Tugboat Not Up to the Job: TSB Charlene Hunt Findings
Citing a lack of preparation, bad weather and a mechanical breakdown as three important factors, the TSB today released its investigation report (M13N0001) into the loss-of-tow by the tugboat 'Charlene Hunt' of the [passenger ship] 'MV Lyubov Orlova' in waters off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador (NL). On 23, January 2013, bound for the Dominican Republic, the tug Charlene Hunt departed St. John's harbour towing the cruise ship Lyubov Orlova. The tug and tow travelled for approximately 19 hours, until they hit winds estimated at 40 knots and seas of 5 to 6 m. The heavy weather persisted and, at approximately 14:45 on 24 January, the towing arrangement between the tug and tow failed off Cape Race, NL.
Modern Technology’s Answer to the Ghost Ship
A Russian cruise ship, the Lyubov Orlova, allegedly adrift on the Atlantic Ocean since last year, is a haunting reminder of the present dangers that can afflict our shores. The 328-ft, 1,565-ton cruise liner was being towed down to the Dominican Republic to be sold for scrap metal from Canada when a storm caused the line to break, sending the floating catastrophe on an unplanned, perilous journey into the unknown waters. The Lyubov Orlova, it is believed now by Western European authorities to have sunk to the bottom of the Atlantic, but earlier last week reports surfaced that this boat was on a crash course to the British Isles with cannibalistic, diseased rats on board. This spooky phenomenon is hardly the first account of a “Ghost Ship” being reported.
Coast Guard Reports No Sign of “Ghost Ship”
Global newswires are flooded with reports that an abandoned cruise vessel, Russian-registered Lyubov Orlova, dubbed the “rat-infested ghost ship,” is nearing the western shores of Europe after being set adrift early last year.The vessel has reportedly been drifting in the Atlantic Ocean since it was cut free while in tow from Canada to the Dominican Republic almost a year ago among problems with scrapping arrangements.The U.K.’s Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said in a statement that it has received no word of Lyubov Orlova sightings since April last year.And while media organizations have been circulating stories that the “ghost ship” laden with diseased cannibal rats is inching closer to shore…
Cruise Ship Hulk Set Adrift in N. Atlantic
Cruise ship 'Lyubov Orlova' broke free while on tow from St. John's NL, Canada for scrap in the Dominican Republic. In bad weather on 24, January the towline parted, and the Canadian authority Transport Canada ordered the tugboat Charlene Hunt to return to port a few days later. Fearing possible collision of the drifting vessel with oil and gas installations off eastern Canada, the Lyubov Orlova was secured by the Atlantic Hawk anchor handler on the 31, January and was towed clear, however, a few days later Transport Canada decided the tow, now in international waters, should be releasd.
Abandoned Arctic Cruise Ship – Crew Unpaid
Eight crew remain on board after the ship was arrested in October by the ITF, with an outstanding wage claim of more than $300,000 (now $375,000). The vessel, registered in the Cook Islands, was chartered by Canadian company Cruise North, for cruises into the Arctic. The owner claimed to have a buyer lined up, but confirmed he would be abandoning the ship last week. ITF inspector Gerard Bradbury has been helping the crew in their claim, and says they are facing extreme hardship as a result of the abandonment.
