Russian freighter Merle is reported by Fleet Monitor to have been seized by the Libyan Coast Guard on March 5th, taken to Tripoli, where apparently it still remains. The vessel was reportedly seized by the forces of the UN-backed Presidential Council. According to database, Merle is covered by Noord Nederlandsche P&I Club.
Pirates who seized 62-metre Indian cargo dhow Al Kausar with 11 crew members in waters off the Somali coast, have taken the vessel to El Hur near the port of Hobyo in Somalia’s semi-autonomous Galmudug state, Puntland pirate leader Aw Kombe told Reuters. He also said that the pirates were in touch with businessmen in Kismayu over releasing the vessel, Al Kausar. A Galmudug state official said the pirates came from northern Somalia’s semi-autonomous state of Puntland but Kombe said that the pirates came from Galmudug. The Al Kausar was commandeered in the vicinity of Socotra Island while en route from Dubai to the Puntland port of Bosasso.
Coast Guard Station Surigao personnel together and the crew of GT Express 1 helped 264 passengers and 20 crew members onboard ropax ferry Maria Oliva (IMO 8706600), after she encountered engine trouble off Agusan Del Norte on the evening of Apr 1st, 2017, reports Vessel Tracker. Early in the morning of April 2nd a Search & Rescue team of the Philippine Coastguard boarded the ferry and began towing and relief operations. The ship was safely docked at the port of Lipata, Surigao Del Norte. No details of insurance for ferry found in P&I databases.
A high ground swell has hindered the salvage operations of motor yacht Elsa, which ran aground at Ladder Bay on the island of Saba (between Anguilla and St Kitts & Nevis) on March 22nd. Salvage company Resolve spent March 30th preparing the vessel for the increasing swell. Salvage operations were temporarily slowed because of deteriorating ocean conditions. Saba is the smallest special municipality of the Netherlands, being 13 sq km and with a population of less than 2,000.
Hong Kong ferry Discovery Bay 5 (IMO 9160451) collided with passenger terminal on arrival at Discovery Bay, Lantau Island at around 2025 HK time April 3rd, reports Fleet Monitor, citing a local witness. According to database Discovery Bay 5 is entered with Shipowners’ P&I Club for Member Hong Kong Resort.