The Master and Chief Engineer of container ship Niledutch Osprey were arrested by US Customs & Immigration officers on the vessel’s arrival at Newark, New Jersey, on January 30th. Both men, who are Turkish nationals, will appear in a Federal Court today, February 6th, accused of human trafficking and bringing illegal migrants into the US. Two people had been detained in 2016, who claimed that they had been transported into the US by hiding in the cabins of a Master and Chief Engineer, and that the fee was $25,000 per person.
The vessel left Newark on February 2nd with a new Master and Chief Engineer. According to database, Niledutch Osprey is covered by Standard Club through Member/Owner TRK Shipping Ltd.
Ferry Prevelis suffered water ingress on the evening of February 3rd in the Gulf of Saronikos while en route from Piraeus to Milos. The vessel returned to Piraeus, but resumed its voyage after inspection. On January 12th Prevelis allided with a pier at Kasos, Greece, suffering slight above-the-waterline damage. After an inspection it was given permission for a single voyage to undergo survey afterwards (IMN, 17th January). According to database, Prevelis is covered by UK P&I Club through Member Anonimi Naftiliaki Eteria Kritis.
Five cargo vessels were beached by storm on February 3rd in Sharjah and Umm Al Quwain, UAE, including general cargo vessel Abbay Wonz.
South Korean aggregates carrier SK No.1 collided with a 161t tug in Mokpo Strait about 1nm off Mokpogu Lighthouse, causing the tug to capsize and sink. The four crew of the capsized tug fell overboard but were rescued by the freighter and taken on board without any reported serious injuries. The aggregates carrier SK No.1 also suffered damages to its bow on the starboard side, but remained afloat. According to preliminary information, the freighter’s duty officer violated ColReg rules. Aggregates carrier SK No.1 is 3,206dwt and 1,494grt. No details of vessel in P&I databases.
Investigators with the Canadian Transportation Safety Board are on site in Kelowna, British Columbia trying to determine why tugboat Mowitch sank near the Tolko mill last Monday, killing the operator.
The search for six people still missing after the sinking of a catamaran carrying 28 Chinese tourists and three Malaysian crew has been extended to waters off Miri, Sarawak. About 750nm sq of waters off Miri are part of the 3,900nm sq where about 20 vessels and aircraft are engaged in the search that has entered its second week.