Nautical Mishaps, Maritime Calamities

Filipino man medevaced by Coast Guard 250 miles off Alaska coast

2010-01-05T16:41:00.000-08:00

JUNEAU, Alaska January 5, 2010 - A Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew safely completed the medevac of a 52-year old Filipino man from the motor vessel Hoegh Transit 250 miles southwest of Sitka about 6 a.m. Tuesday.

Angelito Pelagio, the 2nd officer aboard the vessel, reportedly suffered a stroke after collapsing on watch and was vomiting and experiencing chest pains 400 miles southwest of Sitka.

Coast Guard personnel were contacted Monday evening by the captain of the 590-foot vessel requesting the medevac of Pelagio. Due to the distance, Coast Guard Air Station Sitka had to wait until the vessel made its way 250 miles off Sitka prior to sending a rescue crew. An MH-60 Jayhawk rescue helicopter crew from Air Station Sitka was launched at 4:30 a.m. and a Coast Guard C-130 Hercules airplane was launched at 1:34 a.m. from Air Station Kodiak to provide cover.

The Coast Guard safely hoisted Pelagio into the helicopter and transferred him to Air Station Sitka where local emergency medical services were waiting to take him to Sitka Community Hospital.

Pelagio is reported to be in stable condition.

Two Russian tugboats approach stranded ship in Sea of Japan

2010-01-01T11:43:00.000-08:00

VLADIVOSTOK, January 1 (RIA Novosti) - Two Russian tugboats approached on Friday the Cambodia-flagged cargo ship with 24 Russians on board, which has been stranded in the Sea of Japan, a local sea rescue center official said.

The MV Victor freighter carrying a shipment of Japanese-made cars transmitted a distress signal shortly after leaving the Japanese port of Otaru for the city of Vladivostok in Russia's Far East on Thursday.

A Russian coast guard patrol vessel has arrived at Victor's location about 40 nautical miles from the Russian coast to monitor the ship's condition and to ensure the safety of 19 crew members and five passengers until two rescue tugboats arrive in the area to tow the ship in distress to the nearest port.

"Two sea rescue tugboats approached the foreign vessel in distress at 18:00 local time Friday [8:00 GMT]," the source said.

He said that an operation to attach towing cables to the vessel is currently underway and the rescue operation would start soon.

The operation is being hampered by high waves and a severe snow storm, which swept over the Sea of Japan in the past two days.

Search for missing British sailor in Bay of Biscay

2010-01-01T11:36:00.000-08:00

01 January 2010 14:06 Maritime And Coastguard Agency (National)

Falmouth Coastguard have been assisting the Spanish authorities after a British sailor has been reported missing in the Bay of Biscay.

52 year old Paddy Macklin set off from Falmouth earlier last month in a 27ft yacht following in the footsteps of other single handed round the world sailors. He is on board ‘Tessa’, an Alan Buchanan Clyde Cruising Club 6.5 tonne.

It has been reported that he has no corporate backing and the venture is entirely self-funded costing in the region of £40,000. The only item he had on board for contacting the authorities is a satphone which he also used to contact his family.

Falmouth Coastguard also knew that he had on board food to keep him going for 600 days.

A former painter and decorator, Paddy has lived in Falmouth for about ten years and bought ‘Tessa’ 15 years ago.

Mr Macklin contacted Falmouth Coastguard on the 29th December when he was in adverse conditions in the Bay. He was approximately 200 miles from shore at the time. The weather had been very heavy with force 9 gales blowing for the previous 60 hours. His next intended port of call was the Canary Islands. He also confirmed he had no emergency positioning indicating radio beacon on board and that he only switched his iridium phone on when required.

This was the first occasion the Coastguard knew of his round the world attempt.

Yesterday (December 31st) his family contacted the Coastguard to report that Mr Macklin had not, as previously arranged, made contact with them, and that they were now very concerned for his safety.

The Spanish Coastguard at Madrid were contacted as the area in which he was last known to be sailing is within the Spanish search and rescue region. Both the French and Spanish Coastguard have made attempts to contact him but with no result.

A Spanish aircraft was also scrambled to investigate the last known position of the yacht but after a considerable search nothing has been seen of the missing yacht. It is also known that the last time there was any activity on the Iridium phone was on the 29th December at 14.06.

Marc Thomas, Duty Watch Manager at Falmouth Coastguard said:

“We are very concerned for Mr. Macklin, particularly as the hours tick by with no word.

“Our Spanish colleagues have undertaken electronic and visual searches over a huge sea area and have come up with nothing. We are particularly alarmed knowing the kind of fearsome conditions at this time of year in the Bay of Biscay. The weather forecasts for the area are for heavy seas to continue. Mr. Macklin’s radio could have broken and he could still appear at a port in the Canaries, but he have no way of knowing of his present condition.

“We did not know of this attempt until Mr. Macklin contacted us by radio. He had managed to secure some funding for this venture, and for the cost of around £250 he could have purchased an EPIRB which would have emitted a signal if something catastrophic had occurred to his yacht and he had been thrown into the water. The EPIRB would have been instantly picked up by the Coastguard, and rescue units would have homed onto his position.

“As it is the rescue authorities have no way of knowing where he is in that vast expanse of sea, and we can only hope a passing vessel may spot something, but we must bear in mind that survival time in the water is measured in hours and minutes, not days.”

Falmouth Coastguard assist in long distance rescue

2010-01-01T11:33:00.000-08:00

01 January 2010 14:01 Maritime And Coastguard Agency (National)

At just after 3.00 am this morning Falmouth Coastguard received a distress message via satellite communication from the fishing vessel ‘Tolirova’.

The Coastguard plotted the vessels position as being approximately 1200 nautical miles west of the Chilean Coastline in South America.

After notifying the Chilean Coastguard, Watch Officers at Falmouth were requested to assist and were able to contact the vessel via satellite voice communication and the vessel confirmed that they were sinking with 20 people on board.

After contacting the US Coastguard and requesting notification of any vessels in the vicinity of the distress vessel, Falmouth Coastguard sent a distress relay message to all vessels within a 300 nautical mile radius of the fishing vessel’s position.

Falmouth was then contacted by the motor vessel ‘Ma Cho’ who was approximately 80 nautical miles from the sinking vessels position and she was asked to proceed to the site of the sinking. The research vessel ‘Thomas G Thompson’ was also requested to proceed but it was clear that due to the distances both vessels would take up to 12 hours to arrive at the distress position.

The ‘Tolirova’ was eventually assisted this morning by the fishing vessel the ‘Playa Muino Vello’ who successfully rescued all 20 persons from the sinking fishing vessel.

Watch Manager Andy Cattrell said

“We were very pleased to assist our colleagues in Chile when we picked up the distress call. This incident proves the real value of satellite communications in the co-ordination of long range search and rescue operations. We are delighted all were rescued and will be reunited at this time of year with their families.”

M/V Torrejos Ran Aground in Marinduque

2009-12-31T09:36:00.000-08:00

M/V Torrejos, a RoRo passenger-cargo vessel of 195.90 Gross Tonnage / 120.56 Net Tonnage, owned and operated by Sta. Cruz Shipping Services Corporation and skippered by Zaldy Galvan ran aground on Decemeber 31, 2009 at 2:55 AM at vicinity approximately 0.7 nautical miles off Buyabod Port, Sta. Cruz, Marinduque.

Reports reaching the Coast Guard Action Center in Manila disclosed that M/V Torrejos departed Talao-talao Port, Lucena City with 223 passengers and 2 rolling cargoes bound for Buyabod Port, Sta Cruz, Marinduque on December 30, 2009 at 11:45 pm. While enroute to Buyabod Port, M/V Torrejos encountered strong winds / current prevailing in the area that caused said vessel to drift and later ran aground.

Upon receipt of information, Coast Guard Station Lucena directed personnel of Coast Guard Detachment Sta Cruz to coordinate with the owner of said vessel for the dispatch of its sister ship M/V Vanessa. A Notice to Mariner was also issued immediately to all vessels transiting in the area to conduct appropriate assistance to the grounded vessel. M/V Vanessa proceeded to the area with CGDet Sta. Cruz personnel on board to ferry all passengers to Buyabod Port.

At 7:20 AM today, said operation was successfully completed with no casualties and damage to properties reported. Initial assessment revealed no sign of oil spill in the grounding area. M/V Torrejos is presently waiting for the high tide in order to pull out from its present location. Personnel of CGDet Sta Cruz are continuously monitoring the vessel’s movement.

Ferry finally docks at Port aux Basques

2009-12-31T09:29:00.000-08:00

December 31, 2009

By CBC News - Wikipedia photo

Hundreds of passengers who were stuck for 30 hours at sea on a Marine Atlantic ferry sailing to Newfoundland are finally on dry ground.

Hundreds of passengers who were stuck for 30 hours at sea on a Marine Atlantic ferry sailing to Newfoundland are finally on dry ground.

The Atlantic Vision, which had been waiting off Port aux Basques since 6 a.m. Wednesday because of high winds, docked Thursday morning just after 9 a.m.

The ship had left North Sydney, N.S., for the 6½-hour trip just before midnight Tuesday.

Marine Atlantic spokesperson Tara Laing told CBC News the company would combine some sailings to get back on schedule and to deal with a backlog of about 250 passengers.

The Atlantic Vision, which has only been in service for eight months, has run into a number of problems.

The latest incident happened last week when the ship had to be taken out of service for a day-and-a-half after it was punctured as it docked in Port aux Basques. During final approach, high winds smashed the vessel against the dock's fender system.

Don't blame the ferry

Laing said this week's delay shouldn't be blamed on the vessel, but rather the winds in the Gulf of St. Lawrence that seem to be blowing hard for a longer time, something ferry officials haven't seen much of in the past.

"There's a little bit of a change in the weather pattern in the Port aux Basques area and probably in the North Sydney area as well," Laing said. "Our weather systems that are coming through are sustaining winds a little bit longer than normal."

She said the captain decided the safest thing to do would be to wait out the winds.

"It's a new vessel to us, this is the first winter. The winds were up above 40 knots, so the captain decided to wait until the winds subsided.

"He is responsible for that vessel and everything on it, and the key thing is we need to ensure the safety of our passengers, so we're going to support him."

Laing said the boat will make a fast turnaround and head back to North Sydney by early afternoon.

Phiippines News December 28, 2009

2009-12-28T11:20:00.000-08:00

Maritime Incident Report on the Sinking of M/V BALENO-9

December 27, 2009

On or about 262340H December 2009, Coast Guard Action Center received telephone call from Code 0096 of Emergency Hotline 117 informing that a certain Miss Rachel Arshega reported that a vessel M/V Baleno-9 (of 199.00 GT and 114.00 NT and with authorized passenger capacity of 284), owned by Besta Shipping Lines is in distress at vicinity waters off Batangas. Said report came from a certain Capt Juminta, master of M/V Reyna Delos Angeles of Montenegro Shipping Lines.

Initial report received from the operation officer of M/V Baleno 9 based in Calapan, Mindoro, Mr. Steve Ang reveals that that the distressed vessel M/V Baleno-9 had on board fourteen (14) crew and 74 passengers (for a total of 88 persons on board) and nine (9) rolling cargoes at the time of the incident. MV Baleno – 9 owned and operated by Mr. Pedro Ang of Besta Shipping Lines with address at Unit 10006, Pearl of the Orient Tower, 1240 Roxas Blvd., Ermita Manila, departed Calapan Pier on or about 262130H December 2009 enroute to Batangas and while underway, reportedly listed and sank on or about 262207H December at vicinity Latitude 13 Degrees 31.4 Minutes North Longitude 121 Degrees 07.8 Minutes East or at vicinity 1.6 NM Southeast of San Agapito Verde Island, Batangas.

M/V Reyna Delos Angeles of Montenegro Shipping and M/V Baleno-3 which were close to the scene of the incident initiated search and rescue operations while Coast Guard District Southern Tagalog immediately dispatched SARV-3504 and two (2) craft (DF 308 and DF 310) for the conduct of search and rescue operations. The PCG Command Center likewise directed the immediate dispatch of additional SAR assets. Two PCG aircraft were likewise alerted for air surveillance operations. Coordination was likewise made with Philippine Navy and Philippine Air Force to help in the rescue operations.

MV Baleno 3 was able to rescue 35 passengers and brought same to Batangas Port while MV De Los Angeles of Montenegro Shipping Lines rescued 19 passengers. MV Baleno 5 on the other hand, rescued one (1) passenger, passengers. While SARV 3504 rescued a total of 7 passengers for a total of 62 rescued passengers. The Philippine National Red Cross and Saint Patrick hospital also sent ambulances to Batangas port for medical assistance.

Initial inquiry from the survivors of the mishap disclosed that the vessel took in water coming from the bow ramp and severely affected the stability of the vessel causing her to badly list and eventually sank while traversing the area of Verde island passage.

As of 3pm today, PCG already recovered 6 casualties from the site and other 20 declared as missing while the search and rescue operation is still ongoing.

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Coast Guard Still Hoping to Find Missing Passengers

December 26, 2009

Coast Guard rescue personnel are still hoping that the missing passengers can still be found even after more than thirty six hours have passed since the sinking of the wooden hulled ship MV Catalyn at the vicinity of Limbones Island in Cavite yesterday.

Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo said that today’s search area has been extended up to twenty nautical miles radius while Coast Guard planes scoured beyond 20 nm but reports reaching Coast Guard Command Center from the rescue units this afternoon disclosed the absence of any signs of the missing passengers at the site where the vessel sank disclosed the absence of any signs of the missing passengers at the site where the vessel sank

Two Coast Guard ships, BRP Pampanga (SAR 003) and BRP Nueva Vizcaya (SAR 3502) with additional rescue personnel on board were dispatched in the area at around 4 am this morning to continue the rescue operations. Two Coast Guard Islander planes later joined the operations to help Coast Guard ships which remained in the area last night.

As of five pm today, the total number of rescued is still 46, 24 missing and three dead bodies recovered. Rescue operations will continue tomorrow with Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary deep sea divers joining the operations to explore the possibility of helping to locate the vessel and determine its condition. The deep sea divers together with Coast Guard special operations group will also further assess the general situation of the of the vessel underneath for possible diving operations to find out if the missing passengers were trapped inside the ill fated vessel. Coast Guard District NCR-CL and Southern Tagalog have been also directed by the Headquarters to verify reports of passengers wash away at the shoreline of Cavite.

Admiral Tamayo also allays fears of oil spill spreading in the area Marine environmental protection personnel of the PCG reported that there were no visible traces of oil spill at the incident site. But Admiral Tamayo directed the said unit to closely monitor an oil spill sightings and prepare containment measures.

Meanwhile, Under Secretary Tom Lantion of the Department of Transportation and Communications during the briefing made in the PCG Headquarters directed the strict implementation of the suspension of all the ships of San Nicolas Shipping Lines and the eleven fishing boats of Philippine Mariner Fishing Venture.

9 missing from Greek cargo ship ablaze off Venezuela

2009-12-25T09:24:00.000-08:00

22:37, December 25, 2009

Nine seamen went missing after the Greek cargo ship they were working on caught fire early Friday off the coast of Venezuela, said sources with the Greek coast guard.

There were 24 crewmembers on the Greek ship "Aegean Wind," which is owned by the Greek shipping company Atlantic Bulk Carriers. Nine of the crew are Greek nationals.

Of those reported missing, three are Greeks and the rest of them are from other countries. No information was available about their nationalities.

The ship was transporting iron ore from Brazil to the United States.

Rescue operations are underway to evacuate other crewmembers from the ship.

Source:Xinhua

Response to Pathfinder grounding, assessments continue

2009-12-24T12:36:00.000-08:00

JUNEAU, Alaska December 24, 2009 – The Coast Guard, Alaska Department of Conservation, Crowley Marine, Ship Escort Response Vessel System and O'Brien's Group as part of the incident management team are responding to the earlier grounding of the 136-foot Crowley tug Pathfinder on Bligh Reef in Prince William Sound Wednesday evening.

Two of the tug's center-line diesel fuel tanks were reported breached with potential spill of 33, 500 gallons. The total capacity of the vessel is approximately 127, 700 gallons of diesel fuel.

A dive team transported by the vessel Alaska Challenger to conduct a hull inspection, reported extensive damage to the hull, including a 4-5 foot section of the keel missing. A barge is being brought to the Pathfinder in preparation for lightering the diesel fuel.

The tug was working for SERVS scouting the shipping route from Valdez to Hinchinbrook Entrance for ice buildup.

Alcohol testing of all six crewmembers was completed with negative results.

Currently one Coast Guard inspector from Marine Safety Unit Valdez is on the Pathfinder. The vessels Valdez Star, Alaska Challenger and the Invader are also on scene with pollution response equipment.

A Coast Guard C-130 flight is scheduled for 10 a.m. and a MH-60 helicopter flight is scheduled to take the federal on-scene commander to the scene.

Motorized Vessel with 59 Passengers and 14 Crew on Board Sank at Vicinity Limbones Island

2009-12-24T12:17:00.000-08:00

MV Catalyn B, a wooden hull motorized vessel with 14 crewmembers and 59 passengers sank at the vicinity some 2.8 nautical miles Northwest of Limbones Island, Cavite at around 2:25 am December 24,2009.

Initial information from Coast Guard Command Center disclosed that the motorized vessel owned and operated by San Nicolas Shipping Lines left pier 2 of North Harbor, Manila at around 9 pm of December 23, 2009, bound for Tilik, Lubang Island, Mindoro, collided with a fishing vessel FV Anathalia at the vicinity of Limbones Island.

Coast Guard Action Center upon receipt of the information immediately directed Coast Guard NCR to conduct search and rescue operations. BRP Pampanga (SARV 003), MT Tug Habagat (TB-271) and BRP Nueva Vizcaya (SARV 3502), with rescue personnel and medical teams were immediately sent to the area for the conduct of SAR operations. Notice to Mariners was also issued for all vessels in the vicinity of the incident to help in the operations and to be on the look out for the passengers and crew of the ill fated vessel. Coast Guard Air Group has also been directed to conduct surveillance air operations upon sunrise.

The vessel,per Master’s Oath of Safe Departure signed by its skipper Tony Faminia, has an authorized carrying capacity of 126 passengers.

As of 6:00 am, 46 persons have been rescued. SAR operations on going.

Vessels in the Area which were alerted by PCG conducting SAR operations are as follows:

FV Anathalia, APL Jeddah ( foreign vessel ), Sulcon XI, MT Sangas. MV Andrea Luis, MMM Ahston , MV Sunrise Acacia, MV Catalyn- C; all enroute to vicinity Limbones Island search and rescue operation area.

Recapitulation:

73 Passengers and Crew

46 Accounted

*33 Passengers

*13 Crew Member

27 Unaccounted

Loss of fishing vessel in English Channel

2009-12-23T10:04:00.000-08:00

An investigation has begun following the sinking in the English Channel of the Teignmouth-based fishing vessel Etoile Des Ondes on Sunday 20 December.

The 14.5m vessel was in collision with a merchant vessel, the identity of which is yet to be confirmed. Of the four crew onboard, three were rescued from a liferaft, but one man remains missing. MAIB investigators travelled to Cherbourg to interview the survivors and to liaise with the French rescue authorities.

Family of Teenage Navy Man Killed on Virginia's James River Wins Federal Lawsuit Against Tug Boat Operator for Wrongful Death

2009-12-22T17:26:00.000-08:00

Federal Judge Also Holds U.S. Navy Largely Responsible for Death Case Signals Need for Tugboat Operators to Reevaluate Safety Guidelines for Operating on U.S. Waterways

NEW YORK, Dec. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- After a four-day trial, a federal judge ruled on Friday in favor of the family of Freddie Porter, Jr., a 19-year-old U.S. Navy enlisted seaman from New Jersey who in 2007 was killed when the small craft carrying him was overrun by a tugboat pushing a large flotilla on Virginia's James River. The tug, owned and operated by Vulcan Materials Company, collided with the Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat ("RHIB") carrying Mr. Porter as he engaged in nighttime military training exercises. The court found the United States Navy 80 percent responsible for Mr. Porter's death and Vulcan 20 percent responsible, awarding Mr. Porter's family $1,250,000.

Attorneys for the victim's family believe the judge's ruling against Vulcan and the Navy will have widespread implications for the nation's tugboat operations in U.S. waterways. Mr. Porter's family was represented by Kreindler & Kreindler LLP, the New York-based maritime and aviation law firm.

Improper Lookout Posting and Inexperienced Naval Crew Lead to Death

The accident occurred on the James River near Jamestown Island, VA, the evening of October 11, 2007. Upon collision, Mr. Porter was sucked under the water beneath the 600 feet of the flotilla's eight barges and was eventually killed by the tug's propellers. Judge Henry Coke Morgan, Jr. of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia found in the wrongful death suit that Vulcan was liable for failing to post a proper lookout aboard the tug/barge flotilla, which otherwise would have prevented the collision. The judge held the U.S. Navy liable for assigning an inexperienced crew with inadequate supervision aboard Mr. Porter's vessel.

"The tragic accident which resulted in the wrongful death of Mr. Porter reveals safety shortcomings in the tugboat industry which merit immediate attention," said Daniel O. Rose, a partner at Kreindler who represented Mr. Porter's family at trial. "Our investigation of this incident found that easily correctable operational changes in how and where safety lookouts are posted on tugs and barges would greatly improve the safety conditions for all boats in the vicinity of tugboats as they traverse the nation's waterways," noted Mr. Rose, a veteran of the U.S. Navy as well as a licensed commercial multi-engine airplane and seaplane pilot.

The case was tried by the Kreindler firm and it's co-counsel on the case, Breit, Drescher & Imprevento of Norfolk, VA, on behalf of Ms. Cassita Massiah, Mr. Porter's mother, who resides in Garfield, NJ, and other members of Mr. Porter's family. The court determined that while the Navy is primarily at fault for Mr. Porter's death, sovereign immunity protects the U.S. from having to pay Mr. Porter's family. Vulcan, however, was directed to compensate the family for the role it played in causing his death.

On the night he died, Mr. Porter, also of Garfield, was a student participating in a navigation training exercise aboard a RHIB, which is used by the Navy to support SEAL (sea, air and land) special forces operations worldwide. At the time of the accident, the RHIB was slowed or stopped on the James River (along the western shore of Jamestown Island near Norfolk) so that the crew could determine the type of vessel that was approaching. The bow of the flotilla being pushed by the tugboat "William E. Polle" then emerged from the darkness and collided with the RHIB carrying Mr. Porter and other Navy personnel. While his fellow seamen escaped to safety, Mr. Porter was sucked under the barges and then into the propellers of the tugboat.
"Vulcan should have known that a flotilla traveling on the James River, under the circumstances that prevailed on October 11, 2007, would need a lookout on the bow of the forward barge," said Judge Morgan in his written opinion and order. He added: "The United States negligently operated an unseaworthy vessel by manning (it) with an incompetent crew."

Ruling Establishes New Safety Standard for Tug Operators

"This ruling establishes a clear standard of safety for tug operators to post lookouts in order to avoid collisions with other boaters," said Mr. Rose. "In the face of the Court's finding of overwhelming fault on the part of the Navy, and no finding of fault by the Coast Guard or National Transportation Safety Board, this case further demonstrates that tug operators can still be found legally responsible for failing to do their part to prevent such collisions. Tug operators must post lookouts, even when operators of other vessels may be off course or improperly positioned on the waterways."

"I'm pleased that the judge assigned fault to those who were responsible for my son Freddie's death," said Ms. Massiah. "And I am hopeful that changes will be made soon in the tugboat industry that will better protect small boats on rivers so that no other parent has to needlessly suffer what we are going through."

Coast Guard Rescues Eleven (11) Passengers of Distressed Motorbanca Speedrush Off Trignoan Waters

2009-12-22T16:56:00.000-08:00

Three (3) crew members and eight (8) passengers onboard distressed motorbanca Speedrush were rescued by Coast Guard at the vicinity of Trignoan, Real Quezon at 07:00 AM on December 21, 2009.

Initial reports received by Coast Guard Action Center Manila disclosed that at around 06:30 AM of December 21, 2009, Coast Guard Station Puerto Real received text message from B/Captain of motorbanca Speedrush that they have encountered an engine trouble and requested for rescue operation. Immediately, elements of Coast Guard Detachment Dinahican departed to conduct rescue operations to the distressed motorbanca. After two (2) hours of scouring the area the team sighted distressed motorbanca at the said vicinity and rescued the crew members and passengers onboard.

The following were the rescued three (3) crew members and eight (8) passengers onboard said motorbanca:

1. Eddie Rodriguez B/Captain
2. Edmar Rodriguez Crew member
3. Egberto Oliga Crew member
4. Eleazar Sta Ana
5. Monica Tapado
6. Ronalyn Lagahan
7. Mark Anthony Lagahan
8. Lorenzo Lagahan
9. Antonio Lagahan
10. Roman Lagahan
11. Nerissa Lagahan

The passengers are all residents of Jomalig, Quezon.

At around 11:30 AM of the same day, subject motorbanca was towed to Ungos Pier Barangay Ungos Real, Quezon. The rescued crew members and passengers of motorbanca Speedrush were all in good physical condition and properly turned over to local officials.

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India-flagged vessel reportedly makes engine repairs, underway in Alaska's North Pacific

2009-12-22T09:56:00.000-08:00

Date: Dec. 21, 2009

JUNEAU, Alaska – The Coast Guard and the bulk carrier Maersk Altair are no longer responding to 28 crewmembers aboard the 740-foot India-flagged bulk carrier that was disabled and adrift 544 miles southwest of Adak Island.

The APJ Suryavir crew reported the engines have been fixed and they are continuing their voyage to Portland, Ore.

The vessel lost engine power nearly four days ago and began encountering adverse weather conditions comprised of 30-foot seas and winds in excess of 60 mph causing the vessel to take 45 degree rolls Sunday morning.

The Joint Rescue Coordination Center immediately issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast in the area after the captain of the APJ Suryavir requested Coast Guard assistance and was planning to abandon ship.

The bulk carrier vessel Maersk Altair responded to the UMIB and was heading toward the India-flagged vessel before the crew fixed the engines. The Coast Guard Cutter Morgenthau, a 378-foot high-endurance cutter homeported in Alameda, Calif., was also responding.

A Coast Guard C-130 was launched from Air Station Kodiak Sunday night and arrived to monitor the situation of the APJ Suryavir and has since landed at Adak Island. During its return flight back to Kodiak the C-130 crew will pass over the ship to ensure the safety of the crew.

There have been no reports of any injuries and the Coast Guard plans to keep a communications schedule with the ship’s crew.

Coast Guard responds to a LNG tank ship aground near Guayanilla, Puerto Rico

2009-12-16T10:39:00.000-08:00

San Juan December 15, 2009 - Coast Guard Marine Investigators are investigating the cause that led to the grounding of the 920-foot double-hulled Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) tank ship Matthew Tuesday.

The Norwegian flag tank ship grounded at 6 15 a.m. and was later refloated Tuesday morning, approximately a half nautical mile southeast of Cayo Caribe near Guayanilla, Puerto Rico. There are no reports or sightings of pollution at this time.

The vessel was later refloated whent the tank ship crew transferred cargo from the vessel’s forward to its aft cargo tanks allowing the vessel to successfully float free. The Matthew is now moored at the Eco Electrica facility, where underwater hull integrity assessments are scheduled to be conducted by contract divers.

Sector San Juan Coast Guard command center controllers were alerted Tuesday morning after receiving a report that the vessel had grounded onto rocks during their inbound transit to Guayanilla.

Coast Guard marine inspectors and pollution investigators from Regional Inspection Office Ponce and Sector San Juan are providing support on scene. Coast Guard controllers launched an Air Station Borinquen, Puerto Rico, HH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew to assist.

Storm Runs Ship Aground in Sokhumi

2009-12-15T13:00:00.000-08:00

Civil Georgia, Tbilisi / 14 Dec.'09 / 23:47

A Turkish tanker, MAG-1, was pushed by storm onto a bank off the port of Sokhumi early on Monday, an Abkhaz news agency, Apsnipress, said.

The tanker was carrying over 100 tonnes of fuel, the Russian news agency, Interfax, reported.

But Apsnipress reported that the tanker was not carrying any cargo and there was no fuel leakage.

Seven crew members were rescued and no one was injured, according to the Abkhaz news agency.

Two dead, six missing as ship sinks

2009-12-15T07:26:00.000-08:00

Algiers - Two sailors drowned and six others were missing on Tuesday after their ship sank at the entrance of a port a port on the coast of western Algeria.

The country's civil protection agency said that one member of the crew of the Togolese-flagged cargo vessel, the Karim Junior, had survived after he had managed to swim ashore.

It said the man, an Egyptian, was being treated in hospital at the port of Tenes. The Karim Junior had been anchored off Tenes for the past week.

Port director Hamri Khaledi said the ship had dragged its anchor in high winds before it had struck a breakwater at the entrance to the port and sunk around 5am.

"With the violence of the impact, the vessel's cabin became detached before sinking, bringing with it eight sailors, two of whom were recovered dead while six are missing," Khaledi said.

Divers have been sent out to search the wreckage at the port, which is about 200km west of the capital, Algiers. - AFP

Published on the Web by IOL on 2009-12-15 16:45:53

Phiippines News December 7, 2009

2009-12-07T11:37:00.000-08:00

Coast Guard to Secure Ports and Passenger Ships

December 7, 2009

Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Wilfredo D Tamayo directed today all Coast Guard Units to enhance port and ship’s security measures in all ports nationwide in view of the declaration of Martial Law in Maguindanao over the weekend.

Admiral Tamayo said Coast Guard Units particularly in Mindanao should coordinate with local port authorities and shipowners to ensure the safe travel of the passengers and the transport of commercial goods. He said that Maritime Law Enforcement Units should exercise vigilance and visibility deterrence activities including paneling of K9 Units in ports and ships, harbor patrol and the deployment of Special Operations Group, Explosive and Ordinance and Detection personnel to assist the K9 Units and the Coast Guard boarding team.

Admiral Tamayo added that the Sea Marshall personnel detailed at passenger ships should work in coordination with the ship security personnel and port police while Intelligence units should intensify information gathering and coordinate with AFP and PNP units.

The Coast Guard chief further disclosed that PCG operating units nationwide and all deployable response team should be in high state of preparedness for immediate deployment. Meanwhile, the Coast Guard Command Operation Center has directed Coast Guard Districts to closely monitor the movement of high interest commercial vessels and vulnerable ports in Southern Philippines.

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Illegally Transported Firecrackers seized in Dapitan

December 5, 2009

Coast Guard Station Dapitan confiscated seven boxes of firecrackers in Dapitan Port, Zambonga Del Norte.over the weekend.

Initial investigation disclosed that M/V Georich of George and Peter Lines arrived at Dapitan Port from Cebu and unloaded 7 boxes of suspicious cargoes reportedly containing undocumented firecrackers consigned to a certain Mr Justiniano Besni.

At 5:30 pm on the same day, a certain Mr. Hannibal Adriatico businessman of Dipolog City arrived and claimed ownership of the shipment but failed to present documents.

CGS Dapitan revealed that Mr Adriatico offered to bribe them in the amount of five thousand pesos (5,000.00) for the release of the seized cargoes,which was promptly turned down. He was advised to produce the necessary documents for the release of the firecrackers.

Meanwhile Coast Guard Legal Service of South Western Mindanao is preparing for the filing of bribery charges against Mr. Adriatico.

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Motor Banca Rescued in Palawan

December 4, 2009

Six persons were rescued by Coast Guard personnel in Balabac, Palawan on board a motorbanca last December 4,2004 after its engine conked out while enroute to Rio Tuba, Bataraza, Palawan.

Initial investigation disclosed that CG Det Balabac received report of the incident and immediately dispatched rescue boat to the area. The rescuers found the motor boat being battered by strong winds at the vicinity of Ramos Island, Palawan.The six passengers were immediately transferred to the rescue boat while the motor boat was towed to Balabac pier. They were safely turned over to local officials of the town.

The rescued persons were Nonong Balon 26 years old, the Boat Captain, Prudencio Gelvero 45, Carias Cuay 26, Simplicio Quezon 39, Santiago Sunio 50, all from Quezon, Palawan and an Australian national Mr. Barry Escufield 65 years old.

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Eight (8) persons Rescued in Boracay

December 3, 2009

In Boracay, Aklan, eight persons were rescued by Coast Guard operatives when the motor banca they were riding suffered engine trouble at the vicinity of Tambisaan, Boracay.

Initial investigation disclosed that the subject M/bca departed Hambil, Romblon loaded with scrap materials with eight crewmembers bound for Caticlan. Coast Guard personnel were alerted of the incident and immediately launched search and rescue operations. They successfully rescued the crewmembers and brought them to Caticalan port.

The rescued crewmembers were Rodel Delica 40 years old, the boat Captain, Jerry Gano 42, Diego Saluta 57, Rowel Delica 36, Gorteo Sarandin Jr. 32, Vincent Recente 18, Jelly Saluta 16 and Jayson Doligues 11.

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NINE (9) Motor Banca apprehended in Caticlan

December 2, 2009

Coast Guard Station Caticlan- a telephone call received from Mr Nieven Maquirang, port administrator on December 04, 2009 requesting assistance to apprehend/ tow 9 motor banca in Caticlan for violating the provincial ordinance number 05-032 (state berthing or mooring or anchored to a non-designated entry/ exit point/ area or without port/ voyage clearance/ master oath of safe voyage).

Immediately joint elements from SOG, FS and CGDet Boracay personnel proceeded to the area and conducted set backing and subsequently apprehend subject M/bcas and towed to Caticlan jetty port.

M/bca West Wood, M/bca Mea Anne, M/bca Wo Sister, M/bca Triple R -2, M/bca Clarie Jane -2, M/bca Sea World, M/bca Clarie Jane -1, M/bca Pine Wood and M/bca Venus Jane were issued citation in violating the provincial ordinance 05-032 of Province of Aklan.

Coast Guard small boat and commercial catamaran collide

2009-12-06T12:47:00.000-08:00

Dec. 5, 2009

CHARLESTON, S.C. – A 25-foot Coast Guard small boat and the Thriller, a 43-passanger power catamaran, collided in Charleston Harbor Saturday at approximately 8:21 p.m.

The Coast Guard small boat was reported to be transiting the channel while Thriller was crossing the channel when the collision occured.

A 41-foot Coast Guard utility boat crew from Station Charleston evacuated the 24 passengers who were on Thriller and transported them to Charleston Harbor Marina to awaiting emergency medical personnel.

There were three reported injuries to Thriller passengers. The extent of injuries are unknown.

“The Coast Guard’s primary concern right now is the condition of the passengers who were injured in the incident," said Capt. Michael F. McAllister, commander, Coast Guard Sector Charleston.

The Coast Guard vessel reportedly attained no damage and Thriller is reported to have sustained moderate above the water-line damage.

Conditions at the time of the incident were clear with winds at 10 to 15 mph.

The incident is under investigation.

Ferry sinks in northeast Bangladesh, killing 47

2009-12-04T14:29:00.000-08:00

16:4904/12/2009

At least 47 people died on Friday when a ferry sank in a river in northeast Bangladesh's Kishoreganj district, local officials reported.

The ferry, with some 80 people on board, collided head-on with another vessel and capsized. The accident occurred about 117 kilometers northeast of the country's capital, Dhaka.

A rescue operation is underway, with dozens of people still missing. Officials were quoted by media reports as saying the death toll is likely to rise.

The sinking is the second such incident in Bangladesh in a week. Last Friday, an overcrowded ferry capsized in the country's southern Bhola district, killing at least 85 people.

According to Bangladesh's inland water transport authorities, about 1,000 people die in ferry accidents every year in the country. Overcrowding and poor navigation are main causes.

© RIA Novosti, 2008

At least 80 missing in Egypt Nile ferry collision

2009-12-04T11:59:00.000-08:00

04 Dec 2009 18:57:51 GMT

Source: Reuters

CAIRO, Dec 4 (Reuters) - Two Nile river passenger ferries collided on Friday in northern Egypt, and close to 80 people were reported missing, security and ambulance sources said on Friday.

The sources said three bodies have been recovered, and there were at least a dozen survivors from the accident near the northern city of Rachid. Rescuers were still searching for those thought to be missing.

Motor Tug Nicole Faye Capsized in Manila

2009-12-03T11:23:00.000-08:00

03 December 2009

Motor Tug Nicole Faye of 33.11 Gross Tonnage/13.45 Net Tonnage, owned/operated by Gold Mark Sea Carries Incorporated and skippered by Captain Rogelio G. Gemino capsized in the vicinity approximately 100 yards off Simen Wharf fronting Meralco Bacod Warehouse, Sta Mesa, Manila on December 2, 2009.

Reports reaching the Coast Guard Action Center disclosed that on December 2, 2009 at 1:10 AM, Coast Guard Detachment Pureza received a radio call from Captain Eduardo B Tecson, Master of Motor Tanker Palo Alto reporting the said incident.

Upon receipt of the information, four (4) SOG personnel were immediately dispatched together with CGDet Pureza personnel onboard rubber boat to verify the veracity of said report and arrived at the area at 1:20 AM.

Initial investigation conducted by the team to the skipper of the M/Tug Nicole Faye revealed that while the ill-fated vessel was towing Motor Tanker Palo Alto of 488.75 Gross Tonnage/318.56 Net Tonnage, owned and operated by Oiliners Incorporated, assisted by M/Tug Marshal Singko and transiting at said vicinity, they encountered strong river current causing difficulty for said tugboat to maneuver and drifted downstream. As the Master tried to compensate the drifting M/Tug Nicole Faye, Motor Tanker Palo Alto created an opposing force that resulted to heavy listing on M/Tug Nicole Faye starboard side and in just few minutes caused her to capsized. See more details.

Officers and crew of ill-fated tugboat were able to transfer safely to Motor Tanker Palo Alto without casualty. The ill-fated tugboat has an approximately 400 liters fuel oil and 20 liters lube oil sealed in her tanks.

On the same day at 1:45 AM9, CGDet Pureza installed improvised marker on ill-fated tugboat and advised all watercrafts transiting in the area to take necessary precautionary measures. At 7:50 AM, Marine Environmental Protection Unit personnel aboard CGDet Pureza, augmented by personnel from MEPGRU NCR-CL onboard RHIB-2 conducted water sampling at the area where ill-fated tugboat sunk.

At 8:45 AM, MEPEU inspection revealed no trace of oil slick found. At 9:50 AM, Ms. Lourdes Andres, owners' representative of the ill-fated tugboat, reported that they have already coordinated with Gaspar Salvage Corporation for the emergency salvage of same.

Coast Guard Station Pasig further advised the owners' representative to post a 24-hour watch at the scene to give warning to all vessels transiting in the area in addition to the floating marker installed earlier and to file a marine protest as soon as possible.

Over 70 dead as boat sinks in Congo

2009-11-30T11:45:00.000-08:00

MOSCOW, November 28 (RIA Novosti) - At least 73 people died when a boat sank on a lake in the Democratic Republic of Congo, regional media reports said on Saturday.

A logging vessel went down with over 300 people on board in west Congo's Lake Mai Ndombe. The boat did not have permission to act as a passenger vessel.

The incident happened on Wednesday in the Bandundu province, north-east of the capital Kinshasa, but reports have only just emerged.

Details are still unclear, but local reports say the death toll may rise as a number of people are listed as missing.

Upside down ferry lifted in Bangladesh, 56 bodies recovered

2009-11-30T11:44:00.000-08:00

MOSCOW, November 30 (RIA Novosti) - A rescue ship has lifted an upside down ferry boat, which capsized in southern Bangladesh last week, killing at least 56 people, the Voice of America reported.

The overcrowded ferry sank late on Friday on the Tetulia River off Bangladesh's Bhola island. Officials said there were more than 1,500 people on board the ferry, while it had a capacity of 650 passengers.

The people were travelling from the Bangladeshi capital, Dhaka, to Bhola for the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha, the Voice of America website said.

Survivors were quoted by the website as saying the boat ran aground as it approached the dock and began taking on water. The boat toppled as passengers weighted down one side while trying to abandon the ship.

The vessel was righted more than 36 hours after it capsized, the Voice of America said. A rescue operation is underway, and many of the passengers are believed to be still trapped in the ferry's cabins.

Police was quoted as saying most of the victims were children and women.

Xinhua quoted Inland Water Transport authorities as saying about 1,000 people die in ferry accidents every year in the country.

USS Rentz Assists Mariners in Distress

2009-11-23T10:13:00.000-08:00

Release Date: 11/23/2009 8:21:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nathan Schaeffer, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet Public Affairs

MANAMA, Bahrain (NNS) -- USS Rentz (FFG 46) responded to a distress call Nov. 20 from Motor Vessel Adnan Wahd, which was taking on water while at sea in the Central Arabian Gulf.

M/V Adnan Wahd reported a hole in its hull and that the crew could not bring the flooding under control. The crew also reported having only five hours of fuel remaining and no food.

A Rentz rescue and assist team went aboard M/V Adnan Wahd and provided temporary repairs to a three foot diameter hole in the ship's hull and helped the crew bring the flooding under control.

In coordination with the Qatari Coast Guard, Rentz Sailors transferred a Qatari Coast Guard dewatering pump to M/V Adnan Wahd and trained the crew on how to properly use the pump.

Rentz Sailors also delivered five days of food and water, while remaining on station until M/V Adnan Wahd was safely under tow by a Qatari Coast Guard ship.

"It was a privilege helping a fellow mariner in need, and Rentz always stands ready to assist in an emergency," said Cmdr. Jeff Miller, USS Rentz Commanding Officer.

Rentz is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of Maritime Security Operations.