Marine Safety Office Jacksonville News

The Coast Guard Marine Safety Detachment has issued a captain of the port order to the Sterling Casino Liner, Ambassador II, and detained the vessel in the Port of Canaveral until it is in compliance with Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) requirements. The Coast Guard boarded the Ambassador II when it docked recently and found it exceeded it's maximum capacity of 1,800 passengers. After further investigation of the casino liner, Coast Guard inspectors found of numerous SOLAS requirements, including: safety training requirements, watertight doors and certification for crew members. The Ambassador II is prohibited from carrying passengers…

Marine Safety Office Jacksonville issued a Captain of the Port (COTP) Order today to the owners of the La Cruise casino boat requiring the vessel to leave the port of Jacksonville and all other U.S. waterways within 72 hours or face civil penalties of $32,500 for everyday of non-compliance. The order was given based on the vessel's poor safety record accumulated between July 2001 and August 2004. During that period, the casino boat has had numerous mishaps and casualties; it failed to meet required safety standards for manning, training and procedures and ignored specific COTP orders to move their vessel during two hurricanes. While each of these instances alone did not represent a direct or significant threat to the safety of the vessel or those on board…

Marine Safety Office Jacksonville issued a Captain of the Port (COTP) Order the owners of the La Cruise casino boat requiring the vessel to leave the port of Jacksonville and all other U.S. waterways within 72 hours or face civil penalties of $32,500 for everyday of non-compliance. The order was given based on the vessel's poor safety record accumulated between July 2001 and August 2004. During that period, the casino boat has had numerous mishaps and casualties; it failed to meet required safety standards for manning, training and procedures and ignored specific COTP orders to move their vessel during two hurricanes. While each of these instances alone did not represent a direct or significant threat to the safety of the vessel or those on board…

Coast Guard Marine Safety Office Jacksonville is overseeing response operations to the grounding of the 250-foot container barge, Guantanamo Bay Express, which was being pulled by the tugboat Spence while trying to leave the St. Johns River in Mayport at 2 a.m. The barge is located on the north side of the Mayport Jetties and is no concern to inbound or outboard vessel traffic at the entrance of the St. Johns River. Pac-Atlantic Marine Leasing, LCC, owner of the Guantanamo Bay Express has taken prompt action and hired Titan Marine, LLC to remove the barge. Plans have not been finalized or approved by the Coast Guard at this time but salvage operations are anticipated to begin tomorrow.

The Coast Guard was notified by Jacksonville Sheriffs Office personnel that the 486-foot German container ship, the Ara J, was on fire at the Blount Island Terminal in the Port of Jacksonville. Coast Guard units from the Marine Safety Office Jacksonville and Station Mayport responded to the Blount Island Terminal to establish a safety zone around the Ara J. Coast Guard Marine Safety inspectors are also on scene to provide technical assistance for any shipboard fire-fighting on the Ara J. Jacksonville Fire Rescue is leading the firefighting efforts. The cause of the fire is not known at this time. The Coast Guard will investigate the cause of the incident.

USCG Marine Safety Office Jacksonville issued a Marine Safety Information Bulletin