AT HOME

Dead Ship – Crew Feel Like Prisoners

'Panos Earth' has been anchored in South Africa's False Bay for 7 weeks without electrical power & the crew wants to go home The Panos Earth, 75,864 dwt bulk carrier needs $500 000 (R3.6 million) to repair her generators but squabbles with insurers mean the ship is heading for her eighth week anchored in False Bay, with a disgruntled crew who want to go home, reports the 'Cape Times' newspaper. In the tangle of broken generators, the shipowner’s cash-flow problems, no funds from the insurance company and various creditors arresting the vessel, the South American crew say they’ve had enough and want to go home. They have called on the local representatives of the International Transport Workers Federation for help. Cassiem Augustus, one of the federation’s inspectors, went on board with Alan Goldberg, lawyer for the organisation and spoke through a translator to the 15 Chilean, two Panamanian and one Peruvian crew members. “They were angry and feeling lost because they can’t come ashore and say they feel they’re being imprisoned at sea. They said they hadn’t brought this on themselves and worked in terms of their contract until the ship broke down. They say they have not been getting all their money and want to go home,” Augustus said. It appears the problem with the ship is faulty generators, which failed after they became clogged from dirty fuel taken in South America.

Shipowner's Financial Woes Strand Seafarers for Six Months

Moroccan seafarers finally head home after owners abandoned their ships, but wages still unpaid Moroccan seafarers left stranded in Spain after the ferry company they were working for ran into financial trouble have finally been repatriated after six months. The ITF (International Transport Workers Federation) initiated a solidarity campaign earlier this year after workers from the ITF-affiliated Moroccan Workers’ Union (UMT)

Glacier Society Presents Award to Connecticut Congressman

Bernard Koether III of Westport, Chairman of the Stratford-based Glacier Society, presented Congressman Robert Simmons of Connecticut’s Second District, a Glacier Society plaque in recognition of the lawmaker’s legislative efforts. The presentation took place June 6 at a reception in New Canaan. Simmons is a strong supporter of the movement to re-commission the USS/USCGC Glacier and return her to active service for the benefit of humanity

Coast Guard Icebreaker Back in Seattle

The Coast Guard icebreaker Polar Star returned home to Elliott Bay a day ahead of schedule Tuesday afternoon after a successful voyage to Antarctica to help break a supply channel for U.S. science stations. The 399-ft. long, Seattle-based cutter and its 134-member crew, commanded by Capt. Bruce Toney who usually commands its twin, Polar Sea, scrambled on less than 48-hours notice to leave on Jan. 20 from Pier 36, home of the nation's polar icebreaking fleet.

Lowe's Awards Horizon Lines with 2006 Platinum Carrier Award

The Lowe's Companies Inc. Home Improvement Transportation Division has awarded Horizon Lines with its most prestigious honor, The 2006 Platinum Carrier Award for the highest levels of delivered service. The award was presented at the home improvement retailer's annual carrier meetings held in Wilkesboro, NC last month. This is the sixth consecutive year Horizon Lines has been honored by Lowe's. Lowe's has awarded Horizon Lines with its Outstanding Ocean Service Provider Award for the

Great Lakes May be Home to Offshore Wind

According to reports, the waters of the Great Lakes, near the shores of Canada, may soon be home to offshore wind power. The Province of Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources has lifted a deferral on applications to produce offshore wind power in the province's waters. This decision came after the province took steps over the past year to obtain the best available information on which to base decisions regarding offshore projects on. These steps have included partnering with the U.S

Coast Guard Forces Begin Journey Home

United States Coast Guard forces assigned to the Mediterranean region departed Rota, Spain Thursday on their trans-Atlantic journey home following their efforts as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. The 378-ft. Coast Guard Cutter Dallas, homeported in Charleston, S.C., and four patrol boats; the CGCs Pea Island and Knight Island homeported in St. Petersburg, Fla.; the CGC Bainbridge Island homeported in Sandy Hook, N.J. and the CGC Grand Isle from Gloucester, Mass

First Ship Nearing Completion at Kvaerner Philadelphia

The MV Manukai, Kvaerner Philadelphia Shipyard's first ship, was floated out of the building dock this weekend. The 712-ft. container ship being built for Matson Navigation was towed to the outfitting dock for its final outfitting phase. The $110 million ship which is constructed entirely of American-made materials, including Bethlehem steel, will be deployed to its home base in Honolulu upon completion, and will sail between Hawaii, Seattle and Oakland

Cruise Passenger Travel Grows 13.6%

Reflecting a rise in the popularity of passengers departing from ports closer to their homes, cruise lines carried 2.3 million passengers on North American cruises in the first quarter of 2004, the Maritime Administration (MARAD) reported today. The figures reflect a 13.6 percent increase compared to the same period in 2003. The majority of cruises are still destined for the Caribbean and the Bahamas. However, there has been important growth in new and emerging "drive market" ports --

More Passengers take to the Sea

(Photo Credit: Richard Grable) Fueled in part by a spate of luxurious newbuildings such as the Queen Mary 2, the cruise industry, according to government statistics, is growing by leaps and bounds. Reflecting a rise in the popularity of passengers departing from ports closer to their homes, cruise lines carried 2.3 million passengers on North American cruises in the first quarter of 2004, the Maritime Administration (MARAD) reported today. The figures reflect a 13