Tanker Crew Rescues Seven from Sinking Fishing Vessel
An tanker picked up seven crew embers from a sinking fishing vessel in the Gulf of Finland.While en-route from the Port of Ust-Luga to Copenhagen on February 6, the tanker SСF Angara received a distress signal from the Russian fishing trawler Pongoma, which was sinking on the traverse of Tallinn, 26 nautical miles offshore, SCF Group said on Monday.The tanker and her crew, under the leadership of master Alexey Maksimovsky, responded to the request for help, and following the instructions received from the rescue center in Tallinn, diverted to assist the ship in distress.During a rescue operation, all seven members of Pongoma’s crew were brought aboard the tanker. Two fishermen in need of urgent medical care were then evacuated by helicopter to Helsinki.
Fast Ferry Launched for Angolan Transport Ministry
In a ceremony held at Damen Shipyards Singapore on April 19, His Excellency, Dr. Augusto da Silva Tomás, Minister of Transport for the Republic of Angola officially launched the new Damen Fast RoPax Ferry 4812 ordered by the Ministerio dos Transportes through IMPA (Instituto Marítimo e Portuário de Angola).The vessel will be operated by TMA Express (Transporte Marítimo de Angola) and operate on Angola’s Atlantic coastline between the capital Luanda and Cabinda, around 400 kilometers to the north, via Soyo.The Fast RoPax Ferry 4812 is the latest addition to Damen’s Fast RoPax Ferry range.
Ballast Water Management in the Field Put to the Test
Turner Designs, along with scientists from around the world participated in a research cruise aboard the RV Meteor, a vessel owned by the Federal Republic of Germany through the Ministry of Research and Technology (BMFT) and funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG). The goal of this cruise was focused on ballast water sampling techniques and protocols. Various instruments were used to test collected ballast water enabling researchers to determine efficiency for the various sampling techniques employed.
Hurricane Fred Strengthens in Eastern Atlantic
Hurricane Fred strengthened early Monday in the eastern Atlantic as it approached the Cape Verde Islands, while the remnants of Tropical Storm Erika brought flooding to parts of South Carolina, according to U.S. forecasters. The center of Fred is expected to pass near or over the northwestern Cape Verde Islands, an archipelago off the west coast of Africa with a population of 525,000. Fred had maximum sustained winds of 85 mph (137 kph), but was expected to gradually dissipate after passing the Cape Verde Islands, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) said.
Repowered Tug Tows Nonstop
For its third repower with Smith Maritime, Laborde supplied three Mitsubishi S12R-Y2MPTK Tier II engines rated at 5,000 hp for the tug Rhea. For its maiden voyage, Rhea towed a huge piece of oilfield equipment from Texas to Cape Verde Islands off of Africa before moving on to Nigeria, towing continuously for seven weeks. Rhea is a small, powerful, agile, sea-going tug capable of withstanding the rigors of ship and barge towing or ocean rescue service in all weather conditions. It’s fitted and built for extended service at sea or in distant and remote locations.
Repowered Tug Tows 7 Weeks Nonstop
When business depends on commercial vessels, it's essential for these boats to stay in good condition. Unreliable engines and equipment can lead to days or weeks off the water for repairs, resulting in lost customers. To ensure its fleet is always prepared for the job, Smith Maritime depends on Laborde Products. For its third repower with Smith Maritime, Laborde supplied three Mitsubishi S12R-Y2MPTK Tier II engines rated at 5,000 hp for the tug Rhea. For its maiden voyage, Rhea towed a huge piece of oilfield equipment from Texas to Cape Verde Islands off of Africa before moving on to Nigeria.
Navy Strategy of Engagement Builds Trust
The United States must engage with maritime partners around the world to create and build trust, according to senior Navy leaders speaking at the 2007 Surface Navy Association West Coast Symposium, held pier side at Naval Station San Diego, in August. Surrounded by ships and cooled summer breeze coming off the harbor, the many attendees heard about the Navy’s efforts to create and build upon meaningful partnerships. Rear Adm. Pete Daly discussed the Navy’s efforts to create a new maritime strategy. The previous maritime strategy addressed a Soviet threat that no longer exists. “We had one big enemy. We understood that enemy. We knew where they were coming from. In the past, military powers knew that military adventurism would be met with reciprocal force.
