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 NOTE>> New Material Is Still Being Added To This Site Daily - This Feature Current To May 4 2006

Readers Note: Please Note That There Now Are 4 Pages On This Feature
Page 1 (below) M/V APL Panama Goes Aground- INITIAL EVENTS AT ENSENADA -- Dec. 25 2005 to Jan. 27 2006

Page 2 The Epic Battle To Refloat M/V APL Panama -- Jan. 27 2006 to Feb. 28 2006

Page 3 - The Dredger Refloats M/V APL Panama -(see below) Current March 1 2006 to Present --

Current Updates To June 6 2006 On This Page -- M/V APL Panama under repair at Subic Bay June 16 2006.

Nov. 12 2006 - M/V APL Panama Is Dead

Page 4 M/V APL Panama Leaves A Great Lady Behind

Go Directly To News of The Current Day (On Paage #3)
SHE FLOATS !!!


Please Contribute

"A Day Week Month Months 2 Months At The Beach"

M/V APL Panama

On The Scene At Hussong's CY

Feature Date: January 2006

Event Date: BREAKING NEWS EDITION - Jan. 2006

Dec. 25 2005 & Continuing

Has This Become A Cargo Law Mystery?

Countryman & McDaniel

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"Overlooking Runway 25 - Right, at Los Angeles International Airport"

On The Scene -- at Esenada, Mexico

 A 2006 Countryman & McDaniel

Cargo Nightmare Prize Contender

Go Directly To The Feature

Go Directly To News of The Current Day

"A Day Week Month 2 Months At The Beach"

Page 1 M/V APL Panama Goes Aground- EPIC EVENTS AT ENSENADA

Page 2 The Epic Battle To Refloat M/V APL Panama

Page 3 The Dreger Arrives -- She Floats Again on March 10 2006! Current Updates to May 4 2006 -- M/V APL Panama has returned to sea!

Page 4 M/V APL Panama Leaves A Great Lady Behind

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"A Day Week Month 2 Months At The Beach"

On The Scene

At Esenada Beach, Mexico

M/V APL Panama

Trouble Finding The Port

BREAKING NEWS Since Dec. 25 2005

Proving Again That: "Ship Happens©"

  

A Cargo Nightmare Prize Contender

The Date: Dec. 25 2005

The Place: Ensenada Beach, Mexico

The Function: Hussong's CY

M/V APL Panama In Better Days at the Port of Hong Kong

Built - 2000

Operator - APL

Owner - Schiffahrtsgesellschaft mbH & Co

Flag: Antigua & Barbuda

Type of Vessel - Cellular

Length: 880ft.

Gross Weight - 40,306gt.

Registered Deadweight -52,272gt.

Capacity - TEU 4,038 (1805 aboard)

Cargo Gear - Gearless

Cargo Aboard At Time of Incident: 30,000 tons

The Prolog To Disaster -- The Approach To Ensenada
 

M/V APL Panama is no longer in distress............ but the 2 months of this event were of epic maritime scope. Here we ask you to first consider the sources of our information --

This has been a singular experience for us -- covering a 2 month event -- with some rather amazing photos & insights, many from efforts of the San Diego Union-Tribune !

Below are contributions from our Readers. Most come anonymously -- direct from shipping company sources. We always welcomed more -- from what has became a public spectacle at Ensenada, Mexico.

Below you will also read facts & view images which raise questions --

What began as a simple grounding on Christmas Day -- became an incident which grabbed world attention. Indeed, how did this happen? Much of the event is seen through the lens of photojournalist John Gibbins

SPECIAL NOTE: The unique reporting of the San Diego Union-Tribune newspaper is to be commended. Without the uncommon photo journalism of the San Diego Union-Tribune, a proper understanding of this historic event by our industry would not be possible. No other news organization has made the effort to follow what is the most dramatic container vessel incident since M/V APL China in 1998. This contribution to our world maritime industry will allow the event to be studied in the years to come -- hopefully to prevent reoccurrence. Our thanks are unending. The thanks of the the NCBFAA, Intermodal Assn., U.S. Maritime Law Association, NOAA, U.S. MARAD, U.S. Coast Guard, IMO, BIMCO, Lloyd's, and the vessel operators are certainly expected for this special effort. Through the effort of photojournalist John Gibbins, practical lessons will be learned.

Visit the complete San Diego Union-Tribune photo gallery for this historic event which contains many photos not seen at the Cargo Law site.

There are many photos in this feature for you to enjoy, from the International Longshore & Warehouse Union, independent maritime agencies, the San Diego Union-Tribune and many readers -- but pictues do not speak. The true voice of these proceedings from Dec. 2005 to March 2006 has been a lone reporter -- Sandra Dibble of the San Diego Union-Tribune.

The Influence of Sandra Dibble: Of all the reader tips, industry announcements & Ensenada town rumors -- by far the greatest asset to this coverage was San Diego Union-Tribune reporter Sandra Dibble. Only one world newspaper covered this world event - and only one reporter. Many concepts you will see below are to some material degree influenced by the efforts this professional -- climbing over ship & sand to render proper maritime interpretations of this event. We join the maritime community in thanking Sandra Dibble for the energy & insight put to her two month effort.! Sandra Dibble was the truly the sole "eyes & ears" of an entire industry for a major world event. For the next maritime disaster -- send Sandra Dibble.

The oldest business in San Diego County and the 2nd-oldest newspaper in Southern California, The San Diego Union-Tribune is the product of a merger of The San Diego Union, founded Oct. 10, 1868, and the Evening Tribune, founded Dec. 2, 1895. This outstanding newspaper has been following maritime events and for the U.S. Navy since just after the American Civil War. The newspapers have won numerous awards over the years, including two Pulitzer Prizes -- perhaps Pulitzer Prize #3 for coverage of M/V APL Panama would be well deserved. We think so. This coverage has been just as historic as the incident for M/V APL Panama.

Michael S. McDaniel

Editor

Special Editors Note: This feature is enhanced by the work of photojournalist John Gibbins. Take a moment to "click" on his name to appreciate a career in maritime & Latin American events.

BELOW>> This is our "SINGLES ONLY" feature which was posted for you on Jan. 1 2006.

M/V APL Panama - Day At The Beach -- Jan. 2006
Photo: Anonymous Maritmine Agency

The Cargo Letter For Dec. 30 2005

Antigua & Barbuda flag, 40,306gt. M/V APL Panama<< Webfeature, (built 2001) -- grounded on sand Dec 25 while inbound to the Port of Ensenada<< Webfeature. Master did not wait for port pilot & tugs -- she proceeded to enter port without them. Geeez!!! M/V APL Panama ran aground on Ensenada Beach<< Webfeature, outside breakwaters. No reports of heavy weather or fog. Two 5000-bhp Crowley tugs from Port of Los Angeles arrived today to try to free the vessel. All efforts to pull the vessel off the sandbank during high tide using services of tugs unfortunately failed. Discharge of some of the 900 TEUs on board being considered but will be difficult due to location of the vessel -- in the middle of nowhere. She is aground 200 ft from beach on sandy bottom. Geeeez, we've known for years that if you're at Ensenada<< Webfeature, -- and nothing is going on -- just go to the beach! M/V APL Panama did!! This event best describes my UCLA college days!! McD (Fri.. Dec. 30 2005)

UPDATE>> More powerful tugs on route from Seattle. (Sun. Jan. 1 2006)

UPDATE>> After running aground on Christmas Day, M/V APL Panama remains a colossal figure looming over the coast just south of the port of Ensenada, and a National City marine contractor has been retained to help free it. After unsuccessful attempts by three tugboats sent from Los Angeles to dislodge the ship and bring it afloat, the ship's owner contracted the Crowley Maritime Corp., a worldwide salvage company based in Florida, to float the vessel. Crowley then contacted RE Staite Engineering Inc. of National City, a marine construction company, on Dec. 29 requesting the company join the team in the effort to free the ship. Three more powerful tugs should have arrived in Ensenada by now, but 1st cargo must be unloaded from the ship via a sky crane & fuel oil needs to be pumped from the ship. Both will lighten the ship's load, thus making the tugboats' job feasible, but it will take time. Additionally, lines need to be attached to the newly arrived tugboats. Another factor in freeing the ship is the tide. During periods of high tide the ship almost floats; however, during low tide the result is the opposite. The recent high surf that Ensenada experienced also pushed the ship farther inland toward the coast as the tide rose. Initial reports said the crew didn't wait for the port pilot to guide them into the terminal before trying to bring the vessel into port -- but there is another story that denies this claim. (Thurs. Jan. 5 2006)

Photo: Anonymous Maritmine Agency
Officials believe it might take as much as a month to free the ship's hull & propellers from the sand. The 260-meter-long (850-foot-long) ship is laden with about 35,000 tons of cargo.

M/V APL Panama had left Oakland with 25 crew and was making its first stop in Ensenada. Its regularly scheduled route leads to other Mexican ports, then to stops in Japan, Taiwan and China.

  

Our Contributor: Industry insider who wishes to be anonymous. Photos taken by a private maritime agency.

"A Day Week Month 2 Months At The Beach" -- But this story was to continue well beyond "SINGLES ONLY" status --

Here are the photos of a major maritime miscalculation ..........

....... which contnues to date. Indeed, "Ship Happens©"
Photo: ILWU
Vessel Become Landmark - the Hussong's CY ?

Quite Truly -- "Ship Happens©"

She was on a regularly scheduled trans-Pacific loop from Oakland to Mexico, then Japan, Taiwan & China.

"APL Mexico Asia Express Service" -- The Route of M/V APL Panama
Port Rotation: Kaohsiung - Chiwan - Ningbo - Shanghai - Pusan - Yokohama - Oakland - Ensenada - Manzanillo- Lazaro Cardenas

Highlights: Industry's fastest transit times from Taiwan, Korea & Japan to Ensenada - the intermodal gateway to the Maquiladora region. (APL)

Photo: by Anonymous
The Circus Begins

Photo: by John Gibbins - San Diego Union-Tribune
So ........ When All Else Fails!

We Think The Egyptians Used This Method For The Pyramids.

Didn't Work

By the First Week of January 2006 -- APL Line Realized That More Extreme Measures Were Needed. M/V APL Panama Would Not Just "Float Off".
Off Loading Begins -- To Lighten The Vessel-- By Extraordinary Means --

The Following Are APL Photos

Be Quite Proud of An Industry Which Can Marshal Such Resources -- In The Middle of Nowhere --

Photo: Anonymous - Germany
A Road In The Desert Is Built To Service M/V APL Panama

A Maritime City Springs Up On The Barren Mexican Coast. Impressive. Also Impressive Cost.

Photo: ILWU
Even The Great 5000-bhp Crowley Tugs Have Failed
An Evergreen Sikorsky S-64 Sky Crane Positions On The Ensenada Beach

Photo: ILWU
Forty Footers Slung Under The Sky Crane

Extreme Times Call For A First -- Amazing & Expensive! Indeed "Ship Happens©"

Despite The Heroic Efforts -- M/V APL Panama Continiuues To Enjoy Her Day Week Month At The Beach!

Jan. 13 2006

Editors Note:

To get a more focused idea of this situation --please take moment to review the photos above -- again. There is much to be learned & understood.

This time -- study the low tide wave lines in relation to the beach. Take a good look at the relationship between the ship and various the onlookers walking along the beach. Think of your own feet touching the bottom when swimming out in the waves, just off the beach. M/V APL Panama has beached not far from where your towel would have been spread out for a pleasant day at the shore.

My question is whether you would personally decide to pilot your little, family cabin cruiser or any pleasure boat this close to the beach in clear weather, under sunny skies?

Now look back at this 14 story, 40,306 gross ton vessel, hard beached at Ensenada -- and consider that M/V APL Panama took this course on-shore knowingly -- Christmas Day, Dec. 25 --on purpose.

This incident is not a simple error in navigational judgment. Whatever the explanation, M/V APL Panama was literally driven onto the beach. A better job likely could not have been done if the action had been taken with intention. We do not suggest intention here -- but there is a yet untold story to explain this highly unusual event. It is said that the Captain declined assistance from an Esenada Harbor pilot -- an allegation currently denied by APL. Indeed, our sources from overseas suggest that something may have been amiss on the bridge.

Given required awareness on the command bridge when the vessel reached the Port of Ensenada -- or any vessel at any port of call -- we have never seen anything quite like this in clear weather.

The true story of M/V APL Panama has yet to either been told -- or paid for. The cost will be epic.

Please keep your reports & photos coming. Please Contribute "Ship Happens©"

McD

Jan. 14 2006

M/V APL Panama remains stranded in the surf, despite major efforts by a half-dozen tugboats over the past 4 days to pull her bow away from shore. Salvage workers are hoping for greater success next week with powerful hydraulic pulling machines that are being sent from the United States, according to the owners.

This week, workers from Titan Maritime LLC, a Florida company specializing in marine salvage, made a major push to float the vessel, taking advantage of lunar high tides. The challenge has been daunting. The vessel, which weighs about 15,000 tons, is carrying nearly 30,000 tons of cargo. Seven tugboats pulling at full force Jan. 12 &endash; a combined capacity of more than 40,000 horsepower &endash; moved the bow a few more yards away from shore, and they are expected to repeat their efforts.

The massive effort that began Jan. 10, has been partially successful. The bow has moved 20 degrees away from shore, about a 5th of the way that is needed to pull it toward open water. The salvage crews hoped that the tugboats would be able to do the job. But hydraulic pullers are being brought down on a special barge that was sent from Seattle. The barge, 400 feet long and 100 feet wide, is at R.E. Staite Engineering marine contractors in National City, where workers have been preparing to send it to Ensenada. Concerned about a possible spill, officials ordered all fuel removed from M/V APL Panama.

Photo: by John Gibbins - San Diego Union-Tribune
The Evergreen Sky Crane continues an incredible task.

Photo: by John Gibbins - San Diego Union-Tribune
The estimated 30,000 tons of cargo -- one bite at a time.

Expensive, time critical ..... but in style.

Photo:Anonymous - Germany
Crowley tug M/V Ranger, from San Francisco, sails to the aid of M/V APL Panama

.... as the inbound container M/V Dolphin Strait heads in to Ensenada on Thurs. Jan. 11 2006 -- with a Habor Pilot.

Photo:Anonymous - Germany
Crowley tug M/V Ranger beats her heart out Jan. 12 ...

... fighting to hold the ship from going back to shore after pulling her out 20 degrees from the shore in past week.

Photo: By Robert Bents
Other Crowley tugs M/V Leader, on left, & M/V Gladiator -- enter the fight.

They will be joined to create an armada of 7 tugs from the United States to save the stranded M/V APL Panama

Photo: by John Gibbins - San Diego Union-Tribune
..... but all the kings horses & all the kings men could not --

Jan. 13.

Her Day Week Month At The Beach Continues!

Jan. 19 2006 -- Bridge Decisions Revealed

Later this week, a barge fitted with powerful hydraulic pulling machines is expected to arrive in Ensenada to double the tugs' power. The goal is to have the machines in place during high tides later this month.

Just how M/V APL Panama ran aground remains the subject of speculation in Ensenada, as very little official information has been forthcoming. Port officials say they cannot discuss the case while it is under investigation by the Mexican Communications and Transportation Ministry.

Port officials say the vessel was scheduled to meet a Port Pilot to guide her into port at 7 p.m. She ran aground nearly 50 minutes earlier, at 6:12 p.m. on Christmas Day.

The vessel, carrying cargo from Oakland, had arrived earlier than scheduled, but the Captain had called ahead. An official said that "In my opinion, he was irritated that the pilot boat wasn't there, so he proceeded very slowly ahead, and unfortunately went too far and touched ground."

So the Capt. was "irritated" that the pilot was "late" -- but the vessel was almost 1 hour early. As a result of this faulty reasoning --the vessel is now very late indeed.

It is quite clear that that the Capt. may -- at his now enforced leisure -- consider the cost of his "irritation" on that Christmas Day. The bridge judgment rendered on Dec. 25 is hard to understand -- especially when coupled with the obvious sea-keeping shortcomings of the navigational decisions which put M/V APL Panama hard ashore on the Ensenada beach. Could this be "A Crock of Ship" We don't know at present.

Our sources to The Cargo Letter continue to report -- please join with your own information. Please Contribute

Jan. 20 -- Work Continues

It is learned that draft is 12mt. where red & black paint meet. at 2mt. to water - with 1.5mt. of water at the vessel & 8.5mt. of ship in sand. Geeez! Perhaps M/V APL Panama is better made a permanent resort.

Workers in recent days removed some 1,500 pounds of tainted sand from Conalep Beach, near a residential neighborhood south of the Ensenada port. Ship appears to have caused no significant environmental damage. The majority of the fuel on the vessel &endash; about 3,000 tons &endash; was pumped out last week at the request of Mexican officials, who have feared that damage to the vessel could result in a leak. Later this week, a barge fitted with powerful hydraulic pulling machines is expected to arrive in Ensenada to double the tugs' power.

NOTE: Our new photos will be posted shortly. Stay tuned -- because quite truly -- "Ship Happens©"

Jan. 21 -- Work Continues

Our sources report that approx. 130 containers are thus far "off-lifted" by the Evergreen sky crane. General Average said declared on January 11.
[Note: There is now some reason to belive that far fewer containers where "off-lifted" by the Evergreen sky crane. Jan. 27 2006 McD]

At this point is has become quite clear that M/V APL Panama needs to either "Ship Or Get Off The Port©" Please Contribute

Jan. 22 -- Work Continues

M/V APL Panama remains aground on soft sand 1.5 nm south E. of the entrance to the port of Ensenada, Mexico. Salvors have succeeded in maneuvering the bow of the vessel some 20 degrees towards deeper water over the past week, in order to assist the next re-floating effort. M/V APL Panama remains structurally intact & secure and it is hoped that another concerted effort to re-float her can be made toward the end of next week, when tide conditions are more favorable An enquiry into the grounding is being conducted by the Mexican authorities, with which the owners, "Mare Britannicum' Schiffahrtsgesellschaft mbH & Co+ KG, are fully cooperating. It is reported that yhe Owners would like to thank the Mexican authorities and the salvors who continue to successfully work towards a resolution of this issue in a safe and professional manner.

So -- M/V APL Panama will enjoy another week at the beach. Follks, this is that latest as of Midnight Jan. 22 2006.

Jan. 23 -- The Mystery Deepens -- Media Blackout?

"There is a deafening silence emanating from the Ensenada Port Authority, in Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico, in an unmistakable sound of a media blackout.  Nobody who knows anything is talking, and when they do the things that they say are limited.  So far little official information has been provided, and officials have certainly not offered any explanation about how this wreck could have occurred.  A larger area of the beach has now been cordoned off, which effectively keeps out observers.

On Dec. 28, three days after the grounding, the Ensenada Port Authority marketing director told the San Diego Union-Tribune newspaper, "We anticipate the tugs will come & tug it off the sandy bottom and the ship will proceed to Ensenada."

Even at that early date anyone could see that the ship was not stuck on any "sandy bottom," it was up on the beach. Later, after the 1st oil spill, the Union-Tribune reported that a spokesman for the ship's owners claimed that the salvage company "had booms on the stern & the bow of the ship, and immediately cleaned up the beach." But if the salvage crew had booms on the stern and bow of the ship, then why haven't any Ensenada witnesses seen these booms?  No bow & stern oil booms were ever seen in the pounding surf either before or after the oil spill, and deploying them in breaking surf would be ineffective anyway. Maybe the ship's owners, speaking from Germany, thought that nobody would notice this detail.

The main issue, though, is how this wreck could ever have occurred in the 1st place? Plenty of obvious questions are raised by the date of the incident, which was Christmas Sunday.  Christmas Day is an official holiday in Mexico, suggesting that the port might not have been fully staffed that evening. Also, Christmas cheer was flowing freely throughout Ensenada, and who knows if the people at sea might have sipped a toddy or two?

The First Mate has stated that the Captain was late getting to the bridge. Little is known about what happened on the bridge that night, but somebody clearly was not paying attention.  Fathometers indicate when a ship is getting into shallow water, so there must have been plenty of warning time when no corrective action was taken.

Then, as the ship approached the beach, the M/V APL Panama attempted to turn southward. She turned perpendicular to the wind and surf, and the huge ship acted like a sail & washed up on the beach.  Instead of attempting to turn, perhaps M/V APL Panama should have thrown the engines in reverse, or beached at a 90-degree angle.

Next there is the question of whether the 2 tugs that initially responded to the crisis acted correctly. Two tugs cannot do much, so should more equipment have been available?  An eyewitness reported that the tugs initially attempted to push the ship out to sea, then attempted to pull it. But, for some reason the tugs abandoned their efforts. If they had simply held their positions & continued to pull on the ship, perhaps they could have prevented the M/V APL Panama from running further aground.

The day after the grounding, the Ensenada Port Authority immediately blamed the ship's Captain, saying that an "investigation" had determined that the Port was not at fault. Is a one day investigation really enough to determine all the facts? Can the Port Authority be trusted to investigate itself?

There is plenty of motivation in Ensenada to keep things quiet. The less information anyone provides, the more likely the story is to drop off the public radar screen. This port is attempting to position itself as a major alternative to Long Beach or San Diego, and embarrassing incidents like this are bad for business." Gringo Gazette

The Cargo Letter has been told by sources of possible toddy involvement. Please Contribute

Jan. 24 - Testimony of Capt. & 1st Officer Obtained

NOTE: Readers of this feature will recall early denials by the vessel owners that M/V APL Panama had failed to wait for a Port of Ensenada Harbor Pilot before attempting entrance to the port. Today the truth of this issue is revealed.

The testimony of Master & 1st Officer of M/V APL Panama has been obtained. The officers' statements for the first time lift the shroud of secrecy that has surrounded the incident.

There were no equipment failures &endash; only human error &endash; that led to the grounding, according to sworn testimony on Jan. 2, by the Capt. & 1st mate, obtained by The San Diego Union-Tribune newspaper. Last-minute efforts to avoid disaster came too late. At 6:12 p.m., on a night with good visibility, light breezes, smooth seas & swells over 6 feet, M/V APL Panama ran aground, 1.5 miles SE of the port's entrance in the surf off a wide sandy beach.

 "In my view it was too high speed," said Teo Motusic, the vessel's 1st officer, and 2nd-in-command, in testimony before port officials. "My opinion is that the Capt. did not come to the bridge on time." Motusic's declarations and those of Capt. Zupan Branko, paint a vivid picture of the half hour before the grounding and the desperate last-minute maneuvers that proved futile.

1st mate, Motusic, in testimony said he tried to call the pilot on the radio from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. "but without success." As they approached the port, Motusic said he called the captain twice from the bridge. But Capt.Branko did not show up to take command until 5:42 p.m. Motusic said the captain was slow to react as he pointed out the buoys marking the channel's entrance, and the arriving pilot vessel. "The captain was all the time looking ahead, and he said, 'I still cannot see the pilot. Where is the pilot?' I told him and pointed, 'Captain, there is the pilot, there is the pilot!' " Motusic testified. The captain gave the order "hard to port wheel"! Then, the pilot called and warned, "Captain, you are going to the shallow waters," according to Motusic's testimony.

Under questioning from Ensenada's harbor master, Branko said it was his 4th time entering the Port of Ensenada, and that all the equipment on board was functioning. It was not until 6:05 p.m. that he realized the vessel was in danger, he said. Seven minutes later it ran aground. "Why did you not drop any of the anchors?" the harbor master asked. "I did not consider that possibility because it was a very short time span," Branko replied. Asked what he could have done to prevent the accident the first officer, Motusic, replied: "Everything happened very, very fast, and I was showing the captain the position of the buoys, the channel, pilot boat and breakwater."

As is the practice in ports worldwide, ships are supposed enter the Port of Ensenada only if there is a pilot on board. The pilot meets the vessel at an offshore location, in this case 2.3 miles W. of the port entrance. Port officials say their records show the pilot was scheduled to meet M/V APL Panama at 7 p.m. Capt. Branko, said the crew told the ship's agent in Ensenada at noon the ship would arrive at 6 p.m., according to his sworn testimony given in the presence of his British attorney at the Ensenada harbor master's office. Dec. 31.

So now conditions of the prelude to disaster are known -- but we think there is more, yet to be known.

Next Action>> A second major attempt to re-float M/V APL Panama will be made later this week utilizing a specially prepared barge, 400 feet long & 100 feet wide, being prepared by workers at R.E. Staite Engineering marine contractors in National City, S. of San Diego. The barge will feature special hydraulic pullers brought down on a barge from Seattle since Christmas Day. And you thought the Holidays were tough at your house!

In our industry -- always remember that "Ship Happens©" Indeed, sometimes even the official reports prove to be a "Crock of Ship©" Stay tuned. Please Contribute

McD (see the Special Features below)
Photo: by John Gibbins - San Diego Union-Tribune
 

One of 5 powerful hydraulic pullers being readied on a 400 foot barge at R.E. Staite Engineering marine contractors in National City

........ for Titan Maritime.

A next drama wlll play out on the Port of Ensenada stage later this week. This Week?

Photo: by John Gibbins - San Diego Union-Tribune
Both Are Just Kicking Back

For Both The Man & M/V APL Panama -- kicking back is the morning norm.

Both have quite the same angle on this situation!

What Else Is There To Do at the Ensenada Beach?

We Await The Long Fabled Barge of From R.E. Staite Engineering At National City, CA. Please Contribute

Again -- with thanks to the San Diego Union-Tribune

Jan. 27 - The Barge Wait Is About Over -- Might Mordida Have Raised its Ugly Head?
The first containers were released Jan. 25, of those "off-lifted" by the Evergreen Sky Crane. The release by APL Lines & London P&I Underwriters followed official posting of proper General Average security by the cargo underwriters to the P&I Club responsible for M/V APL Panama. These much delayed containers are now free to be interchanged onto waiting equipment -- trucks waiting at consignee expense for haul to final destination.

This said -- sources report that officials of the Ensenada container terminal "refused" on Jan. 26, to further release the containers pending "other clearances". Could this be what is known as "Mordida" or "the bite"?

We hope there may be some proper expalnation for the delayed release of cleared containers off the terminal grounds --because this is not the time for any other agenda.

[Note: Because this cargo belongs to client interests, we are unable to reveal names.]

But the BIG NEWS is that the Puller Barge has arrived!

Jan. 27 PM - The Rescue Barge Wait Is Over -- Ensenada Terminal Acts With Professionalism

Cudos to the Ensenada container terminal! No Mordida here! Minor communications problem with London P&I Club was resolved with ease Jan. 27 morning.

All our client's 17 off-loaded containers were released to the cargo repesentatives. A total of about 40 cans for all consignees today, perhaps more. High praise to local officials. The APL-related team is working under terrible conditions -- and working quite well. Please Contribute

The Barge of From R.E. Staite Engineering At National City, CA. has arrived!

Special Note: Time to go to Page 2 for the dramtic continuation of this epic adventure!

McD

"A Day Week Month 2 Months At The Beach"

Page 1 - M/V APL Panama Goes Aground- EPIC EVENTS AT ENSENADA -- Dec. 25 2005 to Jan. 27 2006
Just Below - Our Special Features & Conributors

Page 2 - The Epic Battle To Refloat M/V APL Panama -- Jan. 27 2006 to Feb. 28 2006

Page 3 - The Dredger Refloats M/V APL Panama - March 10 2006 SHE FLOATS! (see below) Current to April 3 2006 -- M/V APL Panama is now free.

Current Updtes On This Page -- M/V APL Panama returns to dea on April 20 2006!

Page 4 M/V APL Panama Leaves A Great Lady Behind


The Dedication of This Feature Is Simple: To The Crew of M/V APL Panama and her families & to the heroic efforts of APL .... and to Crowley


SPECIAL NOTE: The historic dangers of carriage by sea continue to be quite real. Shippers must be encouraged to purchase high quality marine cargo insurance from their freight forwarder or customs brokerIt's dangerous out there.


INDEX TO OUR "A Day Week Month 2 Months At The Beach" PAGE SPECIAL FEATURES:

NOTE>> More Special Features To Be Added After The Event Has Ended

The Carrier

APL
M/V APL Panama

The Owners

Schiffahrtsgesellschaft mbH & Co

Hansa Mare Reederei

The Salvors

Crowley Maritime
Crowley Ship, Tug & Barge Design

Goodwin Pumps

Ocean Towing & Transportation

Salvage & Emergency Response

Official Lloy'ds Salvage Case

R.E. Staite Engineering

Titan Maritime, LLC -- founded in 1980 by David Parrot - a worldwide salvage company headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with offices in Newhaven, UK & Sao Paulo, Brazil and equipment depots in Batam, Indonesia & Dubai, UAE.

The Equipment

Mi-26 Halo Helicopter - Russian-made

The Primary Media - uncommon journalism

San Diego Union-Tribune - whose superior photos are appreciated
San Diego Union-Tribune Photo Gallery

Others

ILWU On M/V APL Panama
ILWU Longshoremen Website on M/V APL Panama

Gringo Gazette

The San Diego Union-Tribune

Mordida -- the Mexican bribe bite

Take A Break - Our LAX Videdo - Home Theme! - this is where your Cargo Letter staff lives!

Other Ocean Contaier Related Features From The Cargo Letter

"Unstacked - Overboard With Dr. Beach" - Oct. 2004

"Columbia River Round Up" - June 2003

"Halifax Hash"--M/V Maersk Carolina - Jan. 2003

"Piñata" - breaking the box - Jan. 2003

"T-E-U Bar-Be-Cue" - aftermath of the Pennsylvania Loss - Nov. 2002

"Container Pool" - a mystery - May 2002

"Dropping In On The Trucker" -happened again - April 2002

"Meals: Ready To Explode" - Navy Barbeque at Guam June 2001

"M/V Ville D' Orion" - Bad L.A. Stack Disaster! April 2001 -- UPDATED - May 2002

"Pier Review" - Sept. 2001

"Singles Only" - visit our individual moments of transport crisis for more.

The Greatest Container Losses Of All Time - these are the grand fathers -

M/V OOCL America

M/V APL China


SPECIAL NOTE: The historic dangers of carriage by sea continue to be quite real. Shippers must be encouraged to purchase high quality marine cargo insurance from their freight forwarder or customs broker.  It's dangerous out there -- because -- with predicability -- "Ship Happens©".
Thanks To Our Contributors For The
"A Day Week Month 2 Months At The Beach" Feature

Our Contributors for this feature are:
Anonymous contributors* (Lots of them)

SGT Kenton Allen, Transportation Corps. U.S. Army

Robert Bents

George J. Brown

M. Bruenger

Kenneth Cotton

Jesse L. Dean

Don Fagan - Our Correspondent in Ensenada.

Dan Fix - Great Lakes

Pete Gomes

Captain Russ Hoburg -- recently retired from Blue & Gold Fleet, San Francisco - long time Crowley employee -- Palm Springs.

"Took the drive down to Ensenada to see the APL Panama. It is a sight to behold!"

Leslie Marchetti, Marchetti Fine Arts at San Diego.

Greg Mitre - Ports of Los Angeles- Long Beach Longshoreman

Jerome A. Morris

Tim Schwabedissen -- The Cargo Letter, Senior Correspondent

Cecilia Stevens - Galatea Insurance, UK

Papabaja - Our Correspondent in Punta Banda.

Tassie Tiger

Richard Ward - Operations Manager, NYK Line, Brisbane, Australia

Phil Walcher, Engineer on Crowley tug M/V Saturn at San Diego.

Jack Wall - Los Angeles

* Anonymous contributors who wish to be anonymous

"A Day Week Month 2 Months At The Beach"

Page 1 - M/V APL Panama Goes Aground- EPIC EVENTS AT ENSENADA -- Dec. 25 2005 to Jan. 27 2006
Just Above - Our Special Features & Conributors

Page 2 - The Epic Battle To Refloat M/V APL Panama -- Jan. 27 2006 to Feb. 28 2006

Page 3 - The Dredger To Refloat M/V APL Panama - March 1 2006 to Present

Nov. 12 2006 - M/V APL Panama Is Dead

Page 4 M/V APL Panama Leaves A Great Lady Behind


NOTE: Please Provide Us With Your Additional Information For This Loss.

EDITOR'S NOTE FOR SURVEYORS, ATTORNEYS & MARINE ADJUSTERS: The Internet edition effort of The Cargo Letter now celebrates it's 8th Year of Service -- making us quite senior in this segment of the industry. We once estimated container underway losses at about 1,500 per year. Lloyd's put that figure at about 10,000 earlier this year. Quite obviously, the reporting mechanism for these massive losses is not supported by the lines. News of these events is not posted to the maritime community. Our new project is to call upon you -- those handling the claims -- to let us know of each container loss at sea-- in confidentiality. Many of you survey on behalf of cargo interests with no need for confidentiality. Others work for the lines & need to be protected. As a respected Int'l publication, The Cargo Letter enjoys full press privileges & cannot be forced to disclose our sources of information. No successful attempt has ever been made. If a personal notation for your report is desired -- each contributor will be given a "hot link" to your company Website in each & every report. Please take moment & report your "overside" containers to us. If you do not wish attribution, your entry will be "anonymous." This will will benefit our industry -- for obvious reasons! McD


* NOTE: The Cargo Letter wants you to know that by keeping the identity of our contributors 100% Confidential, you are able to view our continuing series of "Cargo Disasters." Our friends send us materials which benefit the industry. The materials are provided to our news publication with complete and enforceable confidentiality for the sender. In turn, we provide these materials to you.  

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