Two cruise line workers from India who were due to embark on the Marella Explorer (IMO 9106297) tested positive for Covid-19 as they were about to board the ship off Devon. The 34 cruise workers had arrived in Torquay last week from India to board the vessel as the cruise industry prepares to restart operations after more than a year of being mainly in a state of suspended animation. The crew members had passed Covid tests before flying to the UK and underwent further testing at the port, which were carried out as part of boarding requirements. The crew who passed dockside tests went into on-board quarantine for 10 days before joining the rest of the crew. The two crew members have been sent to self-isolate at a hotel in Southampton.
1996-built, Malta-flagged, 76,998 gt Marella Explorer is owned by Marella Cruises Ltd of Luton, UK. It is managed by Columbia Shipmanagement Ltd of Limassol, Cyprus. It is entered with UK Club on behalf of Marella Cruises Ltd.
Cargo ship Vishva Anand (IMO 9515046) which had suffered rudder damage and had been towed to Durban, South Africa, for repairs, remained stationary at the New Pier Container Terminal as of May 7th. The broken rudder will be replaced with a new one which is currently being manufactured in China.
2012-built, India-flagged, 44,007 gt Vishva Anand is owned and managed by SCI of Mumbai, India. It is entered with Steamship Mutual (Eastern Syndicate) on behalf of The Shipping Corporation of India.
Chemical/oil products tanker Gagasan Johor (IMO 9528897), which had been in allision with the Banglar Shikha (IMO 8918478) at Chittagong Outer Anchorage on May 21st 2016, during the passage of the Cyclone Roanu, was still under arrest as of May 7th. A lack of interest from stakeholders was delaying the release of the vessel.
2009-built, Malaysia or Bhutan-flagged (contradictory reports on this), 5,104 gt Gagasan Johor is owned by Gagasan Joh Sdn Bhd care of manager Gagasan Carriers Sdn Bhd of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. ISM manager is Integrated Malaysia LNG of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Inland motor freighter Vagari (IMO 3160382) was in collision with rowing boat Floris IV in the Netherlands at midday on May 5th. The rowing boat had a crew of five from the Pelargos Student Rowing Association. The master of the barge had just passed underneath the Geest bridge and therefore had no view of the rowing boat. The rowers saw the freighter coming and the students tried to steer their boat to the side, but were blown back to the middle of the Trekvliet by the strong wind. Bystanders tried to warn the master of the Vagari, but he was unable to stop his ship in time. The five rowers therefore decided to jump out of their rowing boat in the middle of the water. Four students were able to reach the shore without any problems, but one of the students was almost run over by the freighter. The Vagari remained undamaged but was ordered to berth on the spot for the time being so that the police could investigate further.