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Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre News

11 Mar 2024

Cargo Ship Sinks Near Vietnam, All Crewmembers Rescued

© Prapat / Adobe Stock

A Vietnam-registered cargo vessel sank in about 380 nautical miles east of Vung Tau, Vietnam, local officials said.At about 4 p.m. on Sunday, the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Singapore operated by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), received a distress alert from the general cargo vessel Hung Phat 89 (HP89) within the Singapore Maritime Search and Rescue Region.MRCC Singapore immediately issued navigational broadcasts for vessels in the vicinity to keep a lookout and report sightings of the vessel in distress…

18 Oct 2023

IMRF Announces 2023 SAR Award Winners

Geoffrey Denman (Source: IMRF)

The International Maritime Rescue Federation (IMRF) has announced the winners of this year’s IMRF Awards, which recognize all those involved in global maritime search and rescue (SAR) efforts.The IMRF Awards acknowledge those that have shown excellence in their field, developed innovative technology and equipment, or acted as a role model to inspire others. The awards also shine a light on those colleagues who offer the tireless support, training, and planning that enables SAR crews to do what they do…

07 Aug 2023

Ukraine Hits Russian Tanker with Sea Drone near Crimea Bridge

A Ukrainian sea drone full of explosives struck a Russian fuel tanker near a bridge linking Russia to annexed Crimea, the second such attack in 24 hours, both sides said on Saturday.No one was hurt, but the Crimean Bridge and ferry transport were suspended for several hours, according to Russian-installed officials in Crimea, which Moscow seized from Ukraine in 2014.A Ukrainian intelligence source told Reuters that the drone with 450 kg of explosives hit the SIG vessel as it transported fuel for the Russian military in Ukrainian territorial waters."The tanker was well loaded with fuel, so the 'fireworks' were seen from afar," the source said…

31 Jul 2023

Cruise Passenger Falls Overboard in Singapore Strait

Emergency responders are searching for a cruise ship passenger who reportedly fell overboard in the Singapore Strait.At about 7:50 a.m. on Monday, the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Singapore was notified that a passenger onboard a Cyprus-flagged passenger vessel, Spectrum of the Seas, had fallen overboard while enroute into Singapore.MRCC Singapore, operated by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), is coordinating the search and immediately issued navigational safety broadcast to vessels in the Singapore Strait and vessels in port to keep a lookout for the missing person and report any sightings to MRCC Singapore.The cruise ship is currently berthed in Singapore and is supporting investigations.The 169…

10 Feb 2021

Nautel Expands Maritime Offering with Kenta Acquisition

© tawatchai1990 / Adobe Stock

Canada-headquartered Nautel announced Wednesday that it has acquired France-based technology company Kenta, expanding Nautel’s offerings to customers in the maritime sector.Kenta was established in 1990 and has gained extensive experience in the development of Radio Frequency Communication Systems, mainly in the area of Global Maritime Distress and Safety Systems (GMDSS) for telephony or voice transmission. The company offers complete turnkey transmitter and receiver solutions for MF…

19 Mar 2020

Cape Town Ships Cleared After Negative COVID-19 Tests

© HandmadePictures / Adobe Stock

Test results from the individuals suspected to be the first cases of COVID-19 in any South African seaport have all come back negative, Transnet National Ports Authority has confirmed.Earlier this week two vessels, the general cargo vessel MV Corona and the cruise ship AIDAmira, were held off port limits outside the Port of Cape Town. The cruise liner was later allowed to dock but its roughly 1,700 passengers and crew remained onboard pending test results from one suspected COVID-19 case and seven others who had possible contact with him.Captain Dennis Mqadi…

06 Sep 2018

Coral Leader to the Rescue

Coral Leader, a Pure Car and Truck Carrier (PCTC) owned by NYK supported the rescue operation of five people including two children onboard yacht. The yacht was in distress in the Mediterranean Sea, just off Corsica.The operation was conducted by French Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) on August 26 (local time) off the coast of France. The vessel Coral Leader is managed by Wallem Shipmanagement LimitedWhile Coral Leader was sailing from the port of Livorno, Italy, to the port of Tarragona, Spain, the vessel received a call from MRCC to cooperate in the rescue operation of a yacht.The Coral Leader diverted course to help. The…

25 Jun 2018

World Shipping Council Says SAR is Shared Responsibility

The containership Alexander Maersk picked up 113 migrants after a request by the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Rome to change the vessel’s course and assist in a Search andRescue operation in international waters on last Friday. The commercial vessel is still awaiting instructions from government authorities to bring those rescued at sea to a place of safety. Ships travelling in international waters are obligated to assist persons in distress under the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) convention. “Operators of commercial vessels are regularly called upon to assist persons at sea, and they respond willingly to their legal and humanitarian responsibilities,” said John Butler, President and CEO of the World Shipping Council.

11 May 2018

Jeddah Mulls Safe and Secure Regional Waters

Signatory States to an agreement aimed at repressing piracy, armed robbery and illicit maritime activity in the western Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden Area have agreed that building response capability and information sharing are vital steps towards achieving a more safe and secure maritime environment. The signatories to the revised Code of Conduct concerning the repression of piracy, armed robbery against ships and illicit maritime activity in the western Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden Area, known as the Jeddah Amendment to the Djibouti Code of Conduct 2017, were meeting In Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, for a high level workshop (7-10 May) for all signatory States and States eligible to sign the Jeddah Amendment, donors and implementing partners.

30 Oct 2017

Unsafe Mixed Migration by Sea

Unsafe mixed migration by sea continues to claim many lives, despite the strenuous efforts made by Governmental and naval rescue services, often supported by merchant vessels, abiding by the long-standing tradition and legal obligation to go to the rescue of persons in distress at sea. The complexities of this humanitarian challenge were discussed on Monday (30 October) at a meeting hosted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), bringing together representatives of UN agencies, the maritime industry and European Union naval forces. For the rescued and seafarers alike, the experience can be harrowing. A modern merchant vessel is unsuited to carrying large numbers of survivors…

26 Jun 2017

One Missing from Sunken Oil Tanker off Yemen

One mariner remains missing after 13 of 14 crewmembers were recovered from the sea following the sinking of their oil tanker in severe weather conditions 240 miles off the coast of Yemen. At around 4:30 a.m. June 26, the U.K. Coastguard received a Mayday distress call issued by a 99-meter-long Panamanian flagged oil tanker believed to be carrying crude oil, reporting that the vessel was sinking. The Yemen Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) were unable to assist, so the U.K. Coastguard stepped in to coordinate the rescue, issuing a Satellite Communication Mayday relay broadcast to all shipping in the area. Multiple commercial vessels nearby responded to the original Mayday call and made their way to the tanker, which had sunk in gale force 8 winds and 5 meters swells.

31 Oct 2016

NYK Carrier Rescues Fishermen in Distress off Indonesia

Kurushima, a bulk carrier operated by NYK Bulk & Projects Carriers Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of NYK Line, rescued nine people from a fishing boat in distress on August 31 off the coast of Indonesia.    While Kurushima was sailing from India to Japan, the vessel’s crew came upon a sinking fishing boat with nine castaways approximately 1 nautical mile from the vessel in waters off the coast of Indonesia.    The vessel made the rescue immediately and provided the fishermen with food, fresh water, and blankets before transferring them to Belawan, Indonesia, as directed by the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre.

22 Sep 2016

IMO Joins Kenya’s World Maritime Day Celebrations

Kenya has marked this year’s WorldMaritimeDay with celebrations held in Mombasa, Kenya (20 September). International Maritime Organization (IMO)’s Juvenal Shiundu delivered a goodwill message on behalf of IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim, reiterating this year’s World Maritime Day theme – “Shipping: indispensable to the world” – which emphasizes that maritime transport is the backbone of international trade, supplying people all over the world with the commodities, fuel, goods and products that they depend on. The IMO World Maritime Day 2016 will take place on 29 September and will include an international forum, featuring a panel discussion on global shipping’s future challenges.

25 Jun 2015

Tanker Chief Officer Medevaced off Mumbai

Continuing with the series of search and rescue operations undertaken and coordinated by Coast Guard Western Region in last two days, the Indian Coast Guard undertook another lifesaving mission by evacuating the chief officer from vessel MT Pristine GV anchored off Mumbai. The chief officer, Indian national Gaurav Gupta, had sustained shoulder dislocation and fracture. The medical evacuation was undertaken by Coast Guard Chetak helicopter from Mumbai at about 1430 hrs on June 24. The prevailing rough weather conditions were unsuitable and all shipping/boat movements were restricted, therefore the ship’s agent contacted Coast Guard Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC, Mumbai).

23 Jun 2015

ICG Rescues 20 from MV Jindal Kamakshi

At about 2300 hrs on 21 Jun 15 a container merchant vessel “Jindal Kamakshi” sent a distress alert. The vessel was on passage from Mundra to Kochi with 20 crew members onboard. The vessel was about 35 kms from the nearest coast and 75 kms from Mumbai. The distress was received by Coast Guard Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC Mumbai).MRCC (MBI) immediately contacted the master of the vessel. For ascertaining the emergency onboard. MRCC (MBI) also coordinated with other merchant mariners in the vicinity MV SCI, Samudra Prabha, MV Seamac 1 and MV Kamat to render assistance to the distress vessel. In addition, the other Coast Guard ships were also alerted to provide assistance. The vessel under distress was listing 20 deg but the list was subsequently reduced to 10 deg.

03 May 2015

French Patrol Ship Rescues 217 Migrants off Libya Coast

A French patrol ship rescued 217 migrants from three small boats that had run into trouble off the coast of Libya on Saturday, the maritime police said in a statement. The Commandant Birot helped several dozen people in distress and intercepted two suspected people smugglers, according to the statement. "The intercepted vessels have all been neutralised," the maritime police said, adding that they were responding to a call from the maritime rescue coordination centre in Rome as part of the European Union's operation Triton. The rescued migrants and the suspected people smugglers have been handed over to the Italian authorities, the Toulon, France-based maritime police added.

02 Apr 2015

56 Dead as Russian trawler Sinks

Trawler with 132 crew sinks in freezing waters; rescue operation seeks missing crew. MOSCOW, April 2 (Reuters) - A Russian trawler sank in icy seas off Russia's far eastern Kamchatka peninsula on Thursday, killing at least 56 of the 132 crew, the emergencies ministry said on Thursday. Sixty-three people were rescued but 13 were still unaccounted for, hours after the Dalniy Vostok fishing vessel sank in the Sea of Okhotsk so quickly that its captain, who drowned, did not manage to send a distress signal. It was not immediately clear why the 26-year-old ship had sunk but a local official said the crew may have violated safety rules by overloading it, affecting its balance. Russia has a long history of road, air and sea disasters, many caused by negligence or violation of safety regulations.

05 Jan 2015

Hopes Fade for Crew of Missing Bulker off Vietnam

Bad weather hampered a search on Monday for 16 Philippine seamen missing since their cargo ship sank off Vietnam, a Vietnamese rescue official said. The Bulk Jupiter, owned by Bermuda-based Gearbulk Holdings , was carrying 46,400 metric tonnes of bauxite bulk from Malaysia to China, the company said. It sent out a distress signal early on Friday. One crew member, the ship's chef, has been rescued and two bodies, including that of the captain, have been recovered. "The weather is very bad with high waves and strong winds," said Pham Hien, vice president of the Vung Tau Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, which is leading the search. "We are all hoping but until now, no further survivor has been found," he told Reuters by telephone.

14 Aug 2014

East Sussex Coastguard Rescues Labradoodle

Pepper comes up the cliff (Photo: MCA)

Coastguard Rescue Teams from Hastings and Rye Bay have been working to rescue a Labradoodle called Pepper that slipped over the cliffs at Ecclesbourne Glen near Hastings yesterday afternoon at just before 3 p.m. The call was passed to the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre at Dover (MRCC) by Sussex Police. The MRCC sent Hastings Coastguard Rescue Team to the scene and a cliff man spotted Pepper on a very narrow ridge. The Hastings team then spent the next four hours trying to persuade Pepper to come close enough to them to be rescued but she refused.

09 Jun 2014

Bulk Carrier Assists in Dramatic Rescue of 322

Crew members of the Synergy Managed bulker “Jupiter Bay” help two infants to safety who were among 322 people rescued from small overcrowded boats early on Saturday morning. Part of the humanitarian operation that the Italian Navy reports has seen the rescue of some 5200 people trying to cross from North African to Europe since Thursday June 5th. All 322 individuals were disembarked safely at the Italian Port of Pozzallo, Sicily on Saturday evening (7th).

Bulk Carrier, “Jupiter Bay”, managed by Synergy Group, was requested late on Friday night (2230 hrs, June 6) by the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Rome, to respond to a humanitarian search and rescue operation in the Mediterranean involving a large number of people in small boats. At the time the “Jupiter Bay”, 30,153 dwt, was on passage from Tunis to Gibraltar. The Isle of Man flagged vessel’s Master, Capt. SE Patia, with a full Indian crew, immediately responded and by 2330hrs was at the rendezvous point and in position to rescue some 322 persons…

02 May 2014

15 Rescued from Adrift Banana Boat

Photo: Australian Defense

A Royal Australian Air Force AP-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft has successfully located and helped rescue 15 people who were adrift at sea when their "banana boat" lost power when travelling from Nissan Island to Buka Island in Bougainville. The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Port Moresby requested assistance from Rescue Coordination Centre Australia after the boat failed to reach its destination. Air Force Director General Capability and Planning, Air Commodore Michael Kitcher…

04 Feb 2014

Distressed British Royal Air Force Rowers Landed

Final day of row: Photo credit USCG

Four members of the British Royal Air Force were rescued by the crew of the bulk carrier 'Hedvig Bulker' and are now back on dry land after a treacherous 51 day, trans-Atlantic attempt from Spain to Antigua in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge, informs the US Coast Guard. Rescued were the Atlantic Forces rowing team: Jane McIntosh, Warren Burns, Howard Raw and Elizabeth Beauchamp. The team had a broken rudder on day 46 and after exhausting all efforts to fix it in heavy seas…

18 Jan 2014

The Sea Shall Not Have Them: Latest Rescue News

Ferry rescue: Photo courtesy of Philippine Coast Guard

In the Philippines a large scale rescue of ferry passengers, on the other side of the world, a British fishing boat crew is airlifted to safety, and a man is plucked from rough seas off Aberdeen breakwater. A rescue team from Philippine Coast Guard search and rescue vessel, BRP EDSA II (SARV-002) evacuated 132 passengers from the MV Our Lady Of All Nation after the inter-island ferry ran aground at Danajon Bank, Bohol. The crew of the sinking 18-m fishing vessel RACHEL JAYNE lll  sent out a Mayday as they took to a liferaft 26 miles ENE of Tynemouth Piers.