A 42-year-old Chinese sailor was evacuated from containership Thuringia (50,790 dwt, 39,941 gt, IMO 9238765) on March 29th while about 60 nm off the coast of Port Elizabeth, South Africa, reports the National Sea Rescue Institute. The sailor was apparently struck by sheet metal which shifted and fell, striking him unconscious and trapping him.
Thuringia was diverted to Port Elizabeth and rendezvoused with the sea rescue craft Eikos Rescuer IV about 11 nm offshore. The patient was reported to be in a serious but stable condition. Thuringia continued her journey towards Hong Kong, where it is scheduled to arrive on April 21st.
According to database Thuringia claims leader for hull and machinery is Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty, with Gard as a follow-on, for client Eastern Pacific Shipping Pte. According to database Thuringia P&I is with London P&I for registered owner Pacific Leasing Ltd.
A 19-year-old new crew member of MSC Damla (IMO 9250983) died on March 29th after a heavy fall while the vessel which was berthed at the new DP World terminal in the Deurganck dock in Doel, reports Vessel Tracker. The accident occurred after an alarm went off, indicating the presence of water and oil inside the hold. The victim descended rarely used steep and narrow metal stairs into the 16-metre-deep hold, probably slipping and striking his head. MSC Damla left Antwerp on March 30th and continued its voyage to Le Havre. According to database MSC Damla is covered for Hull & Machinery with Generali Re as claims leader, Gard as a follow-on, for Mediterranean Shipping Company. P&I with West of England for Darcey Shipping Ltd.
Bulk carrier Mount Faber (IMO 9345609, 176,943 dwt, 89603 grt) was intercepted by the Royal Gibraltar Police on March 27th in the Gibraltar Strait, while en route from Colombia to Iskenderun. The vessel was boarded by 34 police and customs officers. The cocaine was packed in a tube that was attached to bulker’s underwater hull. The ship resumed its voyage on March 29th after it became clear that the crew had not been involved in the drug trafficking. According to database, Mount Faber claims leader for hull and machinery is Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty, with Gard as a follow-on, for client Eastern Pacific Shipping Pte. P&I with London P&I for registered owner Fair Wind Navigation SA.
Cruise ship Anthem of the Seas (IMO 9656101, 12,000 dwt, 168,666 grt) suffered an electrical issue in one of its pod systems during a voyage to Nassau, according to Cruise Law News. The ship slightly altered its itinerary and will remain at the Bahamas port for two days. Last February the vessel encountered a large storm after leaving Bayonne, New Jersey. The USCG announced that one of the vessel’s two azipods malfunctioned during the storm. Royal Caribbean Cruises Anthem Of The Seas is covered by UK P&I.
An interesting divergence of views has emerged regarding the accident involving general cargo vessel OSA (IMO 8420086) which was said by Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) to have suffered a steering gear failure which caused an allision with a floating pier while entering Kaliningrad port, Baltic Sea, early in the morning Moscow time on March 26th. It was then docked at Kaliningrad port, said to have suffered slight-to-no damage, while the pier catwalk was damaged. Fleet Monitor now observes that Polish maritime edition PortalMorski reports Szczecin-
based ship owner Baltramp Shipping Sp claiming there was no mechanical failure and that the allision was the result of what the shipowners described as pilot error.