Donald Lawson’s Trimaran Found Capsized in the Pacific, Lawson Still Missing

Posted on by August 1, 2023

Donald Lawson and his Dark Seas Project was nothing if not ambitious. Lawson, 41, was preparing to set out to break at least 35 sailing records on his ORMA 60 trimaran, Defiant. 

Lawson is a professional sailor from Baltimore who hoped to become the fastest person to sail solo and nonstop around the world in a boat no longer than 60 feet. He also hoped to become one of the few African Americans to set world records in the sport of sailing. Lawson and his wife started the Dark Seas Project, an effort to promote more diversity in the sport of sailing. He is also the chairman of the diversity, equity, and inclusion committee for U.S. Sailing, the national governing body for the sport.

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Where Cruise Ships Are No Longer Welcome — Amsterdam Latest Port to Impose Ban

Posted on by July 31, 2023

Have cruise ships worn out their welcome? Increasingly, port cities around the world are banning or regulating cruise ship dockings and operations in their coastal waters. Amsterdam has become only the most recent to do so.

The BBC reports that Amsterdam’s council has banned cruise ships from the city center as the Dutch capital tries to limit visitor numbers and curb pollution.

Politicians said the vessels were not in line with the city’s sustainable ambitions.
It means the central cruise terminal on the River IJ near Amsterdam’s main train station will close. It is the latest measure to clamp down on mass tourism in the city.

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Wreck of SM UC-55, German World War I U-Boat, Identified Off Shetland

Posted on by July 28, 2023

UC-55 wreckage. Photo: Jacob Mackenzie

Last Friday, July 21, divers dove 110m (361ft) beneath the waters off the Shetland Islands, about eight miles south-east of Lerwick, and positively identified the wreck of the SM UC-55, a German Type UC II minelaying submarine that was sunk during World War I in 1917.

The wreck of UC-55 was first discovered by side scan sonar in a UK hydrographic office survey on 3 July 1985. The survey was not able to identify the wreck. Now, 106 years after its sinking and 38 years after the wreck was first discovered, divers from the Stromness boat Valhalla have identified the submarine in almost the same condition as she was left. 

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Update: Fire on Car Carrier Fremantle Highway Continues to Burn, Concerns About Stability

Posted on by July 27, 2023

News reports are that salvors fighting the fire on the car carrier Fremantle Highway have been temporarily stopped in their attempt to cool the exterior of the stricken ship with water. There are serious concerns that water from the firefighting could accumulate on the upper decks, making the ship unstable and likely to capsize. 

“We have to make sure that no excess water ends up on board because that would damage its stability,” the coastguard said in a website update,  on Thursday afternoon.

The measure is temporary and maybe resumed later in the day, the update said. “The advantages have to be weighed up against the risks that cooling the ship brings.”

The ship itself is still on fire and bellowing smoke, making it difficult to land investigators on board to check out the situation. The ship is currently some 16 kilometres north of the Wadden Sea island of Terschelling. The ship is close to a world-renowned bird habitat off the Dutch coast. The tugboat Fairplay 30 is being used to attempt to keep the ship from drifting into busy shipping lanes. Continue reading →

Car Carrier Fremantle Highway Catches Fire in North Sea Off Dutch Coast, One Crew Member Killed

Posted on by July 26, 2023

Near midnight on Tuesday, the car carrier Fremantle Highway, loaded with nearly 3,000 cars, caught fire and has been burning out of control off the Dutch island of Ameland. The Dutch coast guard said one crew member had died and that others were injured. Firefighters are working to save the vessel from potentially sinking close to an important habitat for migratory birds.

Boats and helicopters evacuated the 23 crew members off the ship after they tried unsuccessfully to put out the blaze, the coast guard said in a statement.

Some of the crew members jumped off the ship’s deck 30 meters into the sea and were picked up by a lifeboat, the lifeboat’s captain told Dutch broadcaster NOS. Some of the crew suffered broken bones, burns and breathing problems and were taken to hospitals in the northern Netherlands, emergency services said.

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91st Thames Sailing Barge Match, the Longest-Running Race for Traditional Sail

Posted on by July 25, 2023

In 1863, Henry Dodd organized a race between Thames River sailing barges. It has become the longest-running, regularly organized, national racing event for traditional sail in the world. In absolute terms, it ranks as the second oldest sailing race behind the America’s Cup.

Dodd was a wealthy barge owner, who started as a plowboy and made his fortune hauling rubbish. A friend of Charles Dickens, he probably inspired the character Noddy Boffin, the wealthy London “Golden Dustman,” in Dickens’ novel “Our Mutual Friend.”

With pauses only for economic recessions and world wars, the Thames Sailing Barge Match has been sailing ever since. Earlier this month, the 91st Thames Sailing Barge Match was sailed with seven barges in three classes. The competitors ranged in age from two 125 year old barges, the Wyvenhoe and the Niagara, to the relatively new Blue Mermaid built in 2019, which was the first to cross the finish line in this year’s race.

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15-Year-Old Maya Merhige Swims 28.5 Miles Around the Island of Manhattan

Posted on by July 24, 2023

CNBC reports that Maya Merhige, a 15-year-old from Berkeley, California, successfully swam around the entire island of Manhattan in eight hours and 43 minutes on July 15th,  becoming only the third person her age to complete the “20 Bridges Swim,” named for the bridges that swimmers pass under during their journey.

The 28.5-mile swim was worth more than bragging rights. Since 2020, she has been doing long-distance swims in partnership with Swim Across America, a nonprofit that hosts charity swims and donates the funds to cancer research. So far, she has raised over $17,000 this year. Since she started swimming for cancer research funding, she’s raised over $75,000.

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Maersk’s First Green Methanol-Fueled Boxship Sails on Maiden Voyage

Posted on by July 20, 2023

Back in 2021, we posted about a pledge made by Maersk that it would launch the world’s first carbon-neutral cargo liner vessel in 2023 – seven years ahead of its initial 2030 target. This week, Maersk fulfilled that pledge, when its new feeder ship sailing on green methanol embarked on its maiden voyage on July 17. The new ship, to be officially named Laura Maersk in September, departed Ulsan, South Korea on an 11,000 nautical-mile voyage to Copenhagen, Denmark, before entering service in the Baltic. 

Maritime Executive reports that the departure of the 32,300 dwt vessel came just a day after OCI Fuels completed the first green methanol bunkering operation. The containership was fueled with OCI HyFuels ISCC certified green methanol and under arrangement working with Maersk, a supply of green methanol has been established all along the vessel’s route to Europe. Odfjell SE, is the transportation and storage partner, helping to set up the supply of green methanol in Ulsan for yesterday’s bunkering operation.

The Laura Maersk is 564 feet long with a 105-foot beam with a nominal capacity of 2,100 TEU including 400 reefer plugs. She was built with a MAN dual-fuel engine that was expected to give her a top speed of 17.4 knots. 

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Dolphin Attacks Off Japanese Beach, Swimmers Injured

Posted on by July 20, 2023

We have posted about orcas attacking and even sinking sailboats off the Iberian peninsula. Recently, we posted about a surfboard-stealing otter.  Now, officials say that four swimmers were injured in dolphin attacks on a beach in central Japan.

The BBC reports that one man, in his 60s, suffered broken ribs and bites to his hands after a dolphin rammed him a few meters off Suishohama beach in the town of Mihama, Fukui prefecture, early on Sunday.

Another man, in his 40s, sustained arm bites in a separate incident on the popular beach the same morning.

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Aussie Sailor and His Dog Rescued after Nearly Three Months Adrift in the Pacific

Posted on by July 19, 2023

An Australian sailor and his dog were recently rescued by a Mexican tuna trawler after surviving for almost three months at sea.

Before setting sail in April from the Mexican city of La Paz on his catamaran, Aloha Toa, bound for French Polynesia, Aussie sailor Timothy Shaddock was adopted by Bella, a stray dog.

‘Bella sort of found me in the middle of Mexico. She’s Mexican,’ Shaddock said, as reported by the Daily Mail. ‘She’s the spirit of the middle of the country and she wouldn’t let me go. I tried to find a home for her three times and she just kept following me onto the water. She’s a lot braver than I am, that’s for sure.’

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Entire Pod of 55 Pilot Whales Dies in Mass Stranding in the Outer Hebrides

Posted on by July 16, 2023

The BBC reports that an entire pod of 55 pilot whales died after a mass stranding on a beach in the Outer Hebrides. Only 15 were alive after they washed onto Traigh Mhor beach at North Tolsta on the Isle of Lewis at about 07:00 on Sunday morning.

The marine charity British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) attempted to refloat one of the more active whales but it was later found restranded farther down the beach.

A further three whales then died, leaving 12 still alive – eight adults and four calves.
A statement said: “At about 15:30, the local vet along with the Coastguard, Fire and Rescue, and a forensics vet came to the conclusion that the shallow beach and rough wave conditions made it too unsafe to refloat the remaining animals.
 
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Passengers on Cruise Ship Horrified to Witness Slaughter of Pilot Whales in Faroe Islands

Posted on by July 14, 2023

When the Ambassador Cruise Line cruise ship Ambition arrived recently in the port of Tórshavn, the capital of the Faroe Islands, its passengers admired the rugged coastline and the breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. For many, however, the sense of awe quickly shifted to alarm as the water of the port was stained red with blood. Passengers were horrified to watch as local islanders slaughtered pilot whales.

Among those passengers were conservationists with the Ocean Research & Conservation Association (ORCA), a marine life advocacy group that seeks to protect whales and dolphins in European waters. Since 2021, Ambassador has paid for ORCA staff to join their cruises in order to educate tourists on marine wildlife and collect data on the animals.

The Ambition’s arrival coincided with the culmination of the sixth hunt of 2023, resulting in the slaughter of 78 pilot whales in the port area, including 9 tiny calves estimated as being no more than a month old.

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Nearly 40% of US Attack Submarines Are Out of Commission for Repairs

Posted on by July 13, 2023

Bloomberg reports that delays at naval shipyards mean that nearly 40% of US attack submarines are out of commission for repairs, about double the rate the Navy would like, according to new data released by the service.

As of this year, 18 of the US Navy’s 49 attack submarines — 37% — were out of commission, according to previously undisclosed Navy data published by the Congressional Research Service, raising concerns that this leaves the US at a critical disadvantage against China’s numerically superior fleet.

That’s up from 28% overall in 2017 and 33% in 2022 and below the industry best practice of 20%.

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Grand Theft Otter — Sea Otter Keeps Stealing Surfboards in Santa Cruz

Posted on by July 12, 2023

We have followed the outbreak of orca attacks off the Iberian peninsula over the last several years. Here is an only slightly less threatening story of a mischievous female sea otter which has been harassing surfers and stealing surfboards in Santa Cruz, California.

For the past few summers, numerous surfers have been victims of boardjacking by a female sea otter, which accosts the wave riders, seizing and even damaging their surfboards in the process.

After a weekend in which the otter’s behavior seemed to grow more aggressive, wildlife officials in the area said on Monday they have decided to put a stop to these acts of otter larceny.

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Car Carrier Don Quijote Tilting at Windmills Knocks Over Bremerhaven Shipyard Crane

Posted on by July 11, 2023

In Miguel de Cervantes’ epic novel Don Quixote, the namesake hero mistakes a row of windmills for evil giants and launches a bold, if comically unsuccessful, attack.  The windmills win, as the errant knight is swatted from his steed by a windmill blade spinning in the breeze. 

On Sunday night, in Bremerhaven, the eponymously named car carrier Don Quijote did not “tilt at windmills” but instead drifted into a Lloyd Werft shipyard crane after being blown off its moorings in high winds. This time, Don Quijote won. Luckily, no one was injured.

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Questions Raised by the Tragic Port Newark Fire on the Ro-Ro/Container Ship Grande Costa D’Avorio

Posted on by July 10, 2023

Last Wednesday night at 9:38 PM, a fire broke out on the 10th deck of the ro-ro/container ship, Grande Costa D’Avorio, docked at Port Newark, as vehicle loading operations were underway. The fire broke out in five to seven cars and spread quickly to the 11th and 12th decks of the ship. The crew of the vessel immediately activated the on-board fire suppression procedures while the local firefighters were alerted. 

Tragically, two firefighters, Augusto Acabou, 45, and Wayne Brooks Jr., 49, died after becoming trapped while fighting the fire. Several other firefighters were injured. The fire burned for several days and was finally brought under control on Sunday. Fortunately, the ship owner reported that there were no electric cars or hazardous cargo on board.

Shipboard fires at ports are relatively rare and difficult to train for, given the range of ship types and sizes. Initial reports suggest a certain level of confusion as to roles and responsibilities in responding to the fire. 

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Of Maps & Movies: Barbie Movie Banned by Vietnam Over “Nine-Dash-Line” on South China Sea Map

Posted on by July 7, 2023

The much-anticipated live-action movie Barbie has been banned in Vietnam over the appearance of a map in the background of one scene allegedly depicting Chinese territorial claims in the South China Sea, claims disputed by Vietnam and at least seven other countries. 

The map in question is purported to show the “nine-dash line,” reflecting a Chinese claim to roughly 80% of all maritime and territorial areas in the South China Sea, a claim flatly rejected by a United Nations Law of the Sea Convention Tribunal in 2016 that ruled unanimously that China’s claim had no basis in international law.

The Vietnamese refer to the “nine-dash-line” as the “cow’s tongue line.”

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Two Firefighters Die, Multiple Injured, Battling Fire on Ro-Ro/Container Ship in Port Newark

Posted on by July 6, 2023

Two firefighters were killed on Wednesday night after they became trapped while fighting a fire on the ro-ro/container ship, Grande Costa D’Avorio, docked at Port Newark. Approximately a dozen other firefighters were reported to be injured.

The fire broke out around 9:30 p.m. The fire started on the 10th deck as crew members and local stevedores were moving cars, vans and trucks. Upon arrival, firefighters located the fire, which broke out in five to seven cars and spread to the 11th and 12th decks of the ship.

At 6:45 a.m. Thursday, the fire was still burning and a fireboat was spraying water on the ship as smoke poured from the blaze.

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Destroyer USS McFaul Prevents Iran From Seizing Tankers in Gulf of Oman

Posted on by July 5, 2023

US Naval Forces Central Command Public Affairs reports that on July 5, the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS McFaul prevented two attempted commercial tanker seizures by the Iranian Navy. The Iranians opened fire in one of the incidents near the coast of Oman.

At 1 a.m. local time, one Iranian naval vessel approached the Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker TRF Moss in international waters in the Gulf of Oman. The Iranian vessel departed the scene when the destroyer USS McFaul (DDG 74) arrived on station. Additionally, the US Navy deployed surveillance assets, including MQ-9 Reaper and P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft.

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Happy 4th of July – A Toast to Madeira, the Wine of the Declaration of Independence and the Liberty Riots

Posted on by July 4, 2023

An updated repost fitting for the day.

Happy 4th of July!  Those of us in the United States celebrate the anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4th 1776. Immediately after declaring independence from Great Britain, the representatives in the Continental Congress drank a toast with glasses of Madeira wine.

Why Madiera?  It was virtually the only wine available in the American colonies at the time. Wine carried by sailing ship was often spoiled in transit by the constant jostling of the ship and the wide variations of heat and cold. Wine from the island of Madeira, however, was fortified with a small amount of sugar cane brandy to help it survive the ocean voyage. Not only did the fortified wine survive the voyage but it was found that the heat and motion of the ship actually improved the quality of the wine.

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