A Carnival cruise vessel was impaired, and guests were stuck in a foreign nation as extreme weather conditions wreaked havoc on this Magic cruise vessel. The cruisers were shocked, sharing a video clip with FOX 35 News of Tuesday’s flooding at Jamaica’s Ocho Rios port. Still, the poor weather was not the only thing guests were worried about on the Carnival Magic vessel, which set sail from Miami earlier in the week. We’re watching our vessel sail into the rainstorm.

No one knew what was happening, said Dyllon Price, a guest who could not make it back before the vessel had to sail away in the middle of the storm. The intense storm sent the cruise vessel crashing into the pier, impairing it and compelling the vessel captain to get it out of there as soon as possible. There were a couple of thousand individuals in a field in the pouring rain without food, shelter, or drinks. Likely, there was one toilet, stated Adam Middleton, who is also on now.

Middleton says their group left the vessel close to 8 a.m. on Tuesday. Due to the storm, they were stuck on the island for almost 12 hours. Middleton added that everybody had been running around, unsure what to do as they locked them out of the vessel. This happened with Jamaica, which is presently under a Level 3 travel advisory. This means that people should be reconsidering travel.

Video Credits: FeNyX42/YouTube

The U.S. government also issued an alert owing to a rise in the number of murders as well as crimes on the island. That was absolutely in their minds, mentioned Middleton, as they were navigating a country they knew about for a day. Guests say after they went back on the vessel, they spent yet one more day in Jamaica on Wednesday. Carnival says they should return to the open ocean by Wednesday night. Price said that they do not think they should’ve docked, said Price.

Video Credits: MeetHarveyInJamaicaTourz/YouTube

It could have been a bummer to skip Jamaica; however, it was not as bad since it was meant to be stuck on the island for nearly 12 hours. Crews had been still examining the dents, dings, and destruction on the vessel’s side once the storm had passed and the weather cleared on Wednesday. In a statement sent to FOX 35, Carnival says that powerful winds and swells resulted in the pier fender collapsing under pressure, and the vessel made contact with the pier.

There weren’t any injuries, and the ships’ services remained operational. Cruisers have been trying to make the most of the rock and roll cruise before returning to Florida this weekend. Many chose to stay on the vessel so they did not get stuck in a foreign nation again. Middleton said that they think they are sitting here and holding tight till they get it repaired, Middleton eventually concluded.

Reference: Fox13News

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A 19th-century shipwreck washed ashore on the snowy shores of Newfoundland, Canada, sparking great attention and attracting thousands of tourists and archaeologists anxious to discover its secrets. The 24-meter-long wooden ship, most likely from the 19th century, was found by Wanda Blackmore’s son while hunting sea ducks and stumbled onto a strange thing in the water.

The wreck was found in late January on the southwest tip of Newfoundland, near J. T. Cheeseman Provincial Park. The area is well-known for its many shallow rocks, which have been the site of countless shipwrecks. Just 250 people live in the small coastal town of Cape Ray, where the ship washed ashore.

Video Credits: Global News/YouTube

Before the tides could carry the ship back to the ocean’s depths, a group of volunteers and archaeologists worked tirelessly over the last weekend to retrieve different parts of the vessel. A laboratory has been tasked with analysing the wooden planks and metal sheathing that were successfully removed from the keel. The archaeologists want to identify the wood species, the age of the wood, and the metal composition, which will reveal information about the ship’s age and origins.

Neil Burgess, president of the Shipwreck Preservation Society of Newfoundland and Labrador, accompanied the survey team and witnessed that the ship’s keel and hull were upside-down on the beach, as were several significant timbers from the vessel. After analysing the artefacts and wood samples, the crew intends to discover more about the ship’s history and how it came to be on the shores of Newfoundland.

Since its discovery, the wreck’s origins and historical relevance to Newfoundland have been the subject of speculation. Some residents believe it might have something to do with their ancestors from the British Isles, who came to the region in the 18th and 19th centuries. The mystery surrounding the ship is heightened by the strong maritime history of Newfoundland, which is based on the transatlantic migratory cod fishing tradition.

Some also believe that Hurricane Fiona, which hit Canada’s Atlantic coast in September 2022, impacted the wreck’s appearance. The intense storm might have lifted the ship from the ocean floor, which would have caused it to rise to the surface and finally wash ashore. The community is committed to preserving the wreck and learning its history, even in the face of dangerously high waves and the possibility that the ship will be dragged back into deeper seas.

The shipwreck’s discovery coincides with a surge in interest in maritime history as other locations have seen similar finds. The community has started a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for the wreck’s recovery, transportation, and preservation, demonstrating the widespread interest in discovering its secrets and preserving this piece of Newfoundland history.

Reference: BBC, CBS News

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Australia’s government mentioned on Monday that it refused a livestock exporter’s request to send a vessel loaded with about 14,000 sheep and 1,500 cattle on a month-long trip to Israel around Africa. The animals have been on board the vessel for about a month, prompting an outcry from advocates of animal rights who’ve likened the treatment to torture.

The MV Bahijah had set sail for Israel on Jan 5 from Australia but abandoned a passage via the Red Sea owing to the risk of attack by the Houthi militia and was also ordered home by Australia’s government. The vessel has been waiting for the government’s decision to permit it to return to the sea off the coast of Western Australia for the past week.

Video Credits: Associated Press/YouTube

A few hundred cattle have been offloaded recently, but animals that disembark in Australia must be quarantined due to biosecurity laws. The agriculture ministry declared dissatisfied with the exporter’s application’s compliance with Israeli/Australian regulatory standards or the assurance that the animals’ welfare would be maintained throughout transit.

The statement claimed the animals continued to be in good health but did not provide additional details on the choice. It stated that the exporter must make commercial decisions regarding the subsequent steps for livestock on the vessel. The ministry’s department is prepared to evaluate upcoming applications.

Australia is a significant exporter of live animals and ships over half a million sheep and half a million cattle in the past year. The government is planning to halt live sheep exports in the upcoming years.

Another livestock vessel loaded with almost 60,000 animals set sail from Australia last week for the port of Aqaba on the Jordanian Red Sea.

Reference: Times of Israel

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Iran warned the United States on Sunday that it may target two cargo ships in West Asia that are long suspected of acting as offshore operational bases for Iranian commandos following the United States and the United Kingdom’s major bombardment campaign against Yemen’s Houthi rebels. The US has threatened additional revenge if Iran-backed militias carry out attacks following a weekend of airstrikes.

Following a weekend of counterattacks, the US warned Iran and the militias it supports and armies on Sunday that if the US personnel in the Middle East continue to be targeted, it would begin more operations. However, the US does not seek an open-ended military campaign through the area.

Sullivan delivered the warnings during a series of interviews with TV news shows after Britain and the US on Saturday struck 36 Houthis in Yemen. The Iran-supported militants have been firing American as well as international interests continuously in the wake of the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

Video Credits: The Telegraph

An air assault that took place on Friday in Syria and Iraq targeted Iranian-backed militias and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard in response to the drone strike, which took the lives of three US troops in Jordan over the last weekend. The US again fired at Houthis on Sunday. He added that the president has told the commanders that they must be appropriately positioned to respond to additional attacks.

The US has also blamed the Tower 22 base attack in Jordan on 28 Jan on the Islamic Resistance ongoing in Iraq, a coalition of Iranian-supported militias. Iran has, on the other hand, tried to distance the country from the drone strike, mentioning that the militias act independently of its directions.

Biden isn’t looking for a wider war, Sullivan mentioned, when he was questioned about the potential for strikes in Iran that can help expand the war in the turbulent region. But when asked regarding the possibility of direct escalations by Iranians, he said that if they chose to respond to the United States directly, they would have been met with a forceful and swift response from them.

When pledging to reply in a “sustained way” to the upcoming assaults on Americans, Sullivan mentioned that he would not describe it as an open-ended military campaign. Yet, he said that they intend to take additional actions and strikes to continue sending a clear message that the US is going to respond when their forces are attacked or people are reportedly killed. There will be additional measures taken, he said. Some of the measures will be seen. Some might not be seen.

Reference: EuroNews

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Ukrainian forces state that they have been able to impair a missile boat of Russia from the Black Sea Fleet in a specialized operation off Crimea. The Ivanovets, a small warship, received some direct hits to its hull overnight, and it sank afterwards, the military intelligence said. It has also released video footage that reflects the moment of effect, followed by a massive explosion. There has been no information regarding this incident from Russia’s authorities.

However, Voenkor Kotenok, Russia’s military blogger, mentioned on Telegram that the boat sunk after being hit thrice by naval drones. Several features visible on the vessel in the Ukrainian clip match those of Project 12411 or Tarantul, a class of missile boats operated by Russia and other navies to which the Ivanovets belong.

Video Credits: Guardian News/YouTube

These mainly include the sensors’ layout and the superstructure’s mast, as well as a vast radar dome on the bridge. As the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine reported, soldiers from their particular unit, “Group 13”, destroyed the boat close to Lake Donuzlav, a saltwater bay on the western end of the Crimean peninsula that also hosts a naval base. Due to direct hits to the vessel’s hull, the Russian vessel suffered damages incompatible with any further movements — the Ivanovets listed to the stern and collapsed, it stated via the Telegram channel.

It also stated that a Russian rescue and search operation in the region was unsuccessful. The ship’s estimated value was between $60 and 70 million. “Impressive” is how Olexander Scherba, a Foreign Ministry official, evaluated the strike.
Ukraine has succeeded in the war around the Black Sea, impairing or destroying Russia’s warships despite not having a fleet of its own.

In December, Kyiv mentioned destroying the large landing vessel dubbed the Novocherkassk at Feodosia in Crimea. Russia also confirmed that the ship was damaged. In April 2022, right after months of Russia’s war in Ukraine, Moskva, which was the flagship of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, was impaired, and ultimately, it was sunk, seemingly by Ukraine’s missiles.

After a missile strike on the headquarters of the Black Sea fleet in Sevastopol in September, satellite photographs reflected that Russia’s navy had moved a significant portion of its Black Sea fleet farther away from Crimea to Russia’s port of Novorossiysk.

Reference: BBC

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On January 31, 2024, a collision between the water taxi Hop & Go 1 and the passenger ferry Ocean Jet 6 off the coast of Verde Island, Batangas, led to the tragic demise of the Hop & Go 1 captain and third mate. Following the collision at approximately 12:30 PM, CG Admiral Ronnie Gil L Gavan, the commandant of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), ordered an immediate investigation into the accident’s causes.

Hop & Go 1 was travelling from Puerto Galera to Batangas, while Ocean Jet 6, with 105 passengers and 19 crew members, was travelling from Batangas to Calapan. The vessel’s captain and third mate of Hop & Go 1, who were Filipino, lost their lives in the crash.

Video Credits: Manila Bulletin Online/YouTube

Two Chinese passengers on Hop & Go 1 were also hurt in the event. However, two additional passengers—a Swedish person and two more Chinese people—escaped unharmed. The two remaining Filipino crew members of Hop & Go 1 have given formal testimonies at the Coast Guard Sub-Station Puerto Galera as part of the ongoing inquiry.

Upon arriving at Calapan Port, Ocean Jet 6’s 105 passengers and 19 crew members were all reported to be safe and in healthy physical condition. The PCG is actively contacting the relatives of the dead Filipino crew members, and the injured passengers are getting the medical treatment they require.

INCIDENT REPORT: @coastguardph Commandant, CG Admiral Ronnie Gil L Gavan, has ordered an investigation regarding the collision Ocean Jet 6 and Hop & Go 1 in the vicinity waters off Verde Island, Batangas at around 12:30PM today, 31 Jan 2024.

https://t.co/Ub1W0YoGru

### pic.twitter.com/spBL8vAlrm

— Philippine Coast Guard (@coastguardph) January 31, 2024

Image Credits: Philippine Coast Guard/Twitter

The investigation into the collision’s primary cause continues while the responding team attempts to tow Hop & Go 1 to Puerto Galera, the location of its yard. According to the first reports, the smaller vessel was split open in the front and suffered extensive damage. The current investigation considers the weather, which may be misty or foggy with a low sea chop. The PCG seeks to resolve any safety issues with maritime activities and to uncover all relevant information regarding the occurrence.

Reference: PCG, PNA

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China commissioned an advanced rescue vessel on Tuesday and deployed it to the waters of the South China Sea to tackle emergency response tasks. The Nanhai Jiu 103 was successfully delivered to the Nanhai Rescue Bureau of the Ministry of Transport in October 2023, and the formal operations commenced on Tuesday.

The vessel boasts surface, air, and underwater rescue features, a high-tech level, and a long operational range, per the ministry. Exclusively designed by the Shanghai Merchant Ship Design and Research Institute of the state-owned China State Shipbuilding Corp, the vessel measures about 136.9 meters in length and 26.7 meters in width and weighs about 19,000 metric tons when completely loaded.

It is also capable of sailing almost 30,000 kilometres or operating about 90 days on a single operation without the need to dock at a port or receive a fresh set of supplies, the ministry informed in a news release, mentioning that it can be loaded with a considerable helicopter as well as underwater robots for search and rescue missions.

Video Credits: CGTN/YouTube

The vessel can also conduct rescue, search, and salvage tasks for ships, aircraft, and subs in challenging situations, as it can withstand typhoons as strong as 12 on the Beaufort scale, per the Shanghai Institute. Besides rescue and salvage operations, the vessel can be used to tow disabled vessels, monitor oil spills, conduct deep-water scanning and surveys, and extinguish fires/ferry supplies to the ship in emergencies, designers stated.

Following the commissioning of the new vessel, the Ministry of Transport has four helicopters, 25 rescue vessels, and first-response professionals, enabling a 24-hour search-and-rescue capability, it observed. Shi Gongqian, the ship’s project manager with the Shanghai Institute, said that it is not an exaggeration to call Nanhai Jiu 103 the most advanced and capable rescue vessel in the world.

This ship can independently operate in any of the oceans worldwide. It is good at the work involved with maritime emergency response. It has next-gen equipment like rescue submersibles, which can dive nearly 300 meters below the surface, and remotely operated underwater vehicles/autonomous underwater vehicles capable of hitting a depth of almost 6,000 meters.

The ship-mounted crane can salvage capsized ships or wrecks as heavy as 350 metric tons. Besides, the vessel is also equipped with medical facilities, like operating rooms, Shi explained. The craft was designed to carry 30 crew members and up to 90 search-and-rescue individuals, and it can accommodate almost 200 people rescued from the disasters.

Reference: China Daily

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Carnival Jubilee cruise ship successfully rescued two men found floating in a kayak in the Gulf of Mexico after their boat sank. The incident happened while the ship was set to sail from Texas to the western Caribbean, off the coast of Isla Mujeres, Mexico.

On Monday, the watchful Carnival Jubilee crew found the men, who had utilised the kayak to remain afloat after their boat sank. Carnival stated that after the rescue, the men were escorted into the ship safely and examined by the ship’s medical personnel. They were given food, water, and essential first aid.

Video Credits: Eyewitness News ABC7NY/YouTube

The cruise ship’s crew and Carnival’s Fleet Operation Center staff in Miami constantly communicated with Mexican Navy officials. A smooth transfer operation was then conducted, and the rescued men were handed over to the Mexican Navy shortly after the original rescue.

This incident follows a similar rescue by Carnival, in which the Carnival Vista cruise liner rescued six people stuck in the seas near the Dominican Republic when a small cargo ship overturned in mid-December. The Vista crew received an emergency alarm, changed direction, and successfully rescued the stranded guys aboard a life raft.

In both cases, Carnival displayed quick and competent maritime response to emergencies. The cruise line is still committed to guest safety and well-being. The Carnival Jubilee has resumed its regular route, travelling to the Honduran island of Roatan as scheduled.

Reference: Fox Business, NYPost

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A ship transporting about 14,000 sheep and 2,000 cattle has been stranded off the coast of Australia, raising concerns for the animal’s safety. The Houthi group in Yemen threatened to attack the MV Bahijah, which was travelling from Australia to Israel when it changed its itinerary in the middle of January. The Australian government has ordered the vessel to return after it was forced to abort its initial route via the Red Sea and is currently stranded.

The animals may travel across Africa for a month to reach Israel or be placed in quarantine in Australia, where biosecurity regulations are in place. The incident serves as a reminder of the broader disruption of international trade caused by militia attacks on Red Sea maritime routes. It also highlights possible threats to Australia’s live animal export sector, a significant player in the international market.

Animal welfare activists are furious, especially regarding the high temperatures approaching 40 degrees Celsius, even if industry representatives claim that the animals are in good health. A member of parliament named Josh Wilson criticises the live export industry, calling it “rotten to its core” and raising concerns about the consistency of Australian rules for animal care.

Video Credits: Australian Community Media/YouTube

Currently at the centre of a complicated situation, the ship is managed by Korkyra Shipping and controlled by the Israeli company Bassem Dabbah Ltd. The exporter has applied to the Australian government for authorisation to load more cargo and sail to Israel through Africa. Concerns are also raised by the ship’s return regarding the effects on Australia’s live animal export sector, which shipped more than 500,000 sheep and cattle the year before.

The scenario worsens as the MV Bahijah, carrying thousands of animals, gets closer to Western Australia. The Federal Department of Agriculture demanded that the ship return after the export company diverted its ship from the Red Sea, citing security concerns. While acknowledging that the animals should be healthy, Premier Roger Cook stresses the importance of stringent biosecurity procedures after docking.

After spending weeks at sea, animal welfare organisations, such as the RSPCA, are worried about the livestock’s health because they fear illnesses like pneumonia or pink eye. The group emphasises the need for openness in the Department of Agriculture’s preparations for the trapped animals and requests for an end to live exports to the area because of the unstable security situation.

Industry advocates suggest keeping the animals on board for re-exportation to avoid the requirement for quarantine despite possible biosecurity risk factors. The difficult choice is determining whether it would be feasible to travel for a more extended period or to slaughter animals on land following biosecurity regulations. While the government remains focused on animal welfare, the industry faces criticism for prioritising profits over the well-being of the stranded animals.

The fate of thousands of animals trapped on the ship is still unknown as the scenario develops and temperatures are predicted to rise amid a heatwave. The incident raises questions about the sustainability of the live animal export business and its commitment to moral principles amid difficult geopolitical conditions.

Reference: BNN Bloomberg, 9news

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The bulk carrier “EN MAY” was involved in a major maritime accident when it struck a vital road bridge support pillar connecting the Entre Rios province in Argentina with Buenos Aires. The collision, which happened on Sunday, January 28, at approximately 9:00 PM, caused the Parana River Waterway to be shut down.

The AIS data shows that when the 85,000 deadweight tonnage (dwt) bulker struck the southwest pylon on the Zarate side of the river, it moved at about 10 knots. Videos of bystanders going viral on social media show the ship’s port side severely damaged, with a sizable hole both above and below the waterline. The vessel, built in 2017 and run by a company in New York, is stable despite the significant damage, with flooding limited to a single hold forward. Early indications suggest that a potential rudder failure may have been the cause of the event; an investigation into it has been launched.

Video Credits: TradeWindsShipping/YouTube

All maritime traffic via the Parana River Waterway has been suspended for safety concerns. Trucks weighing more than 50 tons are subject to limitations, but vehicles are still allowed to pass the road bridge. The posted speed restriction on the bridge is now 40 miles per hour. The vessel was positioned next to the bridge pylons on Monday, January 29. Authorities are carefully monitoring the situation to identify the root cause and evaluate what should be done to restore the canal.

The Parana and Paraguay Rivers combine to form a 3,302-kilometer waterway system vital to the flow of goods between Bolivia, Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. The transportation of goods via the Río de la Plata between the continent’s centre and the Atlantic Ocean depends on this vast network. Remarkably, it manages around eighty per cent of trade with Paraguay.

Various goods are moved over this waterway, such as steel, petroleum, ore, minerals, oils and by-products, grains, oilseeds, and manufactured goods. A significant effect on the shipping industry may occur due to the Parana River shutdown brought on by the recent incident with the collision of bulk carrier “EN MAY.” The shutdown affects import and export operations by obstructing the regular flow of commodities and commerce. Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Uruguay’s economy will likely be affected because of the waterway’s crucial role in promoting trade.

The susceptibility of the regional commerce infrastructure is highlighted by this development, which also highlights the urgency of finding a quick solution and stepping up recovery measures to reduce adverse economic effects. The shipping industry as a whole is still on the lookout for any delays or disturbances while authorities continue investigating the incident and prepare to reopen the Parana River.

Reference: Fleetmon

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The Malta-registered bulk carrier Zografia underwent quick repairs at the Suez Shipyard Company in Egypt in response to a Houthi missile strike on January 16. The missile made a large exit hole below the waterline when it struck the No. 2 cargo hold. Fortunately, the ship was empty when the attack occurred, although it still had the risk of getting drenched.

The Suez Shipyard Company replaced the cargo hold’s internal steel structures and hull plating with great effort. Additionally, the piping needed to be fixed, especially the hydraulic control pipes, which were completed quickly. The shipyard’s maintenance work was examined and authorised by ClassNK.

The vessel’s master, Captain Borys Basenko, appreciated the yard’s quick response and understanding of the circumstances. The Suez Canal Authority’s Chairman, Lieutenant General Rabie, reaffirmed the organisation’s unwavering willingness to work with shipping lines and agencies. He underlined their dedication to lessening the effects of the current circumstances in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab by offering essential navigational and repair services to transiting ships experiencing problems or breakdowns.

Reports of a nearly 50% decrease in Suez Canal transits since the start of Houthi attacks were being made when the incident happened. It’s possible that the 58,894 dwt bulker, which was controlled and owned by Greek nationals, was targeted since it was in Israel in May 2023. The ship arrived at Piraeus on January 31 for repairs and is said to return via the Suez Canal in March, coming in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

On January 28, the Suez Canal Authority declared that Zografia’s repairs were finished, and it was now travelling with the northbound convoy. The repairs involved the replacement of iron components and the restoration of hydraulic struts and main balance pipes. There were only 24 crew members on board the empty ship when it was attacked while sailing from Vietnam to Israel.

Video| Arrival of the Greek bulk carrier ZOGRAFIA at Suez Shipyard Co. for the necessary maintenance and repair works by the Company’s capable personnel and expertise, using its technical capabilities pic.twitter.com/UC02MvHmHK

— هيئة قناة السويس Suez Canal Authority (@SuezAuthorityEG) January 22, 2024

Video Credits: Suez Canal Authority/Twitter

The Suez Canal Authority’s Chairman and Managing Director, Admiral Ossama Rabiee, emphasised the authority’s willingness to work with client shipping lines and agencies to lessen the effects of the current circumstances in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab. An associated business, Suez Shipyard Co., effectively managed Zografia’s maintenance and repair needs, guaranteeing the regular flow of cargo through the Canal and maintaining international supply lines. The SCA maintained contact with the vessel’s owner to ensure the crew’s safety.

The Houthi forces, which is affiliated with Iran, have threatened to expand the range of its targets in the waters surrounding the Red Sea. This escalation, which includes a threat of possible attacks on US vessels as retaliation for US and British operations on locations in Yemen, is allegedly in response to measures taken by Israel in Gaza. International trade has been affected, and significant world countries have expressed concern as a result of the Houthi attacks on vessels in the region since November.

A significant impact on Suez Canal revenue was earlier revealed by Lieutenant General Rabie, who reported an almost 40% reduction in revenues and a 30% drop in ship traffic year over year between January 1 and January 11. The disruptive Houthi strikes in the region are blamed for these recent events, highlighting the far-reaching effects on the fronts of security and the economy.

Reference: sis.gov.eg, EgyptToday

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In the Gulf of Aden on Saturday, the Indian Navy swiftly responded to a distress call from a commercial oil tanker that had 22 Indian crew members after it was hit by a missile on an important trade route that had seen several similar strikes in recent weeks. The Indian Navy was able to limit the fire on the vessel. In response to the Mayday signal issued Friday night by the Marshall Islands-flagged MV Marlin Luanda, the Indian Navy deployed INS Visakhapatnam, the guided missile destroyer, to aid the vessel.

Commander Vivek Madhwal, the Navy spokesperson, said in New Delhi that following six hours of fighting against the fire, along with the crew members of MV Marlin Luanda, the firefighting team of the Indian Navy successfully brought the blaze under control. The missile attack on the vessel, reportedly by Iran-backed Houthi militants, came amid rising concerns about the security scenario in the Red Sea and also the Gulf of Aden. Oceonix Services operates the ship, which is based in the UK. Since November, the Houthis have begun launching attacks on commercial vessels sailing in the Arabian Sea and its neighbouring waters, apparently in retaliation to Israel’s military war in Gaza.

Fire onboard MV #MarlinLuanda brought under control

Based on request from Master of the MV, the fire fighting team from #INSVisakhapatnam comprising 10 Indian Naval personnel with specialist fire fighting equipment embarked the vessel in early hours of #27Jan 24.
After six… https://t.co/d5yxgWI42Y pic.twitter.com/RsLPKOpXTU

— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) January 27, 2024

Video Credits: Indian Navy/Twitter

INS Visakhapatnam responded to MV Marlin Luanda’s distress call and promptly offered assistance. According to Madhwal, a US and a French warship, he also answered the distress call. He stated that early on Saturday morning, a firefighting squad from INS Visakhapatnam, which comprises 10 Indian Navy members, embarked on the MV Marlin Luanda with specialized firefighting equipment. The expert Indian Naval firefighting team and the crew members of the MV Marlin Luanda contained the fire about six hours later. Per a Navy official, the crew has been monitoring the matter to rule out the possibility of “re-ignition”.

Indian Navy is steadfast in its dedication toward the safety of merchant shipping and seafarers, he stated. The Navy said earlier that the vessel INS Visakhapatnam, which contained 22 Indians and a Bangladeshi crew, had responded to the MV Marlin Luanda’s distress call. Based on a request by MV Marlin Luanda, INS Visakhapatnam reportedly deployed the nuclear, biological chemical defence and damage control (NBCD) team in addition to firefighting equipment to assist the crew in augmenting firefighting efforts on the MV, it stated.

The maritime situation in the critical sea lanes, such as the North and Central Arabian Sea, has driven the Navy to improve the deployments of its frontline vessels and surveillance aircraft to support maritime security operations.

Reference: MSN

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The largest cruise ship in the world, Icon of the Seas, sailed for its inaugural voyage on January 27 from the Port of Miami, Florida. The enormous ship, which the Royal Caribbean Group owns, is around 1,200 feet tall, weighs 250,800 gross tons, and has 20 decks with 2,350 crew members and 7,600 passengers. Attracting attention from record-breaking amenities, the ship, worth $2 billion, has seven swimming pools, six water slides, and more than forty restaurants, bars, and lounges.

The cruise ship is registered in the Bahamas and runs on LNG, considered more environmentally friendly than conventional marine fuels. Environmentalists, however, are concerned that the LNG-powered engines may release methane emissions that could worsen climate change. Over 20 years, methane, a potent greenhouse gas, is known to trap more heat than carbon dioxide.

Critics claim that the use of LNG may still result in more than 120% greater life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions than marine gas oil, even if Royal Caribbean claims that the Icon of the Seas is 24% more energy-efficient than the requirements set forth by the International Maritime Organization for new ships. The International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) published a paper questioning accepted wisdom regarding methane emissions from vessels powered by LNG to reduce global warming.

Video Credits: Associated Press/YouTube

The Cruise Lines International Association estimates that in 2021 the fast-expanding cruise industry will have added $75 billion to the world economy. During its inaugural trip, the Icon of the Seas will visit seven Caribbean islands, including stops in Saint Kitts & Nevis and Charlotte Amalie in the US Virgin Islands.

Royal Caribbean intends to launch a ship with net-zero emissions by 2035, and the Icon of the Seas is one of their ambitious plans. The cruise liner has attracted much interest from cruise enthusiasts despite environmental concerns. Travelers are excited about the ship’s unique amenities, including the most significant sea ice arena, a cantilevered infinity pool, and a 17,000-square-foot water park. According to Colleen McDaniel, editor-in-chief of Cruise Critic, Icon of the Seas is the subject that has been studied the most for 2024 on the website.

The next ship of Royal Caribbean’s Icon Class, dubbed Star of the Seas, is being built in Finland and is expected to debut in August 2025. In response to consumer needs, the cruise company has developed eight unique onboard “neighbourhoods” that appeal to various interests and demographics, improving the cruise experience.

Environmentalists continue to be concerned about the possible ecological effects of enormous cruise ships despite the ship’s magnificence and inventive design. They are pleading with the industry to prioritise sustainable practices to address climate issues.

In a recent event, the Icon of the Seas was officially named by football Icon Lionel Messi, who currently plays for Inter Miami in the Aquadome, part of the upper deck of the ship crowned by the 82-foot-tall steel and glass, which houses a bar, Royal Caribbean’s first food hall, a 55-foot-tall water curtain feature, and a theatre where high divers perform. Lionel Messi blessed the ship with a football that Captain Henrik Loy had given him during the celebration. Before using the ball to set off a champagne bottle to break on the ship’s bow, Messi introduced the ship as the “Icon Of The Seas” and spoke Spanish. Messi and his teammates attended the traditional ship-naming ceremony. They later participated in an event honouring the partnership between Inter Miami and Royal Caribbean, where Messi was acknowledged as the ship’s godfather or “icon.”

Reference: BBC, CNN

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The BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited (abbreviated BAPL) and Indian Navy successfully engaged a land target on Wednesday at an enhanced range with a far-advanced supersonic cruise missile.

The endeavour revalidates the concept of #AatmaNirbharta for extended-range precision strikes from combat and mission-ready vessels, reported the Indian Navy on X.

#IndianNavy & M/s BAPL carried out successful engagement of land target at enhanced range with advanced supersonic cruise missile. This endeavour revalidates #AatmaNirbharta for extended range precision strike capability from combat & misson ready ships.#AatmaNirbharBharat… pic.twitter.com/nfG9tlC2L4

— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) January 24, 2024

Video Credits: Indian Navy/Twitter

Navy test-fired BrahMos missile in the Bay of Bengal
In November 2023, the Indian Navy successfully test-fired one BrahMos missile from its war vessel in the Bay of Bengal. The Indian Navy had mentioned in its statement that the missile had achieved the mission objectives fruitfully. The Navy shared a photograph of the test firing via a post on X.

BrahMos Supersonic cruise missile
Per a top official associated with BAPL, the India-Russian collaborative venture generates supersonic cruise missiles, which can quickly be launched from ships, aircraft, submarines, or land platforms at approximately 2.8 Mach or nearly thrice the speed of sound. India exports BrahMos missiles to nations like the Philippines. Notably, the Navy tested the extended range capability.

Reference: India TV News

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The Colombian Navy captured the first narco-submarine of 2024 off the coast of the nation. Nearly 800 kilograms of cocaine were found on board on Saturday. The 15-meter homemade submarine destined for Europe and the United States carried little packages with Mexican flags and scorpion stamps. Even though this seizure was thought to be minor in comparison to prior years, it emphasises the continuous difficulty Colombia faces in controlling the manufacture of cocaine.

Captain Wilmer Roa, a spokesman for the Colombian Navy, stated that ten narco-submarines—some of which were carrying as much as 3,500 kilograms of cocaine—were apprehended in 2023 alone. The nation has been dealing with an upsurge in cocaine production, especially as drug trafficking organisations and rebel groups take advantage of the space left by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia insurgents following the 2016 peace agreement.

#LoUltimo la @armadacolombia realizó interdicción de un semisumergible que transportaba 7⃣9⃣5⃣ kilogramos de
clorhidrato de cocaína en el Pacífico centro.

Este sería el primer artefacto ilegal incautado en el año pic.twitter.com/E63vJmL2DY

— Fuerza Naval del Pacífico (@FNP_ArmadaCol) January 21, 2024

Video Credits: Fuerza Naval del Pacífico/Twitter

The UN Office on Drugs and Crime has released alarming numbers showing that in 2022, Colombia’s coca bush area reached a record 230,000 hectares and that the country’s potential cocaine production surged to 1,700 tons, a 24% increase from the previous year.

Ecuador has developed into a popular transit country for the smuggling of cocaine on a transnational scale. According to recent reports, Colombia’s Navy provided intelligence that allowed Ecuadorian officials to seize a submarine that was transporting 3.2 tons of cocaine. Drug traffickers turn speedboat hulls into submersibles, allowing discreet navigation just below the surface of the water.

There’s another big operation going on in the Pacific Ocean at the same time as the narco-submarine intercepted off Colombia. Over a thousand pounds of cocaine were found on board a semi-submersible that the Colombian Navy captured on Sunday and was headed for Central America. Three people boarded the ship, decorated with scorpion emblems and other marks. A total of 795 kilograms, or 1,753 pounds, of cocaine, valued at almost $27 million, were found during testing. The “narco sub,” the semi-submersible, is challenging to find since it never wholly submerges.

Twenty semi-submersibles were stopped by the Colombian Navy in 2023, which resulted in the seizure of thirty tons of cocaine and more than five tons of marijuana. The Navy emphasised in a statement on Sunday that all logistical and operational resources must be deployed in the ongoing fight against drug trafficking networks in the Colombian Pacific.

Reference: AP News, CBS News

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