because of the dearth of high-resolution
sonar data.
"The Moon and Mars are mapped to a greater degree of
accuracy than our seabed. Our own inner-world is largely
unexplored," Mr Mearns told BBC News.
He is now involved in efforts to change this. His expertise
means he has been appointed as a judge on the Shell Ocean
Discovery XPRIZE, a $7m incentive to get engineering
groups to develop innovative seafloor mapping technologies
and strategies.
Image captionWhen she left Liverpool on
2 September, three-quarters of her
passengers were women and children
Media captionDavid Mearns: "My
research rules out all other
shipwrecks in this area"
Image caption A Punch magazine cartoon:
No-one in Britain accepted the German
explanation
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Lifeboats smashed
These new approaches would help achieve an international goal set last year to have 100% of the
topography of the world's ocean bed mapped by 2030.
"It would be at such resolution that anyone could look for shipwrecks like the Athenia from their desk.
That's the ultimate goal, anyway," said Mr Mearns.
Image captionThe Athenia still draws interest because of the many stories associated with the sinking
The Donaldson Atlantic Line
SS Athenia was built in
Glasgow and the
city's Riverside Museum of
transport has an exhibition
dedicated to the vessel and
the stories surrounding its
sinking.
The rescue effort by six other
ships was nothing short of
heroic, according to
testimony. 1,306 individuals
were successfully pulled off
the Athenia in deteriorating
seas. Most of those who died
were in two lifeboats that
were smashed just as they were about to be saved.
"It was a shocking event," said Riverside curator Emily Malcolm. "We've got several items on display
including the watch from the ship's cook. We've also got a detailed model of the Athenia. You can see all
the lifeboats. It was something Donaldson had made when the ship was built," she told BBC News.
Fritz Julius Lemp commanded submarines for another two years. He eventually lost his life in a
confrontation in 1941 when his U-110 boat was forced to the surface after being damaged by depth
charges. The British captured the submarine and took possession of its Enigma cipher machine.
Senior figures in the German navy were convicted at Nuremberg for war crimes in relation to the Athenia
affair. The attack on an unarmed passenger liner was a clear breach of international protocols.
Image caption Built in Glasgow: The city has an exhibition at the Riverside Museum
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The five other wrecks David Mearns would like to investigate
▪ ENDURANCE - Sir Ernest Shackleton's polar barque, lost in November 1915 in the Weddell Sea
of Antarctica
▪ USS STRONG - a US destroyer sunk during WW2 in the Solomon Islands in the South Pacific
▪ MV DONA PAZ - a ferry sunk in the Philippines in December 1987 with the loss of over 4,000
people (The 'TITANIC of the Philippines')
▪ HMS BARHAM - a British battleship sunk in November 1941 by a submarine in the
Mediterranean
▪ SANTA ROSA - a Portuguese galleon loaded with seven chests of treasure, sunk in 1726 by an
explosion off the coast of Brazil
Prof Richard Toye, the head of history at Exeter University, has written about the Athenia. The reaction
to the loss had echoes in the debates we have today about the reporting of news events, he told BBC
News.
"The sinking of the SS Athenia, a civilian liner, was significant not only as the first British shipping loss
of the war but as an example of a Nazi attempt to promote 'fake news'.
"Fearing the impact of the affair on American opinion, the Germans promoted an absurd conspiracy
theory, claiming that Winston Churchill, as First Lord of the Admiralty, had been responsible. Goebbels
has a reputation as a skilful propagandist but on this occasion he was ineffective, at least as far as
international opinion was concerned." Source BBC News
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VE Day: Looking back at the RNLI’s role Thursday 7 May 2020
Tomorrow (8 May) marks the 75th anniversary of VE Day and the RNLI is looking back at the lifesaving
role that lifeboat crew members played during World War Two, including a remarkable rescue resulting
in 106 lives being saved in atrocious sea conditions.
https://rnli.org/support-us/become-a-volunteer/volunteer-zone/volunteer-news/ve-day-looking-
back-at-the-rnlis-role Throughout the war, RNLI volunteers put themselves at risk to save others. From the start of the war in
1939 until VE Day on 8 May 1945, lifeboats launched 3,760 times, assisting a variety of craft from ships
to aeroplanes, and saving a total of 6,376 lives – an average of 21 people each week. This was more lives
saved by the RNLI than in its previous 18 years.
The last lifeboat launch happened 1 minute before the end of the war, with Salcombe RNLI launching to a
Norwegian minesweeper which had encountered an explosion off the coast of Devon. Torbay and
Salcombe lifeboats conducted a search of the area but, sadly, only two cushions were found. There were
no survivors.
During the war, 12 crew members lost their lives trying to save others and a total of seven lifeboats were
lost in various ways – from air-raids on lifeboat stations to being captured.
Many lifeboat men were recognised for their bravery and a total of 204 RNLI gallantry medals were
issued.
Peterhead RNLI’s gallantry
Of the many significant lifeboat rescues during World War Two, one of the most notable is Peterhead’s
launch to two steamers and their crews who were in danger in terrible conditions. This rescue resulted in
106 lives saved; an RNLI Gold Medal being awarded to the lifeboat’s coxswain; an RNLI Silver Medal
awarded to the lifeboat’s motor mechanic, and Bronze Medals awarded to the rest of the crew.
Here’s what happened …
On 23 January 1942, two Whitby steamers, the SS Runswick and the SS Saltwick, collided in gale force
conditions near Peterhead Bay, off the east coast of Scotland. Peterhead’s lifeboat crew went to their aid
and escorted them both to the safety of the bay to wait for better conditions. It was here that they were
joined by SS Fidra, which also came to seek shelter from the storm. The gale soon became a hurricane
and drove the SS Runswick inshore. Having had only a few hours of rest, the crew returned into the
darkness and snow to rescue all 44 of the crew aboard the SS Runswick.
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The lifeboat crew were able to take only a short rest before being called out a third time. The hurricane
was now blowing directly into the harbour, destroying the breakwater and driving the SS Saltwick and SS
Fidra onto the rocky foreshore.
Coxswain John McLean risked everything by turning head to sea and running alongside the SS Fidra,
managing to keep the ship alongside for 50 minutes in terrible conditions. This display of extraordinary
seamanship allowed the 26 men aboard the SS Fidra to leap to safety. Dropping them ashore, he returned
to the SS Saltwick, whose situation was now equally desperate, and made it to the sheltered side of the
wreck to help the 36 survivors onboard.
Over the course of the night, Coxswain John McLean and his crew saved 106 lives. For this brave rescue,
Coxswain McLean was awarded a Gold Medal for Gallantry, Motor Mechanic David F. Wiseman was
awarded the Silver Medal and the rest of the crew were awarded Bronze Medals.
Hayley Whiting, Heritage Archive and Research Manager, says:
‘The RNLI has a longstanding history of saving lives at sea since being established in 1824. The valiant
work of RNLI crews during World War Two demonstrates the courage and determination of these
volunteers to save lives at sea, whatever the conditions, as they still do in this current day.
‘The boats and equipment have certainly changed from World War Two. Several different classes of
lifeboat were in service, including the older pulling and sailing lifeboats at some stations, and some new
motor lifeboats were also serving which were capable of around 6 knots. It’s certainly a contrast to the
all-weather lifeboat fleet of 2020, which are capable of 25 knots and are all self-righting.
‘The protective kit our crews currently wear has come on a long way since the war. The kit then
comprised of sou’westers, hand-knitted woollen items such as mittens, scarves and socks along with a
kapok lifejacket which was made from cotton-like material, an improvement on the previous cork
lifejackets.’
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Dryad: Pirates attempt to board LPG tanker by Jasmina Ovcina
Six pirates have been arrested for attempting to board an LPG tanker identified as EPIC BERMUDA
while off Takoradi port in Ghana. The incident took place some 2.5. nautical miles east of Takoradi on
April 30, maritime security firm Dryad Global said. “Reports suggest that during the initial boarding
attempt the Officer on Watch noticed the perpetrators and sounded the alarm. The OOW then started the
vessel’s engines and attempted to manoeuvre the vessel so as to disrupt the attempt. The small boat was
said to have then headed off in the direction of another vessel approx. 0.6nm away,” Dryad added. The
Malta-flagged LPG tanker built in 2001 is owned by Epic Gas. The authorities at Takoradi dispatched a
patrol vessel which arrested the 6 individuals. The crew members are reported to be safe. This is the 4th
incident in the waters off Takoradi within 2020 and the third within 3nm of Takoradi Port.
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Stena Line's new cruiseferry Estrid taken out of service due to engine
problems The new cruiseferry of STENA LINE has been
taken off the Holyhead-Dublin route for repairs
and maintenance due to engine problems - just 4
months after entering service. The ship STENA
ESTRID (building cost EUR 185 million)
started on the route in January 2020 after being
built at China's AVIC Weihai Shipyard
performing its maiden voyage as Storm Brendan
raged.
However, now the vessel is set to be taken out of
service for up to 6 weeks. It comes after
problems with its Germanybuilt engines. On the
route, Estrid will be replaced by the fleetmate STENA NORDICA source : cruisemapper
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MNA CIRCULAR 2020 - #10 23rd May 2020
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The Pulse
Sailors' Society launches dedicated COVID-19 helpline International maritime welfare charity Sailors' Society has launched a dedicated helpline for seafarers and
their families. The confidential, 24 hour service is there to offer support and welfare to those worried or
adversely affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Sandra Welch, the charity's COO and director of
programme, said: “We’ve seen an increase in calls for help and advice of late and there’s a lot of
uncertainty, so our new dedicated Covid-19 helpline is a welcome addition to our services. “Many
seafarers don’t know when they will sign-off and return home, others haven’t been able to start contracts
due to lockdowns. They are worried about losing their income and anxious about loved ones - the toll on
their mental health is apparent. “We are also offering grants to help seafarers and their families whose
incomes have been decimated through loss of work and would encourage those in need to get in touch.”
The helpline is a result of the charity's Covid-19 emergency appeal, which has seen donations pour in
from hundreds of individual supporters and shipping companies alike, including generous contributions
from North P&I, Trinity House and West P&I. Sandra continued: “We’ve had an incredible response to
our ongoing Covid-19 emergency appeal and are so grateful for everyone’s support, but there is still so
much to be done and the strain seafarers are under is ever increasing." With lockdowns ongoing in many
countries, the charity has ensured a continued service by offering virtual chaplaincy and welfare support,
with physical ship visiting only taking place where regulations allow. Seafarers can access a suite of
practical resources produced by Sailors’ Society including an advice hub, Facebook support group and
podcasts to help seafarers during the coronavirus crisis.
Shipping companies have also contacted Sailors' Society, known globally for its award-winning wellness
at sea programme, asking for help in supporting crews through the pandemic. Seafarers and their family
members can contact Sailors’ Society’s dedicated helpline by calling +1-938-222-8181 or instant chat via
www.wellnessatsea.org/covid-19 To access Sailors' Society's resources visit
www.sailorssociety.org/coronavirus or to donate to the charity's appeal visit www.sailors-
society.org/coronavirusgive To talk about partnering with Sailors' Society to help your crews email
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Norwegian Cruise Line Secures $2.2 Billion in Survival Funds https://gcaptain.com/norwegian-cruise-line-secures-2-2-billion-in-survival-
funds/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Gcaptain+%28gCaptain
.com%29&goal=0_f50174ef03-c3e690fb51-139894965&mc_cid=c3e690fb51&mc_eid=4c72dd3685
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Liebherr: Broken Hook Cause of Orion Crane https://www.oedigital.com/news/478225-liebherr-broken-hook-cause-of-orion-crane-collapse
See update on Page 13 _____________________________________________________________________________________
Norwegian Cruise Line Secures 18-Month Lifeline https://gcaptain.com/norwegian-cruise-line-secures-18-month-
lifeline/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Gcaptain+%28gCaptai
n.com%29&goal=0_f50174ef03-fbac683ba3-139894965&mc_cid=fbac683ba3&mc_eid=4c72dd3685
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The Ghost Ship MV Alta could cost €10m to salvage - expert https://www.rte.ie/news/regional/2020/0504/1136399-mv-alta/
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The Pandemic Strands Some Ship Crews at Sea, Others On Shore https://www.wired.com/story/pandemic-strands-ship-crews-sea-others-
shore/?bxid=5cc9e0d824c17c766aac2fe1&cndid=42800079&esrc=Wired_etl_load&source=EDT_WIR_
NEWSLETTER_0_DAILY_ZZ&utm_brand=wired&utm_campaign=aud-
dev&utm_mailing=WIR_Daily_051120&utm_medium=email&utm_source=nl&utm_term=list1_p3
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RRS James Clark Ross the first ship to berth alongside the new Rothera
wharf On 5th April 2020, the RRS JAMES CLARK ROSS of the British Antarctic Survey became the first ship
to berth alongside the newly completed wharf at Rothera, the British Antarctic Survey research station on
Adelaide Island in Antarctica. Weather condition on the day were perfect for coming alongside with the
winds keeping the ice clear of the berth.
On 15th April 2020 the RRS JAMES CLARK ROSS of the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) arrived at
Stanley Harbour from the Rothera Research Station in Antarctica. On board were the first 39 station staff
and contractors, who had embarked the ship from the BAS research stations at Bird Island, Signy and
Rothera. A passenger ship moored off the Falkland Islands and operated by Noble Caledonia, is providing
temporary, quarantined accommodation for scientists and support staff while they wait to return
home.The ship will bring back to the UK around 90 science, support staff and a number of construction
workers who have been building a new wharf for the RRS SIR DAVID ATTENBOROUGH
On arrival, the RRS JAMES CLARK ROSS stopped on DP in Stanley Harbour and launched her 13m
landing craft (ROCK HOPPER), which was used to ferry the embarked station staff and contractors to the
charter ship, berthed alongside FIPASS. Photo : Chris Locke, Harbour Master, Stanley (c) On
completion of the transfer operation, the RRS JAMES CLARK ROSS, recovered Rock Hopper and
departed Stanley Harbour to refuel at East Cove before returning to Rothera to pick up the final 48 station
staff and contractors. The charter ship is currently waiting in the Falklands Islands for the return of the
RRS JAMES CLARK ROSS and once the ship arrives and the final 48 station staff and contractors have
been transferred, the charter ship will depart from the Falklands Islands and return to the UK.
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Merchant Mariners, the Second Battle of the Atlantic, and the 75th
Anniversary of VE Day https://gcaptain.com/merchant-mariners-the-second-battle-of-the-atlantic-and-the-75th-anniversary-of-ve-
day/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Gcaptain+%28gCaptain.c
om%29&goal=0_f50174ef03-14ad54af99-139894965&mc_cid=14ad54af99&mc_eid=4c72dd3685
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Iran navy 'friendly fire' incident kills 19 sailors in Gulf of Oman _____________________________________________________________________________________
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Some progress on Crew change, IMO circulated protocols for ensuring safe
ship crew changes and travel during the COVID-19 pandemic IMO as released recommended framework of protocols for ensuring safe ship crew changes and travel
during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemicG20 Governments, at their recent emergency meetings,
have committed to minimizing disruptions to trade and global supply chains, and have identified the need
to prioritize keeping air and sea logistics networks open and functioning efficiently. Shipping companies
and airlines are cooperating to meet this priority by ensuring that reliable operations are able to continue
throughout the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. However, these networks will come to a halt
if replacement ship crews are unavailable for duty due to the lack of available flights and other
restrictions affecting the travel and movement of ship crews. This critical issue is increasingly taking on a
humanitarian dimension for those crews which have already spent many months at sea and which
urgently need to be repatriated to their home countries and replaced. Apart from the need for shipping
companies to comply with international regulations and contractual obligations, service periods on board
ships cannot be extended indefinitely due to the dangerous impacts this has for the well-being of ship
crew and, most importantly, safe ship operations. In view of the importance of international maritime
transport to the resilience of the global economy at this critical time, Governments are strongly
encouraged to take urgent action to address this issue. Source : nucleusmarine
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HMS Dauntless Type 45 missile destroyer of British navy to be fitted with
three new powerful engines
The HMS
DAUNTLESS,
the second ship
of Type 45 or
Daring-class air-
defence
destroyers built
for the British
Royal Navy will
receive Power
Improvement
Project (PIP), the 2 Diesel Generators will be removed & replaced with 3 more powerful. On May 6,
2020, British Royal Navy HMS DAUNTLESS arrived in Cammell Laird as the first Type 45 destroyer to
go through the Power Improvement Project PIP. HMS DAUNTLESS 's construction for the British Navy
began at the BAE Systems Naval Ships yard at Govan in August 2004 on the River Clyde. She was
launched on 23 January 2007 at 3.25 pm by Lady Burnell-Nugent, wife of Admiral Sir James Burnell-
Nugent, the then-Commander-in-Chief Fleet. The Type 45 destroyer, also known as the D or Daring
class, is a class of six guided missile destroyers built for the United Kingdom's Royal Navy. The class is
primarily designed for anti-aircraft and anti-missile warfare and is built around the PAAMS (Principal
Anti-Aircraft Missile System) Sea Viper air-defence system utilizing the SAMPSON AESA and the
S1850M longrange radars. The missiles used for PAAMS are the Aster 15 and the Aster 30. The Type 45
carries up to 48 Aster 15 and Aster 30 missiles. The Aster missile carries an inertial computer with
datalink, an active J-band Doppler radar seeker and 15kg warhead. The second armament of the Type 45
destroyer consists of one 114mm mk8 mod 1 medium-caliber gun system for shore bombardment and two
30mm guns. There is provision for the installation of two close-in weapons systems such as the Raytheon
Phalanx. The Type 45 destroyer has a flight deck and hangar to support the operations of a single
helicopter. The flight deck can accommodate either a Lynx HMA8 or Merlin EH101 HAS 1 helicopter
armed with anti-ship missiles and anti-submarine torpedoes. The Type 45 has a crew of 191 sailors and
officers make up the standard Type 45 crew, but the ship can accommodate up to 285 sailors.source:
navyrecognition
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HMS DAUNTLESS Photo : Raymond Wergan,Newton Ferrers (c)
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The Revd Canon Ken Peters RNR, Dip.Th, MBA, MA, FNI Posted on: 10 May 2020
The Mission to Seafarers has issued the following obituary of
the Revd Canon Ken Peters who sadly passed away on the
evening of Saturday 9th May 2020.
After 38 years of distinguished service within The Mission to
Seafarers, Ken was very well known across the world, not
just to the MtS family but to many beyond. After first
working for the Mission as a student, he soon returned to take
up port chaplaincies in the UK and Japan where he made a
significant difference to seafarers’ lives. It was, however, in
his subsequent role that he leaves the most transformational
legacy – as MtS Director of Justice and Welfare. In this
capacity he became well known, and indeed well-loved,
throughout the maritime industry. He worked and travelled tirelessly and sacrificially training chaplaincy
teams and maritime inspectors.
He is survived by his wife Jackie and his two sons, Michael, and David. Use this link to read the obituary
in full.
Maritime London Chief Executive Jos Standerwick, who formerly worked for the Mission to Seafarers,
adds: “Ken was everything a Mission Chaplain should encompass… faultlessly kind, stoic in the face of
adversity and incredibly knowledgeable regarding the very real challenges seafarers face. His zeal for
advocacy provided the foundation upon which the modern mission is built.”
“His work at the IMO, in particular the drafting of MLC and his tireless support for causes such as the
Seamen Guard Ohio, ensure he has left a legacy that the Mission and his family must be incredibly proud
of.”
Despite of all his above responsibilities, Ken found time and commitment to lead the Merchant Navy
Day Commemorative Service for 3 years, from 2014 to 2016, until ill health forced him to hand over to
The Revd Jeremy Hellier.
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EU court rules against Italian class society over 2006 ferry disaster By : David Osler
VICTIMS of a ferry disaster in which more than 1,000 people were killed are entitled to bring an action
for damages against the Italian classification society which certified the vessel, a court has ruled. Al
Salam Boccaccio’98, carrying 1,400 passengers and crew and sailing under the of flag of the Republic of
Panama, sank in the \Red Sea in February 2006. Now the Court of Justice of the European Union has
ruled that survivors and the relatives of the dead can make a claim against RegistroItalianoNavale (RINA)
before the Italian courts. The move will come as a blow to RINA, which certified the ro-ro and had earlier
contested a claim filed in Genoa, arguing that that it should have immunity from jurisdiction as it was
acting on behalf of the flag state, and manifesting the sovereign powers of the delegating state. The
question was referred up to the Court of Justice of the European Union, which found in favour of the
claimants. RINA said in a statement: “The court has expressed its position exclusively on the procedural
matter of identifying the competent jurisdiction. Moreover, the court has also ruled that the required
verification for the application of the principles of its ruling will have to be carried out by the national
judge, who will have to rule on his own jurisdiction. “Today’s judgement and any assessment in the merit
of the case is completely outside the jurisdiction of the Court of Luxembourg. In this regard, RINA
confirms and reiterates the correctness of its work.”source : Lloydslist
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Shipping given one final month to resolve crew change issue - Splash 247
https://splash247.com/shipping-given-one-final-month-to-resolve-crew-change-issue/
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Little Creatures World War One was a deadly conflict … Families were torn apart,
losing fathers, brothers, husbands and sons … Little Creatures
acknowledges and honours these unsung heroes … teaches them to
believe in themselves …and work together.
Like the fictional characters in the story, the sacrifice and commitment
of the Merchant Navy in conflict has often been overlooked and
unacknowledged. I am therefore delighted that the author has chosen
to donate 10p for every book sold to the Merchant Navy Association
who work tirelessly to raise awareness and recognition of the war time
contributions of our seafarers.
“as the autumn leaves begin to fall, we will think about our unsung
heroes and remember them all”.
This is lovely story bringing together, for children (and adults!),
nature’s way of counteracting the horrors of war. It also contains
some interesting and largely unknown facts about how these little
creatures made their own contribution to saving lives. Our 8 year old
granddaughter loved it as they are beginning to learn about this war
in history.
War torn France is under attack and the enemy plans to take the village of Mariot.
Lily is quiet and small, but she sees things and she knows the little creatures of Bogues Forest are in great
danger. Antoine is wise and can make plans. The little creatures all gather together at the pond in the
forest while Antoine organises his plan and summons help. But will it work? Can the little creatures save
the village and their way of life? Can small creatures make a difference? Lily and her fellow creatures
take the reader on an exciting journey of courage and self-discovery.
Glow Worms
In the First World War British soldiers found bioluminescent allies in glow worms. They would collect
them in jars and use their light to read maps, letters and important messages in the dark trenches. Even
just a few was enough to create enough light without being too bright to risk attracting enemy fire.
In 2004 glow worms were officially recognised and honoured in The Animals in War Memorial unveiled
in London's Hyde Park which is dedicated to "all the animals that served, suffered and died alongside the
British, Commonwealth and Allied forces in the wars and conflicts of the 20th century".
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SOME 370 KILOS OF COCAINE FOUND IN SHIPMENTS OF ORANGE
JUICE, IRON ALLOY By Zack Newmark
300 kilos of cocaine found at the port of Rotterdam, hidden in a shipment of orange juice from Brazil, 6
May 2020 Customs officials found shipments of cocaine in two unusual places over the past few days.
Some 300 kilograms of cocaine was found in a haul of frozen concentrated orange juice, while another 70
kilograms was found within a shipment of ferronickel. A routine check of a sea container at the
Rotterdam port led officials on Wednesday to the larger of the two drug hauls. The container from Brazil
was loaded with barrels of frozen orange juice, destined for a business in Rotterdam. Five of the barrels
stood out from the rest, with customs finding 60 one-kilo packages of cocaine in each. The drugs were
destroyed, and no arrests were announced. Authorities do not suspect the Rotterdam firm of wrongdoing.
The following day, customs responded to a business in Moerdijk, Noord-Brabant, which called authorities
after receiving a container of iron-nickel alloy from Chile via the Port of Rotterdam. Two black duffel
bags were discovered when the alloy was unloaded. Each of the two bags held 35 bricks of cocaine, the
bricks also weighing one kilogram. Again, the company was not suspected of involvement in drug
smuggling. No arrests were made in the second case, and the cocaine was destroyed. An investigation is
ongoing into both incidents. Source: NL Times
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First of two state-of-the-art Deck Carriers, MV BoldWind, has been
delivered to United Wind Logistics The first of two state -of-the-art Deck Carriers, MV BOLDWIND has been delivered to United Wind
Logistics, the second vessel is to follow later within the year. MV BOLDWIND will start her maiden
voyage towards Europe, where
she will be employed in a long-
term charter in the offshore Wind
industry. On her maiden voyage,
the vessel will carry windmill
blades from China to Norway.
With a deadweight of 10.000
mtons, a deck length of 128 m
and width of 28 m, the modern
Deck Carrier offers great flexibility and attractive intake for any huge or heavy cargo. The modern vessel
combines an optimized hull design and diesel electric propulsion to suit its dedicated service field. The
electric package is supplied by ABB and powered by four MAN diesel generators driven by high quality
MDO. Additionally, the MAN engines meet IMO Tier III emission regulations being equipped with a
Selective Catalytic Reduction system.
“We are proud to affirm our company’s aspirations to take over as front-runners for an eco-friendly
shipping industry. We are already looking forward to receiving the sister newbuilding MV
BRAVEWIND in four months from now.” says Mr. Puschmann, managing director of UWL.
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New Brighton and Hoylake Lifeboat crews rescue stranded kite surfer A STRANDED kite surfer was rescued by
lifeboat crews from New Brighton and
Hoylake. They were alerted to a report of a
kite surfer struggling in the water near the
'Gunsite' car park in Leasowe on Saturday
afternoon. New Brighton Lifeboat
volunteer crew members were deployed by
Wirral Coastguard Rescue Team along with
Hoylake Hovercraft 'John Russell'. A
member of New Brighton was in the local
area, sighted what appeared to be a kite surfer in difficulty and raised the alarm. The lifeboat headed to
the last known location and located the casualty, who had been in the water for 30 minutes, was starting
to fatigue and was being dragged out to sea by the outgoing tide. The crew on board were able to rescue
and recover the casualty onto the lifeboat and provide him with medical care. Hoylake Hovercraft's crew
recovered the kite surfer’s equipment from the water. The casualty was taken back to New Brighton
Lifeboat station and checked over by the crew. Thankfully, he required no further medical assistance.
Mark Dyer, deputy launching authority, New Brighton Lifeboat, said: "This Rescue was made
particularly difficult due to the outgoing tide and resultant shallow water for the lifeboat to operate in.
"This incident also shows excellent teamwork between the New Brighton and Hoylake Lifeboat crews
resulting in the casualty and their equipment being recovered. "We ask everyone to carefully consider the
need to go to the beach, the coast or onto the water at this time. "Please follow the government guidelines
in relation to essential travel and social distancing. "Even in these difficult and unprecedented times our
RNLI volunteers are still on duty 24/7 and ready to deploy at the sound of the pager. Source: wirralglobe
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Carnival plans "large number of redundancies" in
Southampton over coronavirus lockdown _____________________________________________________________________________________
Photo : Hans Semeins o/b Coral Actinia ©
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Hook designer Ropeblock appalled by crane accident Ropeblock from Oldenzaal, the designer of the faulty crane
hook that caused the ORION 1 accident, says it is appalled
by the incident and the impact it has on the industry. The
accident happened in the final test phase, shortly before
delivery of
Liebherr-
MCCtec crane
HLC295000.
During the test,
the 5,000t crane
hook failed for
reasons as yet
unknown.
Based on current
knowledge,
experts believe that this caused the crane to swing back and
eventually collapse. The load at which hook failure occurred
was provisionally determined at approx. 2,600t. “Based on
the information that is currently available, it seems that the
hook’s stem broke,” the company says in a statement. The
Dutch company says it provided the design of the crane’s
lifting blocks and crane hook but outsourced manufacturing
to “a certified supplier who is familiar with parts of similar
and larger sizes”. Ropeblock adds that prior to manufacturing
the design has been verified by the authorized body. Ropeblock also states that the company will fully
commit herself to the independent integrated
investigation that is now underway to find out the
true course of events and cause as soon as
possible.The crane is Liebherr’s first-ever
HLC295000 crane and it sees the manufacturer
entering a new arena of super heavy-lift offshore
cranes that is dominated by Huisman Equipment.
Any sort of design flaw would be a major setback
and harm the industry’s confidence in the product.
This might explain why Liebherr was quick to
communicate that the cause of the accident was a
faulty hook purchased from an external supplier. In its statement, the crane manufacturer explicitly states
that “a design or production error of the Liebherr crane can therefore be excluded.” Source: ocean-
energyresources
https://www.facebook.com/groups/825164640865671/permalink/2794439050604877/
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Pirates Attack British-flagged Tanker off Yemen Pirates attacked a British-flagged oil tanker off the coast of Yemen Sunday, causing some minor damage
but no injuries. Operators of the STOLT APAL say six gunmen in two separate speedboats sped toward
the tanker about 140 kilometers off Yemen in the Gulf of Aden. Armed guards aboard the boat returned
fire, disabling one of the speedboats. A spokesman for Stolt Tankers says their vessel suffered only minor
damage and no one on board was hurt. No leaks from the tanker are reported. It is unclear if any of the
pirates were hurt or where they were from. Maritime security experts say this was the ninth incident of
piracy at sea in the Gulf of Aden this year. Source : Voice of America
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WWII MN Losses - Revised
One our members in Kent, Captain Mike Battson, managed to have the MN mentioned on Radio Kent
during VE75 and emailed our National Secretary, David Parsons.
That was particularly interesting was the updated number of losses against the numbers who served in
WWII. These are as below:
Dear David,
Few know that out of around 185,000 men and women who served in the Merchant Navy during
WW2 there were 47,176 known casualties resulting from enemy action and that 36,248 died -
proportionally higher at 27% than any of the armed forces. Some were as young as 14 years old,
but I don't think any of them considered themselves as heroes - they were serving their country in
its time of need.
As I had believed the numbers were around 32,000 killed (as in John Slader’s book The Fourth Service) I
asked Mike for his source and he kindly responded as below:
Hello David.
I must admit that the figures for those who died as a result of enemy action vary quite considerably from
30,000 to higher than the figure I quoted, but most agree the casualty total as 47,176. Most archival
research comes from The Registrar General of Shipping and Seamen, The National Maritime Museum's
own research, the British Red Cross and books such as John Slater's.
I Googled the question and the BBC's figures were those that I used, but I cannot now find their reference
as I failed to write it down! I did look elsewhere and Wikipedia gives as good a write up as any. My
research was a little limited as on the day I wanted to quickly make the points about being almost always
forgotten, but suffering the greatest percentage of casualties.
A few months ago, I had a crack at the British Legion for only devising 75th anniversary brooches for the
three armed services, but not for the Merchant Navy. Sadly, no response whatsoever. We really are
forgotten!
Best wishes, keep safe and stay well.
Mike.
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From: Christopher Wallace <[email protected]>
Sent: 10 May 2020 22:12
Subject: A medal delayed is a medal denied./ARTICLE pro forma.
Dear Sir, This email is just to find out if the full story here is something you might want to print. Back in
August 1964 I joined RFA TIDEREACH in Singapore. Not a happy ship. I was only 17 ...now 74. In
early 1965 the ship's company paid off in UK. There the story ends. OR DOES IT. In Y2000 the log
books for the ship were archived, some in Cardiff some in St Johns Canada. In about 2002 Malaysia
introduced the Pansit Jasa Malaysia medal for which the ship's company of Tidereach MIGHT qualify.
They MIGHT also qualify for the UK GSM / with Malaysian clasp. The problem I have been working on
for over a year is to satisfy the RFA / MOD that they do. Key to all of this are the log books. In this
quest I have received amazing support from the Commodore of the RFA in Portsmouth who has
encouraged me no end. Sooner or later I will get the info to satisfy all concerned and at that point all 48 ?
members , alive or dead , can apply. It would be nice if I can get some backing from the members of
Tidereach still alive and kicking. Or any info about their attempts to get their medals. Over to you. I will
supply a full story if you think it worth it Cheers Chris Wallace R777896.
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Stowaways by Sea and Rescue of Migrants (15 May) for the launch of a new edition of The Nautical Institute's book Stowaways by Sea.
Stowaways are an age-old problem for shipping, but the threats they pose and the potential consequences
and costs of stowaways, and lately migrants, getting on board have increased greatly in recent years.
The rescue of migrants has become a major challenge for shipping, especially in the Mediterranean. So
advice on safely managing migrants rescued at sea is timely. Mindful of evolving health risks posed to
crews by unauthorised persons on board, guidance has also been included on the precautions to take
against infectious disease, such as Covid-19.
Stowaways by Sea and Rescue of Migrants is the Institute's current 'book of the month' and is available
to members at the heavily discounted price of £27 until the end of May. Contact our friendly publications
team at [email protected] to order your copy.
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At least 7 dead from Indonesia oil tanker fire Rescuers have discovered the charred
remains of at least seven people a day
after a series of explosions aboard the
Indonesian oil tanker JAG LEELA,
and police said on Tuesday (May 12)
the toll could rise. The dead were
among dozens trapped on the 250-
metre (820-foot) JAG LEELA when it
burst into flames after several
explosions at North Sumatra's Belawan
port, one of the country's busiest.
Firefighters aboard another boat battled for hours to extinguish the inferno on the Indonesia flagged
vessel, which was docked for repairs.
"The deceased were among those trapped
during the blaze. They didn't find a way
out," said local police spokesman MP
Nainggolan. DNA tests were being
performed to identify badly burned
victims, and some crew were still missing,
he added. The blaze injured at least 22
people. The cause of the explosions and
fire was not yet known, authorities said.
Tina Siregar said two of her brothers may
be among the dead. "Both of them were
working to repair the tanker," she said. "They were on board when this happened." Source: Channel News
Asia
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Knowledge ; The following questions were in last year’s GED (grade 12 equivalent) examination. (These are
genuine answers).
Q. What guarantees may a mortgage company insist on?
A. If you are buying a house, they will insist that you are well endowed. There’s more …….
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Today – Mr. Stéphane Ouellette, President and Chief Executive Officer, Merchant Navy Commemorative
Theme Project (MNCTP), remembered the sinking of The RMS Empress of Ireland.
It was on that tragic day of May 29,
1914, when the transatlantic liner
Empress of Ireland was rammed
accidentally, under a thickness of fog,
by the Norwegian-built collier SS
Storstad (close to Father Point, known
today as Pointe-au-Père, near
Rimouski, Québec, Canada). The
oceangoing passenger ship, owned by
the Canadian Pacific Steamship
Company, sank to the bottom of the St
Lawrence River in only 14 minutes. Of
the 1,477 souls on-board, 1,012 died,
making it the worst peacetime marine
disaster in Canadian history.
However, the sinking of the the
Empress of Ireland’s greatest loss was the children. Out of the 138 aboard, only five survived this tragic
ordeal. Eight-year-old Florence Barbour (above), travelling in second class with her mother and sister,
was one of the fortunate to survive. Bodies recovered from the Empress were gathered in the village of
Sainte-Luce, and buried near Métis-sur-Mer, where a monument now stands to their memory.
Notwithstanding the significance of the sinking of The RMS Empress of Ireland catastrophe, she was
always overshadowed by the higher-profile transatlantic sinkings of The RMS Titanic and The RMS
Lusitania. The Empress of Ireland also played a critical role in Canada’s immigration boom, while she
was in service from 1906 to the 1914 sinking. Over 120,000 European immigrants sailed on her seeking
new opportunities in Canada. It is estimated that approximately a million Canadians today can trace an
ancestor to this ship.
“When the Empress of Ireland ocean liner sank to the bottom of the St. Lawrence on May 29, 1914, it
dragged men, women and children of every age and social class into the river’s watery depths. A
newspaper reporter described seeing the victims in Rimouski’s quayside hangar that served as a makeshift
morgue” - “The rich sleep beside the poor, the powerful beside the weak. The humble Pole or Russian
who was starving in the streets of a Canadian metropolis sleeps beside the golden patrician . . . they are
all equal.” – Dr. John Willis, PhD, Adjunct Research Professor, Carleton University, May 28, 2018
(From left) RMS Empress of Ireland and Portrait of Florence
Barbour Canadian Museum of History, IMG2012-0381-0004-Dm)
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Associated Links
The Children: The Greatest Loss of the Empress Tragedy | Canadian War Museum
On This Day: The Empress of Ireland, 'Canada's Titanic,' sinks in 1914 | IrishCentral, May 29, 2019
Empress of Ireland, ‘Canada’s Titanic,’ finally getting its due after 100 years | Globe and Mail, May
23, 2014
Canada's Titanic: The sinking of the Empress of Ireland | National Post, May 28, 2014
Contact Information
Merchant Navy Commemorative Theme Project (MNCTP) Stéphane Ouellette President and CEO E-
mail: [email protected] Website: www.alliedmerchantnavy.com
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Thun Tankers orders 2nd ‘Not Always Afloat But Safely Aground’ ship by Naida Hakirevic
Shipping company Thun Tankers, part of Swedish Erik
Thun Group, has placed an order for another ‘Not Always
Afloat But Safely Aground’ (NAABSA) product tanker
that will be able to call tidally restricted niche ports. The
4,250 dwt ship will be built by Scheepswerf Ferus Smit
B.V. in the Netherlands and is scheduled for delivery in
May 2022. Together with its previously ordered sister
vessel planned to be delivered in November 2020, the
second unit will enter into a long-term agreement with
UKbased Geos Group Ltd. As explained, the focus in the
design process has been to maximize the vessel’s cargo intake and increase in-port performance, with the
scope to allow further increased cargo lot sizes going into restricted niche ports. Resource efficiency, new
regulations and environmental care has been key in the development of the new vessel, according to Thun
Tankers. With a capacity of 4,800 cbm, both tankers will feature a length of 79.9 metres and a width of 15
metres. ”With two high quality NaabsaMAX size tankers we can offer increased flexibility in this niche
segment. These tankers will be built to the absolutely latest design, enabling Geos Group Ltd. and their
clients access to the most efficient and sustainable transport solution available in this segment,“ Joakim
Lund, CCO of Thun Tankers, commented. “To have two NaabsaMAX vessels at our disposal will mean
that we are able to grow our position in the market …, offering flexibility and access to niche ports
around the UK,” Barry Newton, Managing Director, Geos Group Ltd. Source: offshore-energy
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NO COLLISION PRIOR GROUNDING VESSELS AT BATU BERHANTI Local reports confirm there was no collision, but that the accident occured as both vessels attempted to
avoid a tug. The double grounding in the
Singapore Straits at Batu Berhanti is south of the
Singapore Traffic Separation Scheme (STSS) in
the Straits. The second vessel, the 23,573dwt
SAMUDRA SAKTI I, an Indonesian flagged
ship,
was travelling eastbound in the narrow straits when the
grounding occurred A spokesperson for the MPA told
Container News, that the authority had received reports that an
Iranian-registered container ship SHAHRAZ and Indonesian-
registered bulk carrier SAMUDRA SAKTI I had run aground
at Batu Berhanti within Indonesian territorial waters.The MPA
went on to say, “Prior to the incident, both vessels were
warned by MPA’s Port Operations Control Centre (POCC) of
the risk of grounding source : https://container-
news.com/doublegrounding-in-singapore-strait
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Ship without a rudder: 15 crew abandoned on tanker in Manila Bay Without a rudder, food, water, electricity, lights, wi-fi, refrigeration, GPS, security or safety lights, 15
seafarers sit at anchor in Manila Bay, Philippines. Abandoned on board the Spanish-flagged MV
CELANOVA (IMO 9268394). With batteries running low on their mobile phones, the crew who are
trapped 13 nautical miles out at sea have been making calls for urgent assistance as the vessel is running
dangerously low on fuel and diesel oil and the food, fresh water and medicines that the seafarers need to
survive. “We are strong people, but we are exhausted and now bad weather and no option to do anything
if (the) vessel drag(s) the anchor,” Pedro texted the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) on
Sunday, 10 May. “I hope Monday could be finished this and next week could be able to berth. Under the
present condition is very dangerous our situation. We will survive until Monday.”
In an earlier email one crew member wrote to the ITF asking when they could get fresh food on board.
“We are eating something that three months ago we would have never thought we would have to eat,” she
texted. “Since February 21, when I was first informed of the case, there have been thousands of
WhatsApp messages,” said Luz Baz, ITF Coordinator, Spain. “I’m in touch with them daily. But now the
ship is in total blackout.”
Crew have been sleeping on deck as there is no air conditioning, but storms on Sunday night forced the
seafarers to take shelter in the dark below deck, she said.
The 7600 gross tonnage MVCELANOVA is a Spanish flagged LPG tanker owned by GLOBALGAS SA,
Madrid, Spain. The company has left the crew without pay for months and begging for vital provisions.
Alarmingly the LPG tanker was forced to discharge its dangerous cargo of Butadiene gas to another
vessel on March 7, as the vessel was running out of the bunker fuel needed to keep the gas refrigerated.
On December 7, the tanker broke down and lost its rudder off the Philippines coast. Ten days later it was
towed to anchor in Manila Bay.
Philippines Port State Control detained the vessel on 14 February after authorities found it to be in breach
of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Maritime Labor Convention (MLC) over unpaid wages
following notification by the ITF. The ITF is urgently requesting Filipino authorities to allow the ship
into port to facilitate assistance from the flag state and the vessels insurers, the American Club. Local
authorities have agreed but only on condition a tug is provided alongside the tanker and on standby while
she is moored.
“I’ve worked over 14 years as an ITF inspector, I have dealt with many abandoned vessels so far and this
is the first time someone has asked crew pay tug hire,” Baz said “.
The ship needs to be in port. The crew can’t start the engine. Something has to be done. The crew are
desperate. They need fuel, fresh water, provisions, medication, safety parts,” she said. Some of the
Spanish and Caribbean crew have been on board since August, others since November. Further
exacerbating the seafarers’ plight, Spanish mortgage bank ABANCA is reportedly frustrating attempts to
sell the vessel to help finance the owner’s debts.
Baz wrote to Maritime Authorities in Manila warning the ship and its crew were at enormous risk of
potential anchor drift, fire on board or accident due to having no capacity to maneuver. “The situation is
seriously compromising the safety and health of a crew. They are exhausted after suffering months of
enormous stress,” she wrote. Despite the Philippines being a signatory to the MLC requiring governments to facilitate crew repatriation
during abandonment, no action has been taken. Their plight is further complicated by the COVID-19
pandemic. The ILO abandonment report says communications have been maintained with the ship’s owner
and instructions have been given to provide food and fuel. A flag state surveyor was on board from February
27 to March 2 to check the real situation, the ILO reported. The Spanish Maritime Administration is focused
on getting crew members repatriated working together with all stakeholders including the ITF. The Spanish
government has also contacted the Philippines government requesting the ship be docked in safe port
according to ILO reports. Ship’s master Rolando Garcia Alarcon warned the ILO the ship has serious
technical deficiencies. He requested authorisation for the ship to berth, based on humanitarian and safety
reasons citing the ship being without a rudder, fuel and lights. The master also reported the vessel’s chains and
anchors were damaged. Garbage on deck also poses a health risk and the crew and ship especially in the case
of fire, he said. The ITF has written to the International Labour Organization requesting their intervention.
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Merchant Navy Association Boat Club (MNABC) Covid 19 Advice to Boat Owners
1. Take extra care to access their craft safely and in accordance with government guidance on travel and
social distancing
2 Carry out a check to ensure that their craft has remained seaworthy and mechanically sound and in
particular check for fuel contamination resulting from condensation in the tank(s) blocked filters and fuel
lines etc
3 Check that emergency equipment such as Lifejackets, flares, VHF radio, PLBs etc are still in working
order and remain in date
4 Give due regard to the prevailing and forecast weather conditions
5 Pay due consideration to the risk that their activities may result in their having to depend on emergency
services particularly at a time when social distancing is impacting on lifeboat crews, Coast Rescue Teams
etc
6 Bear in mind that some marine leisure facilities in the area may still be closed and therefore unavailable
7 Make sure you always have a means of calling for help (such as a VHF radio or mobile phone in a
waterproof pouch) and keep it within reach.
ANY BOATERS OUT THERE NOT IN THE MNABC WHY NOT CONTACT CLIVE FOR
INFORMATION
Clive Edwards, RNLI Water Safety Officer Weymouth Lifeboat Area
Tel 01305 781725 Email [email protected]
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Lobbying IMO on behalf of offshore workers
The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) is playing a key role in two industry groups
lobbying the IMO to support a recommendation for Governments and national authorities to facilitate the
movement of offshore energy sector personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is designed to
ensure they are considered ‘key workers’, essentially to enable ease of movement during mobilisation and
demobilisation for offshore sector crew changes.
An international offshore energy industry group, comprising IADC, IAGC, IMCA, IOGP and ISOA,
having gained initial approval from the IMO, wrote formally to the IMO Secretary-General to gain
recognition of offshore energy sector personnel as ‘key workers’ alongside seafarers and marine
personnel. The ‘Recommendations for Governments (and relevant national authorities) which have been
developed by the joint industry group should ensure smooth handovers, essential within the offshore
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sector. As Margaret Fitzgerald, IMCA’s Head of Policy & Regulatory Affairs, explained: “While
seafarers and marine personnel have been able to reference the ‘Recommendations’1 which IMO had
previously issued, they are not, unfortunately, applicable for offshore energy sector personnel, such as
Industrial Personnel (a term covering everyone from divers to windfarm engineers, geodata specialists
and drilling crew to HSE advisers, and more) who do not fall within the definition of either ‘seafarer’ or
‘marine personnel’. “The international offshore industry group developed an amended set of
‘Recommendations’2 specifically addressing offshore energy sector personnel, calling for them to be
recognised internationally as ‘key workers’ and given the same consideration as seafarers and marine
personnel when transiting to and from their places of work. “Working together we impressed upon the
IMO’s Secretary-General that the continued delivery of an unabated supply of these energy resources
rests with the ability of the global offshore energy workforce to continue to carry out its function despite
the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. We are delighted that the Secretary-General has now
published the Recommendations2 presented by the five international trade associations.” Moving forward
IMCA has been collaborating with an International IMO Industry Group, being led by the International
Chamber of Shipping (ICS), in developing a 12-step plan entitled “Recommended Framework of
Protocols for Ensuring Safe Ship Crew Changes and Travel during the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)
Pandemic”3, which has been now been published by IMO. These ‘Protocols’3 were jointly developed by
ICS, ITF, BIMCO, CLIA, FONASBA, IAPH, IFSMA, IMCA, IMEC, INTERCARGO, INTERFERRY,
InterManager, INTERTANKO, IPTA, IG P&I Clubs and WSC, with input from the International Air
Transport Association (IATA). ILO and WHO also provided vital input into the document, along with
ICS national shipowners’ associations and ITF affiliated seafarers’ unions. While the ‘Protocols’3
reference the movement of ‘seafarers and marine personnel’ as initially identified by IMO, they also
include a reference to the offshore industry Recommendations of 5 May 2020: “Governments may also
wish to apply relevant aspects of this framework of protocols to other marine personnel and designated
key workers including, inter alia, offshore energy sector personnel, which are addressed in IMO Circular
Letter No.4204/Add.132, "Recommendations for Governments and relevant national authorities on
facilitating the movement of offshore energy sector personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic" Margaret
Fitzgerald explained: “One of the key recommendations in the document calls upon IMO Member
Governments and national authorities to give serious consideration to exempting these key workers “from
any isolation or quarantine measures that might be applicable to other passengers arriving by aircraft from
other countries”.”She added: “In view of the importance of the global offshore energy sector in meeting
the world's energy demands, both IMO documents are intended to assist Members when negotiating
movement of their personnel across borders. Members are urged to report to the IMCA Secretariat any
issues they experience to enable IMCA to raise this at the highest level within IMO Member
Governments.” Source: .oilandgasvisionjobs
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The ECO of the Liverpool Seafarers Centre was thanked by the Ukrainian
Crew aboard the Navios Hyperion whilst berthed in Liverpool
Mr John Wilson has worked tirelessly during
the Corvid -19 period to assist the Crews of
vessels calling at Liverpool. He has arranged
for urgently required stores to be supplied from
all the local Supermarkets, so that he can
collect and deliver to the vessels. This, together
with supplying Phone cards and free WiFi
services whilst in port. He works 24/7 to
provide the Centres services. Unfortunately his
band of Volunteers have not been on hand to
assist as they are all under Lock-Down. This
man deserves a medal for his fantastic
dedication to Duty.
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Royal IHC and Suez Canal Authority successfully launch CSD MOHAB
MAMEESH On Friday 15 May, the Suez Canal
Authority (SCA) and Royal IHC (IHC)
successfully launched cutter suction
dredger (CSD) MOHAB MAMEESH.
The launch took place at IHC’s shipyard
in Krimpen a/d IJssel, The Netherlands.
The 29,190kW heavy-duty rock CSD has
been specifically designed in close
cooperation with SCA, and will be used
to maintain and improve the Suez Canal,
which connects the Mediterranean and
Red seas. The vessel, characterised by its
long slender shape and high spud towers,
will have an overall length of 147.4
metres and provide a maximum dredging depth of 35 metres. Equipped with one submerged – and two
inboard – dredge pumps, the installed cutter power will be 4,800kW. “Launching the MOHAB
MAMEESH dredger reflects the fruitful strategic cooperation between IHC and SCA, on which we count
to modernise our fleet of dredgers with advanced units,” says the Suez Canal Authority’s Chairman and
Managing Director Admiral Osama Rabie. “I would like to extend my sincere appreciation and gratitude
to everyone involved in this project for their dedication in continuing to build the dredger according to the
agreed schedule and specifications. This is despite the exceptional circumstances caused by the global
outbreak of the coronavirus, and demonstrates the distinguished professionalism of IHC in delivering
mega projects.” IHC’s CEO Gerben Eggink adds: “Our strong partnership with SCA has
resulted in the build of a powerful and impressive vessel that will enable it to execute work at a top level
while opening up the full potential of the vessel. We are proud that, in these challenging times, we have
achieved this milestone and are therefore grateful for the commitment and hard work of everyone
involved.” This CSD is one of two vessels currently under construction at IHC for SCA. The sister vessel,
the 26TH OF JULY, is expected to be launched in the autumn of 2020 Photo’s : Arie Boer ©
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Q In a democratic society, how important are elections?
A Very important. Sex can only happen when a male gets an election. _____________________________________________________________________________________
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Safety alert: incorrect AIS data causes fatal collision by Martyn Wingrove
A deadly accident on the lower Mississippi River has prompted the US Coast Guard (USCG) to alert
vessel owners to ensure they transmit accurate automatic identification system (AIS) data The safety alert
comes after two towboats collided on the river while towing barges, leading one to capsize and crew
fatalities. During USCG’s investigation into the collision, it discovered both towboats were transmitting
incorrect AIS data, and in particular the wrong length of their tow. In response, USCG urged towboat and
tugboat owners to check their AIS information is correct and reminded owners of the importance of AIS
data entry and display for safe navigation. “AIS is one of the many important tools used in providing
vessel operators with a clear picture of potential upcoming vessel passing situations, especially on
waterways with bends, bridges or other visual obstructions,” USCG said in its safety alert. This
government organisation alerted owners and operators of the hazards created by inaccurate AIS data and
requested they review and update their procedures to prevent casualties from occurring because of
inaccurate information. USCG is continuing the investigation into the accident involving two towboats
towing convoys of barges. Both towing vessels were approaching a bend on the Mississippi River before
sunrise, but neither vessel was broadcasting the total length overall of their tow to other AIS users. The
first vessel’s AIS broadcast showed its length at 22 m, but the overall length of the vessel and its two-
barge tow was 204 m. In addition, the second vessel’s AIS broadcast showed the length at 61 m, but the
overall length of the vessel and its 40-barge tow was 488 m.USCG said, “Without the information
regarding the total length of the other vessel and its tow, the operators did not have a full understanding of
the pending passing situation.” As the vessels rounded the bend and completed their turns, they collided,
causing the down bound towing vessel to capsize and sink with several fatalities. AIS is a valuable tool
for broadcasting essential vessel information to other vessels on waterways. This information can be
plotted on electronic chart systems to provide real-time information of hazards during waterway
navigation. USCG’s Navigation Center has produced the AIS Encoding Guide to provide instructions on
how to populate all data fields in AIS, including the correct overall length. Source : Riviera Maritime
News
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RCI-Royal Caribbean cancels most of Allure of The Seas ship's drydock
refurbishment works In 2020-Q1, one of the world's most famous and largest cruise liners – ALLURE OF THE SEAS, had a
scheduled major drydock refurbishment (Royal Amplified project) at Navantia Shipyard in Cadiz Spain.
The budgeted by RCI-Royal Caribbean USD 165 million drydocking was initially planned to take place
between March 13 and May 9. However, due to the global Coronavirus pandemic (that started in mid-
March), Navantia Shipyard was closed. The 58-day project was postponed for May-June and revised,
with most of the changes eventually dropped. The cruise liner's refurbishment 2020 was replanned as a
30-day "technical drydock". Instead of doing the originally planned upgrades, Royal Caribbean (world's
second-largest cruise shipowner) decided to do mainly technical upgrades and regular maintenance
works. All the refurbishment works for the passenger staterooms and onboard venues (enhancing old ones
and adding new) were cancelled. The decision was also reasoned with limiting foreign subcontract
workers at the shipyard. The originally planned upgrades were paused and delayed until RCI's financial
situation improves. Among the cancelled upgrades were the Ultimate Abyss (aft-located waterslide,
world's largest at sea), The Perfect Storm (3-waterslides complex), redesigning Adventure Ocean (youth
facilities), adding Giovanni's Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar" (fleet's first reimagined Giovanni's / family
restaurant), Spotlight Karaoke (bar lounge). For deck 5 was planned adding Playmakers Sports Bar and
Arcade, Sugar Beach Shop (ice cream and candies) and Beach Shop (poolwear). Pool Deck's (deck 15)
renovations were also cancelled, including adding "The Lime and Coconut Bar" and the redesign of "H2O
Zone" to "Splashaway Bay" (outdoor playground). Two Quantum-class ship venues - "Music Hall" (2-
deck dance lounge) and "Bionic Bar by Makr Shakr" (served by robotic bartenders) - were also dropped
from the project. Source : Cruisemapper
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Can anybody hear us? In an emotional post, a cruise ship crew
member wrote about how countries are not
letting them disembark from their ships ever
after having no coronavirus case onboard. “I
am one of the crew members stuck at sea due
to COVID-19. I am currently anchored in the
bay of Puerto Vallarta in Mexico, onboard
the KONINGSDAM. I am not sure how
many Portuguese we have onboard, considering that we have crew members from 8 different ships and
more than 70 nationalities. We were transferred on the 29 of April, from the SEABOURN SOJOURN,
where we were already complying with all the regulations required for the disembarkation – social
distance, wear a face mask at all times in a public area, individual cabin, meal times of half an hour to a
certain limited number of people, hand sanitizing mandatory in every corner, temperature checks twice a
day, etc. I must say that our company has done everything they possibly could to keep us healthy, safe,
and sane within their power and for that I am enormously grateful. Today we complete our 75th day of
self-isolation. During all this time we never had a single case onboard. We are all healthy and in good
shape. So, we don’t understand which reason leads to all countries we arrive, to decline our request to
disembark, to refuse us the chance to return to our countries. We don’t understand why we are being
treated by governments and politicians – but especially by social media – as if we are mostly responsible
for transporting the virus, even though statistical cases onboard or related represent only 0,07% of the
world. We do not understand why we are not given the chance to return to our families and loved ones.
We should be the ones afraid to go into the world, considering we are living in a place with zero cases,
and going to a place with millions, but instead it’s the world that is afraid of us. We are all getting to a
point where we lose ourselves, our mental sanity, and our sense of right or wrong. There have been
already four suicides from crew members in different ships. That is how desperate it gets when you do
nothing wrong and yet you are powerless in what comes to your rights as a human being. And even with
all said we are still patiently waiting, day after day, for those with power to take action in our behalf.”
We just want to go home. Is that too much to ask? _____________________________________________________________________________________
The Traitors Within ... thought that this might be of interest - a bit of an eye opener this book!
These people have still not been brought to account for their actions during
WW II.
A timely new book reveals the union movements role in one of the most
shameful periods of Australian history. What the wharfies did to Australian
troops - and their nations war effort - between 1939 and 1945 is nothing short
of an abomination.
Perth lawyer Hal Colebatch has done the nation a service with his ground-
breaking book, Australia’s Secret War, telling the untold story of union
bastardry during World War 2.
Using diary entries, letters and interviews with key witnesses, he has pieced
together with forensic precision the tale of how Australia s unions sabotage
the war effort; how wharfies vandalised, harassed, and robbed Australian
troop ships, and probably cost lives.
One of the most obscene acts occurred in October, 1945, at the end of the
war, after Australian soldiers were released from Japanese prison camps. They were half dead, starving
and desperate for home. But when the British aircraft-carrier HMS Speaker brought them into Sydney
Harbour , the wharfies went on strike. For 36 hours, the soldiers were forced to remain on- board,
tantalisingly close to home. This final act of cruelty from their countrymen was their thanks for all the
sacrifice.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
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Pirates Attack Stolt Tanker in Gulf of Aden - May 18, 2020 by Reuters
By Lisa Barrington and Jonathan Saul DUBAI/LONDON,
May 17 (Reuters) – Armed pirates attacked a British-flagged
chemical tanker in the Gulf of Aden on Sunday but were
repulsed, the ship’s manager Stolt Tankers said.
The pirates approached the Stolt Apal in two speedboats some
75 nautical miles off Yemen, it said, in one of the most
important trade routes for oil heading from the Middle East to
Europe.
“After multiple warning shots were fired by the armed guard
team aboard Stolt Apal, the skiffs opened fire on the ship. The
armed guard team returned fire, disabling one skiff and ending
the pursuit,” a company spokesman told Reuters in emailed comments.
“A coalition warship (also) responded and Stolt Apal has resumed her voyage,” the spokesman said.
He did not specify which coalition was meant, but maritime security sources said the vessel had been
sailing through a transit corridor patrolled by international naval forces due to the high risk of attack.
The spokesman said the ship’s bridge had sustained minor damage from bullets but that there were no
injuries. None of the ship’s cargo was damaged.
British officials were not immediately available for comment.
Stolt Tankers is a subsidiary of Norwegian listed Stolt-Nielsen.
Merchant ships have been attacked in recent years in the Gulf of Aden and the Bab al-Mandab waterway
by armed gangs as well as militant groups such as Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.
A Saudi-led Sunni Muslim military coalition has in the past accused Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi
movement, which it has been battling for five years, of trying to attack vessels off the coast of Yemen
with unmanned boats laden with explosives.
Maritime security firm Dryad Global said it was the ninth reported incident in the Gulf of Aden this year.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) naval authority says in a warning notice on
its website that it advises vessels in the area “to exercise extreme caution.” (Reporting by Lisa Barrington
and Jonathan Saul Editing by Gareth Jones)
(c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2019.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Q. What happens to your body as you age?
A. When you get old, so do your bowels and you get intercontinental.
Q. What happens to a boy when he reaches puberty?
A. He says goodbye to his boyhood and looks forward to his adultery.
Q. Name a major disease associated with cigarettes.
A. Premature death.
Q. What is artificial insemination?
A. When the farmer does it to the bull instead of the cow.
Q. What is the fibula?
A. A small lie.
Q. What does 'varicose' mean?
A. Nearby.
_____________________________________________________________________________
MT Stolt Apal. File Photo:
MarineTraffic.com/RIA MAAT
MNA CIRCULAR 2020 - #10 23rd May 2020
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The Pulse
VE Day Photos “The only thing that ever really frightened me during the war was the U-boat peril.”
Winston Churchill
MNA CIRCULAR 2020 - #10 23rd May 2020
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The Pulse
Figure 1 Tim & Anne Bull
Remembering the day 75 years ago
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=3103355383059682&id=801441973251046&__tn__=%2As%2As-
Rben
We shall grow not old as we that are left grow old
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning
We will remember them
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The Pulse
Mike Battson sent following copy was sent to Radio Kent – AND READ OUT.
On behalf of the Merchant Navy Association, may I ask that you make mention of those who served and
died, or were casualties, in the Merchant Navy during World War 2. Great Britain would not and could
not have survived without them, yet are almost always forgotten when it comes to the various
anniversaries commemorating events of both World Wars.
Few know that out of around 185,000 men and women who served in the Merchant Navy during WW2
there were 47,176 known casualties resulting from enemy action and that 36,248 died - proportionally
higher at 27% than any of the armed forces. Some were as young as 14 years old, but I don't think any of
them considered themselves as heroes - they were serving their country in its time of need.
Please remember all of them in your broadcasts today.
Thank you and best wishes.
Mike Battson. Master Mariner.
Hello Malcolm,
VE-Day. Remembering all those who gave their lives in WWII, with special mention to those of the
civilian “ Forgotten Fourth Service” and those who lost their lives serving on Merchant ships. First
casualty of WWII on the opening day of war 3rd September 1939 with the loss of the passenger liner SS
Athenia and the last day of the war in Europe 7th May 1945 with the loss of the SS Avondale Park.
Tower Hill Memorial 23,753
Buried Ashore 2,594
Canadian 1,554 (Halifax & Tower Hill Memorial)
Bombay/Chittagong Memorial 6,048
Hong Kong War Memorial 1,400
Liverpool Naval Memorial 1,400 (MN who served on RN vessels under the T124T & T124X
Agreements)
Australian War Memorial 359
Discharged disabled physically/mentally 11,600
Held illegally POW’s 5000
Executed 372
Misadventure/illness 5,361
Royal Navy DEMS 2,713
DEMS Maritime Regt. 1,222
DEMS from other Army Regiments 50
Commodores and Naval Staff 699
Rgds Billy
“Have you seen the old man
Outside the Seamen's Mission
Memory fading with the medal ribbons that he wears
In our winter city
The rain cries a little pity
For one more forgotten hero
And a world that doesn't care” (Streets of London. Ralph McTell)
_____________________________________________________________________________________
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A medal delayed is a medal denied. /ARTICLE pro forma. From: Christopher Wallace <[email protected]>
Sent: 10 May 2020 22:12
Subject: A medal delayed is a medal denied. /ARTICLE pro forma.
Dear Sir, This email is just to find out if the full story here is something you might want to print. Back in
August 1964 I joined RFA TIDEREACH in Singapore. Not a happy ship. I was only 17 ...now 74. In
early 1965 the ship's company paid off in UK. There the story ends. OR DOES IT. In Y2000 the
logbooks for the ship were archived, some in Cardiff some in St Johns Canada. In about 2002 Malaysia
introduced the Pansit Jasa Malaysia medal for which the ship's company of Tidereach MIGHT qualify.
They MIGHT also qualify for the UK GSM / with Malaysian clasp. The problem I have been working on
for over a year is to satisfy the RFA / MOD that they do. Key to all of this are the logbooks. In this quest
I have received amazing support from the Commodore of the RFA in Portsmouth who has encouraged me
no end. Sooner or later I will get the info to satisfy all concerned and at that point all 48 ? members , alive
or dead , can apply. It would be nice if I can get some backing from the members of Tidereach still alive
and kicking. Or any info about their attempts to get their medals. Over to you. I will supply a full story if
you think it worth it Cheers Chris Wallace R777896.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Skipper Blamed for Engineer Department U.S. Navy Fires Cruiser Captain After Bunker Fuel Spill in Virginia - May 19, 2020 by Mike Schuler
“Another fine mess you’ve got me into Oilie” Capt. Erica L. Hoffmann is handed over command of
the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine
Sea (CG 58) during a change of command ceremony at Naval
Station Mayport, Florida, April 26, 2019. U.S. Navy Photo
The U.S. Navy has removed the commanding officer of a
guided missile cruiser following a bunker spill while pier side
at the Naval Weapons Station in Yorktown, Virginia.
Captain Erica Hoffmann was relieved from her command as
commanding officer of the USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) due
to a loss of confidence in her ability to command, the Navy
said in a statement.
Hoffmann had served as the commanding officer of Philippine Sea since April 2019.
Capt. Robert Thompson, assigned to Commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic, will assume temporary
duties as commanding officer until a permanent relief is identified.
The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea spilled close to 4,000 gallons of diesel
fuel into the York River last Thursday, May 7, the Navy confirmed. The majority of diesel was contained
within absorbent boom and at the pier.
The navy said it was investigating the spill.
Hoffmann will be temporarily reassigned to the staff of Commander, U.S. Fourth Fleet, the Navy said.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
More Than 100,000 Crew Still Trapped Aboard
Cruise Ships
_____________________________________________________________________________________
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Typhoon Vongfong leaves deadly trail in Philippines, extensive damage to
towns By JIM GOMEZ | Associated Press Strong winds and rain
from Typhoon Vongfong left at least one
person dead and damaged hundreds of
homes and coronavirus isolation facilities
along with rice and corn fields in five hard-
hit eastern towns, a governor said Friday.
Gov. Ben Evardone of Eastern Samar
province, where the typhoon slammed
ashore, said distraught residents wept after
their houses were destroyed or blown away
in the towns he inspected. One villager
who lost his home slashed his wrist but was treated in time, he said. A man bled to death after he was hit
by glass shards in a school building he was trying to open to take shelter in, Evardone said. “The damage
I saw was very extensive. The roof of one church was ripped off completely, its iron bars twisted badly by
the typhoon,” Evardone said by telephone. Videos and pictures of the devastation sent by Evardone
showed several low-slung buildings and sports centers either destroyed or badly damaged with their roofs
peeled off or deformed and their iron trusses bent. Villagers outside damaged houses yelled “help” in one
video. He said he and a group of military, police, and local authorities failed to reach two towns hit by the
typhoon, Jipapad, and Maslog, due to fallen trees on the road. Cellphone and two-way radio
communications to the far-flung areas were down and Evardone appealed to the military to deploy a
helicopter to inspect them and deliver food if troops are unable to reach the area by Saturday. In the
outlying region of Bicol, northwest of Eastern Samar, more than 145,000 people were riding out the
weakening typhoon in emergency shelters on Friday after a mass evacuation that was complicated and
slowed by the coronavirus. Vongfong weakened into a severe tropical storm after hitting land and was
blowing northwest toward the populous main northern island of Luzon, government forecasters said.Its
maximum sustained wind speed dropped to 68 miles per hour with gusts of 93 mph but it remained
dangerous, especially in coastal and low-lying villages, forecasters said. Vongfong was expected to blow
out of the country’s north on Sunday. Office of Civil Defense Director Claudio Yucot said the
evacuations took time because workers needed to wear masks and protective suits and could not transport
villagers to shelters in large numbers as a safeguard against the virus.“Our ease of movement has been
limited by COVID,” Yucot said by telephone from Albay province in the Bicol region, which has had
dozens of coronavirus infections, including four deaths, and remains under quarantine. “In the evacuation
centers, there are more challenges.” In an evacuation room which normally could shelter up to 40
families, only four families could be accommodated. The occupants should know each other and are
required to report any infected person, Yucot said. The coast guard said more than 600 cargo truck drivers
and workers were stranded by the travel suspension. All were required to wear masks and prohibited from
mingling. The typhoon hit as the Philippines struggles to deal with coronavirus outbreaks, largely with a
lockdown in Luzon that is to be eased this weekend, except in metropolitan Manila and two other high-
risk areas. The rest of the country will be placed in less restrictive quarantine, and crucial businesses will
partially reopen starting next week. Source : Foxnews
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Risk Focus: Inventory of Hazardous Materials
Download:
• Risk-Focus-Inventory_of_Hazardous_Materials_-_WEB.pdf (5.31 MB)
Source : - UK P&I Club
_____________________________________________________________________________________
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Cunard's Queen Victoria becomes the sixth cruise ship in Weymouth Bay,
England A 6th cruise ship joined the growing fleet in Weymouth
Bay (off Isle of Portland, Dorset England) on May 14.
Cunard's liner QUEEN VICTORIA anchored offshore
alongside the other vessels, creating a unique view for
locals.
Cunard's QUEEN VICTORIA becomes the sixth cruise ship in Weymouth Bay, England Cruise
companies were forced to cancel all departures due to the ongoing Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Passenger-free liners have anchored off England's coast during the lockdown. QUEEN VICTORIA joined
the fleetmate RMS QUEEN MARY 2, along with the P&O Cruises UK liners ARCADIA, AURORA,
AZURA and VENTURA Weymouth Bay is a sheltered waterway on England's south coast, protected
from erosion by Portland Island and Chesil Beach source: cruisemapper
_____________________________________________________________________________________
You will need to expand to read … If you don’t know how … put curser on corner dot and Drag out.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
PASSENGERLINERS ANCHORED OFF MANILA PHILIPPINES
List of 26 cruise liners compiled by newsclippings reader and contributor Cees Kloppenburg with thanks
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Virgin Voyages Cancels Cruises Through October 15 _____________________________________________________________________________________
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MAIB Warns Older Crew of Heightened Slip and Fall Risk May 21, 2020 by Mike Schuler
The UK Marine Investigation Branch is
reminding older mariners that they are
at heightened risk of slip and fall
accidents following the death of a 72-
year-old dredger captain in Rosyth,
Scotland.
The MAIB made the reminder in its
report on its investigation into a 28
February 2019 incident during which
the master of the dredger Cherry Sand
was crushed between the vessel and a
jetty after he fell while attempting to
step ashore to assist berthing the vessel.
The investigation revealed that the
master had climbed over Cherry Sand’s
bulwark and on to the rubbing band in
preparation to step ashore as part of a
self-mooring operation. As the chief officer was still maneuvering the dredger towards the berth, the
master took a single step towards the quayside, but his foot missed the quay and he fell between the quay
wall and the vessel.
The master was crushed by the moving dredger before slipping into the water.
The MAIB noted that of the occupational accidents it has investigated over the past 5 years, more than
40% of the mariners who lost their lives were over 50 years old. Over the same period, the four persons
who lost their lives while attempting to step on or off during mooring operations were between the age of
58 and 72.
HSE guidance warns that older workers may experience more slips, trips and falls than younger workers,
and recovery following an injury may take longer.
The MAIB has made a recommendation to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (2020/118) to amend the
Code of Safe Working Practices for Seafarers to provide guidance on mooring and unmooring operations,
and when it is permissible for vessels to self-moor.
Another recommendation has also been made to Associated British Ports (2020/119) aimed at ensuring a
common approach to safety and the application of company procedures across the UK Dredging fleet.
Link: MAIB investigation report 9-2020: Cherry Sand
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Merchant vessel at Montebello Island bomb tests
Mr Andi Jones has contacted the MNA, endeavouring to find out whether any Merchant Navy vessels
took part in the Montebello Island nuclear bomb tests of 1952 and 1956. Two devices were tested in May
and June 1956 under Operation Mosaic. His father was there, serving aboard HMS Diana,
alongside HMS Narvik and vessels of the Royal Australian Navy plus, he believes also, RFA Eddyrock.
To date he has found only four remaining members of Diana’s crew out of the original 308.
The earlier test, in 1952, took place when a bomb was exploded aboard HMS Plym (which it brought out
from the UK). Designated Operation Hurricane, this included HM Ships Campania,
Narvik and Zeebrugge, again alongside RAN vessels.
If any member has any further information about any RFA’s or merchant vessels that took part, please
contact Andi; [email protected]
_____________________________________________________________________________________
The dredger Cherry Sand. Photo courtesy MAIB
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My daughter asked me for a pet spider for her birthday, so I went to our local pet shop and
they were £70!!!
Blow this, I thought, I can get one cheaper off the web.
Statistically, 6 out of 7 dwarfs are not Happy. _____________________________________________________________________________________
New Coronavirus Outbreak on US Navy Oiler — One Dead, Over 50 Sick Posted: 21 May 2020 08:39 AM PDT
The latest coronavirus outbreak on a Navy ship is on the
Military Sealift Command’s (MSC) fleet replenishment oiler,
USNS Leroy Grumman. The Project On Government
Oversight (POGO) is reporting that the outbreak occurred late
last month, barely a week after the MSC assured the public
that the coronavirus was not spreading among civilian
mariners.
Twenty-two of the 46 civilian crew members and 30
government contractors have tested positive for the
coronavirus. One contractor has been reported to have died from COVID-19 while one merchant mariner
has been hospitalized in critical condition.
Representatives of the mariner’s union and some lawmakers are raising concerns that failures in MSC “up
gangway” policy made the outbreak more likely. MSC’s “up gangway” order has prevented members of
the ship’s crew from leaving MSC ships unless replaced. Mariners told POGO that even as they were
confined to their ships, the order inexplicably allowed contractors and other personnel to move on and off
the ships, piercing the ships’ quarantine “bubble. The outbreak on the Grumman, docked at a shipyard in
Boston, spread through the crew and to contractors in a matter of days. The entire crew has been isolated
in a hotel in Boston since May 2. The House Armed Services Committee has opened an inquiry into
circumstances surrounding the outbreak.
In related news, the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt, which has been tied up in Guam for the last
two months with a coronavirus outbreak, has sailed. The Navy said that the aircraft carrier entered the
Philippine Sea on Thursday “to conduct carrier qualification flights for Carrier Air Wing 11.”
The post New Coronavirus Outbreak on Navy Oiler — One Dead, Over 50 Sick appeared first on Old
Salt Blog.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Arrests in NCA drugs investigation - Sandownmoored cruise ship crew
member investigated By Lucy Morgan Audience and Content Editor
A CRUISE SHIP crew member, from a ship that was moored
off the Isle of Wight's east coast for a number of weeks, is
involved in a police investigation, a tour company has
confirmed. Marella Discovery 2 had been at anchor off
Sandown, along with a number of other cruise ships.
It has now left its berth near the Nab Tower. A National
Crime Agency (NCA) investigation is continuing into the
alleged importation of drugs. Three men were arrested on
Saturday, April 25, and are due before Winchester Crown
Court later this month (May). MARELLA DISCOVERY 2,
was among a number of cruise ships moored off the Isle of
Wight until recently Holiday firm TUI said: "We're aware of
a police investigation involving a crew member onboard MARELLA DISCOVERY 2."As this is now a
police matter, it would be inappropriate to comment further. We will continue to assist the authorities
throughout their investigation." Source : Isle of Wight County Press
_____________________________________________________________________________________
The MARELLA DISCOVERY 2 seen
moored in Malta in October 2018
Photo : Michael Cassar ©
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UK confirms checks on goods crossing Irish Sea after Brexit transition By : david Osler
CHECKS will be made on animals and foodstuffs entering Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK
following the expiry of the Brexit transition period at the end of this year, the government has confirmed.
The move is needed to ensure the entire island of Ireland maintains disease-free status, Michael Gove, the
minister charged with seeing through Brexit, told the House of Commons today. As a result, border
controls will be installed at the ports of Belfast and Warrenpoint, as well as Belfast’s two airports, and
existing facilities will be expanded at Larne. No customs fees will be payable on goods remaining in the
region, and there will be no need for security certificates for goods in either direction. Tariffs will not be
levied on goods going from Great Britain to Northern Ireland. Source: Lloydslist
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Crew of cargo ship detained off Charleston say they haven’t been paid in
months By John McDermott
The M/V EVOLUTION has loomed on the horizon of the Charleston Harbor since late January
The crew members of a cargo ship that’s been detained off the tip of Charleston peninsula since late
January are seeking to be paid back wages from a proposed sale of the vessel. The 21 confined mariners
aboard the M/V EVOLUTION said in a court document filed Sunday that they are owed more than
$355,000 under their employment contracts. They also said they’re entitled to share a $42,300 bonus if
the anchored freighter is sold.
A consortium of insurers is demanding that the EVOLUTION be put on the auction block to pay for a
shipment of iron that was damaged by saltwater as the vessel sailed to Indonesia from Iran. They are
seeking to recoup $1.45 million from an overseas maritime firm called Smooth Navigation, according to a
negligence lawsuit they filed in federal court earlier this year. The U.S. Marshals Service detained the
505-foot vessel on Jan. 31, a day after it arrived in Charleston Harbor.The overseas crew is asking a
federal judge to place a maritime lien on the Liberian-flagged EVOLUTION and allow them to intervene
in the insurance dispute before the auction, which is scheduled for Tuesday Sponsored Otherwise, their
pay claims “are in peril of being extinguished,” North Charleston maritime lawyer Julius “Sam” Hines
said in a filing.“Courts have described crew wage liens as ‘sacred liens,’ for which, ‘as long as a plank of
the ship remains, the sailor is entitled, against all other persons, to the proceeds as a security for his
wages,’” Hines wrote.
Most of the stranded seamen are from the Philippines, except for the two top-ranking officers, who are
from Jordan and Lebanon. About $55,000 of their back wages accrued before the ship was arrested in
South Carolina waters. The crew members, who have continued to perform their duties, are not seeking to
postpone the auction, according to the court filing. U.S. District Court Judge Richard Gergel ordered that
the EVOLUTION be sold after a hearing last month.He said he had reviewed the expenses the ship had
racked up from the time it arrived in South Carolina through Feb. 22. The bills included $68,000 in
dockage payments, $38,000 for fuel and $800 a day in custodial fees. “These costs only compound as
time passes,” Gergel wrote. He also noted that the fair-market value of the 25-year-old ship is about $2.75
million. He said a public auction is appropriate based on the growing and “extensive” expenses and the
“disproportionate decreasing value” of the EVOLUTIONThe bidding starts at $1.25 million and will
increase in minimum $10,000 increments. Would-be buyers are required to submit a $125,000 refundable
deposit, according to the sale terms. In addition to the crew wages, the Evolution’s owner and manager,
both Greek companies, owe Coleman Supply Co. about $53,200 for provisions, according to a recent
court filing. The 133-year-old Charleston-based ship chandler is seeking to place a separate lien on the
freighter to secure its 10 unpaid claims.
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MNA CIRCULAR 2020 - #10 23rd May 2020
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The Pulse
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The Pearly Gates On their way to the church to get married, a young Catholic couple were involved in a fatal car accident.
Being good Catholics the young couple find themselves sitting outside the Pearly Gates waiting for St.
Peter to process them into Heaven.
While waiting, they begin to wonder: could they possibly get married in Heaven?
When St. Peter finally showed up, they asked him.
St Peter said "I don't know. This is the first time anyone has asked. Let me go find out" and he leaves
them sitting at the Gate.
After three months, St Peter finally returns, looking somewhat bedraggled.
"Yes" he informs the couple " I can get you married in Heaven".
"Great!" said the couple "But we were just wondering, what if things don't work out? Could we also get a
divorce in Heaven?"
"You must be bloody joking" says St. Peter, red-faced with frustration, slamming his clipboard on the
ground.
"What's wrong?" asked the frightened couple".
"OH, COME ON!" St. Peter shouted "It took me three months to find a priest up here.....Do you have any
idea how long it'll take me to find a lawyer?"
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MNA CIRCULAR 2020 - #10 23rd May 2020
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The Pulse
I went to the cemetery yesterday to lay some flowers on a grave.
As I was standing there, I noticed 4 grave diggers walking about with a coffin.
3 hours later and they're still walking about with it.
I thought to myself, they've lost the plot!!
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Just Giving & The Merchant Navy Association We are pleased to say we are now able to offer our supporters
the facility to make donations via our
Just Giving page.
This is a secure means of making payments and enables us to
claim Gift Aid from the Treasury.
Go to www.justgiving.com Click on ‘Search' at the top right-
hand side and type in Merchant Navy Association.
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That’s all from me now folks.
Stay Safe Shipmates
Good Health, Fair Winds and Calm Seas. Take Care.
Yours Aye,
Malcolm
Malcolm Mathison
National Vice-Chairman
Merchant Navy Association
Tel: 01472 277 266 Mob: 07831 622 312 Email: [email protected]
www.mna.org.uk Registered Charity No. 1135661