Marshall Islands

Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administrator Media Statement

The Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administrator issued the following media statement in response to the United States Coast Guard Report of Investigation into the Circumstances Surrounding the Explosion, Fire, Sinking and Loss of Eleven Crew Members Aboard the Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit DEEPWATER HORIZON in the Gulf of Mexico, April 20-22, 2010, as accepted by the Commandant’s final action:   "The Republic of the Marshall Islands acknowledges the Commandant's conclusions. The United States Coast Guard's report, with final Commandant action, reinforces many of the findings contained in the flag State’s report released previously," said Bill Gallagher, Senior Deputy Commissioner of Maritime Affairs. "The Marshall Islands looks forward to working closely with the United States and other member States at the International Maritime Organization to implement the lessons that can be learned from this casualty and improve maritime safety going forward," he concluded.   Background:   The Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administrator published the DEEPWATER HORIZON Marine Casualty Investigation Report on 17 August 2011. When operating on the United States outer continental shelf (OCS), both the flag State, the Republic of the Marshall Islands in this case, and the coastal State, the United States, regulate vessel safety and marine operational standards of Mobile Offshore Drilling Units

Pirated MV Samho Dream Released

On 6 November 2010, the Marshall Islands-flagged MV Samho Dream was released from under pirate control. The MV Samho Dream, a Marshall Islands-owned crude oil tanker, deadweight 319,360 tonnes, was pirated on 4 April 2010 approximately 600 nautical miles off the Somali coast. The MV Samho Dream has a crew of 24, of which 19 Filipinos and 5 South Koreans.  

Warde Joins Blank Rome

Blank Rome LLP announced that Conor T. Warde has joined the as an Associate in the maritime group. Warde brings experience in international maritime law and will be based in Blank Rome’s Washington, D.C. office. Prior to joining Blank Rome, Warde served as Associate General Counsel of International Registries, Inc., which administers the Marshall Islands Maritime Registry. In this capacity, Warde guided the Registry on the interpretation and enforcement of national and international

Pirates Release Bulk Carrier Filitsa

The Bulk Carrier Filitsa, hijacked in the Somali Basin on Nov. 11, 2009, has been released after payment of a ransom. The Marshall Island Flag Filitsa, with her crew of 22 (19 Philippino and three Greek) had been held at the pirate stronghold of Hobyo, on the Somali coast. The Filitsa was en route from Dubai to Durban when she was hijacked. The ship is now heading out to sea and will be monitored by EU NAVFOR.  

This Day in Coast Guard History – Feb. 17

1944- Coast Guardsmen participated in the invasions of Eniwetok and Engebi, Marshall Island. 1956- The CGC Casco saved 21 persons from a US Navy seaplane that was forced to ditch 100 miles south of Bermuda and delivered both the survivors and the disabled aircraft to the Naval Air Station at St. Georgia Harbor, Bermuda. (Source: USCG Historian’s Office)

This Day in Naval History – May 6

1909 - Great White Fleet anchors in San Francisco 1916 - First ship-to-shore radio telephone voice conversation from USS New Hampshire off Virginia Capes to SECNAV Josephus Daniels in Washington, DC 1942 - CAPT Milton Miles arrives in Chungking, China, to begin building an intelligence and guerilla training organization, Naval Group China 1945 - Naval landing force evacuates 500 Marshallese from Jaluit Atoll, Marshall Islands

This Day in Naval History - May 06

1909 - Great White Fleet anchors in San Francisco. 1916 - First ship-to-shore radio telephone voice conversation from USS New Hampshire off Virginia Capes to SECNAV Josephus Daniels in Washington, DC. 1942 - CAPT Milton Miles arrives in Chungking, China, to begin building an intelligence and guerilla training organization, Naval Group China. 1945 - Naval landing force evacuates 500 Marshallese from Jaluit Atoll, Marshall Islands. (Source: Navy News Service)

MarAd Approves the Sale of Vessels

The Maritime Administration (MarAd) has approved the sale and transfer of five vessels under section 9 of the Shipping Act, of 1916, as amended. On December 12 2007, MarAd approved an application filed by Rowan Companies, Inc., of Houston, TX. for the transfer of the mobile offshore drilling unit Hank Boswell (Official No. 1183234), to Marshall Islands registry and flag. On December 27, 2007, MarAd approved an application filed by Mobro Marine, Inc

This Day in Naval History - 31 January

From the Navy News Service:   1944 - A U.S. amphibious landing takes place on Kwajalein, Marshall Islands. 1961 - Lt. Cmdr. Samuel Lee Gravely Jr. becomes the first African-American to command a combat ship, USS Falgout (DER 324). 1981 - The era of enlisted naval aviators ends when the last pilot retires.   For more news from the Naval Historical Center, visit their Navy Newsstand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/navhist.

Greek Owners Sell Bulker 'Clipper Grace'

Seanergy Maritime Holdings sell 'Clipper Grace', a 30,548 dwt Handysize drybulk vessel, built in 2007, at a gross price of US$11.25 million. The vessel was delivered to its new owners on October 15, 2012. The company will use the sale proceeds to reduce debt and for working capital purposes. Following the completion of sale of the Clipper Grace, the Company's fleet consists of two Capesize, three Panamax, two Supramax and nine Handysize dry bulk carriers with an average age of 14