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Nassau News

06 Nov 2023

U.S. Coast Guard Medevacs 44-year-old from Vessel 250 miles off Nassau, Bahamas

The U.S. Coast Guard medevaced a 44-year-old man from a motor vessel 250 miles northeast of Nassau, Bahamas, Saturday.The man was taken to Princess Margaret Hospital to receive a higher level of care. Coast Guard Seventh District watchstanders received a medevac request from the motor vessel Skyfall stating one of their crewmembers was reportedly suffering from severe stomach pain. Watchstanders instructed the vessel to navigate to 250 miles northeast of Nassau and consulted with the duty flight surgeon…

10 Jul 2023

More Bahamas Maritime Cadet Corps Grads Are Opting for Shipping Careers

The BMCC's 2023 Nassau graduates. (Photo: The Bahamas Maritime Authority)

The Bahamas Maritime Cadet Corps (BMCC), which was first established by The Bahamas Ministry of Transport in 2004 to introduce high school students to employment opportunities in the maritime sector and build national capacity, said more graduates than ever this year have chosen to enter a career in shipping related industries.Many of this year’s 97 graduating students are opting to join the Royal Bahamas Defence Force or are considering further maritime education. A large number…

11 Jan 2023

'Inadequate Lookout' Led to Collision Between Tanker and Yacht in the Caribbean

Tropic Breeze sinking by its stern about 15 minutes after the collision. (Courtesy: NTSB)

Two crews not maintaining proper lookouts led to the collision between a yacht and a tank vessel near Nassau, Bahamas, the National Transportation Safety Board said Wednesday. The collision resulted in the sinking of the tank vessel and nearly $7.9 million in damages.The motor yacht Utopia IV and tank vessel Tropic Breeze were transiting the Northeast Providence Channel on Dec. 23, 2021, when the two vessels collided. The Tropic Breeze’s engine room flooded, and the vessel eventually sank. The vessel’s seven crewmembers abandoned ship and were rescued by a Good Samaritan vessel.

20 Jun 2022

Berlin's 1990s-vintage Tour Boat is 'Electrified' with Torqeedo

Image copyright Tim Marcour, courtesy Torqeedo

Oranje Nassau, a 20-m, 55-passenger sightseeing boat and water taxi operating on Berlin’s urban waterways was recently put back into service after replacing its diesel engine with a fully integrated all-electric propulsion system by Torqeedo.The Torqeedo Deep Blue 50i electric drive is powered by three Deep Blue batteries with 120 kWh capacity which provide energy for a full eight-hour day at operating speeds, recharging from shorepower connections overnight at dockside.Buoyed by the performance of the electrified Oranje Nassau…

07 Mar 2022

Sovcomflot's Tankers Find Refuge in the Bahamas Amid Growing Sanctions

At least three tankers controlled by Russian maritime powerhouse Sovcomflot that have been unable to deliver their cargoes due to Western sanctions have re-routed to the Bahamas, vessel tracking data showed on Monday.Russian state-owned Sovcomflot was blacklisted by the United States last month over Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. Britain and Canada also banned vessels flagged, operated or owned by Russia from docking at their ports.Sovcomflot oil and refined products tankers SCF Don, SCF Neva and SCF Ussuri since the weekend signaled the Bahamas as their destination, after rerouting from other nations, according to Refinitiv Eikon tracking…

02 Aug 2021

Six Passengers Test Positive for COVID-19 on Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship

© travelview / Adobe Stock

U.S. cruise liner Royal Caribbean Group said on Friday only passengers with a negative COVID-19 test will be let aboard, after six guests on its Adventure of the Seas cruise ship tested positive during routine testing.The rule will apply to all guests departing on cruises that are five nights or longer, irrespective of their vaccine status, the company said.Of the passengers who tested positive, only one had mild symptoms. Four out of the rest were vaccinated and not traveling together…

22 Mar 2021

Royal Caribbean to Return to the Caribbean with Vaccinated Guests in June

© travelview / Adobe Stock

Some of Royal Caribbean Group’s cruises will resume sailing in the Caribbean in June with vaccinated adult guests, ending a year-long hiatus brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.Adventure of the Seas and Celebrity Millennium ships will also have vaccinated crews and accept children under the age of 18 with a negative COVID-19 test, Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises said on Friday.“Returning to the Caribbean ... marks the measured beginning of the end of what has been a uniquely challenging time for everyone…

21 Sep 2020

Norwegian Cruise Line Founder Kloster Dies at 91

(Photo: Norwegian Cruise Line)

Knut Kloster, one of the founders of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. and a pioneer of the modern cruise industry, passed away on Sunday at the age of 91.“We are incredibly saddened by the loss of the visionary who not only brought our company, but our industry, to life,” said Frank Del Rio, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings president and CEO. “Knut was a pioneer in our industry and certainly ahead of his time, exploring every opportunity to be at the forefront and break boundaries.

25 May 2020

Fishermen Rescued After Two Weeks Adrift at Sea

A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter crew hoist two fishermen from the water 23 miles northeast of Cat Island, Bahamas, May 18, 2020. The fisherman were reportedly adrift for two weeks. (Photo: USCG)

Two fisherman reportedly adrift for two weeks and presumed lost at sea were rescued with help from a good Samaritan towboat crew and the U.S. Coast Guard.Domingo Jimenez, 45, and Ramon Castillo, 29, both from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, departed Samana, Dominican Republic on May 2. On May 5, USCG Sector San Juan watchstanders received a report from a concerned family member stating Jimenez and Castillo were overdue after heading out in their 25-foot vessel to fish approximately 132 miles northeast of Samana.The U.S.

10 Jan 2020

Three Rescued from Sinking Tug

The 62-foot tugboat, Gulf Man, and a barge afloat approximately six miles northeast of Andros Island, Bahamas, January 9, 2020. A Coast Guard helicopter crew hoisted all three crewmembers and transported them to Nassau, Bahamas. (Photo: U.S. Coast Guard)

Three crewmembers were rescued from a sinking tugboat approximately 6 miles northeast of Andros Island, Bahamas, the U.S. Coast Guard said.Coast Guard 7th District watchstanders directed a helicopter crew to the scene after receiving an emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) alert for the 62-foot Gulf Man at approximately 6:20 p.m. on Thursday.A Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew arrived on scene, reported the tug was taking on water, hoisted all three crewmembers and transported them to Nassau, Bahamas.

06 Jan 2020

MARAD Awards Marine Highways Grants

© vitec40 / Adobe Stock

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) on Monday announced more than $7.5 million in grants to nine Marine Highway projects. The funding, provided by MARAD’s America’s Marine Highway Program, will go toward enhancing existing services in Florida, South Carolina, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Oregon, Texas, Virginia, and Washington“This $7.5 million investment will improve our country’s vital fuel-efficient waterway transportation system, which makes an important contribution to exports and economic growth,” said U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L.

25 Sep 2019

Carnival to Build 2 New Ports in Bahamas

British-American cruise operator Carnival Corporation and two of its cruise line brands have signed an agreement with the government of The Bahamas to build two major port developments.The world's largest travel leisure company, with a combined fleet of over 100 vessels across 10 cruise line brands, said that it will develop a new cruise port destination primarily for Carnival Cruise Line on Grand Bahama, and construction of a new addition, including a pier, on the Bahamian island of Little San Salvador, home to Holland America Line's Half Moon Cay port.The Grand Bahama project will represent an investment of over $100 million, and the development on Little San Salvador will be an estimated $80 million investment over time…

30 Jul 2019

U.S. DOT Names Nine Marine Highway Projects

Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) today announced the designation of nine Marine Highway Projects and a Marine Highway Route that will benefit Connecticut, Florida, Michigan, New York, Oregon, Texas, Virginia, Washington State and American Samoa. Marine highways are navigable waterways that can be used as alternate options to traditional shipping methods. “The designation of marine highways by Congress will help move cargo and people to help grow the economy and shift freight off of congested highways,” said Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao.

09 May 2019

RCI Brings Two New Ships to Port Canaveral

Royal Caribbean International (RCI)'s Harmony of the Seas and Mariner of the Seas received a “royal” sendoff Monday as they sailed from their new homeport, Port Canaveral.Tugboats provided a water salute as a the 1,188-foot long Harmony, the second-largest cruise ship in the world, glided past hundreds of cheering spectators who gathered at Jetty Park for a “wave-out” event for the Port’s newest arrivals. Onlookers waved bandanas and some held up signs with large letters that spelled out “Bon Voyage.”“We are excited to welcome these two magnificent cruise ships to Port Canaveral and proud of our partnership with Royal Caribbean International.” Port CEO Captain John Murray said.

07 May 2019

Clipper Bulk Axes 40 Staff

International dry bulk shipping company Clipper Group  has launched a comprehensive restructuring involving a large number of layoffs, especially at the company's Copenhagen headquarters.The dry bulk carrier announced a series of initiatives to strengthen its business platform amid continued weak markets.Initiatives include agreements to strengthen the company’s financial position, downsizing of organization and office network, other cost savings, changes to Senior Management as well as a more focused market approach, said a press release from the operator of Handysize and Supramax vessels.“We have been challenged by the steep, unexpected market downturn. Today, we are taking the steps required to run a viable, profitable dry bulk operation, even in depressed markets.

15 Apr 2019

BMA Appoints Hutchinson as MD, CEO

Captain Dwain E. Hutchinson (Photo: BMA)

The Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA) announces the appointment of Captain Dwain E. Hutchinson as its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer. Captain Hutchinson succeeds Commodore Davy F. Rolle, who stepped down as Director last year.Captain Hutchinson is a proud Bahamian from Nassau, New Providence island, where he completed his tertiary education before commencing his maritime studies in Scotland at Glasgow College of Nautical Studies. Qualified with a UK Master Mariner (Unlimited) STCW Certificate of Competency…

14 Apr 2019

Norwegian Sun Is Back to Port Canaveral

Norwegian Cruise Line's ship Norwegian Sun has returned to call Port Canaveral its homeport for another year. Also returning are the popular all-inclusive cruises to Cuba.Starting today (April 15), the Norwegian Sun, which in 2018 became the first homeported cruise ship to sail from Port Canaveral to Cuba, will offer four-, five- and seven-day cruises to Havana, Cuba, with select sailings also calling to Key West during its four-day cruises.Ports of call during the Sun’s five- and seven-day voyages include Key West, Nassau, Bahamas, or Norwegian’s private island beach at Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas. “We are excited that the Norwegian Sun is returning for another season of cruises to Cuba,” Port CEO Capt. John Murray stated.

07 Mar 2019

Guadalquivir Completes Repair of Two Vessels

Guadalquivir Shipyards in Spain has announced that it has undertaken two repairs  at the dry dock of the Seville shipyard last month.The Nassau-flagged reefer ship Green Magic (built in 1990, 135.7 meters in length, 16.33 meters in beam, gross tonnage of 5,103 tons) was required to have her propeller replaced with a new one. She left after three days, said a press release from the company.Cyprus-flagged Vronskiy, a veteran ferry built in 1978 and operated by the Spanish shipping company Trasmediterránea, arrived on February 25. She usually covers the route between the ports of Motril and Nador (Morocco) or Almeria and Algeciras with some cities of the Maghreb. 131.6 meters in length by 22 meters in beam, she is one of the largest vessels that can access the dry dock.

04 Nov 2018

CSA Completes Amelia Island Beach Survey

The global marine environmental science consulting firm  CSA Ocean Sciences (CSA) announced the completion of a survey to collect data for hydrodynamic model calibration and verification in Nassau Sound, located north of Jacksonville, Florida.The CSA team measured inshore and offshore water level, tides, current and waves to calibrate and validate a hydrodynamic model. The team installed water level recorders and a wave-enabled Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) and conducted an estuarine water discharge survey to gather the needed data.Morgan & Eklund, Inc. (M&E), CSA’s sister company, a licensed survey company specializing in hydrographic surveys, teamed with CSA on this project. The project was contracted and managed by Olsen Associates, Inc.

23 Oct 2018

Jaxport Breaks Cruise Passenger Record

The Jacksonville Port Authority (Jaxport) served a record number of cruise passengers during the past year, with 199,899 passengers setting sail from Jacksonville. More than 2.4 million passengers have sailed from Jacksonville during 15 years of cruise service at Jaxport.The Carnival Elation offers year-round sailing to the Bahamas from Jaxport’s North Jacksonville Cruise Terminal featuring stops at Freeport, Nassau and the private Bahamian islands of Half Moon Cay and Princess Cays.Jaxport and Carnival Cruise Line recently signed a historic long-term agreement to extend Carnival cruise service from Jacksonville through 2021 and potentially 2027.

06 Feb 2018

Campbell Shipping Migrates to Inmarsat Fleet Xpress

Campbell Shipping’s bulker CS Jenna (Photo: Inmarsat)

Inmarsat said it has reached an agreement with Campbell Shipping, a ship management company headquartered in Nassau, The Bahamas, to migrate its fleet of dry bulk carriers to Fleet Xpress. The commitment will involve a migration and upgrade from Inmarsat’s XpressLink services to Fleet Xpress, in a move to ensure ships managed by Campbell ships will continue to have the best satellite connectivity service available on the market, according to Capt. Anindya Dasgupta, VP Human Capital, Campbell Shipping.

04 Jan 2018

Four Carnival Brands to Debut New Ships in 2018

Nieuw Statendam, a new cruise ship under construction for Holland America Line brand at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Marghera, Venice. (Photo: Fincantieri)

Carnival Corporation & plc will roll out four new ships in 2018 across four of its 10 global brands, as the company will add 18 new cruise liners to its fleet between 2018 and 2022. The new vessels to set sail in 2018 will be for Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Seabourn and AIDA Cruises, and follow three new ships debuted by Carnival Corporation in 2017. “Our fleet enhancement program enables us to manage the overall fleet by aligning new ship deliveries with our strategy for measured capacity growth over time…

11 Oct 2017

Clipper Bulk Consolidates

(File photo: Clipper Group)

Denmark based Clipper Group said it will simplify its operational and administrative setup in its core business area, the dry bulk market. Clipper will concentrate its bulk business in Copenhagen, Houston and Hong Kong going forward, closing its offices in Stamford, Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Singapore and Beijing. The company's offices in Barranquilla, Tokyo and Nassau will remain unchanged. “We want to make communication more effective and our response time to market changes shorter.