Abandoned superyacht Alfa Nero (IMO 1009376) could pose a threat to the environment and private property in the event of a casualty, according to Antiguan prime minister Gaston Browne. The fact that the 85-metre vessel was believed to be uninsured added to the danger of the situation, he said (IMN, March 8th 2023). Alfa Nero…
Sea trials for cruise ship delayed by French protests
Protests and strikes that continue to take place across France against the proposed pension changes has now impacted the cruise industry. Sea trials for passenger ship MSC Euribia (IMO 9901544), which were originally scheduled to start on March 23rd, have been delayed indefinitely. The ship is currently being constructed at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard…
Major fire at Seattle boat yard
A major fire broke out at the Seattle Boat Company yard in Seattle’s University District at about 02:00 local time on Wednesday March 22nd. The first crews from the local fire department to reach the scene found that the dry rack storage shed at the yard was on fire, and that about 30 boats were…
MOL extends move into cruise ship business
Japan-based Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) has taken delivery on cruise ship Seabourn Odyssey (IMO 9417086), which it has bought from Carnival Corp, operator of the Seabourn brand. MOL reports that the purchase of the cruise ship was the start of an effort to expand the cruise business within the MOL Group. “The group has positioned…
Yacht Nakoa caused widespread undersea environmental damage
A damage assessment of where yacht Nakoa went aground in Hawaii has revealed that the yacht caused damage to corals and reef live rock covering at least 19,434 ft/sq. Fter two weeks the Nakoa was eventually pulled out by tug Mary Catherine (IMO 7209435). Both before the vessel was dragged off and subsequently, divers from…
Gastrointestinal sickness on cruise ship delays departure by a few hours
The departure of cruise ship Ruby Princess (IMO 9378462) from Galveston, Texas, on March 6th was delayed by a few hours as a result of increased sanitation that took place after passengers on the previous cruise had disembarked. A number of guests on the previous cruise had experienced gastrointestinal-related illness during the voyage between February…
Fire hits Michigan marina in Muskegon
A fire broke out at the Safe Harbor Great Lakes Marina in Muskegon, Michigan, with the damage in building 3 reportedly mounting up to several millions of dollars as a result of fire, heat and water damage. Fire crews attended after reports of smoke emerging from building 3 of the marina shortly before noon on…
Nakoa is scuttled following grounding on Hawaii shoreline
The yacht Nakoa, which two weeks ago grounded in Hawaii near the Honolua rocky shoreline, has been scuttled in 800ft of water after it was freed from the rocks by tug Mary Catherine (IMO 7209435). The Nakoa had taken on water, was listing to starboard and was riding bow high after being pulled free by…
Sanctions-linked superyacht could be auctioned off
Superyacht Alfa Nero (IMO 1009376) could soon be sold at auction by the government of Antigua and Barbuda after reportedly being “abandoned” in a local harbour. The 81-metre yacht, which had been linked to sanctioned Russian oligarch Andrey Guryev Sr (IMN, June 7th 2022) turned up in Antigua in March last year, according to its…
Genting HK’s World Dream sold to Cruise Saudi
The final cruise ship from the former Genting Hong Kong operation, Dream Cruises’ World Dream (IMO 9733117), has been sold in Singapore. It has been sold to Cruise Saudi and renamed as the Manara. Currently still in Singapore anchorage the Manara has been re-registered with a new homeport of Majuro, Marshall Islands (previously it had…