MarineBuzz.com

Somali Piracy: MV Theresa VIII Chemical Tanker Captain Dies

OldSailor — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:17:18 +0000

How unsafe is life for seafarers at sea ?

Here is the tragic story of the captain of MV Theresa VIII who lost his life.

MV Theresa VIII, heading to Mombasa with a crew of 28 North Koreans was hijacked by Somali pirates on November 16 in the south Somali Basin, 180 nautical miles North West of the Seychelles.
The vessel is a Chemical Tanker of Virgin Islands owned and operated from Singapore.
It is now reported that the captain of the vessel has died due to wounds. It is not clear whether the captain was wounded during the hijack or after the vessel was hijacked.

It may be recalled that the Russian captain Vladimir Kolobkov of MV Faina, Ukrainian cargo ship died on September 28, 2009 due to hypertension in the hands of pirates. The vessel was hijacked on September 25, 2008 by Somali pirates and later released on receiving ransom payment.

METS 2009: DAME Awards Announced

OldSailor — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:01:43 +0000

METS (Marine Equipment Trade Show) incorporating the SuperYacht Pavilion 2009 opened on November 17 at Amsterdam RAI Convention Centre, Amsterdam, Netherlands. This year’s (Design Award METS) DAME Award 2009 winners were announced by Bill Dixon, Chairman of the Jury of the DAME.

The 19th annual DAME Award competition received a total of 125 products from 108 companies. A total of 53 products were short listed for final selection. From these, Overall DAME Winner, together with 7 outright Category Winners, and two special certificates for ‘Most ECO Friendly’ and ‘Most Innovative’ product and 14 Special Mentions were selected.

The DAME Award 2009 winners are:

Overall DAME Winner 2009: FLIR Systems from the Netherlands for the M-626L Series Thermal Night Vision System.
Category Winners:
- Marine electronics: 626L by FLIR Systems.
- Interior equipment, furnishings, materials and electrical fittings used in cabins: LLEY by Foresti & Suardi S.p.A.
- Deck equipment, sails, and rigging: SCR by Hall Spars & Rigging.
- Clothing and crew accessories: Blue Eco Jacket by Henri Lloyd.
- Life saving and safety equipment: RIB Ladder by Armstrong Nautical Products.
- Machinery, propulsion, mechanical and electrical systems and fittings: GPX-5, the Ultimate Hybrid Power Solution by Mastervolt.
- Marine related software: iSiMON by Palladium Technologies, Inc.
Special Certificates to:
- Most ECO-Friendly Product certificate: Blue Eco Jacket by Henri Lloyd.
- Most Innovative Product certificate: SilKEN by Kenyon.
Special Mentions to:
- Marine electronics: Navico Broadband Radar (BR24)
- Interior equipment, furnishings, materials and electrical fittings used in cabins:
  - Kenyon SilKEN.
  - ITT Lite Flush.
  - Wempe NAVIGATOR.
- Marina equipment, boatyard equipment and boat construction tools and materials: DRAINMAN Powered by nature.
- Deck equipment, sails, and rigging:
  - Admiral Marine Equipment Race & Reef Furler.
  - Future Fibres Low Profile (LP) Adjuster.
  - Perfix Q-SNAP.
  - Seasmart Hook Smart.
- Clothing and crew accessories: MUSTO Active Base Layer.
- Life saving and safety equipment: McMurdo Fast Find 210.
- Machinery, propulsion, mechanical and electrical systems and fittings:
  - Dometic Breathe Easy Air Purifier.
  - Fischer Panda HybridDriveSystem.
- Marine related software: Kelvin Hughes, Wiley Nautical Almanac 2009.

For more details, log on to Super Yacht Pavilion 2009 – DAME.

Post in MarineBuzz on this day a year before:

Madras High Court Orders Arrest of MV Vinashin Island at Tuticorin

Suez Canal: Completes 140 Years of Navigation

OldSailor — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:55:47 +0000

Suez Canal (in Arabic: Qanat as-Suways) links the Mediterranean Sea at Port Said to the Red Sea at Suez, via the branches of the River Nile. The Canal was opened for navigation on November 17, 1869 and now completes 140 years of navigation.

Egypt nationalized the canal on July 26, 1956, with the Suez Canal Authority (SCA) as a public and an independent authority of a juristic personality to manage, operate, use, maintain and improve the Suez Canal. The Canal was closed five times in the past and is operational since June 5, 1975. Admiral Ahmed Ali Fadel is the present Chairmen of SCA since January 22, 1996.

Here are some more interesting facts on Suez canal:

Egypt was the first country to dig a man-made canal.
The first who dug it was Senausert III, Pharaoh of Egypt in 1874 B.C.
This canal had different names in the past and was abandoned due to silt, then reopened several times as:
- Canal of Sity I: 1310 B.C.
- Canal of Nkhaw: 610 B.C.
- Canal of Darius I: 510 B.C.
- Canal of Ptolemy II: 285 B.C.
- Canal of The Romans: 117 A.C.
- Canal of Amir El-Moemeneen: 640 A.D.
Distance saving via the Canal:
- from Jeddah to Piraeus: 9887 NM (Nautical Miles)
- from Tokyo to Rotterdam: 3315 NM
- from Ras Tanura to Rotterdam: 4733 NM
- from Colombo to New York: 5473 NM
- from Singapore to New York: 2373 NM
Vessels with draughts up to 62 feet can presently navigate through the Canal and up to 72 feet in future.
Maritime Training and Simulation Center of SCA trains the pilots to navigate in the Canal.

View from

SCA: Traffic Simulation of Suez Canal.
RIA Novosti, Infographics: Suez canal – History, Figures, Facts

For more details, log on to Suez Canal Authority.

Posts in MarineBuzz on this day a year before:

South African Navy Ship SAS Spioenkop on Goodwill Visit to Kochi,India

Maritime Security Expo 2008 is Ready to Start

World Ocean Database 2009 Now Available from NOAA

OldSailor — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:17:32 +0000

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has released the World Ocean Database 2009. The database is available at the National Oceanographic Data Center (NODC) operated by NOAA of the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Some interesting features of World Ocean Database 2009 are:

is an updated version of the 2005 edition.
- OSD – Bottle, low resolution CTD, and plankton data: from 2,258,437 to 2,544,196.
- CTD – High resolution CTD data: from 443,953 to 634,976.
- MBT – Mechanical Bathythermograph data: from 2,421,935 to 2,427,277.
- XBT – Expendable Bathythermograph data: from 1,930,399 to 2,109,400.
- MRB – Moored Buoy data: from 445,371 to 566,540.
- DRB – Drifting Buoy data: from 108,564 to 122,226.
- PFL – Profiling Float data: from 168,988 to 520,816.
- UOR – Undulating Oceanographic Recorder data: from 46,699 to 88,184.
- APB – Autonomous Pinniped Bathythermograph data: from 75,665 to 89,558.
- GLD – Glider data: from 338 to 5,857.
is the largest collection of scientific information about the oceans with records dating as far back as 1800.
database helps to study the global climate change and used for quality control of real-time oceanographic information.
has approximately 9.1 million temperature profiles and 3.5 million salinity reports.
also provides 29 categories of scientific information from the oceans, like oxygen levels and chemical tracers, information on gases and isotopes that is useful to trace the movement of ocean currents.
compiled by scientists at the Ocean Climate Laboratory, part of the NOAA Satellite and Information Service.

For more details, log on to National Oceanographic Data Center.

Post in MarineBuzz on this day a year before:

Burial at Sea: A Greener Option in U.K

Weekend View: North and South Korea Navy Clash at Sea

OldSailor — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 14:07:37 +0000

Navies of North Korea and South Korea clashed at their western sea border on November 10.

It is reported that as North Korean ship crossed the disputed western sea border, South Korean naval ship fired warning shots. North Korean ship fired back. During a two-minute exchange of fire, the North Korean ship caught fire and was heavily damaged. One North Korean officer was believed killed and three other sailors wounded. The South Korean ship was only lightly damaged and there were no South Korean causalities.

North Korea has demanded an apology from South Korea for the exchange of fire near the disputed Yellow Sea border calling it a grave armed provocation. In the past both the Navies had clashed in 1999 and 2002.

View some video clips:

India: Coast Guard Air Station Likely to be Shifted to Ulundurpet from Chennai

OldSailor — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 17:45:29 +0000

Indian Coast Guard Air Station (ICGAS) Chennai is operating from Meenambakkam airport. ICGAS Chennai was Commissioned in April 1991 to provide administrative and logistic support to the Dornier Squadron i.e. 744 SQN(CG) and thereafter to operate Helicopter Squadron 848 SQN (CG) from August 1993. It is spread over 26.26 acres of land adjoining the Officers Training Academy at St Thomas Mount.

Now to avoid congestion in future at Chennai airport, Coast Guard is planning to shift their air station to Ulundurpet, located 175 km from Chennai on the National Highway 45.

It is not clear whether Coast Guard has taken into consideration, the proposal by the government to set up a second airport as a green field airport at Sriperumbudur, off Chennai City in an area of 4,820.66 acres. When the proposed airport comes up at Sriperumbudur, is there going to be congestion in Meenambakkam for Coast Guard Air Station to operate from Meenambakkam ?

Read more from The Times of India and The Hindu.

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Be Standby to Attend Terminal Operations Conference (TOC) Americas 2008

International Maritime Prize for 2007 Goes to Joergen Rasmussen of Denmark

India: 11th Meeting of Maritime States Development Council (MSDC)

OldSailor — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:32:47 +0000

The 11th Meeting of Maritime States Development Council (MSDC) was held on November 12. The meeting was presided over by the Union Minister for Shipping, Shri G.K. Vasan at New Delhi and was attended by the representatives of Maritime States, Major Ports, Indian Ports Association, Indian Navy, Coast Guard, DG (Shipping) among others.

The following resolutions were adopted unanimously at the end of the meeting:

All the members of Maritime States would provide data on monthly basis on regular traffic handled by the Ports and on quarterly and annual basis on capacity enhancement achieved, to the Ministry of Shipping as a first step to an integrated planning for exim traffic across the seaboard.

Maritime States that had not yet restructured their port administrations – namely, Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, Orissa and West Bengal would endeavour to form their State Maritime Boards by March, 2010.

Safety norms for passenger boats and barges running/plying in coastal area, backwater and rivers would be reviewed, revised and strictly implemented in consultation with DG(Shipping), Ministry of Shipping.

Priority would be given by all Maritime States to install VTMS in their Ports.

A Committee comprising the Indian Navy, concerned Maritime State, the Members of State Maritime Boards, Coast Guard, State Police, Customs and the Ministry of Shipping be set up for sharing information on Traffic, Port and Ship security related issues. The Committee should hold meetings quarterly to review the security aspect of coastal States. Indian Navy would convene these meetings regularly.

All the Members of MSDC would notify the model rules on the basis of draft rule circulated by DG(Shipping) by 31.3.2010.

In the light of recommendation of the M.S. Swaminathan Committee Report submitted to M/o Environment & Forest, the Maritime States urged that existing projects approved as part of the National Maritime Development Programme (NMDP) and 11th Five Year Plan to create the necessary capacities to handle the projected international trade should be allowed to continue with the requirement that additional measures, if necessary for containment of damage to the coast line if any would need to be implemented.

Read the full press release from Press Information Bureau.

The above photograph, of the Union Minister for Shipping, Shri G.K. Vasan addressing the 11th Meeting of Maritime States Development Council is from Press Information Bureau.

Post in MarineBuzz on this day a year before:

Commandos of HMS Cumberland Take on Somali Pirates

SMM India 2009 Opens at Mumbai

OldSailor — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 17:51:12 +0000

Shipbuilding, Machinery & Marine Technology International Trade Fair 2009 commenced on November 12 at the Bombay Exhibition Centre (BEC), Mumbai.

SMM India 2009 of three days is the second overseas event of SMM (Hamburg/Germany), the world’s leading trade fair for international ship building industry. It is organised by Hamburg Messe und Congress GmbH (HMC) and two other partners and co-organisers INTER ADS Exhibitions Pvt. Ltd, India’s largest trade show organizer, and E. J. Krause & Associates, Inc., a globally active US event specialist.

The event features more than 100 exhibitors including 50 per cent Indian shipyards and marine equipment suppliers, displaying the latest technologies and products for shipbuilding and the maritime equipment industry.

Read more from press release from SMM 2009: Ushers in a new chapter in domestic shipping industry with a strong global connect

Posts in MarineBuzz on this day a year before:

Schiebel Camcopter S-100 Completes Sea Trials in German Navy

Current TV Explores Modern Day Pirates in the Strait of Malacca

Update: November 13

During the trade fair, CMD of Hindustan Shipyard has told that a dockyard for large crude carriers at an estimated cost of INR 3,000-4,000 crore with public private partnership is going to be set up by HSL at Andhra Pradesh or Orissa. Read more from The Economic Times.

USS Constitution is America’s Ship of State

OldSailor — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:10:29 +0000

The oldest commissioned warship afloat in the world, USS Constitution has become America’s Ship of State from October 28. The vessel would be used for hosting visiting heads of state and other events such as signing legislation relating to the armed forces and signing maritime related treaties by the president, vice president, executive branch officials, and members of Congress.

Some interesting features of USS Constitution are:

Promotes the United States Navy and America’s naval heritage through educational outreach, public access and historic demonstrations, in-port and underway.
Her 71st and current commanding officer is Cmdr. Timothy Cooper.
The ship is open for free guided tours throughout the year and the tour is narrated by active-duty U.S Navy sailors.
On October 21, 2009 she performed an underway demonstration for the first time in more than a decade to celebrate the anniversary date of her launch, October 21, 1797.

Here is a photograph from U.S Navy.

USS Constitution is underway in Boston Harbor during the annual Independence Day turnaround cruise. The world’s oldest commissioned ship afloat fired a gun salute and returning to her berth in the Charlestown Navy Yard. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Eric Brown/Released)

View a video clip: USS Constitution

Read more from U.S. Navy and USS Constitution.

Posts in MarineBuzz on this day a year before:

Indian Navy Ship Tabar Prevents Piracy Attack on Indian Merchant Vessel

Greenpeace Protests Forest Crime at Dumai Port

DV Platinum II: India Disallows Beaching and Recycling at Alang Shipyard

OldSailor — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:16:53 +0000

DV (Dead Vessel) Platinum II, Ocean Liner (IMO No 5160180) arrived Gujarat coast on October 08 for Anchoring, Beaching, Dismantling, Disposal and Recycling at Alang – Sosiya Ship Breaking yard, Gulf of Cambay near Bhavnagar.

Based on the complaints raised by Indian Platform on Ship Breaking and media reports regarding the vessel carrying toxic and radioactive material, a Central Technical Team constituted by the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), Government Of India (GOI) inspected the vessel at Bhavnagar Anchorage Point on October 20. The inspecting team comprised of Technical Officials from Ministry of Steel, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and Atomic Energy & Regulatory Board (AERB) to assess the hazardous materials/wastes contained in the ship, including Poly-Chlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs), Asbestos and Radioactive substances. During inspection, the vessel position was 21°07′ 33” N, 72°10′ 34” E about 42 Nautical Mile (NM) from Ghogha Port, about 6 NM from Gopinath Temple and about 15 NM from Alang Ship Breaking Yard.

Now on November 09, MoEF of GOI has disallowed beaching and recycling of the ship at Alang for the following reasons:

For violating US Toxics Substances Control Act as the ship owners Global Shipping LLC and its affiliated company Global Marketing Systems, Inc. were fined a total of $518,500 to resolve Toxic Substances Control Act violations.
There are allegations that the vessel reached India with fake documents on national registry and flag.

The Central Technical Team’s assessment of hazardous materials/waste

Asbestos Containing Material (ACM)
- As per documents (submitted along with Application) by M/s Futurenet Group, the quantity of ACM is 147.3 MT.
- As per GPCB, the estimated quantity of ACM is more than 200 MT.
- During the inspection, Central Team made an assessment of ACM as per which the quantity is approximately 238 MT.
Poly Chlorinated Bi-phenyles (PCBs)
- As per GPCB report, the quantity of PCB containing materials is 20 MT.
- However, Central Team could not assess the quantity of PCB containing material, as no details of drawings are available with the ship to know the length and thickness of the cables etc. and having mostly concealed wiring.

The inspection team has further reported that

None of the hazardous waste were found in the ship in loose form or as a cargo.
As the structure/type & nature of ACM/PCBs in Platinum-II or for that matter in any other ship is a difficult task to exactly estimate the quantities of ACM, PCBs containing materials.
ACM and material containing PCBs in Platinum II must be lesser in quantity compared to ‘Blue Lady’ and another passenger vessel that were recycled at Alang in the past.

Some interesting features of DV Platinum II are:

Built in 1951 in the United States,at the Bethlehem Steel Company in Quincy, Massachusetts for American Export Lines of New York.
Formerly known as S.S Oceanic, S.S Independence.
Was towed by Tug – Barracuda-I (IMO No 6717019) from Dubai by Capt Arun Kumar Das.
GRT/NRT/LDT of the Ship: 26,658 MT/11,352 MT/18,503 MT.
Name of the Shipping Agent: M/s Compass Shipping Agency, Bhavnagar.
Name of Ship Recycler: M/s Haryana Ship Demolition Pvt Ltd, Plot No V-4, Sosiya Recycling Yard, Alang.
Global Shipping LLC purchased and held the vessel for the purpose of export in July 2007.
The vessel left the United States in February 2008 to Dubai.
The seller of the vessel is Mr Anil Sharma of Global Marketing Systems, Inc and the buyer is Mr Komal Sharma, the Ship Recycler, brother of Mr Anil Sharma.

Conclusions and Recommendations by the The Central Technical Team

The Platinum II is a passenger ship with all the amenities and not a warship as alleged.

Though it was a ship of USA origin it got last registered at Republic of Kiribati in September 2009 and last port was Dubai.

Allegations on issues related to USEPA is not known and must have been verified as per normal procedure followed for such purposes at the Republic of Kiribati before registration in the name of M/s Platinum Investment Services Corporation.

The importer of the ship through his agent had submitted the required papers including ACM assessment report to GPCB as well as GMB on 3rd October and anchoring was permitted only on 7th October 2009.

After anchoring the ship was inspected by GPCB / GMB / Customs as required.

All hazardous waste like ACM and PCB, and radioactive material were found to be present in the ship in its structure as is prevalent in any ship of this type and size of 1950s and No hazardous waste were found in the ship in loose form or as a cargo.

The team could make an assessment of the ACM but found it difficult to quantitatively assess quantity of PCBs.

The Platinum II is much smaller vessel when compared with earlier dismantled Blue Lady ship at Alang wherein the quantities of hazardous wastes were proportionately higher.

Sailing in the high sea on/around the Amavashya day is too risky.

Further, there is lack of safety precautions while boarding the tug to ship and vice-versa where there may be risk of human lives while undertaking such boarding in such locations and sailing through such routes. GMB had warned the team of various risks and had taken undertaking for all for any eventualities. The Team actually faced great difficulties in carrying out the inspection, particularly such dead vessel that to much inside sea far away from anchorage point. The problems are further aggravated when the ships are too big/high and the inspection team consists of untrained experts not conversant with climbing the top of the ship in monkey ladder.

Keeping the above conclusions in view and difficulties faced in carrying out the inspection and also in assessing exact quantities, the Team recommends that:

The category “Larger” passenger ship requires to be qualified in terms of either dimension or capacity or GRT, NRT etc. to avoid any scope for confusion on “general concern” or “special concern” ship.

Similarly, the ship owner or his agent should submit the required documents in advance to GPCB / GMB / Customs before arrival of the ship. However, the word advance may be qualified in terms of days or weeks.

As it is difficult to assess or estimate the ACM / PCBs etc. on board, especially for dead ships, GPCB and GMB or other similar State Agencies may quantify the same at the time of dismantle and maintain a stock so that real data base can be generated to develop an empirical factor with the size of the deck/ship or number of rooms etc.

MoEF may constitute a standing monitoring committee on ship breaking, if not done already, to monitor/review the implementation of Recommendations of the Technical Expert Committee on at-least half-yearly basis.

Trained experts viz. from Navy etc may be deputed for such inspection and or helicopter may be provided to inspectors, if at all, dead vessels are to be allowed. Secondly, any inspector deputed for high sea inspection including those from SMB, SPCB, Customs etc may be provided with proper safety and also extra insurance cover.

Further, Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB) will be investigating the ownership of the vessel.

MoEF’s Office Memorandum No 29-3/2009-HSMD dated November 09, 2009 as pdf.
Central Technical Team on the Ship “Platinum-II” – Report and Annexures as pdf.
From Basel Action Network: Indian Government Blocks Toxic U.S Ship
From USEPA: Global Shipping LLC and Global Marketing System, Inc. to pay penalties for PCB export violations involving Oceanic / Ship exported in violation of the Toxic Substances Control Act
From Maritime Matters – Ocean liner history and cruise ship news: S.S.Independence

View some video clips:

Post in MarineBuzz on this day a year before:

Workable Solution for Safe Release of Hijacked Ships Crew

Mumbai Police Commissions Sealegs Amphibious Boats

OldSailor — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:47:47 +0000

Mumbai police commissioned Sealegs Amphibious Marine Crafts on November 06, to patrol Mumbai coast. 18 more boats are expected to join.
Some interesting features of Sealegs Amphibious Marine Crafts with Mumbai police are:

The aluminium-hulled amphibious boats are provided with a ‘rugged helm’ console for heavy duty handling by operational personnel.
Equipped with Global Positioning System (GPS) including Sealegs own ‘XRT’ extended run time feature, allowing for prolonged operational capability in hot and humid conditions when driving on land or when deployed in flood/rescue roles.
Built to European CE and U.S. Coast Guard specifications by Sealegs International Limited, New Zealand.
Marketed by New Wave Distributors (India) Pvt. Ltd, Mumbai.
To be stationed at Girgaum, Dadar, Juhu and Versova beaches to patrol the 40 km long coastline of Mumbai city.
Can carry four armed personnel.
Can operate on both land and water with speed over 40 knots on water and over 10 km per hour on land.
Costs INR 40 lakh each.

Here is a photograph of Sealegs Amphibious Marine Craft published by The Times of India dated November 07.

View an interesting video clip: Incredible Sealegs Amphibious Boats

Weekend View: USS New York (LPD 21) Commissioned

OldSailor — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 17:43:56 +0000

USS New York (LPD 21), the amphibious transport dock ship was commissioned in New York on November 07.

The ship has 7.5 tons of steel in her bow that was salvaged from the World Trade Center towers. The warship will be deployed to support humanitarian, amphibious assault, special operations and expeditionary warfare missions around the world. Norfolk, Va. will be the home port for USS New York.

Here are some photographs from U.S. Navy.

USS New York (LPD 21) being commissioned in New York on November 07. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Dan Meaney/Released)

Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) New York (LPD 21) transiting New York Harbour past the Statue of Liberty for commissioning. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Eric M. Durie/Released)

Read more from U.S. Navy: Navy Commissions USS New York in Big Apple

Post in MarineBuzz on this day a year before:

Weekend Prize: SPOT Satellite Messenger from gCaptain

Mistral: French Amphibious Assault Ship to Visit St. Petersburg

OldSailor — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 17:33:07 +0000

Le BPC Mistral (L9013), French Navy’s amphibious assault ship/helicopter carrier/hospital ship is expected to visit St. Petersburg, Russia on November 23. Mistral was mainly built to civilian standards. The visit is significant because, Russia is planning to buy a Mistral-class helicopter carrier worth 400-500 million euros (around $600-$750 million) from France. The Russian Navy and defense industry experts are further expected to inspect the ship during the visit.

Some interesting features of [Building Projection and Command (BPC), Le Bâtiment de Projection et de Commandement] Mistral are:

Commissioned in January 2006
Length: 199 metres
Width: 32 metres
Draft: 6.2 metres
Displacement: 16500 tons; 21 500 tons full load
Maximum speed: 19 knots
Surface area of flight deck: 5200 sq metre
Number of landing spots of helicopters on flight deck: 6
Helicopter hangar: can accommodate 16 helicopters
Propulsion: Diesel-Electric including a bow thruster
Crew: 160
Hospital: has 69 beds including 2 operation theatres, a radiology room with a provision to convert helicopter hangar also as a hospital
Has satellite communication including internet and video conferencing facilities
Has 4 VTC (Barge Transportation Equipment), 2 LCAC (Landing Craft, Air Cushioned) and capable of deploying other armoured vehicles and infantry that are stored board on 2,650 square metre deck

Here are some photographs of BPC Mistral (L9013).

View an amazing video clip of BPC Mistral (L9013): Helicopter Carrier Mistral

For more details log on to Marine Nationale and RIA Novosti Infographics.

All the above photographs and images are from Marine Nationale.

Posts in MarineBuzz on this day a year before:

Clean Energy from PowerBuoy of Ocean Power Technologies

Barcelona International Boat Show Ready to Start

Indian Coast Guard Station at Karwar Commissioned

OldSailor — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:18:58 +0000

Vice Admiral Anil Chopra, Director General Coast Guard commissioned the Coast Guard station at Karwar on November 04. 14 more stations are expected to be commissioned soon to fill up security gap along the coastline. The Director General Indian Coast Guard is also the Commander Coastal Command, with the responsibility for overall coordination between various Central and State agencies, in all matters relating to the coastal security.

Some interesting features of Coast Guard station at Karwar are:

Coast Guard presence at Karwar is essential to strengthen maritime and coastal security in the west coast.
Also at Karwar, Indian Navy’s INS Kadamba and Project Sea Bird are located.
The station under the operational command of Inspector General SPS Basra, Commander Coast Guard Region (West) is being commanded by Commandant (JG) Anil Sharma.
The Indian Coast Guard station at Karwar will have two fast speed boats, to undertake search and rescue, close coast patrol and respond to emergency calls on as required basis.

For photographs and more information, log on to Mangalorean and SahilOnLine.

Posts in MarineBuzz on this day a year before:

U.S. Aircraft Medevacs Injured Expeditioner of Australian Antarctic Division at Davis Station

Rats of Christmas Island were Wiped Out by Rats from SS Hindustan

48th Barcelona International Boat Show Ready to Start

OldSailor — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:19:47 +0000

48th Barcelona International Boat Show (BIBS) is ready to start on November 07 with the slogan “a sea of opportunities”. The annual event organized by Fira de Barcelonais is open to professionals and public. The show will offer visitors a wide range of opportunities in accessories, canoes and kayaks, electronics, charter, sail and motor boats, inflatables, engines, trailers, sails, nautical tourism, windsurfing & surfing, jet skis, fishing, yachts and super yachts.

Some interesting features of BIBS are:

To be held at: Halls 2 and 3 of the Gran Via Exhibition Centre and the La Fusta and Espanya wharves in Port Vell
Duration: November 07 to 15, 2009
Exhibitors:380, Spanish and foreign
Countries represented: 35
Surface area: 70,000 square metre net between the Gran Via and Port Vell
Gran Via venue to have five theme area:
- The Innovation Area – to feature design and technological projects with the aim of showing the new contributions and projects of design centres, engineering companies and shipyards.
- The Fun Beach Area – to attract young people with the aim of providing facilities to learn to sail aboard small boats and to promote nautical sports. It has a swimming pool equipped with wind generators for light sailing.
- Traditional Marina Area – to have Schooners, dories and wooden boats to highlight the historic memory and preservation of maritime heritage. Visitors can see how boats are crafted and can participate in workshops.
- The Fishermen’s Area – to showcase new fishing rods, reels and equipment including virtual simulators to provide the sensations of deep-sea fishing.
- The Espai del Mar (Sea Space) – for announcements of regattas, conferences and seminars, talks on navigation, etc.; a space in which to keep abreast of new projects, share experiences and participate in debates.
In Port Vell: Large vessels/mega-yachts to be on display.

For more details, log on to 48th Barcelona International Boat Show.

Post in MarineBuzz on this day a year before:

INDESEC EXPO 2008: Indo International Homeland Security and Defence Exhibition Ready to Start

Oil Spill and Fire in Montara Development Well in Timor Sea

OldSailor — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:43:10 +0000

Fire in crude oil and gas development well in Montara, in the Timor Sea has been put off successfully. Montara development well is owned by PTTEP Australasia (PTTEP AA), a subsidiary of PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited (PTTEP). The well is located in the Southern Timor Sea, approximately 690 kilometres west of Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. Up to 400 barrels of oil a day was leaking from this well since August 21.

Information available regarding the oil spill and fire are:

On August 21, 2009:
- Crude oil and gas was emanating from the well.
- PTTEP with the approval from the Australian authorities tried to control the leakage by drilling a relief well to intercept the leaking well and pump heavy mud to stop the leakage.
November 01, 2009:
- At 0930 hours local time Darwin, the relief well had reached the target point of interception and heavy mud was pumped into the relief well.
- During this process, a fire broke out on the contractor’s West Atlas drilling rig and the Montara Wellhead Platform.
- The company initiated the process of controlling the fire and also started investigating the cause of the fire.
- All personnel were reported to be safe with no injury.
November 03, 2009:
- At 1715 hours Darwin time, the fire was extinguished by injecting heavy mud successfully into the leaking well.
- Further monitoring is going on and experts are ready to assess the damages and to make plans for future work.
- The company has insurance coverage of 270 million US dollars and is in the process of claiming it.

Here is a photograph with caption released by PTTEP AA, about the fire in the Montara well as on November 02, afternoon.

The Montara well head platform (left) on fire – as taken from the firefighting vessel Nor Captain during a run to within 200 metres from the burning structures to allow ALERT Well Control experts onboard to better assess the situation status. The cantilever structure – which previously sat over the well head platform – can be seen buckled over and down on to the helideck of the well head platform. Flames from the burning well head are being blown on to the upper superstructure the West Atlas rig (right).

View some amazing video clips of oil spill and fire from Al Jazeera:

ABC News, Australia reports that oil leak impact may last 7 years.

For updates, log on to PTTEP Australasia.

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Oasis of the Seas: Funnel Down to Cross Storebaelt Bridge of Denmark

OldSailor — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:30:02 +0000

Oasis of the Seas, the largest cruise ship cruised below the Storebaelt bridge (Great Belt Bridge) of Denmark on November 01, 2009. The bridge is about 65 metres above sea level and Oasis of the Seas rises 72 metres above the sea level.

The limitation of this bridge was taken into consideration while designing the vessel and the vessel is having telescopic funnel. The vessel retracted her telescopic funnel and cruised below the Storebaelt bridge with a clearance of around 1 metre.

View in this video clip how the vessel cruised comfortably under the bridge: Clearing a Landmark: Lowering for Storebaelt Bridge

View one more video clip: Oasis of the Seas under the bridge of Storebaelt Denmark

For more information about the bridge, log on to Storebaelt- The Bridge.

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Europort 2009 to Connect Maritime World

OldSailor — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:22:18 +0000

Europort 2009 is ready to connect the maritime world from November 03 to 06 at Rotterdam.

Some interesting features of Europort 2009 are:

The central theme of the event is ‘Advanced technology’
To be inaugurated by the Dutch Prime Minister, Jan Peter Balkenende.
870 exhibitors from 35 countries are expected to showcase the newest maritime technologies covering 10 exhibition halls in the field of
- Shipbuilding, repair & conversion
- Propulsion and maneuvering
- Electronics, communication and navigation
- Mechanical and auxiliary systems
- Deck, safety and special equipment
- Maritime services
To be held at: Ahoy congress and exhibition centre which is located close to the Port of Rotterdam.
International maritime professionals from the following field are expected to attend
- Classification societies
- Port authorities
- Engineering and design firms
- Operators
- Maintenance and repair services
- Shippers
- Ship owners
- Shipbrokers and insurance agents
- Shipyards
- Surveyors
To have national pavilions from Romania, Korea, China, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Poland, France, the USA and Great Britain.

Europort Maritime 2007 was the second edition of the merged exhibitions Europort (in Amsterdam) and Rotterdam Maritime (in Rotterdam). Europort, organized for the first time in 1963, was held 31 times. Rotterdam Maritime took place for the first time in 1983 and counted 12 editions.

For more details log on to Europort 2009.

Post in MarineBuzz on this day a year before:

Smart Globe Worlds First Internet Updateable Globe

Weekend View: Great Escort of Mighty Servant by Belgian Frigate Louise Marie

OldSailor — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 17:35:50 +0000

Here is the view of the great escort of the Mighty Servant 1 in the Gulf of Aden, by Belgian frigate Louise-Marie (F 931) of European Union Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) – Operation Atalanta on September 13 and 14 (this view was missed out by me in September).

Mighty Servant 1, a 29,000-ton semi-submersible heavy-lift ship was transiting from the Maldives to Norway with the hull of the North Sea Gjøa platform of Statoil ASA constructed by Samsung shipyard in South Korea. The escort initially provided by Louise-Marie was later completed by Swedish corvette Malmoe.

For more details, log on to EU NAVFOR, Somalia and Statoil ASA.

The above photograph is from EU NAVFOR.

Admiral Wu Sheng Li is the First Chinese Navy Chief to Visit India

Weekend View: Port Metro Vancouver on Webcam

BBC Box Completes Global Voyage

OldSailor — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 18:25:49 +0000

The BBC Box that commenced global voyage in September 2008 completed the mission and returned to Southampton, UK from Thailand on October 22. The project was launched to give details of the global trade and economy through television, radio and online audiences as experienced by the BBC Box , 40 feet/Dry with code number – NYKU8210506. Interestingly, the BBC Box is also a witness to the global recession.

Click the map below provided by BBC News, to trace the global voyage of the BBC Box in detail.

To know the lessons learned from the BBC Box, log on to BBC News.

Post in MarineBuzz on this day a year before:

New Iranian Naval Base at Port of Jask to Control World Oil and Natural Gas Supply

JMSDF Destroyer Kurama and MV Carina Star Collide Below Kanmon Bridge

OldSailor — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:27:55 +0000

Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) destroyer Kurama (DDH 144) and South Korean container ship Carina Star collided on October 27. Kurama was on her way back to Sasebo Base, after attending the fleet review.

Information available from the Press Conference by the Defense Minister, Japan:

Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) destroyer, 5,200-ton Kurama collided with South Korean cargo ship Carina Star which is about 7,400 tons.
The accident occurred around 7:56 P.M. on October 27 in the Kanmon Strait, almost right below the Kanmon Bridge. As a result of collision, fire broke out in both ships.
JMSDF destroyer Kurama
- The crewmembers of the Kurama extinguished the fire that broke out in the bow.
- Kurama came alongside a pier at Moji Port around 5:16 A.M. on October 28, and the fire was extinguished completely around 6:30 A.M.
- Four crew members were treated in a hospital; one for a light injury and the other three for inhaling smoke.
- Two more crew members who were involved in extinguishing the fire were treated for dehydration, but their conditions are very stable.
- Investigation by Japan Coast Guard (JCG) is going on.
South Korean container ship Carina Star
- Fire in Carina Star was extinguished and no injury was reported.
- The cargo ship is reported to have a hole in the area under the anchor.

Here is the photograph of destroyer Kurama (DDH 144) from JMSDF.

Here is the photograph of container vessel Carina Star.

Read more from Japan Ministry of Defense, Press Conference.

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STX Europe Turku Delivers Oasis of the Seas to Royal Caribbean International

OldSailor — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:00:58 +0000

STX Europe, Turku has delivered ‘Oasis of the Seas’ the most revolutionary cruise ship to Royal Caribbean International on October 28. Oasis of the Seas is the largest cruise ship in the world. Oasis of the Seas will be unveiled on ABC’s “Good Morning America” during a special live broadcast on November 20. It is worth noting that the Oasis of the Seas and the Allure of the Seas projects have provided the shipyard and the maritime cluster with 12,000 man-years of labor.

Some interesting features of Oasis of the Seas and her joining the Royal Caribbean International are:

Took nearly six years to complete.
To depart from Turku on October 30 with Captain William S. Wright at the helm.
Expected to reach her home port – Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on November 11.
Has modern unique concepts like: FlowRider surf simulator, ice-skating rinks, cantilevered whirlpools, rock climbing walls, Royal Promenade – an entertainment boulevard stretching nearly the length of the ship.
Has industry first, neighborhood concept with seven distinct themed areas which includes: Central Park, Boardwalk, the Royal Promenade, the Pool and Sports Zone, Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center, Entertainment Place and Youth Zone.
The Oasis of the Seas
- 361 metres long, 66 metres wide at her widest point and at the highest, she rises 72 metres above the sea level.
- gross tonnage is 225,000.
- can accommodate 6,360 passengers and 2,100 crew members.
- has 16 passenger decks and 2,704 staterooms.
- the total power output of the ship’s engines is 97,000 kW.
- the cruise speed is 22.6 knots.
The official naming ceremony for Oasis of the Seas is scheduled on November 30.

The most relaxed and happiest person on this occasion is Mr Richard Fain, Chairman and CEO Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

View all videos from You Tube: Oasis of the Seas.

For updates, log on to Oasis of the Seas.

Posts in MarineBuzz on this day a year before:

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India: 28th Coast Guard Commanders Conference Going On

OldSailor — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:54:17 +0000

The 28th Coast Guard Commanders’ Conference commenced at New Delhi on October 28. The Defence Minister Shri AK Antony has said that the Government is making all out efforts to help Indian Coast Guard to be one of the finest Coast Guards in the world in a couple of years.

Some interesting information available from this three day 28th Coast Guard Commanders’ Conference are:

Government has sanctioned nearly 3,000 additional personnel at various levels and this is expected to be filled up on priority.
Coast Guard is in the process of acquiring 20 Fast Patrol Vehicles (OPVs), 41 Interceptor Boats, 12 Coastal Surveillance Aircraft (Dorniers) and 7 off-shore Patrol Vehicles(OPVs).
Work is in progress to set up a chain of 46 Coastal Radars spanning 9 Coastal Stations across the country.
Nine new Coast Guard Stations have been approved.
A new Regional Headquarters at Gandhinagar, Gujarat will facilitate synergy between the Coast Guard, State Government and other Central Government Organisations.
Steps are being taken to enhance the efficacy of Coast Guard surveillance and Search and Rescue operations.

Here are some photographs of 28th Coast Guard Commanders’ Conference from Press Information Bureau:

Defence Minister Shri A. K. Antony, Defence Secretary Shri Pradeep Kumar and Secretary (Defence Finance) Smt. Indu Liberhan at the 28th Coast Guard Commanders’ Conference.

Defence Minister Shri A. K. Antony with Director General Coast Guard, Vice Admiral Anil Chopra and other commanders of the 28th Coast Guard Commanders’ Conference. Defence Secretary, Shri Pradeep Kumar is also present.

Read more from Press Information Bureau.

Posts in MarineBuzz on this day a year before:

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Sea Port Security: U.S Navy Marine Mammals Join AUVs in NURC Experiment

OldSailor — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 18:22:18 +0000

NATO Undersea Research Centre (NURC) in Italy conducted the CATHARSIS2 sea trial from October 5-20 in the waters near Elba Island, Italy to investigate underwater object detection technologies. On October 20, harbour security demonstration for local military and civilian authorities was conducted at La Spezia, Italy. For the first time, U.S. Navy’s Marine Mammal Fleet Systems participated in these exercises.

Some interesting features of U.S. Navy’s Marine Mammal Systems (MMS), NURC and CATHARSIS2 sea trial are:

U.S. Navy Marine Mammal Fleet Systems
- Assigned to the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group ONE (EODGRU ONE).
- Uses dolphins and sea lions to find and mark the location of underwater objects.
- Dolphins with their exceptional biological sonar can detect objects in the water column and on the sea floor.
- Sea lions have very sensitive underwater directional hearing and exceptional vision in low light conditions.
- MMS MK 4, MK 7 and MK 8 use dolphins.
- MMS MK 5 uses sea lions.
- MMS MK 6 uses both dolphins and sea lions.
- MMS can be deployed rapidly within 72 hours of notice through ship, aircraft, helicopter, and land vehicles anywhere in the world and they regularly participate in major Fleet exercises.

NURC’s research is currently focused on:
- Expeditionary Mine Countermeasures and Port Protection (EMP)
- Undersea Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Networks (RSN)
- Expeditionary Operations Support (EOS)
- Command and Operation Support (COS)
CATHARSIS2 sea trial and harbour security demonstration
- Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) equipped with advanced sensors to detect and locate dummy mines (with no explosives) were used in this exercise to assess the best strategy in the use of AUVs to detect objects under water.
- Five sea lions and their trainers of MMS MK 5 were flown from their home base in California to join the exercise. The sea lions have the skill to recover a variety of objects, including dummy mines, by attaching a recovery line to the object, as well as carrying a video camera to determine the type of object and how it is laying on the bottom.
- MMS MK 5 was successful in detecting underwater objects and underwater intruders during the harbour security demonstration.

Post in MarineBuzz on this day a year before:

Worlds Longest Tunnel Aquarium is at Chiang Mai of Thailand

Chudamani Sea Port: Aditya Birla Group to Develop in Orissa

OldSailor — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 17:55:47 +0000

Chudamani in Bhadrak district Orissa is going to be developed as a sea port by Aditya Birla Group. MOU was signed between Shri Muralidharan, COO, Aditya Birla Group and Shri P.K. Jena, Commissioner-Cum-Secretary, Transport & Commerce Deptt in presence of Chief Minister Shri Naveen Patnaik and other Cabinet Ministers of Orissa on October 22.

Some interesting features of Chudamani Port Project are:

To be developed on Build Own Operate (BOO) basis with an investment of INR 1,500 crore.
To be operational in four years with a projected capacity of 3 million tons per annum (MTPA) in the first phase with a provision to be expanded to 10 MTPA.
To be connected by a rail corridor from Markuna Station.
To have two berths to handle bulk cargo such as cement, aluminium, iron ore, thermal coal, limestone, gypsum, clinker and copper.
To provide directly or indirectly employment to about 5,000 people.
The state government is expected to get revenue of about INR 20 crore per annum.

Here is the photograph of MOU being signed between the Government of Orissa and Aditya Birla Group.

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