NTSB Releases Preliminary Report on Offshore Platform Helicopter Crash
The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board has released a preliminary report on the December 29, 2022, fatal helicopter crash near a Gulf of Mexico oil platform. One pilot and three passengers died in the incident."On December 29, 2022, about 0834 central standard time, a Bell 407 helicopter, N595RL, was substantially damaged during takeoff from an offshore platform in the Gulf of Mexico. The pilot and 3 passengers were fatally injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 flight…
Image Marine To Build 'True North'
Image Marine has announced a contract for a live-aboard adventure vessel for North Star Cruises.The repeat contract demonstrates the confidence the client has in Image Marine’s expertise in this specialist field. North Star Cruises took delivery of its first live-aboard, the Image Marine-built ‘True North’, in January 1999. With capacity for 28 passengers in 14 cabins, the 34.5 metre vessel has proved hugely successful cruising the remote Kimberley region of North Western Australia and led to North Star Cruises’ reputation as one of the most renowned tourist operations in Australia. North Star Cruises Director, Mr Craig Howson said Image Marine was an obvious choice to build the vessel.
True North Enters Service
Following successful sea trials, Austal’s latest cruise yacht, the 36 passenger “True North” has been handed over to its owner and operator, North Star Cruises Australia. Several high-profile promotional events for local media were held whilst the vessel was in Fremantle, including a visit from rock music legend, Sting. North Star Cruises Australia Director, Craig Howson commented “True North appears to have captured the imagination of the luxury adventure cruise market. We are thrilled with the early response of both passengers and industry alike. We are particularly thrilled with the current level of enquiry and everyone at North Star is looking forward to a very successful year”.
Cruise Vessel for Chilean Patagonia
The coastal scenery of Chile’s Patagonia supports a growing cruise industry that welcomed its latest entrant when the MV Atmosphere was launched at the Astilleros y Servicios Navales S.A. (ASENAV) shipyard at Valdivia in the South of Chile. The owners of the new 45 by 10-meter ship are promising deluxe accommodation for 36 passengers to be cared for by a crew of 24. Following her November delivery, the ship will cruise the central and southern Chilean Patagonia, covering over 750 kilometers/405 nautical miles from the bay of Puerto Montt (latitude 41°28' S and longitude 72°56' W) to the Taitao peninsula (latitude 46°41' S and longitude 73°57' W).
