International Vessel Casualties & Pirates Database For Year 2002 - Jan. Through December

The Forces of Pirates & Weather on Seaborne Commerce

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Year 2002 Vessel Cassualties & Pirate Attacks
December 2002 November 2002 October 2002 September 2002 August 2002 July 2002	June 2002 May 2002 April 2002 March 2002 February 2002 January 2002

Vessel Loss Dispatches For December 2002

Philippine trawler F/V Prince Warren FT, port city of General Santos for Sulu Sea with 13 crew, attacked by pirates off the southern island of Jolo, Zamboanga, Central Mindanao, Philippines -- 11 crew murdered. Although injured, the 2 survivors pretended to be dead & let their bodies float until pirates sped off with trawler -- swam for hours until spotted Kulasihan isle off Pangutaran. Carnage not reported unti 29 Dec. (Tues. Dec. 31 2002)

Russian F/V President Pik, for Haiphong for maintenance with 23 crew, sank Dec. 30 in heavy gale off Taiwan, all crew rescued by a Chinese tug, bound Chinese port of Quanzhou.. (Tues. Dec. 31 2002)

1499gt Bahamas registered standby safety vessel M/V Havila Sea (built 1975) colided with 12,881gt. drill platform Stena Dee (built 1982) in lat 56 43.28N, long 02 05.23E, at 0935, UTC, Dec 29. Stena Dee sustained denting to starboard forward leg, 5 meters above sea level. Havila Sea sustained damage to forecastle & crack in forepeak tank -- reported to be fully seaworthy & capable of continuing standby duties until relief vessel arrives Jan 1 or 2. (Mon. Dec. 30 2002)

584 dwt Dutch 54 metrer M/T Argas (built 1983) Ghent for Rotterdam with 560 tons of lubricating oil, ran aground just after leaving the locks of Terneuzen. After leaving the lock of Terneuzen Dec. 28, vessel came too close to shore on River Scheldt & struck stones along shore between the Oosthaven and the Veerhaven, receiving a leak in its bow. Tugs towed tanker after inspections. (Sun. Dec. 29 2002)

***Start Spread'in The News ......... as steel from the World Trade Center will form the wave cutting bow of USS New York (LPD 21), the 5th of 12 amphibious assault/dock ships in the San Antonio class amphibious transport dock<<webfeature, which the U.S. Navy calls one of its most technologically innovative. On Dec. 28 steel salvaged from wreckage of the World Trade Center was headed to the Northrop Grumman shipyard at Pascagoula, Miss., where construction is to begin next year for USS New York, a warship named in honor of those who perished in the Sept. 11 terrorist attack. The 684-foot vessel will carry a crew of 402 plus an 800 Marine expeditionary force. The US$800M vessel ready for active duty in 2007 & will be well credentialed to wage War On Terror. This structural steel, primarily from a section of beam about 20 feet long & weighing 20 to 30 tons, was wreckage taken across New York Harbor to Fresh Kills landfill on Staten Island after Sept. 11 attack. Believed to have been part of the South Tower, the 2nd of the twin skyscrapers hit by airliners hijacked by terrorists, but 1st to collapse. Nearly 2,800 people died in attack on World Trade Center. Currently, only submarines are given state names, but state officials lobbied Navy Secretary Gordon England to make exception. Other Navy ships have been named USS New York or USS New York City. Most recent USS New York was a battleship, commissioned in 1914 -- fought in both the Atlantic & Pacific during World War II. >> There may be many tributes to 9/11 -- but none are more appropriate than to send this precious steel to help extinguish the cause of its sorrow & hardened resolve. [from The Cargo Letter]<<webfeature

USS New York (CA 12)<<webfeature

USS New York (BB 34)<<webfeature

Newest vessel of the San Antonio class is USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19).

High resoltgion rendering of the San Antonio Class (Sat. Dec. 28 2002)

116-meter Turkish-flagged M/T Metin KA, with sulfuric acid, ran aground Dec. 20 after drifting in the Bosporus due to strong winds. Capt. able to start the engines after 2 hours & free the tanker, aground near residential district of Yenikoy. No leaks. The Bosporus, which bisects Istanbul, is one of the world's most dangerous waterways. Accidents are not uncommon in the narrow waterway -- the sole passage between Mediterranean & the Black Sea. (Sat. Dec. 28 2002)

WEEKLY IMB PIRATE REPORTS ___

22 Dec. 2002 at 0400 LT at Tg. Uban, Batam Island, Indonesia. Pirates hijacked a tug & barge under tow with a cargo of 1,800 mt palm oil. Pirates took master & chief mate in 2 speedboats towards shore. Later, chief mate released & made a police report at Tg. Pinang, Bintan Island. Fate of Master unknown. Tug with 6 crew & barge still missing. (Fri. Dec. 27 2002)

21 Dec. 2002 at 1030 LT in position 05:24N - 097:30.7E off Aceh, Sumatra, Indonesia. Four pirates armed with rifles in motorboat followed general cargo ship underway. When the boat was about 50 meters from starboard quarter, one person pointed rifle towards bridge. Later boat altered course & sped away. Boat was 5 meters long with blue hull. Master informed ships in vicinity via VHF 16. (Fri. Dec. 27 2002)

21 Dec. 2002 at 0455 LT at Anyer, Indonesia. Duty motorman spotted Pirates armed with long knives & guns near engine room store of tanker. They tied his hands & feet -- forced him to lie on deck. When motorman freed himself, he raised alarm * crew mustered. Pirates escaped via funnel door with engine spares. No injuries to crew. (Fri. Dec. 27 2002)

18 Dec. 2002 at 0200 LT in position 03:42S - 116:24E, Sebuku anchorage, Indonesia. Five pirates armed with knives boarded bulk carrier via anchor chain. -- broke open paint store & stole ship's stores. Duty A/B raised alarm & crew mustered. Pirates jumped overboard & escaped. Incidentreported to local agents. (Fri. Dec. 27 2002)

NOTE: Just Our Impression -- but pirate attacks apear down in both number & violence since Int'l War On Terrorism has put world navies back on the seas. The Cargo Letter

Tug M/V Thamrin-I0 near Lavan Island in Persian Gulf -- sinking Dec. 23 -- crew rescued by M/V Iran Afzal. (Wed. Dec 25 2002)

55,756gt, 230 meter M/T Bertora -- engines failed 130 miles east of Peterhead . Mayday call rebroadcast by Oil platform Marnock. Engine failure discovered to be safety pin in oil fuel line (Christmas sewing classes suspended on vessel) -- failed & cut off all fuel to engine. Once discovered problem rectified & vessel now continuing passage to the Pierce oilfield from Rotterdam. (Wed. Dec 25 2002)

Turkish 2,850 metric ton cargo M/V Nikdei aground late Dec. 23 near Ukrainian Black Sea port of Kherson. No injuries. No spill. Ukrainian tug assisting. (Tues. Dec. 24 2002)

German inland M/T Perseus, with methanol, in collision with Dutch inland cargo vessel in dense fog on the River Waal near Nijmegen on Dec 21. No injuries. Saw each other too late & collided bow on. Both vessels damaged. (Mon. Dec. 23 2002)

UK F/V Fleur de Lys, Penarth Pier for Cardiff Bay Barrage, began to sink in Bristol Channel -- 6 crew rescued by Penarth Lifeboat & F/V Jo Jo & F/V Mary-H. (Mon. Dec. 23 2002)

Panama registered seismographic research M/V CGG Mistral<<webfeature, sank & is at a depth of 700 metres. No pollution. (Sun. Dec. 22 2002)

Tonga registered 497gt general cargo M/V Lisa Star (built 1960) issued Mayday -- aground just outside of Limassol port -- has requested tug assistance. (Sun. Dec. 22 2002)

Turkish 13,500grt cargo M/V Sena Deniz, with timber & 24 crew, suffered engine room fire, 25 miles N. of St Ives, UK. Falmouth Coastguard scrambled Rescue helicopter from RNAS Culdrose<<webfeature & requested launch of lifeboats from Padstow & St Ives. Thanks to these UK rescuers, engine room doused with CO2 - fire now out, but temperature of engine room monitored. No injuries. Rescue helicopter from RNAS Culdrose<<webfeature now airlifting firefighters aboard vessel. (Fri. Dec. 20 2002) UPDATE>> Turkish cargo ship still without power off Cornish coast after fire in her engine room. (Sat Dec. 21 2001)

WEEKLY IMB PIRATE REPORTS ___

17 Dec. 2002 at 0530 LT at Samarinda anchorage, Indonesia. Five pirates with knives boarded general cargo ship from starboard side. Duty A/B raised alarm but was injured when escaping from pirates. Pirates jumped overboard & escaped. Local authorities informed. (Fri. Dec. 20 2002)

16 Dec. 2002 at 0610 LT at Jakarta anchorage, Indonesia. Four pirates boarded gas carrier, stole safety equipment & escaped in wooden boat. Port authorities, pilot station and local agent were informed. (Fri. Dec. 20 2002)

15 Dec. 2002 at 1805 LT in position 04: 01.7S - 115: 59.97E, Pulau Laut, 2.3 NM from IBT anchorage, Indonesia. Pirates in unlit high-speed boat tried to board bulk carrier via anchor chain. Alert duty A/B raised alarm & crew mustered. Pirates jumped overboard & escaped in boat. (Fri. Dec. 20 2002)

15 Dec. 2002 between 0500 - 0545 LT at fairway buoy, Kingston, Jamaica. Pirates boarded container ship & stole ship's property. They broke into a container and stole cargo. (Fri. Dec. 20 2002)

11 Dec. 2002 at 1805 LT at Lagos anchorage, Nigeria. Six pirates armed with M-16 machineguns in speedboat attempted to board bulk carrier via anchor chain. Pirates aborted attempt to board due to crew alertness. Master reported to local authorities & warned other ships in area. (Fri. Dec. 20 2002)

11 Dec. 2002 at 1320 LT at Jakarta anchorage, Indonesia. Armed pirates in boat boarded bulk carrier & stole ship's property/stores. Ship's crew mustered & pirates jumped overboard -- escaped in their boat. Incident reported to Jakarta pilot station. (Fri. Dec. 20 2002)

10 Dec. 2002 at 2300 LT, 4nm from Colombo port, Sri Lanka. Armed pirates in 2 boats boarded container ship at anchor & broke open 4 containers. Alert duty A/B raised alarm & crew mustered. Pirates jumped overboard & escaped. Nothing stolen. Port control informed who informed Navy. Harbor police & security came to investigate. (Fri. Dec. 20 2002)

06 Dec. 2002 at 0110 UTC in position 10:19.2N - 075:31.5W, Bahia de Cartagena, Colombia. Five pirates boarded tanker via anchor chain & broke open bosun's store. Duty crew spotted & raised alarm -- crew mustered. Pirates stole ship's property & stores -- escaped by jumping overboard. Coast guard & port control informed. Coast guard sent high-speed boat to pursue pirates. (Fri. Dec. 20 2002)

Trilogy Petroleum Pte. Ltd. bunker 106gt M/T SB 0219C, in balast, suffered fire off Malang Tiga Buoy in East Johor Strait within Singapore port -- fire extinguished -- 3 injured crew sent to hospital. Tanker remains in stable condition -- towed to anchorage off Changi. (Fri. Dec. 20 2002)

M/T Nestor C, Lithuania for Pakistan with 30,000 tons of ammonium phosphate fertilizers suffered water ingress to emgine room off northern Portuguese coast -- now escorted by Portuguese Navy frigate to a Lisbon port. Vessel too large for docking in Leixoes port, 300km (188 miles) from Lisbon. (Fri. Dec. 20 2002)

13,500-ton timber M/V Sena Deniz, with 24 crew suffered engine room fire 15 miles NW of Newquay, UK -- 2 of 24 personnel airlifted to Royal Cornwall Hospital in Treliske, Truro, wuth minor injuries. (Thurs. Dec. 19 2002)

Brazilian ferry M/V Dom Luis XV-I, with 300 passengers -- rated for 148 -- sank in N. Amazon regionm 1,550 miles N. of Sao Paulo -- killing 7 & leaving dozens missing. At least 207, many wearing life preservers, swam to nearby island on Para River 25 miles S. of Belem. Death toll could be 104. (Wed . Dec. 18 2002)

Taiwanese F/V Hai Chun Tsai, with 7 crew, caught fire about Dec. 12 off Curimao, 465km (290 miles) N. of Manila -- plucked from waters Dec. 18 by passing tanker. Fire that gutted vessel started in engine room & spread on deck - faulty electrical wiring caused blaze. (Wed . Dec. 18 2002)

Estonian fish processing M/V Merike suffered pipe break in engine room -- floding -- 260km E. of St. John's, Newfoundland -- U.S. Coast Guard dropped pumps from C-130 Hercules -- flooding controled. (Wed . Dec. 18 2002)

U.S. tug M/V Doug McKeil suffered crank case explosion Dec. 15 -- left tug & her barge Ocean Hauler, dead in water near Buoys 11 and 12 in the Lake Huron cut, Great Lakes. No injuries. (Wed . Dec. 18 2002)

Passenger ferry M/V Changyun 1 in collision with cargo M/V Yisheng, with 30 vehicles, on Yangtze River in W. China -- 11 dead & 32 missing from ferry which sank within minutes -- 7 rescued -- Chongqing municipal government dispatched 20 boats to assist rescue effort. (Tues. Dec. 17 2002)

Panama 5,342gt chemical/oil M/T Sky Ace (built 1997) & 16,731gt M/V Kota Wijaya (built 1991), in collision in Gulf of Thailand, near Pai island, 5.5km (3.5 miles) from Laem Chabang early Dec.17, -- due to poor visibility in pre-dawn darkness. Sky Ace sustained major structural damage & leaking fuel. No casualties. Esso Singapore dispatched an emergency team to control oil slick, which had spread about 200 sq. meters around collision site. Accident took place near Pai island, which is 5.5km (3.5 miles) from Laem Chabang. Both ships headed to port after accident. (Tues. Dec. 17 2002)

Chinese lighter M/V Hang Gang-3 -- sunk -- at Chittagong outer anchorage during lightening cement clinker from 26,087gt bulk M/V Midway II (built 1985) at Kutubdia. While lighter vessel making fast to receive cargo from mother vessel, master noticed lighter vessel having 3 to 5 degree of list to starboard. Hang Gang-3 "bent" downward at mid section & slowly sinking. Water rushing onto midship area. Crew & stevedores cut off lighter vessel's fore & aft lines made fast to Midway II, as a result lighter started to sink fast with 16 of crew members & stevedores boarding Midway II -- 3 rescued by local boats. (Tues. Dec. 17 2002)

Insult To Injury>> Dutch Antilles-registered, German-owned M/V Nicola, Spanish port of La Coruna for Rotterdam with 7 crew in ballast, in collision with sunken M/V Tricolor, which went down Dec. 15 with a cargo of luxury cars. No injuries. Three tug pulled Nicola off Tricolor, 6hours later. (Sun. Dec. 15 2002) -- NOTE>> We have Photos -- Coming.

Cyprus 11,848gt bulk M/V Nogat (built 1999), in St. Lawrence Seaway with wheat -- Duluth for Casablanca -- holed her forepeak -- flooded & unpumpable -- diver attending -- vessel now ioverdraught at 8.65meters. The maximum draught allowable in the Seaway is 8 meters. No water ingress -- holds & double bottoms are tight. No pollution. She is safely alongside approach wall at lock. (Sun. Dec. 15 2002)

Greek 14,790gt crude M/T Theopisti (built 1968), with 1,800 tons of fuel oil, afire 500 meters from coast of Aspropyrgos on Dec. 13. Vessel is still afire. (Sun. Dec. 15 2002)

Norwegian-registered Wilhelmsen Lines ro/ro M/V Tricolor, Zebrugge, Belgium, for Southamptonwith 2,862 cars & 77 containers, in collision with Bahamas-registered 577-foo container M/V Kariba, 30 miles E. of Ramsgate, England. Tricolor sank --- resting on the bottom of Channel, but only partly submerged because tide low. Kariba returning to Antwerp, Belgium escorted by Belgian warship & French coast guard.Bad year for Ro/Ro's. Tricolor worth about 25 million pounds (US$40M) & cargo up to 31 million pounds (US$49M). (Sat. Dec. 14 2002) See Our Photo Feature

Sri Lankan M/V Blue Star Marinem drifting in Red Sea for week after engine breakdown -- rescued by Saudi Arabian coastguards -- rescued 71 Sri Lankans. (Fri. Dec. 13 2002)

F/V Jordan Danielle out of Hull, quickly taking on water in engine room in 12-foot seas, 1 mile south of Cohasset -- rescued by U.S. Coast Guard. No injuries. Vessel sank. (Fri. Dec. 13 2002)

WEEKLY IMB PIRATE REPORTS ___

09 Dec. 2002 at 0120 LT, 1 NM W. of sea buoy, Buena Ventura outer roads, Colombia. Seven pirates in motorized wooden boat attempted to board bulk carrier using grapnel hooks. Alert crew on deck prevented from boarding & raised alarm. Seeing crew alertness pirates fled. Incident reported to local agent & port authorities. (Fri. Dec. 13 2002)

07 Dec. 2002 at 2300 LT at Semarang anchorage, Indonesia. Pirates posing as stevedores boarded barge alongside bulk carrier. Pirates hid behind cargo of plywood in barge & waited to board ship. Duty crew spotted & raised alarm -- crew mustered. Attempted boarding was aborted. (Fri. Dec. 13 2002)

01 Dec. 2002 at 2030 LT in position 01:03.46N - 103:23.54E, Indonesia. Eight pirates armed with guns boarded tug at anchor -- assaulted 2nd engineer, tied him to barge anchored nearby. Pirates hijacked tug & another barge. (Fri. Dec. 13 2002)

28 Nov. 2002 at 2230 LT in waters off Bukit Tinggi, Tuaran, Sabah, Malaysia. Two pirates in boat armed with M-16 rifles boarded trawler underway. Asked skipper for his identification documents & shot him in lower abdomen. Pirates ordered other 4 crew to jump into sea saying otherwise they would be killed. Pirates hijacked trawler. Crew swam 8m & reached shore. They walked for 3 hours before reaching Bukit Tinggi village. The 4 crew lodged report at Kota Kinabalu Police Station. Skipper's body later recovered by police. What Naval Force Can Stop This? (Fri. Dec. 13 2002)

Russian F/V Aleksandrit, with 18 crew drifting in rough seas off Newfoundland since last week when propeller became tangled in fishing net -- 2nd attempt to tow failed today. Commercial tug from Halifax hired, but will take days to reach Aleksandrit. Royal Canadian Coast Guard vessel, CCGS Sir Wilfred Grenfell<<photofeature, on station until tug arrives. (Thurs. Dec. 12 2002)

Torm Line, West African cargo M/V Torm Africa, with lumber & containers, suffered engine room fire at Port of Savannah -- forcing firefighters to battle blaze amid 1,000-degree heat in ship's hold. Heat so intense that steam began to crack paint on sides of Torm Africa -- ship was being moved to new berth for repairs. (Thurs. Dec. 12 2002) >> A "Torm Line Memory"<<photofeature.

34,002gt, Panama registered 250-meter crude M/T Princess Pia (built 1979), Klaipeda, Lithuania, for Singapore with 50,000 tons of fuel oil, aground off Lithuania's coast Dec. 11 -- tugboat guiding vessel out of harbor when the it took a wrong turn & ran aground. Six tugs failed to dislodge vessel. Will unload vessel as precaution before trying to free it again. EU officials gone crazy over this - but no spill thus far. (Thurs. Dec. 12 2002)

Liberian-flagged M/T Alpha Tank --aground in Suez Canal -- halting traffic for 4 hours in busy shipping lane through Egypt to connect Red & Mediterranean seas. (Wed. Dec. 11 2002)

Turkish 30,228gt bulk M/V Hidir Selek (built 1983) with soyabeans, aground near Southwest Pass at mouth of Mississippi River Dec 5 -- unable to free itself under own power -- U.S. Coast Guard has requested lightering plan. (Wed. Dec. 11 2002)

Dutch flaged M/V Hong Kong Express in collision with Panama registered M/T Sara Glory, just north of Port Said, Egypt -- near entrance to Suez Canal -- Hong Kong Express lost 4 containers as result. (Wed. Dec. 11 2002)

Unidentified Polynesian island republic of Tonga flagged Motor vessel, in ballast with 7 crew, sank after winds of up to 72km per hour (45 mph) battered vessel against rocks, splitting its hull into 3 sections -- abandoned by crew after running aground off Bulgaria's Black Sea coast -- anchor chain broke loose in heavy storms near Bulgarian-Turkish border. (Wed. Dec. 11 2002)

39,012gt Malaysian bulk M/V Bunga Saga Dua (built 1993), Rio Grande for Indonesia with 55,600 tons of soy meal in bulk, for Indonesia, aground at Rio Grande Bar, Dec 10. Four tugs tried to refloat Dec. 10, without success -- will make further efforts. (Wed. Dec. 11 2002)

Unflagged North Korean freighter M/V Sosan intercepted by Spanish Navy frigates - Santa Maria Class Navarra (F85))<<photofeature (built 1994) & provision vessel Patino (A14)<<photofeature in Arabian Sea, 600 miles E. of Horn of Africa, with dozen short- to medium-range Scud-type missiles believed originated in North Korea. U.S. officials said missiles at least initially headed for Yemen. Spanish Navy stopped & boarded after crew refused to identify themselves (the "we are Swiss" line did not work). North Korean Capt. of Sosan initially told Spanish officials ship laden with cement. Said they we having a "hard" time. Vessel believed bound for Yemen. Spanish Navy participating in "Operation Enduring Freedom", U.S.-led global anti-terrorism coalition. (Tues. Dec. 10 2002)

154,071gt Panama registered M/T Oriental Venture (built 1992), bound from West Africa, suffered explosion while discharging at Zhoushan, PRC. No loss of life. (Tues. Dec. 10 2002)

Panamanian bulk carrier M/V Golden Bridge, Japan for Port Kembla on NSW coast, suffered explosion as apparent result of high-pressure air leak off coast of Newcastle Australia -- Westpac Rescue Helicopter flew paramedics to vessel 20 NM south of Newcastle. Filipino crew suffered head injuries -- pronounced dead at scene. (Mon. Dec. 9 2002)

German-registered coaster M/V Heike -- broke down 4 miles off Isles of Scilly being towed into Falmouth, UK. tug Anglian Prince at scene, should tow. (Mon. Dec. 9 2002)

General cargo barge Sharavati Baug in Bombay port suffered explosion -- 2 dead & 6 injured. Workers engaged in cutting welding work -- spark ignited nearby air tank -- so powerful that LPG cylinder flew 300 meters. (Sat. Dec. 7 2002)

505ft. destroyer USS Paul Hamilton (DDG 60) <<webfeature (Built 1995), with 32 officers & 313 enlisted, on Persian Gulf patrol with USS Abraham Lincoln battle group -- in collision with Iranian "oil vessel", not a tanker (whatever that means). American ship was attempting to conduct a maritime intercept of the Iranian ship when the collision occurred. Paul Hamilton in no danger, continued operations. (Fri. Dec. 6 2002)

15mt. steel S/V SS Columbia, with 4 crew, Vancouver, Oct. 20, for Mexico -- overdue for Mexico on Nov. 20. Canadian police & immigration officials investigated skipper, Bob Norwid, in Aug. after complaints about impending trip to Mexico. His company, Discovery Sailing Academy, advertises long-haul trips to places such as Galapagos Islands, Tahiti, & Alaska. Passengers pay for voyage & act as crew in training. (Fri. Dec. 6 2002)

149,945gt M/T Front Lord having hull crack repaired in Canary Island port of Las Palmas suffered explosion -- 2 killed -- 2 others trapped in one of ship's tanks. (Fri. Dec. 6 2002)

Panama registered cargo M/V Tian Yu & Singapore-registered oil M/T Agate in collision, 5 NM S.W. of Pulau Batu Putih -- spilling 350 tons of light crude oil. Singapore Maritime & Port Authority (MPA) monitoring situation. (Fri. Dec. 6 2002)

WEEKLY IMB PIRATE REPORTS ___

02 Dec. 2002 between 0100 - 0130 LT at Georgetown, Guyana. Three pirates boarded inbound general cargo ship -- stole ship's stores from forecastle & escaped. Master tried to contact port authority -- no response. (Fri. Dec. 6 2002)

01 Dec 2002 at 2030 LT in position 01:03.46N - 103:23.54E, Indonesia. Eight pirates armed with guns boarded tug at anchor -- assaulted 2nd engineer & tied him to barge anchored nearby. Pirates then hijacked tug & another barge. (Fri. Dec. 6 2002)

28 Nov. 2002 at 1800 LT at 30 nm off Tanjung Tuan, off Port Dickson, Malacca straits. Four pirates boarded trawler. Pirates threatened skipper at gunpoint & took him to secluded island -- 2 pirates remained behind to watch over crew. Pirates instructed skipper to telephone his family & ask for ransom. Family could not raise ransom so skipper offered trawler's equipment & stock of fish. After negotiations, pirates relented & returned skipper to trawler. Reported to local police. (Fri. Dec. 6 2002)

26 Mov. 2002 at 2150 UTC in position 00:14.7S - 117:32.8E at Samarinda anchorage, Indonesia. Pirates boarded a RO/RO ship via aft deck -- tried to steal a life raft. Alert duty crew raised alarm & pirates escaped empty handed. (Fri. Dec. 6 2002)

25 Nov. 2002 at 0100 UTC in position 00:14.7S - 117:32.8E at Samarinda anchorage, Indonesia. Pirates boarded a RO/RO ship posing as stevedores -- broke open bosun store, stole safety equipment & ship's stores -- escaped. (Fri. Dec. 6 2002)

24 Nov. 2002 at 1300 LT, west of Kendi island, Malacca straits. Pirates boarded motorized craft underway, took hostage master & confiscated all documents. Pirates damaged engine & set vessrel adrift with its 12 crew. Pirates kidnapped master & took him ashore to Aceh in Sumatra --demanded a ransom. Pirates released master after ransom paid. Vessel & 12 crew still missing. (Fri. Dec. 6 2002)

Venezuelan Navy boarded & seized government oil (Ms.) M/T Pilin Leon (named for a former Miss World), with 280,000 barrels gasoline off W. city of Maracaibo, Dec. 4, "pirated by a rebel crew." 4-day-old general strike virtually halted loading of oil tankers, forcing Venezuela to free buyers & sellers from fulfilling oil contracts -- exports stopped because 23 tankers unable to load cargo. Opposition leaders called strike Nov. 1 to demand immediate vote on leftist rule of President Hugo Chavez. National Guard troops deployed in Caracas to keep pro- & anti-Chavez rallies from clashing. Oil exports account for 75% of total exports & 50% of government income. Protesters on tugs circled Pilin Leon, blowing whistles to support crew -- in Lake Maracaibo, where 1 million barrels of crude shipped daily. Opposition marches spread to cities across the country. (Thurs. Dec. 5 2002)

Ecudorian M/V Don Ignacio F, sinking 1,390km NW of Ecuador, with 157 Ecudorians aboard -- vessel overloaded, with no food or water & incapable of moving by itself -- located Dec. 2 by USS Crommelin (FFG 37)<<photofeature. Passengers transferred to USS Crommelin (FFG 37) <<webfeature -- received medical attention & food. There to help all too often, be quite proud of the U.S. Navy<<webfeature - no matter where you might live. (Thurs. Dec. 5 2002)

North Korean 3,144gt general cargo M/V Chil Song (built 1981), Nagoya Dec 3 for Hitachi, with tire chips (a "high value" cargo made from stuff nobody wants) & 21 crew, ran aground on coastal waters in Hitachi, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan -- heavy oil found floating inside Hitachi harbor. No injuries. No danger of sinking. Condition stable, Agate proceeded under own power to safe position beyond main traffic lane -- anchored for inspection. (Thurs. Dec. 5 2002)

World Tankers of Singapore's crude oil M/T Agate, Dumai, Sumatra, for Balongan, Indonesia with 34,000 tons of Sumatra Light Crude & 52,000 tons of Duri Crude, in collision with Panama registered general cargo M/V Tian Yu in Singapore Strait. Agate struck port side -- damage to 1 of 11 tanks, above waterline -- limited loss of cargo - around 300 tons. (Thurs. Dec. 5 2002)

Dutch-Antilles flagged M/V Scan Trader, in St. Lawrence River westbound for Montreal, suffered crew overboard -- de-icing deck hatch covers with other crewmen when lost his footing & fell off. Scan Trader stopped & lowered small craft to search -- Canadian Coast-Guard, M/V CSL Niagara, M/V Kapitonas Andzejauskas & M/V Thalassa Desgagnes all aided in sea & air search. Search effort did not succeed -- life saving belts recovered & missing 46 year old Russian seaman's cap. (Wed. Dec. 4 2002)

South Korean trawler F/V Koras No.5, at anchor at Mal Del Plata, Argentina, caught fire due to electrical short-circuit -- at least 7 crew dead & 2 missing -- 28 crew escaped. (Wed. Dec. 4 2002)

Two Kuwaiti coast guard vessels taken under fire by Iraqi boat in the Persian Gulf, near the tiny island of Warba. Kuwaiti vessels returned fire -- collided during incident -- 1 crew was slightly hurt. Iraqi vessel withdew. (Tues. Dec. 3 2002) UPDATE>> "There were no firings of any type & there was no Iraqi involvement of any kind," a U.S. military officer said, speaking on condition of anonymity. Two U.S. officers said Kuwait naval patrol boats collided near Bubiyan Island With unspecified number of U.S. special operations troops aboard at least one boat. So what really happened? (Wed. Dec. 4 2002)

2,000-ton M/V Scot Ranger listed to 30 degrees after its timber cargo shifted off Land's End, UK, Dec. 1 night -- in danger of sinking. High winds & 25 to 30 feet high rolling seas made rescue extremely hazardous. Vessel so far out of water could see the propeller turning. Three crew were lifted off 1 at a time by 771 Squadron at RNAS Culdrose. Vessel with 3 remaining crew next escorted by Falmouth Coastguard tug M/V Far Sky to Mounts Bay near Penzance for repair work. (Mon. Dec. 2 2002)

Germany-registered barge Sierksdork, with a gravel-type cement component, exploded & sank in northern Denmark harbor Aalborg, 230km (140 miles) NW of the capital, Copenhagen, at 4:30am (0330 GMT) -- 3 of 6 injuries are critical. Cargo developed gasse & spark from an electric engine could have caused the explosion. Aalborg Portland A/S is Denmark's only cement manufacturer & produces as much as 2.8 million tons annually. (Mon. Dec. 2 2002)

Italian 23,007gt M/V Bulk Challenger (built 1977), Russia for Italy, & 1,344gt Turkish general cargo M/V Fatih N. (built 1988), Greece to Russia, in collision in Canakkale Strait, Dec. 1 in heavy fog. No injuries. Canakkale Strait was closed to traffic for security of the ships. (Sun. Dec. 1 2002)

U.S. company Windstar Cruises's four-masted luxury cruise S/V Wind Song suffered engine room fire near Pacific Ocean isle of Bora Bora, French Polynesia, Dec. 1. All 127 passengers, mostly U.S. citizens, & 92 crew taken off without injury. Passenger ferry M/V Aremiti rushed to scene & rescued many. Passage refunded & passengers offered free trip in future. Vessel state unknown, but fire thought under control. (Sun. Dec. 1 2002)

Philippine ferry M/V Wynona, bound for Pilar, caught fire Nov 28 off port of Pilar, Sorsogon province, central Philippines -- 85 passengers & crew rescued -- now docked & undergoing repairs. (Sun. Dec. 1 2002)

Vessel Loss Dispatches For November 2002

UK Falmouth Coastguard received Nov, 20 call from heavy lift M/V CEC Cowbridge via satellite telephone 250 miles off coast of Brazil, to inform proceeding to assistance of Liberian Flagged, Dutch chemical M/T Stolt Tenancity -- had suffered engine room fire -- vessel had to activate CO2 system, causing total loss of engine power --had auxiliary back up systems, but cabling burnt out to emergency generator. No injuries to crew. CEC Cowbridge called Falmouth Coastguard in UK because they were unable to raise Brazilian Rescue Authorities. Fortunately a Watch Officer at Falmouth Coastguard is fluent Spanish speaker & able to communicate with crews & Brazilian Authorities. (Fri. Nov. 29 2002)

WEEKLY IMB PIRATE REPORTS ___

24 Nov. 2002 at 2030 UTC in position 03:12S - 116:20E at Pemancingan anchorage, Indonesia. Six pirates armed with knives in boat boarded general cargo via anchor chain. Alert duty officer raised alarm & crew mustered. Pirates jumped overboard & escaped in their waiting boat. Local agent & police informed. Police came onboard at 2130 UTC for investigation. (Fri. Nov. 29 2002)

22 Nov. 2002 at 0030 LT at Rio Haina port, Dominican Republic. Four pirates, one armed with rifle, boarded LPG carrier moored at buoys. Alert duty A/B raised alarm & crew mustered. Pirates escaped by jumping into sea. Upon checking, crew found a large quantity of safety equipment stolen from lifeboat. Police came to investigate 1 hour later. (Fri. Nov. 29 2002)

21 Nov. 2002 at 0503 UTC in position 12:41N - 043:20E, strait of Bab-El-Mandeb, Red Sea. While underway, 8 pirates in 2 white color speedboats attempted to board bulk carrier. Duty officer raised alarm & crew mustered -- activated pressurised fire hoses. Speedboats disappeared in SSE direction. Ship established radio contacts with a military aircraft & reported incident. (Fri. Nov. 29 2002)

20 Nov. 2002 at 1810 UTC in position 12:05N - 051:40E, Gulf of Aden. Two large speedboats initially making 5.5 kts approached bulk carrier underway. When the boats came within 4 nm suddenly increased speed to 15.5 kts. Master altered course & directed search lights. On sighting alert crew on deck, the boats moved away. (Fri. Nov. 29 2002)

20.11.2002 between 1000 - 1100 UTC in position 01:24.0S - 116:56.8E, Balikpapan anchorage, Indonesia. Six pirates armed with long knives & crowbars boarded tanker via stbd anchor chain. Pirates broke open forward store & stole ship's stores and one life raft on forecastle deck & escaped in fishing boat. (Fri. Nov. 29 2002)

17 Nov. 2002 at 0130 LT, 67 nm off Pantai Remis coast, Perak, Malaysia. Eight pirates crept out of dark & fired at fishing boat engaged in casting nets. One crew hit with bullet. Skipper managed to steer vessel toward coast to escape pirates. There were more than 20 bullet holes in the boat. (Fri. Nov. 29 2002)

13-metre sloop-rigged S/V Obsession saved by the U.S. Coast Guard on Nov. 24, 560km off Cape Cod -- 4 men & a woman had difficulty with 75kph winds & seas of up to 10 meters. Issued a distress call, Nov. 24 morning -- Panamanian-flagged container M/V Mol Ingenuity, for Rotterdam, was diverted to assist. (Fri. Nov. 29 2002)

94gt tug Rita M (built 1997) in collsion with 137gt tug Jake Huffty's (built 1980) & 6 barges with petroleum products at 0135 hrs 9 miles W. of Intracoastal City. Salvage crews worked to separate barges & reopen waterway. (Thurs. Nov. 28 2002)

38' U.K. Yacht S/V BLUE (sloop built in Hong Kong) Lumut for Lankawi on W coast of Malaysia on routine sailing trip -- breaking Nov. 27 morning -- struck object & holed. Due to ingress of water & steering jammed -- put out Mayday call on VHF Ch 16 but did not receive response -- fired distress flares, with no response. Owner, Mr Jordan & colleague deployed liferaft & abandon yacht -- rapidly sinking. His telephone previously programmed with Falmouth Coastguard's telephone number. Mr Jordan then spoke to Falmouth Coastguard via satellite, who alerted Malaysian authorities. Passing fishing vessel picked up Mr. Jordan. (Thurs. Nov. 28 2002)

East African State of Djibouti reportedly arrested Somalian ship's Capt. & crew suspected of killing 60 or more passengers who went missing in Gulf of Aden. Large group of Ethiopians & Somalians trying to reach Yemen reported missing after boat they were travelling in lost power. Spanish Navy frigate went to rescue of stricken ship -- rescued 93 people including crew & found bodies of 3 dead. Somalian Capt. which left town of Bossasso in autonomous Somali region of Puntland last week, said 150 passengers on board. However, surviving passengers said boat carrying 200 people. (Thurs. Nov. 28 2002)

18,055gt product M/T Hellenic Star (built 1988) suffered steering problems & colliided with moored 4,164gt Antigua & Barbuda registered M/V Western Trader (built 1991) near jetty at Botlek, Rotterdam, Nov. 27 evening. Western Trader heavily damaged. Hellenic Star has light bow damage. Tugs on scene. (Wed. Nov. 27 2002)

54mt. Spanish trawler F/V Nuska, contacted Spanish Rescue Center Madrid, reporting 22-year-old Ghanian crew aboard severely injured hand in accident -- caught hand in machine used to strip fish skin -- most daring rescue missions ever carried out by civilian helicopter crew revealed how they had only 10 minutes of fuel left on board after 600-mile record-breaking flight into mid-Atlantic & back -- crew of Stornoway Coastguard helicopter airlifted badly injured fisherman from deck of F/V Nuska 300 miles off Western Isles. (Tues. Nov. 26 2002)

361gt F/V Bamp, with 29 aboard, aground & sinking in lat 09 51N, long 160 53E, off Hawaii. Coast Guard Honolulu currently looking to rescue crew. (Tues. Nov. 26 2002)

Panamanian M/V West Wind, sent mayday signal 4:55am Nov, 25 -- says it came under fire 35km SW of Rishiri in the Sea of Japan. Message reported by F/V -- 70km SW of the island of Rishiri, Hokkaido, early Nov. 25. Japan Coast guard officers questioned crew aboard -- they denied being fired upon. (Tues. Nov. 26 2002)

Bahamian-registered 56,835gt, 199-meter ro/ro M/V Hual Europe<<photofeature, with 4,000 vehicles & 24 crew, ablaze out of control just off island of Izu-Oshima S. off Tokyo -- threat of explosion forcing dozens of people on shore to be evacuated. Vessel ran aground during early Oct. typhoon. Obviously, more details & photos needed. Listing 20 degrees to port - engine room flooded - some oil spill - MPG ratings lowered for vehicles. (Mon. Nov. 25 2002) UPDATE>> M/V Hual Europe<<photofeature has rolled over, broke in half & caught fire. US$60M ship, carrying several thousand automobiles & heavy machinery, declared total loss. HUAL's insurers negotiating for contract to remove wreck. (Thurs. Nov. 28 2002)

55mt catamaran Norwegian Navy advanced minesweeper Orkla (Built 1990's for US$41M), with 33 crew, caught fire 19 Nov. -- burned for more than a day before capsizing in shallow waters off coast of Aalesund, 400km (250 miles) NW of Oslo. No injuries. Successfully salvaged & transported on barges to naval base for investigation. Norwegian Navy has cancelled outdoor barbeque competition. (Mon. Nov. 25 2002)

Maltese registered Tanker Pacific Management 50,003gt, crude M/T Tasman Sea (built 1980), transiting to pilot pick-up point at entry to Port of Tianjin, in collision with Chinese-registered coastal M/V Shun Kai No.1 on Nov 23 -- caused oil spill in Port of Tianjin -- port anchor of Shun Kai No.1 caused a 50 cm hole high above the waterline in No.3 starboard cargo tank. Oil spill measuring 2.5 NM in length and 1.4 NM in width in Bohai Sea. No injuries. (Mon. Nov. 25 2002)

Panamanian-registered M/T Gaz Poem, bound for Chinese port of Yan Tien -- was 24 miles (40 kms) E of Hong Kong, near Waglan island, when alarm raised. with 20,000 tons of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) & 34 crew, suffered engine room fire in Chinese waters -- crew to lifeboats. Mainland Chinese & Hong Kong firefighters at scene -- thought little risk of explosion. No injuries. (Sun. Nov. 24 2002) UPDATE>> No smoke or flames rose from the vessel Nov.29, but temperatures on tanker exceeded levels required to safely store gas. Two firefighting vessels spraying tanker on Nov. 29 & officials had boarded it to evaluate the ship's condition. (Fri. Nov. 29 2002)

ALERT>> U.S. COAST SHUTDOWN CRISIS: DAY 54>> It May Be Over>> Int'l Longshore & Warehouse Union and the Pacific Maritime Assoc. on the U.S. West Coast reached a tentative 6-year contract agreement early Nov. 24, potentially ending the long, caustic labor dispute that closed the ports & prompted intervention by the President. Sticking points had centered on shipping companies' desire for computerized cargo tracking systems that will make dockside work more efficient, but also cost jobs. The ILU in return wanted increased compensation & pension benefits. Chief federal mediator Peter Hurtgen praised both sides, saying lead negotiators in San Francisco "demonstrated statesmenlike leadership, which made this agreement possible." President George W. Bush, in a statement issued by the White House early Nov. 24, said: "This agreement is good for workers, good for employers & it's good for the American economy. I congratulate labor & management for working together to successfully resolve their disagreement." (Sat. Nov. 23 2002)

The U.S. Navy EP-3 plane downed after colliding with a Chinese fighter jet last year has taken its 1st test flight, 16 months after it was shipped back to U.S in pieces. U.S. officials dismantled aircraft & hired a Russian cargo plane to carry fuselage back to Lockheed, where new wing, tail & nose components installed. (Sat. Nov. 23 2002) Follow Our Extensive Coverage<<webfeature. Our Special Photo Feature<<photofeature. (Sat. Nov. 23 2002)

Explosive-packed Palestinian boat entered Israeli-controlled waters off northern Gaza & approached by 20-meter coastal Israeli patrol boat, armed with 20 mm cannon & 12.7 mm machine guns -- blew themselves up when intercepted -- rammed patrol boat, sinking the Israeli patrol boat, 4 Israeli casualties. (Sat. Nov. 23 2002)

WEEKLY IMB PIRATE REPORTS ___

18 Nov. 2002 at 0210 LT at anchor off fairway buoy, Cochin, India. Pirates boarded container ship from forecastle whilst 4 accomplices waited in boat below. Alert duty A/B raised alarm & pirates jumped overboard & escaped. Port control informed. (LAX Fri. Nov. 22 2002)

07 Nov. 2002 at 0205 LT Chittagong anchorage, Bangladesh. Seven pirates armed with knives, crowbars & big hooks boarded general cargo ship from stern. One pirate threatened duty cadet with long knife. Duty A/B raised alarm & pirates jumped overboard with ship's stores. Port control & local agent informed. (LAX Fri. Nov. 22 2002)

Antigu & Barbuda regisitered 2844gt cargo M/V A.B. Lubeck (built 1997), Taranto for Moerdijk, aground on Nieuwe Waterweg, near Dolphin Green No.7, due to steering problems at 1730, local time, today. No damage. SMIT Salvage tug assisting. (Thurs. Nov. 21 2002)

Liberian 5,4415gt M/V Vantage (built 2000) aground in Marsaxlokk Bay -- refloated by tugs Mari & Sea Salvor -- now moored at Malta, Freeport. (Thurs. Nov. 21 2002)

1,848gt Panama registered general cargo M/V Gelfo (built 1977), Cadiz for Agadir, with cargo of white sand, sank Nov. 14, 23 miles off Safi -- all 11 crew rescued. Further details awaited from Moroccan authorities. (LAX Wed. Nov. 20 2002)

Russian registered 1434gt M/V Ajaks-1 (built 1986), in collision with 456gt local passenger ferry M/V Temel Simsir (built 1979), operating between Uskudar & Eminonu, while transitting Bosporus, near Kabatas, at 0830 LT. Bosporus vessel passages suspended due to heavy/dense fog am today. Having reported from the Bosporus to you last month, we don't quite understand why there are not even more collisions in this narrow Int' navigational space -- it's like movng 10 pounds of sugar down a 3 pound passage. We tip our hats to the navigators of the Bosporus. McD (LAX Wed. Nov. 20 2002)

465-foot Brazilian M/V Neptunia Mediterraneo, Panama for Houston with 21 crew, now under way again after being disabled in Int'l water for more than a month. With no money for port fees or tug service, the ship remained stranded in Gulf of Mexico, 16 miles off shore. (LAX Wed. Nov. 20 2002)

ALERT>> M/T Prestige sinks. Follow Our Story<<webfeature (LAX Tues. 19 Nov. 2002)

U.K. 251gt F/V Ixkote (built 1973) taking water & sinking rapidly in lat 51 23N, long 10 22W -- all 12 crew transferred to F/V Koaxi. Vessel very low in water with stern submerged. (HKG Mon. Nov. 18 2002)

Bahamas registered, owner Hong Kong-based Wallen Ship Management, M/T Pindar, Lithuania for Dutch port of Rotterdam with 50,000 tons of oil, strayed off course & ran aground off Danish coast near N. island of Laesoe. Several ballast tanks of double-hull tanker damaged -- oil tanks intact -- no leaks reported. (HKG Sun. Nov. 17 2002)

ALERT>> Liberian registered, 930-foot South Korean 50,242gt container M/V Hanjin Pennsylvania -- had containers laden with fireworks -- continued to burn through Nov. 15. Follow Our Story<<webfeature (HKG Fri. Nov. 15 2002pm)

 WEEKLY IMB PIRATE REPORTS ___

07 Nov. 2002 at 0001 UTC in position: 12:22N - 054:45E, Gulf of Aden. Pirates armed with knives boarded bulk carrier underway from boat -- ransacked master's cabin, held him hostage --demanded money & safe key. When master refused, they beat him up severely until unconscious. Master received extensive injuries & his speech became impaired. Pirates stole US$33,028 from ship's safe & personal property -- escaped. (HKG Fri. Nov. 15 2002)

06 Nov. 2002 at 0340 LT at pier no.1 east, Rio Haina port, Dominican Republic. Five pirates armed with knives & wooden battens boarded a bulk carrier from forecastle. Assaulted & tided up 2nd officer -- hit duty A/B on the head when he raised alarm. Pirates destroyed life raft, stole ship's stores, property, & crew belongings -- escaped. Master informed authorities -- navy boarded ship for investigation. 2nd officer & A/B sustained injuries -- sent ashore for treatment. (HKG Fri. Nov. 15 2002pm)

06 Nov. 2002 at 0145 LT in position 13:05.8N - 080:21.8E, Chennai anchorage, India. Three pirates in a speedboat using grappling hooks boarded container ship. Alert duty A/B sounded ship's whistle & raised alarm. Pirates escaped by jumping into water & fled. (HKG Fri. Nov. 15 2002pm)

02 Nov. 2002 at 0300 UTC at Tema anchorage, Ghana. Seven pirates boarded container ship -- forced open some containers & stole ship's stores. Alarm raised & pirates escaped in large canoe, alongside. Port authorities informed & patrol boat arrived hour later. Master advised ships to stay away from anchorages until berth was available. (HKG Fri. Nov. 15 2002pm)

Hong Kong Police gave chase at sea & 1 man died & 2 escaped after patrol vessel collided with smuggler vessel, Nov. 15. During chase, smugglers hurled boxes of live cobras at police vessel. Police found 27 boxes filled with 600 cobras -- on way from SE Asia to dinner tables in mainland China said worth HK$200,000 (US$26,000). (HKG Fri. Nov. 15 2002)

Nigerian navy warship, NNS Umalokun attacked village of Okerenkoko, SW of oil port of Warri, in swamps of Niger Delta killing 5, Nov. 12 -- 2 weeks after pirates from village boarded a ChevronTexaco oil rig service vessel transporting oil workers & robbed 3 navy officers of their guns. (HKG Fri. Nov. 15 2002)

Russian registered 2,777gt fish factory M/V Tymlat (built 1971) burning for over a day near berth of the Dalzavod ship repair plant in Vladivostok -- no fuel or crew aboard. (HKG Fri. Nov. 15 2002)

Bahamas-flagged M/T Prestige, with 27 crew & 77,000 metric tons (85,000 US tons) -- 2 million of barrels fuel oil, leaking, listing & threatening to founder in heavy weather 50km off NW Cape Tourinan, Spain -- situation said grave -- 35km slick in vessel's wake -- said to be about 3,000 tons. Tugs attempting pull to Int'l waters. (HKG Thurs. Nov. 14 2002) UPDATE >> Dutch-based international salvage company SMT now in charge of the 44,000-ton tanker -- tow destination unknown. (HKG Fri. Nov. 15 2002pm) UPDATE >> Spanish police arrested Greek Capt. Apostolos Mangouras after he & remaining crew evacuated from the ship & flown to the northwestern Spanish port of La Coruna. Spanish government said arrested on suspicion of disobeying authorities & harming environment. Local newspaper La Voz de Galicia said Mangouras refused for several hours Wednesday night to allow tugs to tow his listing ship away from the Spanish coast while he haggled over price of the tugs. (HKG Sat. Nov. 16 2002). UPDATE >> Initially spilling 800,000 gallons of fuel oil that contaminated fisheries, blackened beaches & killed wildlife along a 125-mile stretch of the Iberian peninsula -- vessel, split in two & sank Nov. 19, 150 miles off Spain's northern coast, near Portugal. (LAX Tues. 19 Nov. 2002)

Nuclear attack submarine USS Oklahoma City, with 12 officers & 115 crew, "bumped" Norwegian M/T Norman Lady, owned by Leif Hoegh & Co. of Oslo, while ascending to periscope depth in W. Mediterranean Sea Nov. 13. U.S. Sixth Fleet at Gaeta, Italy, reported sub reached surface, spotted merchant ship & attempted to make radio contact -- merchant did not respond -- appearing in no need of assistance --left the area. No injuries aboard Oaklahoma -- proceeding to unidentified port for any repairs. (HKG Thurs. Nov. 14 2002) UPDATE>> Cmdr. Richard Voter removed as captain of USS Oklahoma City on Nov. 30 in La Maddalena, Italy, by Rear Adm. Kirkland Donald -- said he lost confidence in Voter's ability to command. Marks career end, to a career hard fought for & well earned. (Tues. Dec. 3 2002)

Liberian registered, 930-foot South Korean 50,242gt container M/V Hanjin Pennsylvania (built 2002), Singapore Nov 8 for Hamburg with contaners & 21 crew, suffered fire in lat 05 43.39N, long 82 27.28E, at 0920, UTC -- 19 crew rescued, 1 dead & 1 missing. Weather very bad, hampering search. Vessel continues to burn. Tug is proceeding to area, 200 miles SE of Colombo, Sri Lanka. Sounds bad. (Mon. Nov. 11 2002) UPDATE >> Vessel continues to burn after container explosion. One crew dead, 1 missing. (HKG Fri. Nov. 15 2002) UPDATE >> With exploded container(s) of fireworks burned for 4th day Nov. 15 after an initial blast killed 1 -- 19 crew rescued but 1 remains missing. Explosions still taking place. Said no threat of sinking. Two tugs standing by for pull to Colombo. Fire out. (HKG Fri. Nov. 15 2002pm)

Chinese registered 4,682gt lumber carrier M/V Fei Yun Ling (built 1976), sank 270 kms S. of Naha, Okinawa Prefecture -- all 28 Chinese crew rescued -- 2 injured, Three liferafts, 1 lifeboat & many 24 ft. logs from cargo , adrift in lat 23 42N, long 127 54E at 0545, UTC. (Mon. Nov. 11 2002)

Nuclear powered sub HMS Trafalgar, cruising 15 knots at a depth of 50 meters with 130 crew , hit a rock 3 miles NW of the Isle of Skye, near a chain of rocks known as Fladda Chuain, off Scottish coast, Nov. 6 -- 2 injured -- towed to HM Naval Base Clyde. Will take months to repair. (Sat. Nov. 9 2002)

U.S. COAST SHUTDOWN CRISIS: DAY 39>> It is now reported that the severe backlog of vessels resulting from the 10-day employer lockout of West Coast longshoremen is diminishing quickly, & the ports could be back to normal in about 1 week. This estimate is weeks before those issued before recent agreements were made with union representatives. Go figure. (Fri. Nov. 8 2002)

 WEEKLY IMB PIRATE REPORTS __ It Was A Bad Week For Our Side

04 Nov. 2002 at 0005 LT in position 00:52.6N - 105:07.1E, vicinity of Bintan island, Indonesia. About 8 pirates armed with long knives boarded container ship underway & overpowered 3rd mate & tied-up his hands with rope & taped his mouth. Pirates forced 3rd mate to phone master to come to bridge. When master entered bridge, he was taken hostage & assaulted with knife. His hands were tied-up with ropes -- taken to his cabin where pirates stole cash from crew and ship's safe in excess of US$7,000. Pirtates jumped into the water & escaped. (Fri. Nov. 8 2002)

03 Nov. 2002 at 0130 LT in position 01:04N - 104:56E, vicinity of Bintan Island, Indonesia. About 8 pirates armed with long knives boarded chemical tanker underway at aft. Pirates tried to break open master's cabin door but failed. Then, they took hostage ch. Eng. & tied-up his hands with ropes & assaulted him before robbing his cash, personal belongings & property. Ch. Eng. Received serious injuries. Used ch. Eng. As hostage & escaped in boat. (Fri. Nov. 8 2002)

03 Nov. 2002 at 0110 lt in position 01:03.8N - 104:56.8E, vicinity of Bintan island, Indonesia. While underway, pirates armed with long knives boarded container ship. Entered bridge & threatened duty officer & a/b with long knives. Duty officer raised alarm & warned crew via ship's P.A. system. Pirates escaped empty handed. (Fri. Nov. 8 2002)

01 Nov. 2002 at 0500 LT, Balikpapan outer anchorage, Indonesia. Pirates boarded Rorer ship from starboard quarter. Alert duty crew raised alarm & pirates escaped in waiting boat. (Fri. Nov. 8 2002)

01 Nov. 2002 at 0040 LT in position: 20:38N - 106:55E, Haiphong pilot station, Vietnam. Anti-piracy crew on container ship at anchor spotted pirate on forecastle & raised alarm. Intruder escaped empty handed in motor boat. (Fri. Nov. 8 2002)

31 Oct. 2002 at 1530 LT at berth 5-C, Callao port, Peru. Four pirtates stole zinc anodes welded on to rudder post of bulk carrier. Ch. Off. Spotted them & informed coast guard who arrived within 15 minutes. Local security guards hired onboard were not helpful. (Fri. Nov. 8 2002)

31 Oc t. 2002 at 0300 LT in position 01:21S - 116:57E, Balikpapan outer anchorage, Indonesia. Pirates attempted to board a RoRo ship via anchor chain. Alert crew raised alarm. Pirates jumped overboard & escaped in waiting boat. (Fri. Nov. 8 2002)

30 Oct. 2002 at 1300 UTC in position: 21:41N - 088:01E, Sagar roads anchorage, Hoogly River, India. Pirates armed with long knives boarded tanker from bows. Whilst crew were busy dealing with these pirates, another group of pirates boarded from stern & stole ship's stores. (Fri. Nov. 8 2002)

30 Oct. 2002 at 0430 LT at bravo anchorage, Chittagong, Bangladesh. 10 pirates armed with knives boarded container ship from stern. Threatened crew with knives, broke open the forecastle booby hatch & stole ship's stores. Alarm raised & pirates escaped. Coast guard arrived 4 hours later to investigate. (Fri. Nov. 8 2002)

30 Oct. 2002 at 0225 LT in position 05:23.4N - 097:37.1E, Malacca straits. While underway a small unlit craft came close to supply ship. Alert duty A/B directed searchlights at craft. Crew raised alarm & mustered. Pirates shot at bridge door & fled. Bullet hit console system for electronic charts. No injuries to crew. (Fri. Nov. 8 2002)

28 Oct. 2002 between 0300-0315 LT at berth no.16, Apapa, Lagos, Nigeria. Six armed pirates boarded container ship. Attacked & threatened ship's crew -- escaped in speedboat. (Fri. Nov. 8 2002)

22 Oct. 2002 between 0300 - 0600 LT at Puerto Cabello port, Venezuela. Pirates boarded tug at berth & stole stores, crew belongings & ship's property. When reported to port security & agents, Master was advised that, piracy & armed robbery was common & ships should hire guards. Great work for Puerto Cabello ! (Fri. Nov. 8 2002)

U.S. COAST SHUTDOWN CRISIS: DAY 38>> IT'S OVER? Not Yet On Nov. 7 a federal mediator called for a one-week break (with news black-out) in continuing talks between the shipping lines's PMA & West Coast dockworkers of the ILWU after the sides failed to agree on a pension package. PMA offered a pension increase of nearly 25% in Oct. The increase brought retirement pay for a fully-vested longshoreman to about US$50,000 per year. The Int'l Longshore & Warehouse Union said it expected a larger increase in exchange for accepting a breakthrough deal on technology. The sides agreed Nov. 1 to track waterfront cargo more efficiently using technology that would make hundreds of union jobs obsolete. They called it the 1st progress since a 10-day lockout of dockworkers last month shut down 29 major Pacific ports. Thus, one issue down (for now) & more to go. The cooling-off period ends Dec. 26. The clock is ticking. (Thurs. Nov. 7 2002)

Greek 141gt tug Alexandros (built 1960) sank while towing general cargo M/V Trinity, 1 NM off port of Thessaloniki -- 1 of 4 crew dead. (Thurs. Nov. 7 2002)

True Casualty >> Hong Kong-based Trans-Pacific Lines<<webfeature, will cease operations -- last transpacific ship for the small Asian carrier has left Asia,& en route to the U.S. West Coast (geeez, the company could stay in business for months, just to unload!). Trans-Pacific Lines, which started 1999, had progressively scaled down operations as freight rates fell in the highly competitive transpacific container trade. The chartered vessels the carrier had operated were recently taken back by owners & chartered to Sinotrans Container Lines. Trans-Pacific Lines has taken slots on vessels of Wan Hai & China Shipping. Wallenius Wilhelmsen has also recently pulled out of the transpacific container market. (Wed. Nov. 6 2002)

1,550gt, general cargo M/V Dneprovets 6 (built 1989) from Yuzhnyy with potash fertilizer & 10 crew, sunk in heavy weather -- 4 meter swell -- off Ust-Dunaysk. Vessel lost due to a cargo shift and penetration of water into its aft hold -- 8 crew rescued, 2 missing. (Wed. Nov. 6 2002)

Panama 5165gt general cargo M/V Elite Glory (built 1978), Vietnam for Taiwan with silicon ore & 22 crew, taking water & sinking, Nov. 4 in lat 20 05N, long 118 15E -- crew safely rescued by oil/chem M/V Crane Planet. (Tues. Nov. 5 2002)

Cambodia general cargo M/V Yuan Dong, with 15 crew, sank 30 NM west of Hainan Island Nov. 4 -- 8 crew rescued & 7 missing. (Tues. Nov. 5 2002)

Indonisian ferry M/V Masohi Star, with over 200 passengers, sank off country's volatile E. city of Ambon, leaving 5 dead & 73 missing -- 127 passengers being treated in 3 hospitals in Ambon, main city of Moluccas islands. Private boats helping navy & police rescuers scour waters around Ambon for survivors. (Mon. Nov. 4 2002)

Canadian tug M/V Cathy McAllister caused a comotion on the Great Lakes Nov. 2 -- as tug had broken loose & set adrift on Lake Ontario Nov. 2 evening -- Canadian Coast Guard ship Griffon<<webfeature safely towed home. (Mon. Nov. 4 2002)

Danish M/V Sixtus, Greece for Mostyn, N. Wales with marble, fuel oil pump failed & lost power at 0530 GMT -- adrift in heavy seas & gale force winds of force seven to eight, 12 miles south of Land's End. Under two to Falmouth in Cornwall by coastguard tug Far Sky. (Mon. Nov. 4 2002)

Sulpicio Lines Inc passenger 7,929gt ro/ro M/V Princess of the Ocean (built 1975), for Philippine port of Cagayan de Oro with 1,227 passengers, temporarily stranded along Bohol strait at 2300, LT, Oct 30. Engine broke down & power went out -- took nearly every effort by crew to calm down nervous passengers who feared they may be stranded or suffer a worse fate. Starboard engine restored and the vessel was able to travel normally until 25 minutes later when it died. Vessel only running with port engine & arrived 9 hours later than expected. (Sun. Nov. 3 2002)

U.S. COAST SHUTDOWN CRISIS?: DAY 32>> IT'S OVER? Not Yet -- Both sides in the West Coast port labor dispute hailed a tentative agreement on computer technology use on the docks, but unresolved issues - & bitterness - remain. ILWU & PMA reached agreement late Nov. 1, to track waterfront cargo more efficiently using technology that would make hundreds of union jobs obsolete. The 2 sides called it the 1st progress since the 10-day lockout of dockworkers last month shut down 29 major Pacific ports. Shipping companies are seeking to modernize ports to use computerized records of what cargo is stacked where on each vessel & in each yard. Often that information is already in electronic form when cargo is loaded at another Pacific Rim port, but clerks currently retype the data - obviously slowing movement of cargo but preserving union positions. The technology agreement, reached early Nov. 1, after all-night talks, clearly entailed compromise on both sides. Short-term ILWU job loss numbers weren't clear. Both sides have said around 400 clerk positions would be eliminated under various technology proposals that have been floated since talks began in the spring. A PMA spokesman acknowledged that this deal could be an important breakthrough, but had no further comment, citing ILWU's request for a media blackout on negotiations.

Still, ILWU publicly released a letter today, asking the U.S. Justice Dept. to investigate whether the Bush administration inappropriately collaborated with business groups to undermine union bargaining power during the lockout. U.S. Justice Dept. didn't have immediate comment. (Fri. Nov. 1 2002)

 WEEKLY IMB PIRATE REPORTS ___

25 Oct. 2002 in position: 06:30N - 097:09E, straits of Malacca. Armed pirates opened fire on fishing boat & boarded her. Threw overboard all 9 crew & hijacked vessel. Crew in water for 2 days. Passing ship rescued fishermen. (Fri. Nov. 1 2002)

25 Oct. 2002 at 0100 LT at Cigading anchorage, Indonesia. Pirates armed with long knives boarded bulk carrier. Duty crew noticed & raised alarm -- crew mustered. Pirates jumped overboard & escaped with life raft. (Fri. Nov. 1 2002)

22 Oct. 2002 at 0510 LT at position 00:15S - 117.34E, Samarinda anchorage, Indonesia. Five pirates armed with knives boarded bulk carrier via anchor chain. Attacked duty A/B, caused injuries to his hand. Pirates opened fore peak store booby hatch but another crew raised alarm & pirates escaped taking with them life raft & ship's property. (Fri. Nov. 1 2002)

22 Oct. 2002 at 0240 LT at Tarahan jetty, Indonesia. Pirate armed with long knife boarded general cargo ship from boat. Duty officer raised alarm & pirate jumped overboard & escaped. Local authority & agent vinformed. (Fri. Nov. 1 2002)

21 Oct. 2002 at 1935 LT at port Poti, Georgia. Pirates armed with guns, pretending to be customs officers, boarded general cargo ship at berth during cargo operations. Entered master's cabin, threatened & beat him up, injuring him severely & stole ship's cash US$76,192. Tied up master with scotch tape & escaped. Later master freed himself & reported incident to agents, authorities & owners. Master received treatment in hospital ashore. (Fri. Nov. 1 2002)

Leith-registered F/V Auriga III taking water 40 miles off Tyne Estuary. UK -- Sank shortly before 1900 GMT -- all rescued. (Thurs. Oct. 31 2002)

Panama registered 13,730gt passenger ro/ro M/V Mermaid II (built 1972), with 45 passengers & 26 crew, aground Oct. 23, as it left Vestervik in SE Sweden -- sustained minor damage to hull & 1 screw. Strayed from narrow dredged channel & struck seabed outside the port. Vessel towed back into the channel. Most passengers Estonian truck drivers. (Tues. Oct. 29 2002)

U.S. COAST SHUTDOWN CRISIS: DAY 29>> The ILWU said its will send a letter to Attorney Gen. John Ashcroft asking him to direct the White House to release the names of people it says attended meetings with the administration this summer regarding the conflict. "The Administration did not invite the ILWU to participate in any meetings to offer an employee perspective, reinforcing the appearance that the Administration is only interested in hearing one side of the story," the union said in an Oct. 29 press release. This is heating up.

Longshoremen's union filed papers in court Oct. 29 afternoon, meeting the deadline imposed by federal proscecutors, denying allegations of work slowdown at West Coast ports. Federal prosecutors suggested Oct. 25 they were prepared to take the West Coast longshoremen's union to court to enforce a federal order that dockside work resume at a "normal pace" at the ports. The Pacific Maritime Assn. has accused dock employees of working slowly since they were ordered back on the job on Oct. 8. But union officials say workers are simply overwhelmed by the cargo that backed up during the 10-day lockout. Meanwhile, truckers line up outside the Port of Oakland. "It's never this slow. It's normally moving nice & smooth," said trucker Joe Primes. "It looks like it's a slowdown." Some truckers say they waited 4 hours to load. >> Negotiations continue.

The West Coast port crisis has led to air cargo freight rate increases ranging from 15 to 30%, depending on destination. Rates in Thailand are said have caused rates to rocket by as much as 80%, with cargo space fully booked. Atlas Air & its sister company, Polar Air Cargo flew a combined total of 60 additional charter flights this month, just during the actual 10 days of port closures. (Tues. Oct. 29 2002)

Learn The Viewpoints:

Pacific Maritime Association<<webfeature

Int'l Longshore & Warehouse Union (ILWU)<<webfeature

Swedish product M/T Nimbus, Gothenburg to Esbjerg, with gas oil, aground at entrance to Esbjerg at 2315 LT, Oct. 27 -- due to heavy winds, 18 to 21 meters/sec, 6 meter waves, last night. (Mon. Oct. 28 2002)

Antigua & Barbuda general cargo M/V Asseburg sank in lat 44 49.4N, long 07 36.7W, at 1720, UTC, Oct 26, due to starboard list resulting from weather conditions in area. (Mon. Oct. 28 2002)

UK's newest warship -- Type 23 frigate HMS St Albans<<webfeature, in collision with P&O's M/V Pride of Portsmouth, with 800 passengers & 130 crew, in fierce 70mph storms lashing southern England. M/V Pride of Portsmouth blown onto HMS St Albans, which came off worse -- significant damage to its superstructure. (Sun. Oct. 27 2002)

General M/V Century Luck, with 16 crew, aground near Aleksandrovsk-Sakhalinsky -- destroyed wooden pier of port with bow -- salvage actions for refloating undertaken by tug M/V Atlas, Oct 24/25.

 Container M/V Westwood Rainier taking on water at pier in Elliott Bay while unloading early Oct. 26 -- listing toward pier at a 20-degrees. No injuries. Crew evacuated. (Sat. Oct. 26 2002) UPDATE: Ship back on even keel by 8:15 p.m. Not known what caused vessel to list & brush against 2 cranes on pier. Cranes sustained no structural damage, but 2 electrical reels partially torn from them. Sixth-month-old ship carrying pulp, newsprint & lumber. Ah, it's the 6th month old thing -- new vessel -- new problem. (Sat. Oct. 26 2002pm Shift)

20-meter diving M/V Lacuna, afire 30 km from approaches to Halifax harbor -- 5 crew rescued from life raft by Sea King helicopter. Doing marine surveys for Dominion Diving, a Halifax company. (Sat. Oct. 26 2002)

Russian M/V Bothnia Stone, with lumber, lost power & listing at 40 degrees - in English Channel, now corrected to 20 degrees. To correct, vessel has shed 700 cubic meters of timber to sea. Rescue helicopter from RNAS Culdrose<<webfeature, in Cornwall sent to determine whether to airlift 20 crew off vessel. Lifeboats from Plymouth, Alderney & St Peter Port on way to scene. (Fri. Oct. 25 2002pm shift) UPDATE: Russian cargo ship anchored in Torbay<<webfeature, after major rescue operation in heavy seas off the S. Devon coast. Severe gale force winds forecast to hit England & Northern Ireland Oct. 27, with gusts up to 80mph expected. (Sat. Oct. 26 2002pm Shift)

U.S. COAST SHUTDOWN CRISIS: DAY 25>> Federal prosecutors suggested Oct. 25 they are prepared to take the West Coast longshoremen's union to court to enforce a federal order that dockside work resume at a "normal pace" at ports where a labor dispute had led to charges of a slowdown. PMA & ILWU met Oct. 24 & 25 with federal mediator for 1st time in more than 2 weeks. PMA sent a packet of statistics to bolster its earlier claim that the 10,500-member union had deliberately dragged down productivity by as much as 30%. union filed rebuttal Oct. 24 with the Justice Dept. & said it would file supporting documents by Oct. 29. "They're just numbers," union spokesman Steve Stallone said, referring to depressed work rates the association said proved a slowdown. "There's no evidence backing it up. There's no way they can be independently verified." Stallone added. Federal prosecutors rejected the assertion that arbitration should be the 1st step tp solve the current problem. The "cooling-of" period ends Dec. 26. (Fri. Oct. 25 2002)

 WEEKLY IMB PIRATE REPORTS ___

 19 Oct. 2002 at 0914 LT in position 22:19.2N - 088:06E, Hugli River, India. Six-meter wooden motorboat approached container ship. Pirate armed with long knife boarded at stern using hook attached to a rope. Alert crew raised alarm & pirate jumped overboard & escaped. (Fri. Oct. 25 2002)

18.10.2002 at 0128 LT in position: 01:38N - 105:41E, near Pengibu Island, Indonesia. Seven pirates armed with long knives & iron bars attempted to board & container ship underway. Alert duty A/B raised alarm & directed aldis lamp at the boat. Seeing crew alertness, pirates aborted boarding. . (Fri. Oct. 25 2002)

17 Oct. 2002 between 0300 - 0400 LT at Caltexrefinery, Batangas, Philippines. Pirates boarded product tanker at poop deck during loading operations. Broke open paint store & stole ship's stores. . (Fri. Oct. 25 2002)

16 Oct. 2002 at 0945 LT at Georgetown, Guyana. Seven pirates armed with long knives & machetes boarded general cargo ship at berth. Broke open forward store & stole ship's stores. Alert duty A/B raised alarm & crew mustered. Pirates threatened crew with knives & escaped. Crew tried to contact port authorities by VHF but received no response. . (Fri. Oct. 25 2002)

 U.S. COAST SHUTDOWN CRISIS: DAY 24>> Steamship companies through their PMA representative have supplied the U.S. Justice Dept. with they say evidence that dockworkers engaged (engaging) in deliberate slowdown at U.S. West Coast ports. The ILWU denies charges & blamed sagging productivity on the 10-day lockout that ended earlier this month when President Bush obtained court injunction. These records pivotal because federal prosecutors could use them to take the Int'l Longshore & Warehouse Union (ILWU) to court on allegations that members are violating federal court order that reopened 29 major Pacific ports after the lockout. The 10,500-member union "is playing games with the U.S. economy, & inflicting economic pain & hardship on scores of companies & their employees," said Joseph Miniace, president of the PacificMaritime Assn. (PMA) In a written response, U.S. Justice Dept. acknowledged receiving the documents & asked the PMA & the ILWU to provide further information by Oct. 24.

 This debate goes on while the lines continue to charge the NVOCCs & the shippers additional charges for this debacle. Public sentiment seems to favor the lines, as far as we can tell. However, public sentiment does not favor these charges, such as demurrage -- for a fight with the ILWU. Why should "cargo" be forced to pay for this? Follow Our Coverage Day-By-Day, below. (Wed. Oct. 23 2002)

1,789 gt M/V Venus (built 1971), Port Said for Marina di Carrara, in ballast, aground on rocks near Leghorn, in lat 43 23.9N, long 10 25E.. Crew evacuated. Tug is on scene -- salvage efforts hampered by bad weather. (Wed. Oct. 23 2002)

 6,171gt general cargo M/V Georgios S. (built 1978) Las Palmas for Rotterdam, with soil & 18 crew including 2 Greeks, advised in danger due to water ingress to engine-room --adrift in Atlantic, 120 NM from French Coast. French naval aircraft arrived area while rescue helicopters & nearby vessels expected. Weather -- winds NW, force 8-9 (gale-strong gale). Two rescue helicopters arrived & rescued entire crew 0600 hrs, transporting them to French Naval base of Lanveoc. All in good health. Vessel last reported "semi-sunk." Semi-expected to sink. (Tues. Oct. 22 2002)

Hong Kong registered, 3298gt general cargo, 87.5-meter M/V Century Luck (built 1983), with i6 crew in ballast, aground near the Russian port of Alexandrovsk-Sakhalinsky, Oct. 19 -- vessel barely 20 meters off shore when ebb-tide began. Ship was lying out in Tatar Strait with 3 other vessels, waiting to load cargo of scrap metal, when storm broke out -- wind force reached 20 meters per second & caused the vessel to drift towards the shore until it finally ran aground in shallow waters. Attempted to refloat oon high tide Oct. 23. No leakage -- no damage. (Tues. Oct. 22 2002)

505-foot, 12,320-ton freight & passenger M/V Mercury II, with 16 tanks of oil, 8 passenger & 43 crew, sank in rough weather 80 miles from Baku in Caspian Sea, Oct. 22 -- 5 rescued. (Tues. Oct. 22 2002) UPDATE: 9 rescued, but one has died. Death toll is 43. (Tues. Oct. 22 2002pm shift)

 UK 9 meter ya