International Vessel Casualties & Pirates Database For Year 2003 - Jan. Through Dec. 2003

The Forces of Pirates & Weather on Seaborne Commerce

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Year 2003 Vessel Cassualties & Pirate Attacks
January 2003 February 2003 March 2003 April 2003 May 2003 June 2003	July 2003 August 2003 Sept. 2003 Oct. 2003 Nov. 2003 Dec. 2003

Vessel Loss Dispatches For December 2003

"Stepping In It" - Dec. 2003

"Angel Fire" - Nov. 2003

"Singles Only" - single photos of disaster -- always new.

"Enjoy Your Flight!" - Oct. 2003 - wait to load.

Our The Cargo Letter reporter Rich. Baus visited Albany, Dec. 30 to witness progress on salvage of M/V Stellamare >> "Heavy lift barge crane "Chesapeake 1000" was hooked to forward crane mast of M/V Stellamare & had rolled it up & was steadying in place. Heavy lift barge crane "Weeks 533" was being moved into position along side to hook onto other ships crane mast to complete uprighting & to give upward lift. Guess is that if enough lift could be gained, the water should clear deck & the pumping out of hold started." >> M/V Stellamare now refloated. No word on last missing crew Follow the Story. (Wed. 31 Dec. 2003)

Press reports suggest terrorists may be planning to attack the new RMS Queen Mary II on or before her maiden voyage. Information said based on intercepted al-Quaida communication. Queen Mary II leaves England for Port Everglades, Jan. 12. Owners, Cunard, deny any specific threats. Details of the Queen & unfortunate deaths last month. (Tues. Dec. 30 2003)

Panamanian-registered 13.9gt tug M/V Marina Iris, Kobe for Singaporwith with 6 Indonesian crew -- issued distress signal 1:40 a.m LT -- belived sunk off Wakayama in Sea of Japan early Dec. 27 -- 1 crew rescued on raft by Japan Coast Guard. (Tues. Dec. 30 2003)

Vietnamese F/V, with 16 crew went missing on Dec. 23 -- found capsized off coast of S. province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Dec. 30 by rescue vessel with all 16 crew drowned. (Tues. Dec. 30 2003)

181gt South Korean cargo M/V Mun Chang Ho, 100 km NW of Hamada, Shimane Prefecture, Sea of Japan -- missing & believed sunk. (Tues. Dec. 30 2003)

4,356gt Panamanian-registered M/T Sun Venus, Yosu, South Korea for Kobe with 4,000 tons of ethanol &16 crew -- suffered explosion, Dec. 24, 12 km off Iwaishima Island in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Sea of Japan -- 2 missing. (Tues. Dec. 30 2003)

M/V Stellamare UPDATE>> Seen at Hudson River passing under Mid-Hudson Bridge at Poughkeepsie, N.Y. Sun. Dec. 28.2003 , 14:30 Hr. >> "Heavy Lift"crane barge "Weeks 533" -- bound for Albany to help right M/V Stellamare. Lift capasity 1,000 tons. This is 2nd crane that they were waiting for & righting vessel should start this week. Two missing crew found -- one remains missing. From our correspondent Rich.Bause. Follow the Story. (Mon. Dec. 29 2003)

Greek 5,590gt passenger ro/ro M/V Express Apollon, aground at Serifos. (Mon. Dec. 29 2003)

St. Lawrence Seaway, which connects U.S. Great Lakes to Gulf of St. Lawrence & Atlantic Ocean, has closed it's 45th Navigational Season for winter. (Mon. Dec. 29 2003)

11,619gt downbound bulk M/V Buffalo (built 1978) grounded in lower St. Marys River near Pipe Island off DeTour, Michigan -- reported steering malfunction that caused grounding -- stern blocking downbound channel -- all traffic using upbound course. Buffalo unable to free her self & tug M/V Reliance<<webfeature, with barge PML 9000 departed Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. late Dec. 28 afternoon. (Sun. Dec. 28 2003) UPDATE>> 10 p.m. Buffalo pulled free from spot where she grounded early Dec, 28 afternoon. Big tug M/V Reliance arrived on scene 8 p.m. -- began pull of Buffalo off Watsons Reef in lower river N. of Pipe Island. -- vessel expected spend night there -- will wait for U.S. Coast Guard inspection before departing St. Marys River system. (Sun. Dec. 28 2003 PM)

Malaysian cargo M/V Pacific Valor, China for Malaysia -- lived up to its name on Christmas -- in rescue of 20 souls from 63gt ferry M/V Piary, with 67 passengers & 6 crew -- sank in bad weather in Sulu Sea off W. island of Balabac on Dec. 28 after reporting she was taking water in rough seas in S. Philippines -- 53 missing & presumed dead. (Sun. Dec. 28 2003)

IRAN DISASTER BOUND>> U.S. physicians & a rescue crew trained to search for survivors amid the wreckage of terrorist attacks & natural disasters are headed to Iran to help in the aftermath of a devastating earthquake which may have killed 20,000. The 73 members of Virginia Task Force One<<webfeature, left late Dec. 27 from Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, but plane returned an hour later after smoke detected in cargo area. Task force members moved to different plane, according to U.S. Agency for Int'l Development, which is leading mission. Team finally got off the ground at 12:45 a.m. Dec. 28. (Sun. Dec. 28 2003)

WEEKLY IMB PIRATE REPORTS ___

22 Dec. 2003 at 0325 UTC in posn: 01:05S - 117:17E, Samarinda anchorage, Indonesia. Pirates boarded bulk carrier via hawse pipe -- broke open forecastle store & stole ship's stores & safety equipment. Police & authorities were informed & they boarded ship. Police chased pirate boat but failed to catch them. (Dec. 26 2003)

21 Dec. 2003 at 0400 LT in posn: 01:54S-116:37E, Apar Bay anchorage, Indonesia. Five pirates armed with long knives in speedboat boarded bulk carrier via hawse pipe -- threatened duty A/B with knife but he managed to warn bridge. Pirates broke open forecastle store & tried to steal life raft. Crew raised alarm & shore security guard fired warning shots. Pirates jumped overboard -- escaped empty handed. (Dec. 26 2003)

20.12.2003 at 0620 LT in posn: 01:08N - 103:30E, 7nm NE of Pulau Karimun Besar, Indonesia. Four pirates in unlit boat length about 8m tried to board general cargo ship underway from port quarter. Alert crew raised alarm & switched on deck lights. Boat increased speed, crossed ship's bow & fled. (Dec. 26 2003)

16.12.2003 at 1910 LT in position 22:12.7N - 091:43.2E, Chittagong anchorage 'B', Bangladesh. Nine pirates boarded bbulk carrier at forecastle -- tied up cadet & 2 shore watchmen & held them at knifepoint. C/O spotted pirates, raised alarm, sounded whistle & crew mustered. Pirates escaped empty handed in motor boats at 1930 LT. Incident reported to coast guard. (Dec. 26 2003)

16.12.2003 at 0430 LT in position 09:18S - 132:15E, Indonesia. Persons inside narrow long unlit speedboat attempted to board tanker underway. Crew directed searchlights. Boat followed the tanker for a while & fled. (Dec. 26 2003)

11.12.2003 at New Mangalore, India. Pirates attempted to board bulk carrier at anchor. Anti piracy watch raised alarm & crew mustered. Pirates aborted attempt & fled. (Dec. 26 2003)

Russian 3,000gt M/V Oka, Vladivostok, Russia to N. China's Tianjin municipality<<webfeature, Tanggu's Xinhe shipyard on Dec. 11, 2003, for repair -- suffered fire -- all crew & Chinese workers safe -- fire accidentally caused by repair workers. (Christmas 2003)

U.S. 87-foot F/V Siddie Goldens, with 3 crew, rescued by 87-foot patrol U.S. Coast Guard USCGS Ibis, Dec. 24, 30 miles off coast of S. New Jersey -- during tow, USCGS Ibis noticed that 69-foot scalloper F/V Tamara Lane, on fire -- Ibis immediately broke tow & responded to fire. Tamara Lane fully engulfed in flames & 2 crew rescued -- after launching 2 parachute flares, 3rd member of crew pulled to safety by Ibis. (Christmas Eve. 2003)

North Korean-flagged M/V Elizabeth (a North Korean "Elizebeth?), Port Said, Egypt for Bari, Italy, with cement & 8 crew, grounded on small rocky outcropping in strong gale with winds reaching 86km per hour S. of Greek island of Santorini early Dec. 24 -- taking on water. Greek Coast Guard helicopter plucked all Ukrainian sailors from wreck. From our correspondent Dan Massoni (Christmas Eve. 2003)

U.S. towboat M/V Trey Deloach, pushing 3 empty barges -- southbound in New Orleans Inner Harbor Navigation Canal -- empty tank barge Kirby 10315, hit approach to Florida Ave. bridge in New Orleans at 12:15 a.m. KIRBY 10315 partially blocking westbound vehicular approach to bridge which remains closed to vehicular & train traffic. From our correspondent Dan Massoni (Christmas Eve. 2003)

M/V Free Spirit, ex-Finland with timber &13 Russian crew -- diverted port of Corinth, in S. Greece, to avoid bad weather -- suffered fire at hold -- put under control by 3 port firefighting vehicles -- did not spread to rest of ship & crew safe. From our correspondent Dan Massoni (Tues. Dec. 23 2003)

The U.S. asked to spend millions of dollars to remove concrete-filled 140-foot F/V Victoria M, derelict mistakenly sunk in wrong spot -- hindering passage of vessels in Canadian fishing grounds in British Colunbia. Vessel sent to bottom in 1,500 feet of water 23 Nov. 2003 in routine permit procedure, but a mistake in permit caused it to be sunk on wrong side of Canada-U.S. boundary. Hulk about 60km off Cape Flattery in area used by Canadian trawlers, which drag bottom for groundfish. Canadian Coast Guard warned that sunken ship is "considered a hazard to fishermen." Well, at least she was named "Victoria!" (Tues. Dec. 23 2003)

God Save the Queen>> as RMS Queen Mary 2<<webfeature, -- biggest passenger ship ever constructed - double weight of RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 -- 3 times weight of RMS Titanic at 150,000 tons -- glided from the harbor at Saint-Nazaire on French Atlantic coast today. God's speed.

*Longest, tallest, widest & heaviest passenger ship ever built.

* The Queen Mary 2 has art gallery, with 300 works on show.

*5 swimming pools, 14 restaurants & 24 massage parlors.

* Theater with 1,000 seats; ballroom; a thalassotherapy clinic<<webfeature, (a what?); planetarium; 2,000 bathrooms & 3,000 phone lines.

* 1,300 crew & 3,000 passengers.

* Engines generate enough power to light city of 300,000 people.

* Passengers pay between US$2,752 & US$55,056 for 6 day crossing between Southampton & New York.

Is She Now To Be Known As The "Bloody Mary? This tag has thus far stuck. (Mon. Dec. 22 2003)

Indonesian M/V Burnama 01, with lumber, sank off General Santos City, Philippines. (Mon. Dec. 22 2003)

Mars probe Beagle 2 successfully detached from mother ship Mars Express, critical maneuver that put the European spacecraft on track for landing on red planet Dec. 25 -- unmanned probe, named for ship of naturalist Charles Darwin on his voyage of discovery in 1830s, will explore Martian soil to determine whether it ever supported life. After parachuting through atmosphere & using inflatable gas bags to bounce to soft landing, the 143-pound probe will flip open & begin scratching surface with robotic arm. Meanwhile, Mars Express will orbit 250 miles above with experiments. Entire fleet of Earth ships reaches Mars this Christmas. (Sun. Dec. 21 2003)

63gt Philippine M/V Piary, 68 passengers & approx. 10 crew -- no contact since morning when vessel radioed after strong waves smashed a hole in the vessel's hull -- taking on water while heading for Brooke's Point, off western Philippine island of Palawan from Cagayan de Sulu island group. (Sun. Dec. 21 2003) UPDATE>> Panamanian tanker M/T Pacific Valor, plucked 20 (32in total from all sources) survivors late Dec. 22 from choppy waters between Balabac Island at S. tip of Palawan & Malaysia's Banguey island, off N. tip of Borneo. No word on fate of rest of passengers & crew. (Mon. Dec. 22 2003)

The Chirstmas Tree Ship>> U.S. tug bearing Christmas trees will sail from Two Rivers to Manitowoc Dec. 21, to celebrate fabled S/V Rouse Simmons<<webfeature -- known as the lost "Christmas Tree Ship." S/V Rouse Simmons<<webfeature, among several schooners that carried Christmas trees from upper Michigan forests to lower Lake Michigan ports at beginning of the 20th century. S/V Rouse Simmons<<webfeature, memorialized in press as the "Christmas Tree Ship" after it sank off Two Rivers in a storm on Nov. 23, 1912. Capt. Herman Schuenemann & crew were lost. (Sat. Dec. 20 2003)

14,162gt Phillipines passenger ro/ro M/V Princess of Paradise (built 1974) aground in Phillipines (Fri. Dec. 19 2003)

79,552gt. crude oil M/T Geres (built 1989) under repair at Setubal -- 10 workers injured after explosion. (Fri. Dec. 19 2003)

WEEKLY IMB PIRATE REPORTS ___

11 Dec. 2003 at 0315 LT in position: 01:58.3N - 102:4.7E, Malacca straits. Pirates in unlit speedboat attempted to board bulk carrier underway. Duty officer raised alarm & increased speed. Crew mustered & directed search lights at vessel. After a chase of 20 minutes pirate vessel fled. Perhaps they knew it was Christmas! (Fri. Dec. 19 2003)

Port Huron pilot boat M/V Huron Belle, running close to shore on lower Lake Huron to avoid heavy seas, grounded Dec. 19, sustaining damage that put her out of service for rest of season. Pilot boat M/V Huron Maid, stationed in Detroit at the J.W. Westcott Co. dock, was sent to Port Huron to take her place. (Fri. Dc. 19 2003)

FedEx MD-10F, Oakland, Calif. for Memphis with 2 crew & 5 employees, caught fire & veered off runway while landing -- preliminary investigation indicated plane's right landing gear collapsed before fire began. Flames extinguished but plane heavily damaged -- several large holes burned in starboard fuselage -- blackened by smoke -- FAA images showed right wing on ground -- 1 minor injury during evacuation. Memphis-based FedEx owns world's largest cargo airline. Incident was 4th involving FexEd jet in 7 years. (Thurs. Dec. 17 2003)

133 gt hydrofoil M/V Delfini XXII<<webfeature (built 1992), Piraeus for Theodosia, aground while transiting the Dardanelles Strait, Dec. 17. (Thurs. Dec. 17 2003)

1.2401gt reffer M/V Ice Rose (built 1985), Guayaquil for St.Petersburg, bananas, had switchboard fire, Dec. 16 -- under repair at Aarhus. (Thurs. Dec. 17 2003)

Cambodian-flagged 98-meter oil M/T Africa, Athens for Port Said with 13 crew -- abandoned vessel drifting dangerously close to Greek island of Milos in Aegean Sea after mechanical breakdown -- 10 NM from island of Hydra. All rescued. Tow attempts continue. (Wed. Dec. 17 2003) UPDATE>> Greek maritime authorities say 2 attempts to tow M/T Africa to safety when it was 10 NM from island of Hydra, failed because of high winds. (Fri. Dc. 19 2003)

Japanese container M/V Tokyo Express, Shanghai for Japan, in collision with 80-ton F/V from Zhejiang Province on Dec. 15 afternoon. F/V sank immediately with 1 missing & 6 injured. (Wed. Dec. 17 2003)

M/T Navon Fennia, anchored 1 mile NE of Humber Light Float in Humber Estuary, UK, during crew change reported man overboard to UK Humber Coastguard -- RAF Rescue Helicopter "R128" from RAF Leconfield<<webfeature, (Haunted Control Tower?<<webfeature) scrambled -- crew rescued by vessel & "Rescue 128" then airlifted 53 year old rescued Finnish national crew to Grimsby Royal Hospital. (Wed. Dec. 17 2003)

603gt, cargo M/V Brake (built 1957), Hamburg for Vordingborg<<webfeature -- aground. (Tues. Dec. 16 2003)

Indonesian 100-ton wooden M/V K.M. Monalisa, with 116 passengers & 17 crew, Toli-Toli, in Central Sulawesi for Wani -- hit coral reef in Makassar Sea separating Sulawesi<<webfeature, & Borneo islands -- capsized leaving 2 dead & 2 dozen missing -- 61 police recruits aboard survived along with 28 passengers & all crew -- 2 passenger bodies found dead -- some 50 missing. (Tues. Dec. 16 2003)

U.S. New Bedford-based F/V Atlanta foundered & sank on Dec. 13 night, 27 miles S. of Chatham - 4 crew with "the fear of death in their faces" rescued from lifeboat -- 2 crew dead -- 3rd missing . (Mon. Dec. 15 2003) UPDATE>> Body found floating off Cape Cod identified as Capt. of F/V Atlanta -- another crew died after rescued from lifeboat & 3rd missing & presumed dead. (Wed. Dec. 17 2003)

227gt reffer M/V Sventa (built 1955) sank off coast of Estonia. (Mon. Dec. 15 2003)

17,636gt bulk M/V Argola (built 1978), with wheat, aground at Algiers. Crew rescued, Dec. 13. (Mon. Dec. 15 2003)

Philippine trawler F/V Alma-4, with 25 crew -- in collision with cargo vessel & sank before dawn off coast of Davao city in south Philippines - 3 missing. (Sun. Dec. 14 2003)

South Wales - Port Eynon and Horton inshore lifeboat, with 3 crew, capsized off beach at Slade. Swansea coastguards sent out Mumbles inshore lifeboat & all-weather lifeboat & rescue helicopter from RAF Chivenor. All crew winched to safety, Dec. 13. (Sun. Dec. 14 2003)

1,739gt cargo M/V Harlan (built 1974), ex-Port Said suffered water ingress off Crete, Dec. 11. (Sun. Dec. 14 2003)

3:45 a.m. LAX Time - Saddam Hussein Captured !! (Sun. Dec. 14 2003 at 3:45 a.m.)

Latvian M/V Sventa, Latvian capital Riga for Saint Petersburg, Russia with 160 tons of sugar beets & 9 crew -- sank 16km off coast of Estonia -- crew abandoned aboard rubber life raft when water reached engine room -- picked up by Estonian coastguard helicopter. All safe. (Fri. Dec. 12 2003)

Port Everglades was site of death for Philip Davis, 51, VP of South Stevedoring Inc., a shipping company at port for 3 years. He was either run over by shipping truck or crushed between a truck & concrete post. Authorities are currently checking to see if there was a horse head in his bed. (Fri. Dec. 12 2003)

WEEKLY IMB PIRATE REPORTS ___

08 Dec. 2003 at 0025 LT in posn 01:11N - 126:52E, Molucca Sea, Indonesia -- Pirates in a motorboat attempted to board bulk carrier underway. Ship raised alarm, directed searchlights & activated fire hoses. Pirates aborted boarding & fled. (Fri. Dec. 12 2003)

 06 Dec. 2003 at 0130 LT at Georgetown anchorage, Guyana. Pirates boarded chemical tanker about to drop anchor with pilot onboard. Alarm raised & crew mustered. Pirates escaped with ship's stores. (Fri. Dec. 12 2003)

 03 Dec. 2003 at early morning at Jakarta anchorage, Indonesia. Pirates boarded tanker & stole liferaft. (Fri. Dec. 12 2003)

 01 Dec. 2003 at 0330 LT at Balikpapan anchorage, Indonesia. During cargo operations 5 pirates in speedboat attempted to board tanker by climbing anchor chain. Anti piracy crew & policeman stationed onboard chased pirates & fired a warning shot. Pirates aborted attempt & fled. (Fri. Dec. 12 2003)

 01 Dec. 2003 at 1600 LT in position 04:49.8N - 098:33.7E, northern Malacca straits -- armed pirates in speedboat chased supply ship & ordered her to stop. When ship ignored & proceeded, pirates fired several shots. Two bullets hit helm & one killed 1 crew. Ship proceeded to Penang & lodged a police report. (Fri. Dec. 12 2003)

29 Nov. 2003 at 0200 LT at Puerto la Cruz, Venezuela -- pirates armed with knives boarded tanker at anchor -- took hostage duty A/B & tied him up. Pirates stole ship's stores & safety equipment & escaped. (Fri. Dec. 12 2003)

Historic Crosby Yacht Yard, Osterville, Mass., founded 1850, suffered rgging fire shooting flames 50 feet into the air & destroying 3 large boat storage sheds & some of luxury vessels stored for the winter. No injuries were reported. U.S. Coast Guard investigating. (Thurs. Dec. 11 2003)

Suspected Terrorist Vessel? >> Bahamas registered bulk 17,429gt M/V Athena -- in ballast to load calcined petroleum coke (product produced in Bellingham) at Port Longview for Australia (Calcined coke used in metals industry) -- arrived in Columbia River, Dec. 4, -- met by patrol boats mounting machine guns & heavily armed Coast Guard boarding team -- decision for close watch on Athena stemmed from "intelligence tip." -- Dc. 6, U.S. Coast Guard said its team found nothing suspicious. (Thurs. Dec. 11 2003)

UK F/V Onward Star -- 1 crew overboard just outside the entrance to Bridlington Harbor, Dec. 7. Coastguard launched Bridlington RNLI Lifeboat & Inshore Lifeboat, Flamborough Inshore Lifeboat. Coastguard Rescue teams from Bridlington, Flamborough, Hornsea & Humber Coastguard operations room staff all conducting a shore search and RAF Rescue helicopter 'R131' from Boulmer with Police helicopter 'Oscar 99' are covering area. No sign. (Thurs. Dec. 11 2003)

Hang 'em High>> Australian pilot stranded in Antarctica should have abandoned his flight rather than land on the frozen continent, U.S. & New Zealand officials say. Adelaide adventurer Jon Johanson remains stranded Dec. 10, at the joint U.S.-New Zealand McMurdo-Scott base after making 1st Solo Flight Over South Pole in a home-built, single-engine aircraft. Johanson needs 400 liters of fuel to return home but both U.S.& New Zealand have refused to supply it as part of policy to discourage "tourists" to the base. The U.S. & NZ have offered to fly him back to NZ & then ship plane home at his own expense. NZ authorities have accused 47-year-old pilot of being irresponsible & ill-prepared, sentiments supported by the U.S. The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), which manages main U.S. research station in Antarctica, has offered Johanson passage back to NZ - where he started his historic trip - on a regularly scheduled flight. U.S. officials also are discussing possibility of sending pilot's aircraft back aboard supply ship that normally visits station in Feb., at end of each research season. (Thurs. Dec. 11 2003) The Australian adventurer, stranded in the Antarctic for a week after becoming the first person to fly solo over the South Pole in a fixed wing aircraft, has arrived in New Zealand, using fuel from a British rival. (Sun. Dec. 14 2003)

Ed Note>> Tourist? How about "Adventurer" -- without question -- 50 years ago we would have seen Jon Johanson hailed as a hero & granted all the supplies, support & help he could ever need. Jon Johanson was going for a serious world record at great personal risk. He appears serious at reaching the goal. Are we now so very grown up & politically correct as to treat remaining world adventurers as criminals? It is not as if these overworked gaurdians have to fend off waves of weekly attempts to make the 1st Solo Flight Over South Pole! Geeez, give the guy some help. (Thurs. Dec. 11 2003)

22m steel-hulled longline NSW trawler F/V Makaira, with 5 crew at sea for 6 days on tuna fishing run, Coffs Harbor on Dec. 5, for Evans Head -- erupted in flames 17 NM off Ballina, south of Byron Bay, Australia -- skipper & 4 crew clung to a liferaft as smoke billowed from vessel. Westpac Lifesaver rescue helicopter from Lismore sent to lift fishermen &endash; aged 16 to 40 &endash; to safety. (Thurs. Dec. 11 2003)

Philippines M/V LCT Trinidad II, with 800 tons cement & 19 crew for Roxas, Mindoro -- encountered strong winds & heavy seas 5 NM NEof Boracay Island, Philippines, at 11 p.m., Dec. 7 -- sank 300km S. of Manila at 6 a.m. All crew rescued by PCG search & rescue teams -- 2nd time major vessel sank in Philippine waters in less than a month -- in Nov., a cargo vessel, M/V Isabela Adriana, with coconut oil sunk when fire occured aboard. From our correspondent Dan Massoni. (Wed. Dec. 10 2003)

289ft. Dutch bulker M/V Stellamare, at Port Albany dock on Hudson River with 661 tons of General Electric turbines &18 crew bound for Italy & Romania -- suffered cargo shift -- causing vessel to capsize -- 8 crew thrown into partly frozen water -- 7 rescued from ship, some by helicopter -- 15 safe -- 3 missing believed trapped inside hull where temperatures dipped to about 20 degrees. Rescue operations continue. (Tues Dec. 9 2003) UPDATE>> See our SINGLES ONLY<<webfeature, photo feature. (Wed. Dec. 10 2003) UPDATE>> Body believed to be that of a missing crew found Friday in cargo hold -- 2 more remain missing Misplaced G.E. generator now considered cause of loss. (Fri. Dc. 19 2003) UPDATE>> Second body found by divers. (Sat. Dec. 20 2003)

40,627gt M/V Mokihana (built 1983) in collision with coastal feeder container ship at Qingdao. (Tues Dec. 9 2003)

South Korea's King Sejong Base<<webfeature, on King George Island, at tip of Antarctica's peninsula stretching toward South America -- 7 of 8 South Korean polar researchers who disappeared at sea off Antarctica were rescued but another was found dead -- 3 researchers on rubber boat first went missing Dec. 7, after they reported heavy snow & strong winds. Another group of 5 sent to look for them following day, but lost contact as well -- also traveling in rubber boat. Russian & Chilean rescuers searching found 7 researchers alive, but 27-year-old Chun Jae-kyu dead in the sea. No further details available. (Tues Dec. 9 2003)

1,865gt general cargo M/V Farah Sea (built 1966) sank in Turkish waters. (Tues Dec. 9 2003)

836ft. Chinese 74,500 dwt bulk M/V Yong Kang (built 2001), at anchor awaiting Pier availability in Quebec Harbor -- winds gusting to 60 mph pushed vessel aground Dec. 6., off St-Jean Island of Orleans in Lower St. Lawrence River. Tug M/V Group Ocean from Quebec City assisted to free ship late Dec. 6 & escorted vessel to section 52 in St. Charles River Terminal of Quebec Harbor to partially offload cargo of nickel & bauxite. Preliminary survey indicates several fractures on bottom plates & a ballast tank is taking on water -- will sail to Becancour to offload remaining cargo -- then return to Quebec & final decision about repairs. (Tues Dec. 9 2003)

Indian cruise M/V Nancowri, on holiday cruise returning from Andaman islands<<webfeature, for Port Madras, discoverd murder -- happened Dec. 7 when Israeli, Cohen Yeol, sleeping alongside English girlfriend Carina Elizabeth on deck -- had set sail from Port Blair on Dec. 4. When she heard a struggle, Elizabeth opened her eyes to find Yeol dead with neck slit & a youth running away. She immediately raised an alarm. Elizabeth could not "firmly" point to any suspect in an identification parade involving ship's 1,200 passengers & 300 crew members but 7 people about whom she expressed "some doubts" detained for further questioning. (Tues Dec. 9 2003) UPDATE>> THE COOK DID IT! -- Ship's cook cook killed Israeli tourist Cohen Yeol while he lay sleeping aboard M/V Nancowri. The cook, Rajesh Paul, admitted murdering Yoel Cohen. Paul held grudge against 27-year-old Cohen stemming from differences arising during earlier voyages to Andamans<<webfeature, -- sliced Israeli's neck with kitchen knife. (Thurs. Dec. 11 2003)

130gt hydofoil ferry M/V Aligiulia (built 1991) caught fire shortly after deprture -- off Capri, France. Details pending. (Mon. Dec. 8 2003)

The Cargo Letter UPDATE>>

On 5 Dec. 2003 -- We posted this report -- "R/V NBP limped back to Lyttleton with 2 bad engines. One of the turbos apparently intent on feeding an engine all the fuel it needed. The overspeed shut down was with black gang in the galley fixin mid rats & neither could get to the ER fast enough to save the 2nd engine coupled to it's overachieving twin . Last word (two days ago) was that the 1st rebuild didn't go so well & is coming apart again. This was E-mail notice from the crew aboard." (Fri. Dec. 5 2003)

On 8 Dec. 2003 -- Capt Robert Verret II of R/V NBP posted the following:

"First of all, I am the Capt. here & I know none of my crew would write this report. I keep my crew informed of all that is happening. So all of my crew knew what is going on.  There is no 2nd hand information. But I would think that your organization specializes in Maritime Law, what is "the black gang" supposed to mean? I have been sailing 20 years & I have never heard of this term. And as I put in my previous e-mail (not received) , the incident happened at 07:00. When it referred to "fixin midrats", again inaccurate.  Midrats is served between 23:30 & 00:30. As I put the turbo was not the cause of failure. But for someone not know a lot of maritime things, if a person was to read this, it would seen that maybe human error caused the 2nd failure. That was not the case. And how it is stated: "This is E-mail notice from the crew aboard."  As you write to send an anonymous e-mail "to keep the maritime industry informed"?  Because as I wrote in my other e-mail (not received) , the only thing that was correct on your report was that 2 engines that we came into port on."

"Really I would like to know who wrote the report because it is obvious they are not a mariner, and probably got their information from a person whom is not a crew member.  They could have received their information from the local bar owner from what I know.  But in any event, I would ask you to forward my e-mail to their address, and if they would choose to get ahold of me, I can give them an accurate report. > Robert.Verret@nbp.usap.gov <

"CargoLaw", please do not think I am angry with you, I am just disappointed in the person who wrote you the report because it is so inaccurate. If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to contact me. --

Capt Robert Verret II of R/V NBP (Mon. Dec. 7 2003)

Container M/V Seaboard Voyager -- in rough seas & bad weather off Cuban coast -- lost 4 containers 18 miles N. of Puerto de Tanamo, Cuba, Dec. 5, 2:18 p.m. -- containers believed 15 miles E. of Punta Miasi, Cuba. (Mon. Dec. 8 2003)

French hydrofoil M/V Aligiulia, island of Capri for Sorrento with 47 plus 6 crew, caught fire sending dozens of passengers scrambling to safety aboard inflatable life rafts -- some passengers plunged into sea in panic -- 30 minutes after all aboard had left M/V Aligiulia exploded in flames. (Sun. Dec. 7 2003)

Philippine flagged M/V Doña Trinidad, Cebu Island for Mindoro Island with cement & 19 crew, capsized & sank off Caticlan on Panay Island, about 300km (186 miles) south of Manila -- 19 crew rescued. (Sun. Dec. 7 2003)

U.S. 72-foot Long Island long-range trawler F/V Miss Judith, homeported in Freeport, N.Y., lost engines in big blow Dec. 5 night in perilous 60-mph wind gusts & 18-foot seas -- adrift 80 miles S. of Martha's Vineyard -- taken in tow by sister F/V Charlotte G to Point Judith, R.I. (Sat. Dec. 6 2003)

1000-foot M/V Edgar B. Speer lost starboard rudder Dec. 3 afternoon in lower St. Marys River near Lime Island. U.S. Coast Guard set up one way traffic in area because lost rudder could be an obstruction & hazard to navigation. (Sat. Dec. 6 2003)

WEEKLY IMB PIRATE REPORTS ___

29 Nov. 2003 at 0730 UTC in posn: 03:52N - 077:05W, Buenaventura Inner Roads, Colombia -- pirates armed with crowbars boarded a general cargo ship. Guard employed by the ship fired 2 warning shots. Pirates jumped overboard & escaped in a boat waiting with 3 accomplices. Master informed coast guard who sent a patrol boat to investigate. (Sat. Dec. 6 2003)

28 Nov. 2003 at 0205 LT at Lagos anchorage, Nigeria. Four pirates armed with knives boarded general cargo ship from a fishing motor boat. They threatened duty A/B and assaulted him causing head injuries. Alarm raised & crew mustered. Pirates stole 8 mooring ropes & escaped. Master tried to called Lagos port control but received no response. (Sat. Dec. 6 2003)

25 Nov. 2003 at 2250 LT in posn: 03:01S-106:58E, Selat Leplia, Indonesia. Five pirates with long knives & guns boarded container ship underway -- entered bridge took hostage & tied up d/o, A/B & cadet. Pirates forced d/o to take them to other officers cabins -- entered cabins of master, c/e, c/o, 2/e & stole personal belongings & cash. They took c/o to poop deck & escaped in waiting boat at 2310 LT. Bridge unmanned during attack. (Sat. Dec. 6 2003)

25 Nov. 2003 at 0315 LT in position 00:39.47S - 103:48.09E, 15nm off Muara Sabak, Jambi, Indonesia -- group of armed pirates hijacked tug & barge in tow. Pirates forced crew to jump overboard. All 14 crew managed to swim safely ashore. Barge had 78 containers loaded with rubber, plywood & betel nut. Barge subsequently located on 26.11.2003 near Dabo Singkep but tug still missing. (Sat. Dec. 6 2003)

24 Nov. 2003 at 1115 LT in posn: 08:36S - 137:14E, 20nm off False cape, Kolepon island, Irian Jaya, Indonesia. Pirates in 2 fishing boats approached general cargo ship underway intending to board. Ship pursued evasive manoeuvres & crew mustered. Fishing boats fled towards shore. (Sat. Dec. 6 2003)

24 Nov. 2003 at 0540 LT in posn: 00:56.9N - 105:20.4E, 41 nm off Bintan island, Indonesia. Seven pirates with guns & knives boarded container ship underway -- fired shots at starboard bridge door & entered bridge & took hostage 2/o. Pirates broke master's cabin door & entered his cabin -- stole ship's cash & master's personal belongings. (Sat. Dec. 6 2003)

24 Nov. 2003 at 0130 UTC in posn: 09:21N - 013:39W, Conakry, Guinea. 15 pirates armed with high powered guns in 2 motor boats boarded bulk carrier at anchor -- took hostage 2 crew on deck watch & entered accommodation via bridge -- assaulted master & crew, ransacked cabins & stole ship's property & cash. (Sat. Dec. 6 2003)

22 Nov. 2003 at 2200 UTC in posn: 17:45N-054:31W, Caribbean Sea. Several pirates in boat of 30 meter boat chased yacht underway intending to board. Crew on yacht switched off lights & electronic equipment & reversed course. Boat moved away. (Sat. Dec. 6 2003)

MV Mokihana, in collision with coaster feeder container ship at Qingdao -- Dec. 2 -- just after taking pilot abord -- coaster took on water to point Master decided to beach vessel. Mokihana not allowed to depart Qingdao due to local Harbor Master investigation. (Fri. Dec. 5 2003)

R/V NBP limped back to Lyttleton with 2 bad engines. One of the turbos apparently intent on feeding an engine all the fuel it needed. The overspeed shut down was with black gang in the galley fixin mid rats & neither could get to the ER fast enough to save the 2nd engine coupled to it's overachieving twin . Last word (two days ago) was that the 1st rebuild didn't go so well & is coming apart again. This was E-mail notice from the crew aboard. (Fri. Dec. 5 2003)

U.S.1,492gt Ro/Ro ferry M/V Cape Henlopen (built 1944) Long Island Sound for Orient Point with 80 vehicles & 150 passengers -- Dec. 2 -- port bow door opened because hydraulic closing mechanism that holds it shut failed -- master turned vessel around in winds up to 40 mph & waves 6 to 8 feet to New London for repairs at company's shipyard -- completed overnight under U.S. Coast Guard supervision -- series of waves rolled into vessel & pushed at least 8 cars into one another. No injuries. Report form our Dan Massoni (Thus. Dec. 4 2003)

U.S. 6,174gt ice-breaking capabile R/V Nathaniel B.Palmer (built 1992) has limped back to port. Details pending. "Nathaniel B. Palmer" named to commemorate the American credited with 1st seeing Antarctica. (Thus. Dec. 4 2003)

F/V Panther -- 56km off Sumatra --4 pirates in motorized fishing boat opened fire late on Dec. 1 -- 27-year-old Filipino, fatally shot in chest -- attack occurred in Malacca Straits. Attacks near N. tip of Sumatra are often blamed on rebels from Indonesian province of Aceh. (Thus. Dec. 4 2003)

M/V Sko, Iligan City for Iloilo port with 45,000 bags of cement & 17 crew -- partially burned when one of its oxygen or acetylene tanks exploded while being used by welders -- huge fire -- while docked between Iloilo & Guimaras strait -- 4 crew injured. (Thus. Dec. 4 2003)

250-meter container M/V Zoey S, lost power& drifted toward rocks of Trial Island near Victoria. Ship within 400 meters of island when crew managed to get engines running again -- currently anchored off Victoria, waiting for safety inspection. (Thus. Dec. 4 2003)

87-ft. U.S. Coast Guard Cutter USCGC Chinook<<webfeature, with 10 crew, homeport New London, Ct., aground after it broke free from mooring line at 8:30. Chinook on routine patrol in vicinity of Coddington Cove, R.I., and had been moored up for the evening. Two 41-ft. rescue boats from Coast Guard Station Castle Hill in Newport, R.I., are currently on scene to prevent or minimize any environmental damae & determine best method to re-float Chinook. Cause under investigation. (Wed. Dec. 3 2003)

M/V Sea Panther, Singapore for Mumbai with 14 crew -- 90 NM off Sumatra coast -- pirates attacked on high seas -- 27-year-old Philippine sailor shot dead in aborting boarding. We join the IBM in requesting Malacca Straits patrols by U.S./UK vessels. Here is terrorism. (Tues. Dec. 2 2003)

F/V Thane, with 22 crew. aground at Blue Horizon Bay near Port Elizabeth, South Africa in the early hours of Dec. 2 -- plans to tow her into deeper water at high tide -- all 22 crew members brought to safety. (Tues. Dec. 2 2003)

Vessel Loss Dispatches For November 2003

"DHL Airlines - On Time -- On Target" - Nov. 2003

"Angel Fire" - Nov. 2003

"Pelican's Peril" - collision on River Scheldt - Aug. 2003

"Singles Only" - single photos of disaster -- always new.

"Enjoy Your Flight!" - Oct. 2003 - wait to load

Limitation Action Filed ......... as facing more than US$2Bn in damages sought by victims of the Oct. 2003 Staten Island M/V Andrew J. Barberi (built 1981)<<webfeature disaster, financially strapped New York City has filed a federal petition to limit its liability under maritime law to the value of the vessel -- calculated at US$14.4M. Eighty-one court claims have been filed against the city stemming from the Oct. 15 ferry crash in which 10 people were killed & dozens injured, many with amputated limbs. A federal trial could take up to a year will determine if the city has properly invoked the petition. Review Our Feature. (Sat. Nov. 29 2003)

USS Cole & its crew of 340 pulled out of Norfolk, VA, for the destroyer's first overseas deployment since it was bombed by terrorists 3 years ago in Yemen's port of Aden. The Cole and two other destroyers in the Norfolk-based Surface Strike Group, the USS Thorn & USS Gonzalez, are now scheduled to head to the Mediterranean Sea for about 6 months. They officially are part of the USS Enterprise carrier strike group, which left in October. Review Our USS Cole Feature. (Sat. Nov. 29 2003)

Hong Kong-flagged M/V Maritime Friendship, at Dunedin's Port Chalmers, NZ -- suffered crane collapse 9.30pm, Nov. 29, while logs were being loading aboard. Workers aboard & on wharf had to dodge swinging boom -- pile of logs which rolled free of the ship -- 3rd incident this week aboard Maritime Friendship. Int'l Transport Federation also investigating claims ship's owners only paying seamen between 25% & 50% of their agreed rate. Great maritime friendship! (Sat. Nov. 29 2003)

Canadian tug M/V Sea Commander, Surrey, Canada for Eureka, Calif. with Canadian registered 380-foot log barge Ocean Oregon -- 2,000 logs went overside Nov. 13, drifting offshore in a W-SW direction approximatly 100-miles off Tillamook Head, Oregon. Logs were in bundles of 5 prior to falling overboard.  According to latest weather data from National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration the logs heading back out to sea & may not strike land for weeks. (Sat. Nov. 29 2003) Updated by Fred McCague (Mon. Dec. 1 2003)

Portland-based 360ft. sternwheeler M/V Empress of the North<<webfeature, with 58 passengers & 68 crew, developed steering problems Nov. 27 night 80 miles up the Columbia River from Portland -- ran aground injuring passenger & 2 crew -- vessel moved to barge dock & tied up. Injured hospital treated & released. LAST TIME>> On Oct. 24, 2003, while navigating through Ice Harbor Dam Lock on Snake River, vessel got stuck &endash; spent night there -- on 3rd day of 8 day cruise on Snake & Columbia Rivers. No injuries reported among 188 passengers & 84 crew (Fri. Nov. 28 2003)

WEEKLY IMB PIRATE REPORTS ___

24 Nov. 2003 at 0630 LT in position 01:21.1N - 117:01E, 14 nm off Balikpapan, Indonesia -- pirates with guns & knives boarded tanker via hawse pipe --took hostage deck watch keeper at gun point -- stole ship's property & stores before escaping. (Fri. Nov. 28 2003)

23 Nov. 2003 at 0400 LT at Chittagong anchorage, Bangladesh. Six pirates with long knives boarded general cargo ship -- stole ship's stores & escaped. (Fri. Nov. 28 2003)

22 Nov. 2003 at 2300 LT at Lagos anchorage, Nigeria. Pirates boarded tanker, stole ship's stores & escaped in waiting trawler. (Fri. Nov. 28 2003)

19 Nov. 2003 at 2325 LT in position 01:17.9N - 104:06.1E, Eastern buoy, Singapore -- 7 pirates with long knives boarded tanker underway & stole ship's cash & escaped. (Fri. Nov. 28 2003)

19 Nov. 2003 at 1200 UTC in posn: 30:58S-030:22E, port Shepstone, East coast of South Africa -- 6 pirates in speedboat trailed refrigerated ship & attempted to board. Crew raised alarm & activated fire hoses. Pirates aborted attempt. (Fri. Nov. 28 2003)

Democratic Republic of Congo M/L Dieu Merci ("Thank God" ), with 20 tons fish, maize, cocoa & some 450 souls transiting Lake Mai-Ndombe<<webfeature, (known as "Black Water") in Bandundu province 600km(360 miles) NE of capital, Kinshasa, capsized then disintegrated in high winds & driving rain -- hurling passengers into churning lake waters -- 163 drowned & scores more missing Nov. 26 -- 222 survivors. Democratic Republic of Congo Minister of Humanitarian Affairs earlier told Reuters 2 ferries collided, but survivors said only 1 vessel appeared involved. Lake Mai-Ndombe<<webfeature, covers 888 sq. miles but doubles or triples in size during rainy season, currently lashing western Congo. (Thurs. 27 Nov. 2003)

Thanksgiving Day Dinner Menu for crew of South Bound U.S. merchant M/V Challenger -- U.S. Great Lakes - Nov. 27 2003

Appetizers: Oyster Cocktail * Shrimp Cocktail * Assorted Olives & Raw Vegetables

Soups: Oyster Stew & Chicken Noodle Soup

Entree: Roast Tom Turkey w/Sage Dressing & Wild Rice * Lobster Tail w/Butter Sauce * Baked Virginia Ham w/Pineapple Rings * Mashed & Sweet Potatoes * Buttered Peas * Squash * Giblet Gravy * Hot Dinner Rolls * Cranberry Sauce

Desserts: Mincemeat, Apple, Peach & Pumpkin Pies * Whipped Cream * Fruit Cake * Ice Cream * Chocolate Mints * Sugared Dates

Refreshments: Coffee, Tea, Milk, Hot Chocolate, Soft Drinks, Eggnog, Cigars, Cigarettes, Hard Candy, Gum

HAPPY THANKSGIVING DAY From America! There is so much for which to be thankful. Thanks to all our world crews at sea tonight. (Thurs. 27 Nov. 2003)

F/V Beira 3 (built 1953), with 19 crew held by pirates since June 8 2003 -- pirates refuse to release vessel until onwers pay undisclosed amount of fishing and ship chandling fees. Captors said to have given hostages permission to return to home port Mombasa by their own means. Situation aboard vessel appalling -- not enough food & fresh water for seafarers. (Wed. 26 Nov. 2003) UPDATE>> Payment demand is US$958,000 ! (Thurs. 27 Nov. 2003)

1,846gt general cargo RMS Voerde (built 1999) in collision with chemical tanker off Schevningen. (Wed. 26 Nov. 2003)

Philippine 498.29gt M/V Isabella Angelica, with 1,400 tons coconut oil for Batangas City port, 100km S. of capital Manila, caught fire & sank off Philippines' SE town of Barcelona on Nov. 25 --14 crew rescued, fate of Capt. unknown. (Tues. Nov. 25 2003)

Collision off Sulawesi in E. Indonesia -- vessel, with 30 passengers, illegally chartered, leaving Kendari port for Wowoni w/o proper permits or lights -- 1 dead & 9 missing -- sank after collision. 2nd boat, manned by crew of 6 but no passengers, also had no proper lights. (Mon. Nov. 24 2003)

Dutch river M/V Spes rammed a groyne (protective structure of stone or concrete; extends from shore to prevent beach from washing away) on the River Ems -- sinks, Nov. 21. (Mon. Nov. 24 2003)

United Arab Emirates flagged M/T NOORA 1, boarded & detained during a surveillance operation by Royal Navy's Type 23 frigate HMS Norfolk<<webfeature, -- found more than 300 tons of what is believed to be illegal Iraqi oil on vessel. Commander Tony Radakin, Commanding Officer of HMS Norfolk, said: "We are determined to ensure that oil exported from Iraq is done so legally & is used for benefit of the Iraqi people. (Mon. Nov. 24 2003)

Russian river-marine dry cargo M/V Chernomorsk, storm killed both engines & lost its anchor 30km N. of Cape Akhilleon -- sent distress signals from Kerch Straight -- recue completed Nov. 12. (Mon. Nov. 24 2003)

M/V Banga Lanka -- engine room caught fire at 3.20 pm at Jamuna Oil Co., Dhaka, Bangladesh, with a loud bang. As result, 4 crew working in engine room were injured, 1 critically -- firemen of tanker able to control blaze within 1 hour. M/T Shrotapriya, one lighter oil tanker unloading the imported cargo at the time. M/T Banga Lanka - ship of HRC Shipping Lines, seized on Nov. 8 last at Outer Anchorage of Chittagong Port for carrying illegal arms. (Sun. Nov. 23 2003)

Los Angeles 32ft S/V Azure, with Brian & Helen Moore of Cypress, CA -- went missing 1,000 miles NE of Oahu -- only trace was life raft -- strobe lights that may have been from life vests found by U.S. Coast Guard, Nov. 22 -- presumed lost. (Sun. Nov. 23 2003)

Italian cruise M/V Costa Classica<<LiveWebCam, with 1,000 passengers on Mediterranean cruise, cancelled scheduled port calls set for Nov. 22 & 23 in Turkish ports for security reasons after string of deadly bomb attacks in Istanbul. A number of Western countries have advised travelers to avoid Turkey after 53 people died & hundreds wounded in suicide bomb attacks against synagogues & British interests in Turkey's metropolis. (Sat. 24 Nov. 2003)

ALERT>> Civilian DHL freighter landed at Baghdad Int'l Airport Nov. 24 with wing on fire -- trailing thick smoke & part of wingtip missing as it overflew Baghdad's Mahmoudiya district prior to touch down -- pilot declared in-flight emergency -- not known whether flames caused by technical malfunction, or ground fire. All DHL crew safe. (Fri. 23 Nov. 2003 PM)

Maltese-flag, Polish-owned M/V Kopalnia Borynia hit arrestor boom at Iroquois Lock<<webfeature, while upbound for Thunder Bay in U.S. Great Lakes -- extent of damage unknown but navigation suspended in area -- expected to resume Nov. 24. LT (Fri. 23 Nov. 2003)

WEEKLY IMB PIRATE REPORTS ___

17 Nov. 2003 at 2300 LT about 6 NM off Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam -- 5 pirates boarded container ship underway. Anti-piracy watch spotted & chased them. Pirates escaped empty handed. (Fri. 23 Nov. 2003)

17 Nov. 2003 at 1920 UTC in position 06:01S - 105:54E, Cigading anchorage, Indonesia -- 6 pirates armed with knives, commenced boarding bulk carrier using ropes attached to hooks. When they were half way through, duty A/B raised alarm. Pirates abandoned boarding & escaped in boat waiting with 4 other accomplices. (Fri. 23 Nov. 2003)

16 Nov. 2003 at 1055 LT at Balikpapan anchorage, Indonesia. About 9 pirates climbed anchor cable of tanker. Alert crew raised alarm & pirates abandoned boarding -- 7 escaped in motorboat. (Fri. 23 Nov. 2003)

14 Nov. 2003 at 0550 LT at Lawi-Lawi SBM anchorage, Indonesia-- 3 armed pirates in black motorboat boarded tanker -- broke forecastle locker and stole ship's stores -- threatened duty A/B with steel bars but he managed to raise alarm & pirates fled. Attempt to contact port authorities failed. (Fri. 23 Nov. 2003)

11 Nov. 2003 at 2140 LT at Chittagong anchorage, Bangladesh -- pirates armed with knives boarded multi purpose ship at forecastle -- broke open forecastle locker & stole ship's stores. C/o raised alarm & informed port control. Pirates jumped overboard & escaped in boat at 2234. Six shore watchmen kept away from pirates and did not intervene. (Fri. 23 Nov. 2003)

11 Nov. 2003 at 1030 UTC during river passage, Warri, Nigeria. Pirates in 3 boats armed with machine guns surrounded refrigerated cargo ship & tried to block her passage -- minutes later pirates fired shots at hull. Ship increased speed & took evasive manoeuvres -- pirates stopped chase. Pilot aboard contacted authorities but no local assistance received. (Fri. 23 Nov. 2003)

Tribal militants armed with automatic weapons have seized 2 oil platforms in offshore waters of Nigeria belonging to ChevronTexaco, taking several workers hostage. (Fri. Nov. 21 2003)

Canadian barge crew removing buoy in Lake Superior -- swamped -- managed to climb on top of overturned barge -- noticed by a passing commercial fisherman, who called & aided in rescue -- also helped prevent barge from crashing into rocks until Canadian Coast Guard CCGC Thunder Cape<<webfeature, arrived on scene -- barge towed back to Thunder Bay late Nov. 17 night. (Thurs. Nov. 20 2003) Updated by our Pat Rivers-Bowerman (Mon. Dec. 1 2003)

42-metre gravel-hopper dredger M/V Karma, aground in Queensland River on Nov. 19. Officials report cause as bad Karma. (Wed. Nov. 19 2003)

Philippine M/L Susan, Sipalay City with 39 souls, battered by huge waves spawned by Typhoon Weng, sank off Pala&emdash;wan, Nov. 16 -- 22 passengers found in motor launch -- now 10 missing. Cargo vessels such as M/L Susan not supposed to take on passengers. Master succumbed to heart failure while being escorted with 8 survivors to Culasi town in Antique. (Wed. Nov. 19 2003)

37,482gt ro/ro M/V Knossos Palace (named for palace of King Minos<<webfeature, of Crete) (built 2000) caught fire off Greece at 0340 LT. Details pending. (Wed. Nov. 19 2003)

Emergency rescue under way E. of New Zealand after veteran solo ocean rower struck extreme weather & called for help -- Jim Shekhdar, on nonstop solo journey from S. New Zealand port of Bluff to Cape Town in South Africa, reported his vessel rolling several times in severe weather, which also broke his oars & swept gear from deck. He suffered minor head injury. New Zealand marine research ship R/V Tangaroa<<webfeature, diverted to assist Shekhdar, would reach him about 8pm today (1800 AEDT) (Mon. Nov. 17 2003) UPDATE>> 57 year old adventurer rescued well. (Wed. Nov. 19 2003)

27,088 dwt Hong Kong flag bulker M/V Tu King, ex-Guinea -- threw 8 African men overboard 7km off Brazil coast near Recife -- 6 men said they were beaten & thrown overboard, while 2 more apparently jumped off vessel of their own volition. Men stowed away on Tu King before it departed from Guinea, hoping to find jobs & opportunities lacking at home. Fishermen in N. Brazil rescued African men. Master could be charged with illegally transporting foreigners, which carries a possible prison term of between 1 to 3 years. (Sun. 16 Nov. 2003)

ALERT>> 150,000gt world's longest, tallest & most expensive passenger M/V Queen May 2<<webfeature, -- still in trials -- suffered gangway collapse at St. Nazarine, France -- 12 dead & 32 injured. (Sat. Nov. 15 2003) UPDATE>> Death toll is now 15. (Sun. 16 Nov. 2003) UPDATE>> French public prosecutor probing deaths said Nov. 17 -- gangway which collapsed under them was last-minute replacement. Gangway had been changed -- one that was in place on Nov. 15 was put up evening before at request of management who wanted gangway 1.4 meters wide, whereas 1st one was only a meter (3 feet) wide. Two inquiries into disaster under way, including criminal investigation into manslaughter & involuntary injury -- 48 people thought on gangway to Cunard's new flagship cruise liner at time. (Mon. Nov. 17 2003)

WEEKLY IMB PIRATE REPORTS ___

10 Nov. 2003 about 1.5 miles from Dakar pilot station, Senegal. Pirates armed with knives boarded refrigerated ship underway. General alarm raised & crew mustered and chased pirates. Dakar port control informed who sent a police boat to escort vessel to berth. (Fri. Nov. 14 2003)

10 Nov. 2003 at 0400 LT at Chittagong anchorage 'B', Bangladesh. Pirates boarded container ship & stole ship's stores & safety equipment. (Fri. Nov. 14 2003)

09 Nov. 2003 at 2248 UTC in position 06:20.2N - 003:22.8E at Lagos roads, Nigeria. Pirates boarded chemical tanker from speedboat at poop deck & stole ship's stores. Alert crew raised alarm & pirates escaped at 2300. (Fri. Nov. 14 2003)

09 Nov. 2003 at 0510 LT at Balikpapan inner anchorage, Indonesia. Pirates armed with knives boarded bulk carrier under pilotage from anchorage to open sea. Threatened the anti-piracy crew with knives, broke in to store room & stole ship's stores. Master raised alarm, sounded whistle & crew mustered. Pirates escaped in a high platform boat. Pilot reported incident to port authorities who did not respond. (Fri. Nov. 14 2003)

07 Nov. 2003 at 2330 LT at Chittagong anchorage, Bangladesh -- 10 - 15 pirates armed with knives & swords boarded general cargo ship. Crew fired distress rockets at them. Pirates stole ship's stores, jumped overboard & escaped in motorboat. Port control & coast guard informed. (Fri. Nov. 14 2003)

05 Nov. 2003 between 1800-2000 UTC in position 10:31.7N - 107:00.2E, Vung Tau anchorage, Vietnam. Pirates boarded chemical tanker during cargo operations -- broke engine room store padlock & stole spares. Master reported incident to local police. (Fri. Nov. 14 2003)

Finnland 217gt tug M/V Pegasos (built 1968) sank while providing assistance to container vessel at Helsinki. (Fri. Nov. 14 2003)

Swedish-flag cruise M/V Silja Opera<<webfeature, Helsinki for St. Petersburg weekly, in collision, Nov. 12, with icebreaker M/V Yermak [named for world's first sea-going icebreaker SS Yermak<<webfeature] stationed at exit of St. Petersburg port. Silja Opera's lifeboats were damaged but the ship underway -- icebreaker's lifeboat deck also sustained damage. >> From our correspondent Dan Massoni. (Thurs. Nov. 13 2003)

No Trespassing>> Indonesian navy frigate sank Thai fishing boat on Nov. 7 that it alleged was illegally catching fish in Java Sea -- frigate towed boat into Java sea & fired on it, Nov. 7. During past month, Indonesia has either sunk or seized 16 foreign flagged vessels it alleged were fishing illegally. (Thurs. Nov. 13 2003)

2,457gt cargo M/V Anatolia I (built 1972), sank -- as one of several losses listed below -- off Istanbul --the Bosporus Strait was a bad place to be this week! (Wed. Nov. 12 2003)

26,732 dwt Georgian-flagged 171 meter bulk M/V Svatoy Panteleymon (built 1977), Tunisia for Ukraine with 25 crew in ballast, went adrift due to severe weather conditions as it was to set sail for the Black Sea -- ran aground Nov. 10, between Anadolufeneri & Yon Cape on Istanbul Strait - strait closed for 6 hours - 2 tugs on route to scene. (Tues. Nov. 11 2003) UPDATE>> Svyatoy Panteleymon broke in 2 & sank, N of Bosporus Strait - all 25 crew safe. (Tues. Nov. 11 2003 PM)

24,500 dwt Cypriot-flagged bulker M/V Mana (built 1979), Piraeus for Odessa, bad weather grounded Nov. 9 in the Bosporus Strait - still stuck off Zincirbozan Bay. (Tues. Nov. 11 2003)

330 gt, tug M/V Agis (built 1981), bound for Falkenberg -- barge laden with wood chips in tow, aground Nov. 10, off Landskrona. (Tues. Nov. 11 2003)

Hong Kong registered, S/V Freedom Fire, winner of just-concluded Hong Kong-Sanya Int'l Sailing Tournament, with 8 crew, has lost contact with headquarters at Circum-Hainan Island Int'l sailing event -- in stormy 3 meter waves off Basuo harbor of Hainan Island, in very S. of China. tonight when they started 5 day race with other 4 vessels. (Mon. Nov. 10 2003) UPDATE>> S/V Freedom Fire safe Basuo harbor of Hainan Island, in very south of China, all safe after battling 90 ft. seas. >> From our correspondent Mark Levdahl (Fri. Nov. 14 2003)

U.S. registered 70ft. dredger & barge, with 600 gallons of fuel, struck by tug at midnight Nov. 7, causing 600 feet of dredge pipe to break into 2 sections in St. Johns River between Blount Island & Intracoastal Waterway -- sections of pipe also hit Buoy No. 27 -- knocked off station. Port of Jacksonville reopened to commercial vessels at noon Nov. 7,12 hours after dredge capsized & sank near Blount Island. (Mon. Nov. 10 2003)

U.S. - Parker Drilling<<webfeature, offshore barge Rig18B (working for Apache Corp.) with 18 crew, caught fire today, in inland waters 14.5 miles S. of Amelia, LA -- crews still trying to extinguish fire & bring well head under control. Parker Drilling has 77 marketed rigs & employs 2,800 people worldwide. (Mon. Nov. 10 2003)

HMAS Geelong<<webfeature, crashed into wharf at Darwin Navy Base, Nov. 8 night -- returning from duties off Melville Island, N. of Darwin. (Sun. Nov. 9 2003)

Panamanian-registered M/V LT Peace & Japanese-flagged 299gt M/V Hoseki Maru (built 1993) in collision at 4:45 a.m. -- 1.8 km NW of Genkaijima Island, Fukuoka. M/V Hoseki Maru's bow slightly dented -- no crew on either ship injured. Professional negligence suspected. (Sun. Nov. 9 2003)

Thailand cruise M/V Yurika 98 -- explosion heard & suffered fire moored at Ban Bang Rong pier, Bangkok at 1.30am after crew & local people celebrated Loy Krathong festival. Arson might have stemmed from conflicts over boat services among operators -- same day, burning bottle of benzene thrown at another cruise ship moored at same pier. M/V Yurika 98 was lost. (Sun. Nov. 9 2003)

19 meter Fraserburgh registered UK F/V Hawthorn, with 3 crew issued SOS 30 miles NE of Fraserburgh, Nov. 6 -- taking water & pumps unable to cope -- Aberdeen Coastguard Rescue Helicopter 137 from Lossiemouth to scene with pumping equipment. -- F/V Favonius also on scene & evacuated 1 of 3 crew. Hawthorn sunk 5.15pm -- all crew taken by helicopter to Lossiemouth uninjured. (Sat. Nov. 8 2003)

WEEKLY IMB PIRATE REPORTS ___ The Problem is Indonesia --

03 Nov. 2003 at 0245 LT at Adang Bay anchorage, Indonesia -- pirates boarded bulk carrier from forecastle -- broke open storeroom & stole ship's stores. Crew on anti-piracy patrol chased pirates who jumped into water & escaped in boat towards Balikpapan. (Fri. Nov. 7 2003)

03 Nov. 2003 at 0200 LT in position 03:16.5N - 105:21.9E, Indonesia -- pirates armed with long knives & guns boarded LPG carrier -- took hostage master, 2/O & duty A/B & stole ship's cash, crew cash & personal belongings. At 0240 LT took master to poop deck & escaped in 2 speedboats. (Fri. Nov. 7 2003)

03 Nov. 2003 at 0115 LT in position 02:00.5S - 108:26.2E, Indonesia -- pirates armed with long knives boarded from stern -- went to bridge & tied up duty officer & A/B. Went to officers cabins & stole cash & personal property -- assaulted master causing severe bleeding of his arm. C/O raised alarm & pirates escaped. (Fri. Nov. 7 2003)

03 Nov. 2003 at 0010 LT in position 03:16N - 105:24.4E, Indonesia. Nine pirates armed with knives boarded bulk carrier underway -- took hostage 3/o & 2/o -- asked them to call master on bridge. When master opened cabin door, 4 pirates rushed inside, assaulted him & tied him up. Pirates stole ship's cash & all personal belongings & cash of master -- took master to poop deck & escaped in narrow boat. (Fri. Nov. 7 2003)

02 Nov. 2003 at 2130 LT in position 03:05N - 105:21E, Indonesia. Eight pirates armed with knives, swords & bamboo sticks boarded bulk carrier underway -- took 3 crew hostage & took them to smoke room -- tied up master, C/E & 2/E. Pirates threatened master with knives & sword -- took him to cabin -- stole ship's cash & personal belongings. Pirates took other officers to cabins & robbed their cash & belongings. At 2200 they forced master to reduce speed & took him to poop deck & escaped. Pirates held sharp knife at master's throat throughout attack. Bridge was unmanned during the attack as the 3/O was tied up. (Fri. Nov. 7 2003)

02 Nov. 2003 at 0400 LT in position 01:13N - 105:10E, off Bintan island, Indonesia. Pirates armed with guns boarded tanker underway -- held duty officer at gunpoint as hostage to enter master's cabin & stole ship's cash - then entered cabins of c/e, c/o & 2 crew & stole cash & personal effects. Pirates left at 0500 LT. Bridge unmanned during attack. Master informed SAR Singapore & Indonesia. (Fri. Nov. 7 2003)

31 Oct. 2003 1900 LT at Mamonal anchorage, Colombia -- pirates armed with knives boarded chemical tanker during heavy rain -- stole ship's stores & safety equipment from forecastle locker. Duty A/B confronted pirates who threatened him & escaped. (Fri. Nov. 7 2003)

29 Oct. 2003 at 0248 LT in position 01:03.3N - 105:13.8E, 22.75 miles off Pulau Mapor, Indonesia -- pirates in speedboat attempted to board bulk carrier underway from stern. Alert A/B raised alarm, sounded ships whistle, switched on lights & crew mustered. Seeing crew alertness, pirates fled. (Fri. Nov. 7 2003)

27 Oct. 2003 at Tanjung Jabung, Selat Berhala, Indonesia -- pirates hijacked a self-propelled barge underway with a cargo of palm oil. (Fri. Nov. 7 2003)

26 Oct. 2003 at 2200 LT at Ho Chi Minh port, Vietnam -- pirates dressed as stevedores boarded container ship moored to buoy RQ2 -- pirate threatened duty A/B with knife while other 2 pirates entered engine room -- stole generator spares & bearings. Pirates escaped in small boat. (Fri. Nov. 7 2003)

U.S. 842 gt tank barge N.M.S. No.1477, capsized at Texas City, Texas. (Thurs. Nov. 6 2003)

Nigerian Police Patrol boat, with 10 crew -- ambushed by pirates armed with automatic rifles & dressed in camouflage fatigues in Nigeria's troubled oil delta -- on the Nun River near Nigeria's S. Atlantic coast -- 5 officers lost & presumed killed. When pirates opened fire, police plunged overboard -- 5 reached safety, others missing. Niger Delta, where vast majority of Nigeria's 2.2 million barrels of oil a day produced, prone to outbursts of ethnic & criminal violence. Gangs of thugs - demanding share of region's wealth - frequently target oil companies with sabotage & kidnappings to extort payoffs. Nigeria is Africa's biggest oil producer & 5th-biggest supplier of U.S. oil imports. (Thurs. Nov. 6 2003)

UK 50-meter Canadian Coast Guard ship<<webfeature, (Intermediate Multi Task (Patrol) Cutter) Gordon Reid (CGBR) suffered US$1M in damage as she struck rock during low tide Sept. 29 in narrow passage in Estevan Sound. [Correction from our reader Ian Wade] (Wed. Nov. 5 2003)

Bulk M/V Hispania Graeca, aground off Denmark -- Wijsmuller Salvage B.V. contracted yesterday on LOF-SCOPIC terms. (Wed. Nov. 5 2003)

Indian-flagged 8,210gt M/T Jag Pranam -- underway in Indonesian waters off Bintan Island at latitude 01.13 North, longitude 105.10 East, in Malacca Straits -- boarded by pirates armed with guns. Navigating officer taken from bridge at gun-point below deck where cabins of officers & crew ransacked -- money & personal belongings taken during hour-long ransacking -- during which time tanker bridge was unmanned. Shipping industry very concerned because this could have led to both environmental disaster loss of life -- ie, an unmanned tanker running at full speed toward disaster! In past several weeks Piracy Reporting Center has recorded 11 attacks within 13 NM radius of Anambas & Bintan Islands. (Tues. Nov. 4 2003)

Russian-registered 753gt M/V Professor Fedensky, with old tires & 39 crew, caught fire at dock in Niigata-Higashi Port, Japan. Nov. 3 -- 2nd & 3rd engineer, found collapsed inside vessel, apparently due to smoke -- 1 dead & 2 injured. (Tues. Nov. 4 2003)

37,337gt bulk M/V Milos (built 1978) aground off River Parana. (Tues. Nov. 4 2003)

UK F/V Fairway, sinks off St. Kilda, Oct. 29. (Tues. Nov. 4 2003)

P&O Princess Cruises M/V Aurora, with 1,800 passengers, including several dozen sickened by highly contagious stomach virus, docked at British colony of Gibraltar -- stopped by Spain border closure for 13-hours. Aurora -- denied entry to Greek port on Oct. 31 because of sicknesses, docked for 11 hours at Gibraltar. About 50 passengers stayed aboard while rest, mostly Britons, allowed ashore. Spain border closed before ship's arrival & reopened after departure. Spain never gave up on trying to get back 1,400-foot-high rock of Gilbralter since captured by British in 1704, though Madrid formally ceded it 9 years later. (Mon. Nov. 3 2003) UPDATE>> 2 passengers dead from heart complications. (Wed. Nov. 5 2003)

Japan 499gt sulfuric acid M/T Enshu Maru, moored at floating dock off coast of Nomicho, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan, 700km W. of Tokyo -- suffered explosion from under reconstruction -- 1 dead, 4 injured & feared several missing -- workers cutting metal plates with blow torches before explosion. (Mon. Nov. 3 2003)

M/V Agawa Canyon delivering salt in Rouge River when "647 self-unloader" struck Conrail Bridge<<webfeature, Oct. 30, while heading outbound in ballast. Damage to bridge over US$100,000. Agawa Canyon received damage to starboard quarter. No injuries or pollution -- bridge certified operable -- no vessel/railroad traffic delayed. (Mon. Nov. 3 2003)

UK 681gt dredger M/V Donald Redford (built 1981) collided with Hythe Pier<<webfeature, in Southampton Water at 6:13pm on 1 Nov. 2003. Little damage. (Mon. Nov. 3 2003)

633gt UK coaster M/T Celebrity, with 5 crew, grounded on rocks outside Stornoway Harbor, in the Outer Hebrides, after vessel suffered total power failure, Oct. 27. (Mon. Nov. 3 2003)

Vessel Loss Dispatches For October 2003

"Pelican's Peril" - collision on River Scheldt - Aug. 2003

"Enjoy Your Flight!" - Oct. 2003

WEEKLY IMB PIRATE REPORTS ___

27 Oct. 2003 at 1520 LT at Texaco berth, Georgetown, Guyana. Pirates boarded tanker at forecastle during cargo operations -- stole ship's stores & escaped in boat waiting below with 3 accomplices. Master informed port police & police officers came onboard for inspection. (Fri. Oct. 31 2003)

26 Oct.2003 at 2000 - 2030LT in position 04:33.5N - 099:22.4E, Malacca Straits. Pirates boarded fishing trawler underway -- stole stores & property of crew & escaped. (Fri. Oct. 31 2003)

26 Oct. 2003 at 0430 LT in position 07:20N - 103:20.5E, Gulf of Thailand. Pirates boarded general cargo ship underway. Pirates could not enter accommodation or bridge as all doors were bolted from inside. Pirates left when deck lights switched on. (Fri. Oct. 31 2003)

25 Oct. 2003 2240lt in position 03:37S - 107:00E, Selat Leplia, Indonesia. Eight pirates armed with guns & long knives boarded chemical tanker underway -- entered bridge & tied up 3/o -- went to master's cabin & tied him up. Pirates stole ship's cash & property -- took master to poop deck & jumped overboard -- escaped. (Fri. Oct. 31 2003)

25 Oct. 2003 at 0420 UTC in position 04:56.7N - 098:06.2E, Indonesia. Pirates in speedboat opened gunfire at general cargo ship underway. Master took evasive manoeuvres & averted boarding. Bridge window smashed & 12 gun shot holes seen in wheelhouse. (Fri. Oct. 31 2003)

25 Oct. 2003 at 0315 LT at Teluk Semangka anchorage, Indonesia. Duty A/B on tanker sighted pirate armed with knife onboard & another in process of climbing using bamboo poles. He raised alarm -- crew mustered. Pirates fled empty handed. (Fri. Oct. 31 2003)

23 Oct. 2003 at 0530 UTC in position 06:07S - 106:53.6E, Tg. Priok anchorage, Indonesia. Four pirates boarded & stole ship's safety equipment. Alert A/B raised alarm -- pirates jumped overboard & escaped in waiting boat. (Fri. Oct. 31 2003)

23 Oct. 2003 at 0430 LT at Belawan port, Indonesia. Pirates started boarding container ship using ropes attached to hooks. Alert crew raised alarm & pirates threatened duty officer 7 fled. At 1315 LT 4 pirates boarded & entered engine room -- broke into storeroom & tried to steal spares. Alert duty crew raised alarm --pirates fled. At 2230 pirates started to board but aborted attempt seeing alert crew. Master contacted authorities -- who did not respond. (Fri. Oct. 31 2003)

22 Oct. 2003 at 0415 LT, Chittagong 'B' anchorage, Bangladesh -- pirates boarded general cargo ship coming in to anchor from stern -- stole 3 mooring ropes. Master contacted port authorities who did not respond. Pirates jumped overboard -- escaped in boat waiting with 6 accomplices. (Fri. Oct. 31 2003)

UK, Peterhead-registered F/V Fairway III, with 5 crew, sent mayday at 11.15pm, Oct. 29 night, 25 miles off St Kilda & 96 miles NW of Stornoway -- taking water & engine room flooded -- sank. Crew abandoned to life raft -- Coastguards Air units & sister ship F/V Fair Morn responded from 9 miles away -- all safe. (Thurs. Oct. 30 2003)

Chinese M/T Golden Fountain, in ballast, & North Korean cargo M/V Angshan in collision at mouth of Yangtze River, N. of Shanghai, Oct. 29. M/V Angshan caught fire -- killed chief engineer & injured another. (Thurs. Oct. 30 2003)

U.S. high-speed Fast Cats Ferry Service<<webfeature, Miami-to-Key West in 3 hours, 243gt,149-passenger, US$7.5M ferry M/V PurrSeaverance <<webfeature, (built 2001), shooting a promotional video before maiden voyage with 11 aboard, suffered steerig failure & ran aground (for 2nd time) -- hit rocks on S. side of MacArthur Causeway halfway between Miami & South Beach - US$40,000 damage. Last week, M/V PurrSeaverance failed U.S. Coast Guard certification because of change to fan system that lifts vessel so it can plane on top of water at 50 knots. This was promotion? Bad luck guys, but wishing you well. See Our Photo Feature. (Wed. Oct. 29 2003)

Turkish-flagged bulk M/V Haci Arif Kaptan, experienced engine trouble in Bosphorus, Oct. 29 -- now blocking entrance to Black Sea -- No vessels are moving north or south through entrance. Last week, Russian-flagged cargo M/V struck dock of historic Ottoman palace on banks of Bosphorus fuelling concerns about safety amid growing congestion on the narrow passage of water linking key trade routes. (Wed. Oct. 29 2003)

10mt. NZ F/V Murutai, with 4 crew, sinking near Hen & Chickens Islands<<webfeature, -- Northland Electricity rescue helicopter recovered body of 63-year-old Victor Bargallie -- 3 others jumped ashore. NZ Coast Guard heard one of them on the VHF radio telling another boat they were sinking -- the guy on Murutai said, "We're sinking. We're in deep shit. We won't be here in 20 minutes. We're going down now." Rescue helicopter found 3 surviving men, aged between 50 & 70, at first light on Oct. 25 & winched them from their rocky perch -- F/V Murutai last seen smashed among the Tara Rocks. (Sun. Oct. 26 2003)

Scotland 26ft yacht S/V Maverick, Lossiemouth to Findhorn with 62-year-old skipper Glyn Whiteheadon 12 Oct. -- woman who walking along Covesea Beach, Lossiemouth, with friends on Oct. 26 morning identified washed ashore body as family friend Glyn Whitehead. Maverick found 4 miles off Findhorn with no one aboard. (Sun. Oct. 26 2003)

787-foot German-flagged container M/V Ville De Mimosa, for Port Elizabeth, New Jersey -- vessel mast crashed into underside of Bayonne Bridge that connects Staten Island & New Jersey -- during rush hour at 8 a.m. Oct. 24 -- reopened it an hour later -- believed miscalculation of morning-tide water level led to accident. No damage. .(Sat. Oct. 25 2003)

27,230gt passenger ro/ro M/V Blue Horizon (built 1987) in collision Oct. 24 will mauvering at Patras<<webfeature, Greece. .(Sat. Oct. 25 2003)

Ro-ro M/V St Rognvald suffered lifeboat drill accident Oct. 18 at Lerwick Harbor, UK -- on one lifeboat, an aft recovery ring/hook is thought to have suffered a failure, throwing all 5 crew 25 to 30 feet down the side of the vessel into the water -- leaving the liferaft swinging from the side of the vessel. Three crew kept in hospital for observation.(Sat. Oct. 25 2003)

At Last>> M/V Cormo Express Sheep News>> After months of search, the country of Eritrea has agreed to take 52,000 sheep that had been stranded at sea. Australia has finally found a country willing to take its gift -- sheep began disembarking at Eritrean port of Massawa. Australia will give African nation more than 3,000 tons of feed & US$699,560 to meet expenses associated with unloading, transport, holding &slaughter. These poor animals. Read this amzing story. (Sat. Oct. 25 2003)

WEEKLY IMB PIRATE REPORTS ___

19 Oct. 2003 at 1500 UTC in position 01:08.5N - 104:53.5E, east of Bintan Island, Indonesia. Five armed pirates in black speedboat boarded bulk carrier underway from stern -- broke stbd accommodation door, entered master's cabin & held him at knifepoint. Alert crew raised alarm & resisted pirates. As result pirates left empty handed. Master received knife injuries. (Oct. 24 2003)

19 Oct. 2003 at 1436 UTC in position 01:16.2N - 104:55.7E, east of Bintan Island, Indonesia. Pirates armed with knives boarded bulk carrier underway from stern -- held one A/B hostage & stole his walkie-talkie. Another duty A/B raised alarm & crew mustered. Pirates jumped overboard & escaped. (Oct. 24 2003)

19 Oct. 2003 at 0220 LT at Conakry Roads, Guinea. Ten pirates armed with machine guns & revolvers boarded general cargo ship --- rounded up crew & threatened to kill them if they did not cooperate. Some crew severely beaten. Pirates stole ship's equipment & entire crew personal belongings. Master contacted authorities but did not receive any assistance whatsoever. (Oct. 24 2003)

18 Oct. 2003 at 1500 UTC in position 01:07N - 105:06E, east of Bintan Island, Indonesia. Ten pirates armed with pistols & knives boarded bulk carrier underway -- took 2nd officer & A/B as hostages -- forced 2nd officer to call Master & open his door. Master opened door & pirates tied him & stole ship's cash & his personal belongings. Pirates also stole cash & personal belongings of Ch. Engineer, Ch. Officer & few other crew & fled at 1620 UTC. No injuries to crew. (Oct. 24 2003)

18 Oct. 2003 at 0015 LT in position 03:17.7N -105:25E, SW of Anambas Island, Indonesia. Pirates boarded chemical tanker underway & entered master's cabin -- tied him with ropes, broke open ship's safe & stole ship's cash, property & master's cash and personal belongings. After 45 minutes -- took master to poop deck -- jumped overboard & escaped. Master injured. (Oct. 24 2003)

17 Oct. 2003 at 1405 UTC in position 03:11.5N - 105:27E, vicinity of Anambas island, Indonesia. About12 pirates in narrow beam speedboat attempted to board container ship using long pole. Ship zigzagged course & crew mustered. Pirates aborted attempt. (Oct. 24 2003)

17 Oct. 2003 at 0040 UTC at 16 miles SW of Lagos, Nigeria. Four pirates from small boat armed with 2 feet long machetes boarded chemical tanker at anchor -- cut 3 mooring ropes & lowered them in their boat. Crew sounded alarm & pirates fled. (Oct. 24 2003)

Before U.S. Congress Today>> U.S. Intelegence vessel USS Liberty<<webfeature memorial --with testimony today of former Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Admiral Tom Moorer challenged lawmakers to finally investigate June 8, 1967, incident where 34 Americans killed & 172 wounded. For over an hour, Israeli jets & torpedo boats attacked USS Liberty<<webfeature viewpoint off Sinai coast. USS Liberty, armed with machine guns only, was fully marked & in Int'l waters during daytime assault. USS Liberty<<webfeature alleged coverup, crewmen contend evidence deemed harmful to Israel was either not taken by court, or, if taken, did not appear in printed court transcript. Chief radio intercept operator, Wayne Smith, has said little interest was shown in Israeli attackers' communications in which USS Liberty was fully identified. Also damning, they said, was the "buzz saw" jamming of the USS Liberty's radio frequencies, unique to U.S. Navy ships. The U.S. Naval Court "took note" of the jamming, but failed to give it the weight it seemingly merited. Former Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Admiral Moorer, who has long held that attack was malicious, rhetorically asked today: "Why would our government put Israel's interests ahead of our own?" He also said the long American silence in the still-controversial. USS Liberty affair was "one of the classic all-American coverups." The Israeli Embassy in Washington, asked by the Associated Press to respond to the panel's charges, issued a statement that the attack was "a terrible accident … This was in the middle of a war. This is something that we are not proud of." (Thurs. Oct. 23 2003)

USS Liberty INDEX of stories & resources. (Thurs. Oct. 23 2003)

146gt general cargo M/V Satsuma No.8, argound in River Fukuoka, Japan<<webfeature. (Wed. Oct. 22 2003)

1,798gt general cargo M/V Silva, listing severely near Port Esjberg.<<webfeature. (Wed. Oct. 22 2003)

1,948gt general cargo M/V Lara (built 1967), aground in River Ouse.<<webfeature. (Wed. Oct. 22 2003)

Liberian-registered 2,154-ton M/V Hoang Dat 35, Malaysia for NE Vietnam port city of Haiphong with timber, ran into trouble 215km from coastal resort of Nha Trang, Vietnam early hours of Oct. 22 morning. Vessel sank. Rough seas & strong winds at the time, but cause unknown. Passing Liberian-registered M/V Stolt Capability, rescued 15 crew & retrieved bodies of 2 dead -- unable to locate 1 sailor. (Wed. Oct. 22 2003)

53gt wooden PRC F/V sank off S. tip of Hainan Island, Sanya City, Hainan Province on Oct. 21 -- dozen ships & PRC Navy helicopter searched -- one of 12 rescued -- 11 dead. Our sorrow for the loss of this crew (Wed. Oct. 22 2003)

U.S. 82-foot New Jersey commuter ferry M/V SeaStreak Liberty, South Amboy, N.J. for Wall Street with 8 passengers & 4 crew, spotted black smoke billowing from ship's smokestack -- fire broke out at 9:25 a.m. in engine room -- 1 mile N. of Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, off coast of Bay Ridge -- all 12 fled onto M/V Colucci' & taken to Lower Manhattan. M/V SeaStreak Liberty taken to Highlands, N.J., for evaluation. (Tues. Oct. 21 2003)

Danish 40-meter offshore tug/support ship M/V Stevns Power -- capsized 50 NM off Nigerian coast, all 11 crew missing & belived lost with ship -- while helping to anchor a larger ship. Several other ships saw M/V Stevns Power in trouble but could neither prevent it from sinking nor rescue crew. Missing crew were 3 Danes, 6 from Spain & 2 from Philippines. Our sorrow for loss of this entire crew. (Mon. Oct. 20. 2003)

39,941gt M/V CSCL Hamburg<<webfeature -- has lost containers -- in heavy weather off Califoria. (Mon. Oct. 20. 2003)

Dutch Antilles registered 3,000gt, 95mt. M/V Nicola, La Coruna in N. Spain for Rotterdam in ballast -- made #4 hit (of ships hitting M/V Tricolor) -- ran atop wreck & got stuck over Norwegian M/V Tricolor<<webfeature -- M/V Nicola came free 19 Oct., under help of tugs & rising tide. NOTE>> M/V Tricolor is one you should see -- it ranks with the great losses of decade. (Sun. Oct. 19 2003) Note: This listing is now questioned.

M/V Mercury II, Aktau in Kazakhstan for Baku, with 50 passengers & 2,000 tons oil -- sank -- in Caspian Sea off Azerbaijian capital Baku, Oct. 14 -- one body found -- weather "bad." (Sun. Oct. 19 2003) Possible correction as our reader Mr Eje Flodstrom of the IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute at Gothenburg, Sweden reports this loss occured in Oct. 2002. Did we read an old report? We'll inquire. (Thurs. Oct. 30 2003)

Cambodian registered vessel operated by Hening Shipping Company in Fuzhou -- cargo M/V Linjie, Weihai Port in Shangdong Province for Japan's E. coast city Ibaragi Jan, 23 with 6,300 tons of minerals & 19 Chinese crew -- confirmed missing Oct. 14 near Japan -- "But by Jan 28, we lost contact with ship,'' said the owners. We are amazed that report of this loss comes so late. Cambodian registered vessel operated by Hening Shipping Company in Fuzhou -- "But by Jan. 28, we lost contact with the ship,'' said owners. We are amazed that report of this loss comes so late. (Sun. Oct. 19 2003)

M/V Andrew J. Barberi -- read our UPDATE on the Staten Island Ferry disaster -- below. (Sun.. Oct. 19 2003)

86.,000gt 1,800-berth, Carnival Line (Holland America Line unit) new building passenger M//V Westerdam, alongside a lay-by berth of Fincantieri Shipyard at Venice, Italy -- caught fire in stern section. Carnival Corp.is largest cruise vacation group in the world, with portfolio of 13 cruise brands in North America, Europe & Australia, comprised of Carnival Cruise Lines, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Costa Cruises, P&O Cruises, Cunard Line, Windstar Cruises, Seabourn Cruise Line, Ocean Village, Swan Hellenic, AIDA, A'ROSA, and P&O (Fri. Oct. 17 2003)

 WEEKLY IMB PIRATE REPORTS ___

12 Oct, 2003 at 0322 LT at inner Buenaventura anchorage, Columbia. Four pirates boarded bulk carrier & tried to take duty A/B hostage. He managed to escape & raise alarm. Pirates escaped empty handed in boat. Master reported incident to coast guard who did not take any action. (Fri. Oct. 17 2003)

10 Oct. 2003 at 0405 LT at Sagar inner anchorage, Haldia, India.-- Pirates boarded Ro/Ro ship at stern. 2nd officer challenged pirate & he escaped empty handed in boat waiting below. (Fri. Oct. 17 2003)

08 Oct. 2003 at 1910 LT at Guanta port, Venezuela. Three pirates armed with steel bars boarded general cargo ship at berth -- broke open paint store & stole ship's stores. Crew confronted pirates -- they jumped overboard & escaped. (Fri. Oct. 17 2003)

07.10.2003 at 0210 LT at anchor in posn: 20:42.1N - 107:13.1E, Haiphong, Vietnam -- pirate boarded via anchor chain -- lowered ropes in boat waiting with 7 pirates -- all pirates armed with long knives. Alert crew raised alarm & pirates escaped. Attempts to contact port control unsuccessful. (Fri. Oct. 17 2003)

3,335gt, 300ft. U.S. ferry M/V Andrew J. Barberi (built 1981)<<webfeature, Staten Island for New York City with 1500 passengers of 6,000 capacity, veered off course from intended ferry berth by three piers in high winds & slammed at full crusing speed (18 knots) into pier under construction. Striking pier at about a 45 degree angle, steel pier beams cut swath of destruction in main passenger deck from stem to stern -- removing entire port side & allowing ingres of steel & pier building materials into cabin area -- 10 dead & more than 42 injuries, including 3 who lost limbs -- New York's worst mass transit accident in generation. "There was a lady without legs, right in the middle of the boat," a passenger said. "She was screaming. You ever see anything like that?" >> Staten Island Ferry service vessels provide 20 million people (70,000 passengers a day) with service between St. George, Staten Island & Whitehall street in Manhattan. The ferry service is only non-vehicular mode of transportation between Staten Island & Manhattan. (Wed. Oct. 15 2003) UPDATE>> M/V Andrew J. Barberi under power today with tugs, for Brooklyn Navy Yard<<webfeature to repair -- 6 people remain hospitalized in critical condition, & 7 patients stable -- confirmed ferry at "full throttle" -18 knots at impact. (Sat. Oct. 18 & 19 2003) UPDATE>> National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) -- Capt. of ferry declined to voluntarily appear at the investigation -- NTSB issued a subpoena. The investigation continues. (Oct. 23 2003)

The Ass't Capt. of Staten Island Ferry -- pilot in command of M/V Andrew J. Barberi, Richard Smith, bolted scene so quickly -- he left behind gear & keys, then broke into his house where he slit his wrists & shot himself with a pellet gun -- now in critical condition after surgery at St. Vincent's Hospital -- same place where 22 victims &emdash; including at least 1 amputee &emdash; were rushed after the 3:20pm crash. Crewmember told authorities that Smith had been asleep, slumped over controls at time of collision. Staten Island Ferry history<<webfeature. (Wed. Oct. 15 2003PM)

NOTE>> Assistant Capt. (here Richard Smith), typically docks vessel on Staten Island, & Capt. Mike Gansasis docks at the Whitehall terminal on the Manhattan side., where incident occured. So what was hapening here? (Sat. Oct. 18 2003)

Staten Island ferry Capt. Michael Gansas was filling in for "some other captain who had a doctor's appointment." Investigators probing the crash scheduled to interview Gansas. If Gansas had been on bridge with Assistant Capt. Richard Smith - as city Dept. of Transportation regulations require - he should have averted the disaster. Gansas told police he saw Smith slumped over controls, apparently passed out, just before ferry rammed concrete maintenance pier full throttle - about 17 mph - and about 400 yards off course. (Sun. Oct. 19 2003)

Earth Space Sea Frontier -- Prayers tonight are with brave Lieutenant Colonel Yang Liwei, 38, alone -- aboard his Shenzhou V ("Devine Vessel") capsule launched in Gobi Desert by The People's Republic of China's Long March II F rocket -- expected to orbit Earth 14 times before landing in Inner Mongolia on Oct. 15. Many Congratulations! Exciting as we recall 1960's for Alan Shepard & John Glen of "Project Mercury"<<webfeature--reminding of the extreme danger of this space enterprise. Only Russia & U.S. have reached out to place astronauts in space. China's proud, but sectretive Project 921<<webfeature is #3 in world history. Lt. Col. Yang (fighter pilot with 1,300 hours) eating "Kung Pow Chicken" & green tea on his mission. Quite fitting event, considering that ancient China invented the1st rocket! (Tues. Oct. 14 2003) UPDATE>> Lt. Col. Yang landed today in the Gobi Desert. Bravo Zulu!. (Wed. Oct. 15 2003)

Chinese rescue vessels, dispatched to high seas for possible rescue operation during launch of China's 1st piloted space flight -- ordered to return to base following launch success. Vessels readied 5 a.m. Oct. 14, 4 hours before Shenzhou-5, with astronaut aboard, launched atop a Long March-II-F carrier rocket >> M/V Beihai No.102, M/V De Kun & M/V De Yi -- all large-capacity ocean going rescue vessels, were on station in event of problem. (Tues. Oct. 14 2003 PM)

Putuo Yonghe Marine Transport Co Ltd's M/V Shunda II, with 44 souls, sank at 12:16 am after overcome by heavy waves -- 15 missing -- vessel encountered severe winds registering at scale 11 to 12, strongest according to Chinese meteorological standards. China Marine Search & Rescue Center under Ministery of Commerce said dispatched rescue team to Bohai Straits to salvage sunken ship & find missing crew. (Mon. Oct. 13 2003)

21,667gt St. Vincent registered cruise SS OceanBreeze<<webfeature -- headed for breakres -- threatens to capsize & block vessels from entering Bangladesh's main port at Port Chittagong -- taking water -- authorities today battled to keep afloat as they repair major leak. (Mon. Oct. 13 2003)

Chinese -- Shanghai Yunde Freighter Co Ltd's M/V Huayuan Sheng 18 hit on Oct. 12 by strong winds W. of Bohai Straits Fuzhou, capital city of East China's Fujan Province for Tianjin -- sank at12:16am after overcome by heavy waves -- 15 aboard missing. (Mon. Oct. 13 2003)

Putuo Yonghe Marine Transport Co Ltd's M/V Shunda II, with 44 souls, sank 1600hrs after overcome by heavy waves -- 29 missing -- vessel encountered severe winds registering at scale 11 to 12, the strongest according to Chinese meteorological standards. China Marine Search & Rescue Center under Ministery of Commerce -- dispatched rescue team to Bohai Straits to salvage sunken ship & find missing crew. (Mon. Oct. 13 2003)

Nigerian ferry M/V Kuntu Borong -- with drums of petrol, cement & grains & over 150 passngers, hit pillars of bridge, capsized & sank in E. Nigeria. Over 90 missing -- 10 bodies recovered - fewer than 50 people swam to safety. (Sun. Oct. 12 2003)

17,789gt container M/V Sea Elegance ( built 1980), Singapore for Durban -- explosions aboard caused vessel to catch fire off coast of Glen Ashley & Umhlanga Rocks, N of Durban, South Africa -- 11 crew still aboard, with Capt. & Ist mate -- helping contain blaze. National Sea Rescue Institute uplifted some 6 crew, none injured. One missing. Fire fighting teams from National Ports Authority, Durban Fire Dept. & Smuts Salvors working to contain. (Sat. Oct. 11 2003) UPDATE>> Fire contained. (Sun. Oct. 12 2003) UPDATE: Fire OUT> Rescuers still searching for crew who went missing -- believed caught in the blaze. (Mon. Oct. 13 2003) UPDATE>> Sea Elegance, lying off Durban -- fire likely caused by 20' container of undeclared hazardous cargo that self-ignited -- crew unaware they were carrying hazardous cargo -- fire still smouldering, but under control. (Wed. Oct. 15 2003)

First U.S. Navy vessel to dock in Vietnam in almost 30 years due to arrive landmark port call in Nov.,-- 1st since U.S. pulled out of Vietnam in 1975, withdrawing from war that cost U.S. more than 58,000 lives -- there are an estimated 1,200 American POW/MIAs still unaccounted for. Bilateral ties between the U.S. & Vietnam improving slowly since former foes resumed diplomatic relations in 1995. A bilateral trade agreement signed in 2000.U.S. Officials refuse to confirm visit. (Sat. Oct. 11 2003)

U.S. Coast Guard withheld name of 46-foot Provincetown-based scallop F/V & 4 crew, believed sunk. pending notification of family -- vessel's emergency radio beacon activated at 10:30 p.m. Oct. 10, 50 miles SE of Nantucket. (Sat. Oct. 11 2003)

Qatari coastguard seized 18 fishing boats a few days ago, bringing number of seized boats to 36. Bahraini fishermen protested. Bahrain & Qatar had a decades-long territorial dispute -- resolved in 2001 at Int'l Court of Justice<<webfeature. (Sat. Oct. 11 2003)

F/V FB Mes 62, ex-General Santos City on S. Philippine island of Mindanao with 18 crew left port on mid-Aug. 2003 fishing trip -- after 3 days vessel sank -- adrift for 3 weeks -- they ate their shirts & drank their urine -- rescued by Taiwan F/V Hsin Yu Cheng 68 -- in middle of night Sept. 5 -- 1,300km from where F/V FB Mes 62 sank, 2 dead. (Fri. Oct. 10 2003)

The Ocean Sky -- as China's 1st manned spaceship will orbit Earth 14 times when it blasts off later this Oct. 2003 -- a single astronaut -- selected from 14 candidates, all experienced fighter pilots, will fly spacecraft known as the "Shenzhou", or "Divine Ship". This is important news you DO NOT receive from any other sources. (Fri. Oct. 10 2003)

 WEEKLY IMB PIRATE REPORTS ___

30 Sept. 2003 at 0415 LT at Santan anchorage, Indonesia -- pirates armed with knives boarded tanker at forecastle. Alert crew directed searchlights & sounded whistle. Pirates jumped overboard and escaped in a waiting boat. (Fri. Oct. 10 2003)

27 Sept. 2003 at 0520 LT at Chennai anchorage, India. Three pirates armed with knives boarded bulk carrier using grapnel hooks -- tried to open battery store room but failed. Anti piracy crew raised alarm & chased pirates who jumped overboard & escaped in boat waiting with accomplices. (Fri. Oct. 10 2003)

27 Sept. 2003 at 0230 LT at Hon Gai (Cai Lan) anchorage, Vietnam. Four pirates armed with knives boarded general cargo ship at forecastle -- stole ship's stores & escaped in 2 small boats. Master tried to contact port authorities but received no response. (Fri. Oct. 10 2003)

24 Sept. 2003 at 0045 LT at Balikpapan inner anchorage, Indonesia -- pirates armed with iron bars boarded bulk carrier through hawse pipe -- assaulted duty a/b at forecastle. A/b raised alarm & crew mustered. Pirates jumped overboard -- escaped in boat waiting with accomplices. (Fri. Oct. 10 2003)

U.S. tug Everlast anchored in navigation channel below Iroquois Lock Oct. 7, after fire broke out in engine room. Preliminary reports said fuel line burst but fire is now blamed on electrical wiring in engine control system. (Fri. Oct. 10 2003)

Unidentified passenger ferry M/V, capsized in storm-tossed Krishna River in S. India, 7 Oct. -- 18 passengers dead & 11 missing -- vessel overloaded with 50 passegers, but licensed for 25 people -- 1st day of school after 9 day Hindu festival & day of for planting. (Thurs. Oct. 9 2003)

M/V KM Sri Duyung, F/V KM Marlboro, M/V KM Batam Utama & M/V KM Sinar Jaya, Malaysia for Tanjung Balai port in North Sumatra -- suffered violent seas off Asahan regency, North Sumatra, in Strait of Malacca -- at least 10 vessels sank during a 4 day storm which caused violent seas off Asahan rRegency, North Sumatra, in Strait of Malacca -- out of the 10 ill-fated vessels -- 2 classified as fishing boats & 3 cargo boats -- 5 additonal vessels still unidentified -- situation at sea was horrifying due to strong winds, followed by heavy rain & huge waves. Surviving crew member from the M/V KM Batam Utama, blamed the storm as:

"The storm was horrifying at the time due to strong winds that were followed by heavy rain & huge waves. Before the ship sank, it was dragged by the strong currents several miles off course before it finally capsized. Our boat sank in the open seas in the Malacca Strait. We had to jump overboard when the boat was going down. Just after crew members jumped overboard, the M/V KM Melati Senja which was in the area managed to rescue us. We tried the best we could to save the ship, but the waves were so huge & we were powerless to navigate it any longer" -- a surviving crewman. [Edided for langage]. (Thurs. Oct. 9 2003)

RMS Mulheim, with thousands of tons of waste plastic, Ireland for Germany, ran aground on 22 March around Cornwall, UK, started breaking up Oct. 8 - a 3 meter swell & strong winds ripped off bow -- people climbing on board wreck -- National Trust erecting signs warning people of dangers -- concerns that remains of "plastic" cargo could be washed up on beaches as ship breaks up. (Wed. Oct. 8 2003)

Tug collision -- 3 dead at Caracas. (Wed. Oct. 8 2003)

Georgian Bay cruise M/V Georgian Clipper<<webfeature returned to dock in Parry Sound, Ontario, Canada after her final trip of Great Lakes cruise season -- but lines parted & she became stuck & impossible to maunver. What to do? Hell, let's call the Auto Club! -- so a tow truck was called. After some deliberation snatch block was set up on one of the mooring posts -- truck's wire passed outboard & secured to ship's stern line -- M/V Georgian Clipper slowly winched in to wharf. Photo of M/V Tire Drive (Mon. Oct. 6 2003)

Another Sea Chase?>> Ghanaian-flagged F/V Alos, spotted in Southern Ocean around Heard & McDonald Islands. Australian Federal Fisheries said ship thought to be Ghanaian-flagged Alos, previously registered as Spanish boat, sighted fishing in Australia's exclusive economic zone by radar satellite late Sept. 2003. (Mon. Oct. 6 2003) See What Happened In The Last "Great Sea Chase" -- longest in history. (Mon. Oct. 6 2003)

"Ghost Fleet" begins voyage as WWII U.S. Navy Fleet Oilers Canisteo & Caloosahatchee began 4,589-mile journey to England Oct. 6 to be dismantled. Several tugs pushed 1945 auxiliary oil tankers, formerly sister ships in Atlantic Fleet, away from nearly 100 rusting ships anchored off Fort Eustis -- known as James River "Ghost Fleet". Once ships reach Atlantic, ocean-going tug will tow to the AbleUK facility on Teesside, UK -- entire trip estimated for 21 days, moving at 7 miles per hour. Environmental groups opposed trans-Atlantic journey, saying vessels could break up in rough seas. Well, summer might have been a better scheduling choice. (Mon. Oct. 6 2003)

M/V Corvo Express, ex-Fremantle suffered fire with more than 50,000 Australian sheep as it docked Kuwait to take on feed & supplies -- few tons of feed destroyed in blaze, caused by build-up of static electricity -- fire might result in delay to the M/V Cormo Express being restocked. But Kuwaiti port official said the ship would leave Kuwait sometime today -- Read Our Story. (Sun. Oct. 5 2003) UPDATE>> No animals hurt. Fire started in 1,000 tons wheat being loaded for animals to eat. UPDATE>> M/V Cormo Express with 50 thousand Australian sheep expected to set sail from Kuwait today, after re-stocking with food & water for another 3 weeks. (Tues. Oct. 7 2003) Dutch-owned MV Cormo Express is to first head to the Cocos Islands, an Australian possession in the Indian Ocean, where it will undergo quarantine tests, he said, dismissing fears exotic diseases could be carried to Australia.

Tall ship S/V Larinda<<webfeature sank early 4 Oct. in the harbor when retired naval warship broke free from its mooring as Hurricane Juan & slammed into it -- crew safe after sinking but ship remains on bottom of the harbor -- eye of the hurricane passed directly over Halifax harbor. (Sun. Oct. 4 2003)

New building 6,500gt Vietnamese cargo M/V My Hung suffered explsion -- killed 2 & injured at least 13 in N. port city of Hai Phong, just days before owner to receive new vessel. Dozens of workers putting finishing touches to ship when explosion occurred in hold -- explosion occurred after engine stalled when it ran out of gasoline during test run. (Sun. Oct. 5 2003)

139gt supply M/V Superior Endeavor (built 1998) aground off Boston. (Fri. Oct. 3 2003)

M/V Cormo Express, with more than 50,000 sheep rejected in Aug, by Saudi officials, who said too many animals had non-fatal, but contagious condition called "scabby mouth." -- ship docked Kuwait Oct.3 -- expected to depart Oct. 4. About 4,000 sheep already died & carcasses tossed overboard. Eyewitnesses at Kuwait's Shuwaik port said no sheep unloaded from ship -- at sea since Aug. 6. Australian government recently bought back sheep from a Saudi importer & since been trying to give them away. Most Australia's shipments of live animals go to Islamic countries that require halal meat products &emdash; that is, meat from animal that has been killed by Muslim who slits its jugular vein & drains all blood from carcass. The world press is excited , but we have covered this stoy for over 30 days now -- READ OUR EARLY STORY. (Fri. Oct. 3 2003) Dutch-owned M/V Cormo Express is to now 1st head to Cocos Islands, an Australian possession in Indian Ocean, to undergo quarantine tests, dismissing fears exotic diseases could be carried to Australia. Ship currently restocking in Kuwait & expected to set sail Oct. 13 night. Last-ditch attempts to find buyer for Western Australian sheep, rejected by Saudi Arabia amid claims they were diseased -- will continue while it is en route, but government admits one is unlikely to be found. (Sat. Oct. 11 2003)

F/V Viarsa, has now arrived under armed escort in Australia. to face the music -- with 85 tons of toothfish when finally boarded on 27 Aug.with contraband load worth US$680,000. This was the longest sea chase in maritime history. Our story of these historic events is recorded HERE. This historic sea chase was above & beyond by any measure.Why can't the evening news take note of these heroic activities? These Are Events To Remember. (Fri. Oct. 3 2003)

6,500gt M/V My Hung, suffered exploioin while undergoing trial operations at Bach Dang Ship Building Factory, at Haiphong Harbor, Vietnam-- explosion in hold where more than 20 engineers & technicians working -- 2 died & 18 people injured, including a Japanese national. (Fri. Oct. 3 2003)

150 ton oil transporting barge at Port of Haiphong, Vietnam -- suffered explosion after which vessel's cabin was engulfed in flames -- 3 crew died instantly, another died later in hospital -- 3 others seriously injured. (Fri. Oct. 3 2003)

WEEKLY IMB PIRATE REPORTS ___

30 Sept. 2003 at 0415 LT at Santan anchorage, Indonesia -- pirates armed with knives boarded tanker at forecastle. Alert crew directed searchlights & sounded whistle. Pirates jumped overboard & escaped in waiting boat. (Fri. Oct. 3 2003)

27 Sept. 2003 at 0520 LT at Chennai anchorage, India. Three pirates armed w/ knives boarded bulk carrier using grapnel hooks -- tried to open battery store room but failed. Anti piracy crew raised alarm & chased pirates who jumped overboard & escaped in boat waiting w/ 2 accomplices. (Fri. Oct. 3 2003)

27 Sept. 2003 at 0230 LT at Hon Gai (Cai Lan) anchorage, Vietnam. Four pirates armed w/ knives boarded general cargo ship at forecastle -- stole ship's stores & escaped in small boats. Master tried to contact port authorities but received no response. (Fri. Oct. 3 2003)

24 Sept. 2003 at 0045 LT at Balikpapan inner anchorage, Indonesia -- pirates armed w/ iron bars boarded bulk carrier through hawse pipe -- assaulted duty a/b at forecastle. A/b raised alarm & crew mustered. Pirates jumped overboard & escaped in boat waiting with accomplices. (Fri. Oct. 3 2003)

Cop On The Beat>> Miami-based U.S. Coast Guard officers deployed in Iraq helped nab suspected modern-day pirates who allegedly robbed several cargo ships in North Arabian Gulf. Several commercial vessels made emergency calls saying bandits on speedboat robbed them at gunpoint. Australian Navy dispatched liaison officer & translator, members of the Law Enforcement Detachment 407, based in Opa-locka, arrived & searched the suspects & vessel. San Diego-based U.S. Coast Guard helicopter in area used infrared radar & quickly located pirates aboard speedboa -- boat sped off but quickly intercepted & captured pirates.. (Thurs. Oct. 2 2003)

Un-named cargo ship M/V construction in northern port city of Haiphong, Vietnam suffered explosion in ship yard -- at least 2 dead & over 18 injured -- around 20 workers were at explosion site as construction of cargo ship was to be completed late next week. (Thurs. Oct. 2 2003)

1,886gt Antigua registered general M/V Martinika (built 1978), Puerto Rico for Veracruz, sank in heavy weather off Veracruz. (Wed. Oct. 1 2003)

Mozambican naval officers opened fire on marine poachers who got the fright of their lives this week -- AK-47's, light machine guns & a rocket launcher used to drive off poachers in Ponta do Mamoli resort area. (Wed. Oct. 1 2003)

5,610gt Cyrpus registered ro/ro M/V Santa Rita (built 1977) stranded on rocks off La Paz on Sept. 24. (Wed. Oct. 1 2003)

Vessel Loss Dispatches For September 2003

"Pelican's Peril" - collision on River Scheldt - Aug. 2003

2,601gt container M/V Esprit (built 2001), Valletta for Genoa with containers, developed engine trouble & towed to Valletta. (Tues. Sept. 30 2003)

German tourist M/V Loreley with 349 passengers, ran aground on rocks in River Rhine near legendary Loreley cliff, injuring more than 40 people, 3 badly. Of Loreley cliff, S. of Koblenz, legend says is home to a beautiful nymph who calls to sailors. She called today, big time. Even after M/V Loreley was towed away, traffic on Rhine still blocked by parts of her engine. Water levels on Rhine have fallen to record lows in recent weeks, limiting shipping on what is usually Europe's busiest waterway. (Sun. Sept. 28 2003)

13,610 gt bulk M/V Litohoro (built 1976), Bangkok for Chittagong with cargo sugar, ran aground Sept. 26 off Maylasia. (Sat. Sept. 27 2003)

2,500 gt M/V THV Patricia (built 1982) hit sands at sea & grounded off Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, VA --with no injuries to 25 crew. Vessel, owned by Trinity House Lighthouse Service & based at Harwich in Essex, is used to maintain buoys & lighthouses that aid ships' navigation. Tug called to pull vessel clear & refloat her. Geez, the grounding prevention vessel got grounded! (Sat. Sept. 27 2003)

Passenger M/V KM Mandiri Nusantara & M/V Uni Glory in collision near Tanjung Perak port off Gresik coast in East Java on Sept. 26 morning -- 3 dead, 11 injured & 3 missing as a result of the accident. (Sat. Sept. 27 2003)

Taiwan navy fighter plane crashed off coast of E. China near Fujian province -- rescued by mainland Chinese fishermen -- plane crashed into sea between Taiwan islands & Chinese mainland on Sept. 27 afternoon -- 2 pilots ejected from plane & saved by fishermen on 2 fishing boats -- immediately transferred to Taiwanese rescue personnel reaching site. Could this cooperation ever have happened just 5 years ago? It would have been a major Int'l incident. We smile. While these events are not carried on the evening news -- here are daily signals between governments which slowly form foundations of national relations we read about when global issues take shape. (Sat. Sept. 27 2003)

In April 2001 -- The mood was quite different for the crew of a U.S. Navy EP-3 patrol plane.

Did you forget this amazing story? How Could you?

The Story Is one For Our Children --China Resucue Mission For Flight of an EP-E3 Aries II

WEEKLY IMB PIRATE REPORTS ___

21 Sept. 2003 at 1900 LT at B-3 Rauqua, Saigon port, Vietnam. Several pirates boarded general cargo ship at mooring buoys during rain -- broke into forward locker & stole ship's stores. Duty crew raised alarm and pirates escaped. (Fri. Sept. 26 2003)

20 Sept. 2003 at 1930 LT in position 25:10N - 120:50E, NW of Taiwan. Pirates in small craft attempted to board bulk carrier underway. Master sounded ship's whistle, raised alarm & took evasive manoeuvres. Craft abandon attempt & fled. (Fri. Sept. 26 2003)

19 Sept. 2003 at 0200 UTC at Icoaraci anchorage, Belem, Brazil. Three pirates boarded bulk carrier via anchor chain broke into paint store. Alert crew mustered & pirates fled empty handed. (Fri. Sept. 26 2003)

5,077 gt M/V Johan Crystal Dua (built 1979) in colision off Singapore. Details pending. (Thurs. Sept. 25 2003)

80m fishing vessel -- almost 90% complete at Yuexin Shipyard in Guangzhou city, capital of Guangdong province -- when 12 workers killed or missing after construction broke free of restraining block & plunged into S. China's Pearl River -- 10 missing workers believed trapped in hull of ship -- made for a Dutch company. (Thurs. Sept. 25 2003)

14,487gt bulk M/V Adamandas (built 1986) abandoned off Reunion Sept.24. (Thurs. Sept. 25 2003)

9,003 gt bulk M/V Zang Za San Chong Nyon Ho (built 1980), Chongjin for China with 11,150mt cargo, in collision Sept. 12 -- Tashima Strait. Details pending. (Thurs. Sept. 25 2003)

Bulk M/V Pagaruyung, sank off Sumatra -- 4 sailors missing & feared drowned on Sept. 24. (Thurs. Sept. 25 2003)

General cargo M/V Slavutich 7 -- breaks in two in Black Sea, Sept 12 as reported by Constantza Port Control, Bucharest. (Thurs. Sept. 25 2003

Indonesian-flagged cargo M/V KM Pagaruyung, with 28-man crew & unidentified Liberian freighter in collision Bangka Strait off S. Sumatra province. M/V KM Pagaruyung suffered 4 dead -- other 24 crew drifted for 5 hours before saved by a passing ship. (Wed. Sept. 24 2003)

47500gt vehicle M/V Global Spirit (built 1987) ran aground in Port Phillip Bay, Melbourne. (Wed. Sept. 24 2003)

M/V Kent Reliant grounded outside San Juan Harbor Sept. 18. Once vessel is re-floated it will be taken into ship channel following the same path as grounding to prevent further damage to reef. (Wed. Sept. 24 2003) UPDATE>> Final stage of salvage operations on M/V Kent Reliant will commence tomorrow morning outside San Juan Harbor, barring any inclement weather that would delay the evolution. (Mon. Sept. 29 2003)

Parker Drilling jackup Rig 14J collapsed 5 miles (8 km) from Chandeleur Islands off SE Louisiana, Sept. 18, as it was to begin drilling operations in 14 feet (4.6 m) of water, spilled all 41 crew into sea -- all rescued by U.S. Coast Guard & civilian vessels. Malfunction "caused one side of the rig to become partially submerged in the water", said Parker -- 12 taken to hospitals & 11 released. (Wed. Sept. 24 2003)

Malta registered 22,009GT bulk carrier, M/V Sea Liberty & Panama registered 15,095GT container M/V Arabian Express, in collision, 2.8km SE of Kusu Island. M/V Sea Liberty transiting westbound in Singapore Strait & M/V Arabian Express departing Singapore, after leaving Brani Container Terminal. Accommodation area on starboard side & engine room of Sea Liberty damaged. Arabian Express sustained minor damages at forward ballast tank. Both vessels stable. Semco & Smit Int'l appointed for salvage operations. No injuries. (Mon. Sept. 22 2003)

Largest ice shelf in Arctic, a solid feature for 3,000 years, has broken up -- Ward Hunt Ice Shelf, on N. coast of Ellesmere Island in Canada's Nunavut territory, broke into 2 main parts, themselves cut through with fissures. A freshwater lake drained into the sea, researchers reported. Large ice islands also calved off from shelf --some large enough to be dangerous to shipping & drilling platforms in Beaufort Sea. (Mon. Sept. 22 2003)

Royal Caribbean's M/V Legend of the Seas received terrorist bomb threats while at sea & put to Honolulu last April. Today Kelley Marie Ferguson, 20, of Laguna Hills, Calif., was sentenced to 2 years in federal prison for leaving the bomb threat notes throughout the vessel. Ferguson, 20, who hid that she was pregnant during cruise, told authorities she wanted to cut short family vacation to return home to boyfriend. U.S. District Court Judge Helen Gillmor also ordered Ferguson to serve 3 years of supervised release & undergo a psychiatric evaluation & counseling, if needed. Needed? Got Sense? (Mon. Sept. 22 2003)

Yes, we are late on our postings! Your Editor enjoyed a 23rd wedding anniversary at Half Moon Bay -- when the lap top crashed -- McD

Unidentified oil tanker for the breakers -- dumped at Sitakund near port city of Chittagong in S. Bangladesh, 215km SE of Dhaka, leaked a cloud of deadly gas -- killed hundreds of seabirds & sickened at least 50 people. Residents in Sitakund complained of breathing problems & swollen eyes, while water in port turned yellow, leaves on trees nearby turned gray & plants withered. Tanker owned by Bangladeshi company, R.K. Trading. Chemical experts suspected that tanker contained sulfur which turns into sulfuric acid when released into air. Fodors Travel Guides<<webfeature may downgrade Chittagong<<webfeature by a couple of diamonds. (Sun. Sept. 21 2003)

Panamanian-flagged M/V Eagle Strength, on appraoch to Bangladesh's main Chittagong port tried to avoid hitting a feeder vessel at entry channel of port & in collision with passing HRC Shipping Lines container M/V Banglar Biraj, then hit 5 Bangladesh Navy vessels -- 20 navy sailors were injured -- damaged Bangladesh Navy vessels included mine sweeper & gun boat. M/V Banglar Biraj had several containers thrown overboard. (Sun. Sept. 21 2003)

M/V Corvo Express, ex-Fremantle in early Aug. 2003 -- with 50,000 Australian sheep (once 58,000) -- rejected as diseased by 2 countries in the Middle East -- still at sea. Follow Our Story<<webfeature This is a very sad tale of animal abuse & commercial reality. Sheep being offered for free. (Sun. Sept. 21 2003) Sheep now reported low on fodder. (Mon. Sept. 22 2003) UPDATE>> Shipment intended to unload at Iraqi port of Basra on Sept. 27 afternoon but British occupying forces at the port raised concerns about their ability to handle the cargo & how the sheep would be distributed for food aid. (Sun. Sept. 28 2003)

3,200gt French M/T Pointe du Castela & 2,000gt Dutch container M/V Pride of Veerehave in collision as they crossed each other 25 miles N. of Ramsgate in North Sea -- each with10 crew. Vessels suffered minor damage. Thames Coast Guard investigating cause of collision. (Fri. Sept. 19 2003)

WEEKLY IMB PIRATE REPORTS ___

15 Sept. 2003 at 0335 LT at Manila anchorage, Philippines. Eight pirates armed with long knives in unlit boat boarded bulk carrier from port bow using hooks attached to ropes. Alarm raised & crew mustered. Pirates broke in to forecastle store, stole safety equipment & jumped overboard. Master called authorities on VHF ch.16 but did not receive response. (Fri. Sept. 19 2003)

08 Sept. 2003 at 0010 LT at Lagos anchorage, Nigeria. Three pirates armed with long knives boarded bulk carrier using grappling hook from unlit fast boat. Duty A/B raised alarm & crew mustered. Pirates escaped with ship's stores. (Fri. Sept. 19 2003)

M/V Taramon Bibi, Bandar Abbas for Chittagong port with 13750mt rock sulphur (raw material for TSP fertilizer) caught fire at TSP jetty in Chittagong port - 4 injured. (Thurs. Sept. 18 2003)

2,545gt cargo M/V Oosterbrug (built 2001), bound for Malmo with wheat, aground off Malmo. (Wed., Sept. 17 2003PM)

128gt cargo RMS Ruhrort (built 1983) aground off Hamstad. (Tues, Sept. 16 2003PM)

M/V Corvo Express, with 57,000 Australian sheep, denied permission to unload in Saudi Arabia -- stranded for 5 weeks -- Saudi vet reported high incidence of disease "scabby mouth"<<webfeature, but Australian vet aboard disputed finding & declared sheep healthy. Result: More than 1,000 sheep dead. (Tues, Sept. 16 2003)

ALTERNATE REPORT>> Animal welfare groups in Australia have called for immediate slaughter of more than 50,000 Australian sheep stranded in the Gulf aboard M/V Corvo Express while Australian government searches for port that will take them. Pakistan is the 3rd country to turn away the sheep, destined for Saudi Arabia, according to Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Australia<<webfeature,-- said sheep diseased & about 3,500 had died. (Tues, Sept. 16 2003PM)

Typhoon Maemi -- Westwood Shipping -- Official Company Report(edited for language)>>

"As you may know, the South part of Korea was hit hard over the weekend by a record-setting typhoon with winds reaching 135 miles per hour. Several terminals in the Port of Busan sustained serious damage with container cranes toppled.  Our Seoul office reports that the most ravaged areas within the port are the Jaseongdae & Singamman container terminals where 8 of 19 container cranes were totally demolished with others sustaining damages. Surprisingly, no damages were reported to Westwood carg & equipments. Our Seoul office estimates that Westwood's operations will not be affected while some other carriers will face difficult times. Our M/V Westwood Rainier, which should have been in Busan over the weekend, sought shelter in the Hakata area of Japan & arrived in Busan after the typhoon. She sailed from Busan on Sept. 14, one day behind schedule. We will advise as more information becomes available."

"PS: Below is a photo, taken the day after, and sent to us by the master of M/V Westwood Rainier.  It shows some of the damages to the cranes only recently erected on a new container terminal in Busan." (Mon. Sept. 15 2003)

SPECIAL NOTE: We Have This Photo From Our Anonymous Correspondent>> Click Here

The photos are AMAZING!! McD

Ukrainian cargo M/V Slavutich-7, Turkey for Kherson, Ukraine with 14 crew -- split in half in Black Sea, Sept. 13, 7 hours after hull damaged. Half under tow to land, while remainder floating toward Mangalia, Romania. Ukrainian M/V Cherevko towing portion carrying crew. No injuries. (Mon. Sept. 15 2003)

Typhoon Maemi At South Korea>> More than 80 vessels sunk, filling waters driftwood & raising fears people may have died out at sea -- at least 84 people confirmed dead & dozens others missing -- country's worst typhoon in a century -- winds135 miles per hour. (Sun. Sept. 14 2003)

60-foot tug James A. Hannah & 360-foot barge aground off of Oswego Harbor, NY. Sept. 11. Barge was with 47,000 barrels fuel oil. Pair grounded on sandy bottom -- no visible signs of pollutio.. No vessel traffic was impeded. (Sun. Sept. 14 2003)

13,331 gt. passenger ro/ro M/V Moby Magic (built 1976), Leghorn for Olbia, struck submerged rock/object off Olbia. (Fri. Sept. 12 2003)

WEEKLY IMB PIRATE REPORTS ___

05 Sept. 2003 at 1400 LT at 3 miles off Chennai breakwater, India -- pirates armed with knives boarded bulk carrier at anchor using grapnel hooks. Duty officer raised alarm; bosun & 2 A/Bs chased pirates away. Pirates jumped overboard & escaped in waiting boat with 3 other accomplices. Port control informed. Cowards brushed off. (Fri. Sept. 12 2003)

04 Sept. .2003 at 1540 UTC in inner anchorage no. 2, Manila, Philippines. Pirates pretending to be stevedores boarded bulk carrier & stole ship's stores & property. (Fri. Sept. 12 2003)

04 Sept. 2003 at 0430 LT in position 00:55.5N - 105:10.0E, 30 nm east of Bintan island, Indonesia. Pirates in speedboat attempted to board chemical tanker underway. Crew raised alarm, sounded ship's whistle & pirates aborted attempt -- fled. (Fri. Sept. 12 2003)

03 Sept. 2003 at 2040 LT at Georgetown, Guyana. Pirates boarded general cargo ship at anchor & stole ship's stores & property although shore guards were employed onboard. (Fri. Sept. 12 2003)

02 Sept. 2003 at 0130 LT at berth no. 5C, Callao port, Peru -- pirates boarded a bulk carrier while 2 accomplices waited in speedboat. Duty 2/O raised alarm & crew mustered. Pirate jumped overboard & escaped w/ accomplices towards breakwater. Port authority informed & coast guard patrol boat arrived at scene. (Fri. Sept. 12 2003)

PIRATE ALERT>> As UK Ships' officers' union Numast<<webfeature, (National Union of Marine Aviation & Shipping Transport Officers) has contacted UK Foreign Secretary Jack Straw & the Int'l Maritime Organization (IMO) about huge increase in piracy activity -- total of 234 pirate attacks in 1st 6 months of this year, 37% more than same period last year & highest total since statistics began in 1991. In Jan.-June 2003 period, 16 seafarers were killed, 52 injured & 20 reported missing. Seafarers taken hostage more than doubled to 193 & a marked increase in number of incidents in which firearms were used. Indonesia continued main danger area &endash; accounting for more than 25% of world attacks, with 64 incidents -- including 43 ships boarded, 4 hijacked & attempted attacks on further 17 ships. Next highest risk area was Bangladesh, where attacks almost doubled to 23. Nigeria & India, with 18 attacks each, were next most-dangerous areas. Ports most likely to feature in attacks included Lagos & Chennai (formerly Madras). (Thurs. Sept. 11 2003)

767-foot Croatian freighter M/V Peljesac, for Canada with petroleum coke & 23 crew, went aground in mud at Sabine Pass, Texas -- during rough seas related to Tropical Storm Grace. No cargo spilled. Crew reamins aboard. Someone needs to alert the Master that Sabine Pass is in the Gulf of Mexico, not on the lane to Canada. From our Correspondent D. Mcmillen. (Wed. Sept. 10 2003)

Yacht S/V Willis Do, Wales -- across Bristol Channel for Ilfracombe Harbor -- suffered gas explosion below water line at Ilfracombe Harbor, Sept. 7 -- vessel split along side, all doors blown off &bulkheads badly damaged. -- 3 passengers with serious burns. (Wed. Sept. 10 2003)

12-meter M/V Sanjaya -- used to train sailors -- sank in Bali Strait, Mekaki Gulf, South Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara -- sank -- 3 missing -- 5 passengers survived - vessel on station for 12 hours when suddenly capsized. This is 3 days after ferry M/V KMP Wimala Dharma>>webferature, capsized in Lombok Strait, West Nusa Tenggara, which left 17 people dead. Geez, does anyrhing float in Bali? (Wed. Sept. 10 2003)

U.S. 48-foot F/V Lonely Hunter & U.S. 82-foot F/V Katrina Lee -- in harrowing colision 28 miles E of Nantucket --crews asleep -- F/V Lonely Hunter quickly rolled over & sank with 2 crew missing. A New Bedford fisherman plucked from sea, but U.S. Coast Guard searched into night -- not finding missing crew. F/V Katrina Lee sustained minor damage in crash -- headed to New Bedford with 5 crew. (Mon. Sept. 8 2003PM)

WHAT WERE THEY THINKING?>> U.S. 75-foot S/V Pacific Attitude -- waves reached 69 feet & winds blasted at speeds of 87mph when crew of 3 Israeli businessmen who sailed into eye of Hurricane Fabian, who hoped to use her as tourist ferry, sent out emergency satellite signal at 6 p.m. -- bodies of the 3 found by Canadian Coast Guard vessel 400 miles SE of St. John's -- had set sail for Israel after test voyage in Halifax. "Nobody can tell what these guys were thinking", said U.S. Coast Guard. The "why" of this voyage will never be known. Geeez. (Mon. Sept. 8 2003PM)

Indonesian vehicle & passenger ferry M/V Wimala Dharma, for port of Lembar, in Lombok Strait on Lombok island, Indonesia, Bali, with passengers -- 14 trucks, 2 cars & 14 motorcycles -- hit by huge wave & sank in rough seas 3.30 am, Sept. 7, 7NM off Padang Bai -- death toll remains at 5 & number rescued at 135 -- unsure how many still missing. (Sun. Sept. 7 2003PM) UPDATE>> Vessel with about 147 pasengers & 21 crew -- 140 people found so far, 5 dead. (Mon. Sept. 8 2003PM)

Indian Coast Guard searched seas off W.coast on Sept. 7 for 13 fishermen missing from a group of 269 released from Pakistani jails last week. Pakistan announced release of Indian fishermen &handed them & their 34 boats over to Indian authorities on Sept. 4. Pakistan & India often arrest each other's fishermen for illegal entry into territorial waters & many of them spend years in jail before they are released. On Sept. 7, 256 fishermen in 32 boats landed at Okha in Gujarat, but 2 boats with 13 men aboard failed to arrive - feared missing. (Sun. Sept. 7 2003PM)

Indonesian inter-island ferry M/V Wimala Darma, Padang Bai harbour for Lombok island, sank -- off coast of Bali on Lombok Strait-- many people missing -- 94 people rescued from passing vessel. (Sat.. Sept. 6 2003)

44ft catamaran S/V Alpha Omega -- vessel afire, man & women crew forced to life raft. Solent Coastguard received mayday call -- incident happened 4 miles off East Preston, West Sussex.Two lifeboats from Littlehampton sent to scene & fishery protection vessel the Cattistock. All saved. (Sat.. Sept. 6 2003)

[This Feature Brought Forward From Aug. 19] >> 246m M/V Sealand Express, aground off Dolphin Beach near Milnerton -- container vessel driven ashore in high winds & heavy sea conditions. National Ports Authority (NPA) at the Port of Cape Town, said NPA assisted in an earlier attempt to tow ship off beach, but had been unsuccessful. (Tues. Aug. 19 2003) UPDATE>> M/V Sealand Express dragged her anchor & touched beach due to bad weather conditions. Another mess. (Tues. Aug. 19 2003PM) UPDATE>> M/V Sealand Express also carrying containers of industrial chemicals, including leaking propyl acetate, & 59 sealed drums of uranium oxide, a byproduct of gold mining & raw material for nuclear fuel rods. (Sat. Aug. 23 2003)

UPDATE>> This Vessel Is Now In Big Trouble On The Beach. Sources tell us that the container vessel may capsize on the beach. (Fri. Sept. 5 2003)

WEEKLY IMB PIRATE REPORTS ___

01 Sept. 2003 at 0730 LT at berth no. 6, Chittagong port, Bangladesh. Pirates stole Zink anodes welded to ship's side from bulk carrier. Port control informed. (Fri. Sept. 5 2003)

31 Aug. 2003 at 0500 LT in position 00:47.9N - 105:19.9E, Indonesia. Six pirates in long boat attempted to board container ship underway from port quarter. Anti piracy watch raised alarm & crew mustered. Pirates aborted attempt & fled. (Fri. Sept. 5 2003)

31 ug. 2003 at 0115 LT at Chennai anchorage, India. Pirate boarded container ship whilst his 3 accomplices were in process of boarding. Alert raised alarm & pirate fled empty handed. Port control & port police informed. Police boat arrived at 0215 LT. (Fri. Sept. 5 2003)

30 Aug. 2003 at 0446 LT in position 01:03.4N - 105:06.5E, off Bintan Island, Indonesia. Five pirates in speed boat attempted to board general cargo ship underway. Alert crew activated hoses, & sounded ship's whistle. Boat retreated after 10 minutes. (Fri. Sept. 5 2003)

30 Aug. 2003 at 0230 LT at san Pedro de Macoros, Dominican Republic Four pirates armed with knives boarded an ocean going tug moored alongside from unlit boat. Alert duty A/B called for assistance from armed guards on jetty. Pirates jumped overboard & escaped. (Fri. Sept. 5 2003)

29 Aug. 2003 at 2330 LT in position 00:56N - 105:08E, off Bintan Island, Indonesia. Six pirates armed with guns & long knives in speedboat attempted to board bulk carrier underway at stern, using a hook attached to rope. Anti-piracy watch raised alarm & crew mustered -- pirates fled. (Fri. Sept. 5 2003)

28 Aug. 2003 at 2250 LT in position 00:46N - 105:14E, off Bintan Island, Indonesia. Six masked pirates armed with guns & knives boarded bulk carrier underway from speedboat. They went to bridge -- tied up duty A/B, took hostage 3/o, assaulted him & forced him to knock on master's door. Master heard noise & escaped thru porthole with ship's cash. Pirates knew how much cash was on board -- they wrote down figure on paper -- broke master's door & ransacked his cabin also crew cabins. Pirates tied up crew & assaulted C/E and 3/0 many times & threatened crew with guns. Pirates left at 0015 LT with crew personal effects and ship's equipment. (Fri. Sept. 5 2003)

28 Aug. 2003 at 0001 LT at Chittagong roads anchorage, Bangladesh. Pirates boarded general cargo ship coming in to anchor. Ship raised alarm; crew mustered & switched on deck lights. As a result pirates fled inhigh speedboat. Port control informed. (Fri. Sept. 5 2003)

 26.08.2003 at 0500 LT in position 01:20N - 104:58E, about 50nm NE of Bintan Island, Indonesia.

Eight masked pirates armed with guns and long knives boarded a bulk carrier underway from a speedboat. They tied up duty A/B on deck and c/e in his cabin. They then went to bridge and took hostage C/O and an A/B. They forced C/O to knock on master's door. Master realising something is wrong fired a rocket flare from bathroom porthole. Pirates broke in to master's cabin and fired at safe causing it to open. Pirates stole ship's and master's cash and crew personal belongings. Before escaping at 0600 LT pirates fired at the crew. No injuries to crew.

25 Aug. 2003 at 2235 LT in Lagos SBM, Nigeria. Five pirates boarded chemical tanker & stole mooring rope. Duty A/B raised alarm & tried to prevent theft but he was attacked with empty glass bottles. (Fri. Sept. 5 2003)

199-ton M/V Ryuyo Maru, Nagoya, for Port of Ichikawa in Chiba Prefecture with 500 tons of steel -- & -- 499-ton M/V Kaishin Maru, Ichikawa (Mainichi Shimbun, Japan) for Tsu, Mie Prefecture -- in collision 17km SE of Port of Omaezaki in Shizuoka Prefecture -- foggy seas off Shizuoka Prefecture in the predawn hours of Sept. 3 -- chief engineer of Ryuyo Maru suffered slight injuries to head -- M/V Ryuyo Maru sank -- foggy & visibility bad at time of accident. (Thurs. Sept. 4 2003)

French Polynesia ferry M/V Tahiti Nui IV (408 gt) sunk in Austra Islands Sept. 3 -- details pending. (Thurs. Sept. 4 2003)

Halifax Coast Guard vessel Alfred Needler -- suffered fire -- in engine room of coast guard ship outside Summerside harbor off Prince Edward Island --towed to Charlottetown. (Tues. Sept. 2 2003}

Russian, Tyumen Oil Co (TNK) owned M/T Victoria, with 11 crew & 2,000 tons crude oil for Russian port of Kavkaz, on Black Sea, suffered fire in Volga River Aug. 30 -- led to explosion which sent burning oil from tanks in after section of Leninneft-type vessel into water -- finally put out early Aug. 31 -- 1 of 11 crew killed. Hull is more or less undamaged. Incident, 1st reported by master of passing tanker operated by Volgotanker, at Oktyabrskaya terminal near city of Samara. Sources said crude oil loading not permitted at Oktyabrskaya terminal. Oil spill contained within several rows of booms. (Mon. Sept. 1 2003)

Vessel Loss Dispatches For August 2003

"Pelican's Peril" - collision on River Scheldt - Aug. 2003

ALERT>> Port of Dover<<webfeature brought to standstill tonight as police investigated a suspect package. Passengers on board ferries coming to/from France stranded in exclusions zones around the area. Army bomb disposal team on way to scene. (Fri. Aug. 29 2003PM) UPDATE>> Port of Dover reopened following the arrest of 3 men after police found prohibited weapons in a car -- being questioned in connection with terrorist offences -- port was sealed 7 hours --exclusion zone set up around port from 7.20pm until 2.40am. (Sat. Aug. 30 2003)

Russian Sub Down>> Northern Fleet November Class<<webfeature nuclear submarine from the 1950's K-159, under tow with 12 crew for dismatling, sunk in Barents Sea<<webfeature NW of Kildin Island -- only 1 sailor rescued -- 2 bodies retrieved, However, Russian Defense Ministry spokesman said there were only 10 crew aboard. (Fri. Aug. 29 2003)

Gloucester 55-foot F/V Half Fast, with 2 crew capsized 35 miles off Boston -- hauling in clams -- weight of shellfish vessel healed over. Clamming F/V North Star spotted disastr & made rescue. (Fri. Aug. 29 2003)

WEEKLY IMB PIRATE REPORTS ___

24 Aug. 2003 at 1735 LT in position 08:44S - 115:43E, Lombuk Strait, Indonesia. Ten pirates armed with machine guns in 2 speedboats approached bulk carrier underway. One boat came within one cable & tried to intercept course. Master raised alarm & crew activated fire hoses & boats moved away. (Fri. Aug. 29 2003)

24 Aug. 2003 at 0100 LT at Coal Terminal, Cartagena, Colombia. Pirates armed with knives boarded tanker at forecastle -- assaulted a crewmember with knives -- tied up & received knife wounds. Pirates stole ship's stores & escaped. (Fri. Aug. 29 2003)

22 Aug. 2003 at 2330 LT in position 01:36.6N - 105:22.5E, Indonesia. Nine pirates armed with guns & knives boarded general cargo ship underway -- stole ship's cash & escaped. (Fri. Aug. 29 2003)

22. Aug. 2003 at 2130 UTC in position 00:57N - 105:03E, vicinity of Bintan Island, Indonesia. Three pirates armed with knives & crowbars boarded container ship underway. 2nd engineer raised alarm -- pirates left empty handed. (Fri. Aug. 29 2003)

21.08.2003 at 1130 LT in position 05:47.8N - 005:20.5E, Deli Creek, Harrison point, Sapele, Nigeria. Groups of pirates armed with firearms boarded bulk carrier underway from speedboats -- ordered ship to anchor & open all cargo holds. Threatened chief mate & took his walkie-talkie & smashed forecastle life raft. They then stole cargo from holds & provisions from galley. Leader of the armed pirate groups took pilot ashore & ship remained anchored. Pirates returned pilot to the ship at 1700 LT. Ship then heaved up anchor & sailed. (Fri. Aug. 29 2003)

20.08.2003 at 0530 LT at Doula, Cameroon -- 4 pirates boarded refer ship & broke open seal to no 1 hatch. Alert crew mustered & pirates jumped overboard empty handed. (Fri. Aug. 29 2003)

19.08.2003 at 0005 LT at Tema Roads, Ghana -- 4 pirates armed with long knives boarded container ship & stole ship's stores. Crew raised alarm & pirates escaped in unlit boat. Master informed port control & ships in vicinity. (Fri. Aug. 29 2003)

5,944gt Reefer M/V Toledo Carrier (built 1994) & F/V Maria de Lourdes I, in collision at Guayaquil, Aug. 25. (Thurs. Aug. 28 2003)

321-foot M/T Great Lakes, Sewaren, N.J., for Port of Albany with 35,000 barrels of jet fuel, ran aground -- Port of Hudson River closed. Company (K-Sea Transportation of Staten Island) sent divers & tugs to help refloat vessel. (Wed. Aug. 27 2003)

Greek general M/V Elpida I suffered 28 Aug. collision off Piraeus. (Wed. Aug. 27 2003)

Game Over>> Armed South Africans & Australian vessels have boarded Uruguayan F/V Viarsa 1 & arrested Capt. & crew. Thus ended 3 week chase through Southern Ocean that started after Viarsa fled from Australian Customs & Fisheries patrol vessel Southern Supporter when Australians asked to inspect the vessel. This was the longest high-seas chase in history. Follow our "Sea Chase" feature for background on this exciting incident. (Wed. Aug. 27 2003)

Alertnate News Story

North Korean long range ferry M/V Mangyongbong-92, Niigata, Japan for North Korea -- cited for 5 violations & arrested. Japanese officials gathered 100 inspectors from 3 different ministries to comb passenger ferry bow to stern -- part of global crackdown on alleged smuggling of drugs & weapons by communist state. Inspectors found ship missing several safety features >> fire damper in kitchen exhaust duct; >> emergency exits signs meeting height & lighting specifics; >> wireless phone for communicating with airplanes in emergencies; & >> fire extinguisher using sea water. A divider for oil & bilge water also deemed faulty. Tough inspections tested relations between the nations as they prepare for multilateral talks this week in Beijing on North Korea's alleged effort to develop nuclear weapons. The U.S., Russia, South Korea & China will participate in summit. (Mon. Aug. 25 2003)

Australian Sea Chase>> Australia's longest maritime chase is continuing in the Southern Ocean. Australia Justice & Customs is resolved to pursuing illegal fishing boat, accused of poaching valuable patagonian toothfish. Australian, South African & now U.S. ships pursuing Uruguayan-flagged ship F/V Viarsa through Southern Ocean for more than 2 weeks. Ships now in area with ice-floes but chase will continue -- hot pursuit of Viarsa is now entering its 19th day -- previous longest chase was 15 days & involved 6,100 kms, in this case, at 6,800 kms, this sea chase is the longest in Australia's maritime history. Follow our "Sea Chase" feature for background on this exciting incident. (Mon. Aug. 25 2003)

South Korean Navy fired warning shots at 200-ton North Korean patrol boat that intruded into South's territorial waters -- crossed 0.3 mile into South's waters shortly after 7 a.m. & retreated 3 minutes after South Korean speedboats fired two 76 mm shells -- 3rd such incident this month. (Mon. Aug. 25 2003)

55.6 meter ferry M/V Ovalau, inter-island between Fiji's main islands of Vanua Levu and Viti Levu -- 150km trip across the often rough Bligh Waters --with 100 people sank Aug. 23 in Nanunu-i-Ra passage, 30km off Ellington. Fiji. Preliminary reports indicate all passengers rescued off northern Viti Levu town of Rakiraki. (Mon. Aug. 25 2003)

88-foot shrimp F/V with 4 crew in collosion with 324-foot Russian freighter, 56 miles SE of Galveston. F/V began taking water after accident. U.S. Coast Guard rescued crew & flew in pump to stop flooding. One crew taken by helicopter to University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston for treatment of possible concussion. She later released. (Sat. Aug. 23 2003)

246m M/V Sealand Express, aground off Dolphin Beach near Milnerton -- container vessel driven ashore in high winds & heavy sea conditions. National Ports Authority (NPA) at the Port of Cape Town, said NPA assisted in an earlier attempt to tow ship off beach, but had been unsuccessful. (Tues. Aug. 19 2003) UPDATE>> M/V Sealand Express dragged her anchor & touched beach due to bad weather conditions. Another mess. (Tues. Aug. 19 2003PM) UPDATE>> M/V Sealand Express also carrying containers of industrial chemicals, including leaking propyl acetate, & 59 sealed drums of uranium oxide, a byproduct of gold mining & raw material for nuclear fuel rods. (Sat. Aug. 23 2003)

WEEKLY IMB PIRATE REPORTS ___

18 Aug. 2003 at 1930 UTC in position 06:07N - 097:33E, Malacca straits. Pirates in 3 boats attempted to board container ship underway. Ship increased speed & took evasive actions. Crew activated fire hoses & boats gave up chase at 2200 UTC. (Fri. Aug. 22 2003)

18 Aug. 2003 at 0225 LT at Bonny Roads, Nigeria -- 10 pirates armed with knives boarded container ship & took duty seaman as hostage. Pirates stole all 5 mooring ropes from forecastle & escaped. Bonny signal station called but did not respond. (Fri. Aug. 22 2003)

18 Aug. 2003 at 0001 LT at Puerto Cortes roads, Honduras. Pirates armed with knives boarded bulk carrier via anchor chain. Alert A/B raised alarm & pirates escaped empty handed. (Fri. Aug. 22 2003)

17 Aug. 2003 at 2343 LT in position 17:29.6N - 077:25W, S. of Kingston, Jamaica. An unlit speedboat with pirates on deck & 2 men hidden inside came close to general cargo ship underway intending to board. Alert crew raised alarm -- activated fire hoses. Boat altered course & moved towards coast. (Fri. Aug. 22 2003)

17 Aug. 2003 at 2110 LT in position 22:10N - 091:46E, Anchorage-C, Chittagong, Bangladesh -- 15 pirates attempted to board tanker via anchor chain. Duty watchman alerted crew & pirates jumped back in water & escaped. Port control called but did not respond. (Fri. Aug. 22 2003)

12 Aug. 2003 at 0230 LT in position: 04:50N - 108:02E, Indonesia. Armed pirates chased & opened fire on fishing trawler underway. Captain shot dead. Pirates boarded trawler & stole cargo & ship's property. (Fri. Aug. 22 2003)

12 Aug. 2003 at 0145 LT in position 22:15N - 091:43E, Anchorage-B, Chittagong, Bangladesh. Four motorized boats came alongside tug & 15-20 pirates armed with knives & bolos boarded -- stole ship's stores & escaped. One crew injured. Tug called port control -- received no response. (Fri. Aug. 22 2003)

18 Aug. 2003, Hijacked/missing tug M/V Hamco Bintang & barge Hamco Mulia. Tug Hamco Bintang towing barge from Surabaya to Tg. Selor, Indonesia. Last radio contact with tug was on 23 June 2003. Thereafter no further communication. Fate of 8t crew unknown. Tug & barge still missing. (Fri. Aug. 22 2003)

Italian flagged M/V Grande Nigeria (Built 2000) in collision with 214 meter Panamanian flagged car carrier M/V Nada V. -- in Nauw Van Bath of Westerscheldt on approach to Antwerp. (Wed. Aug. 20 2003)

Japan F/V Kinshoumaru No 18' with 23 crew, issued Mayday 11:40 pm - Aug. 19 as "406 Distress Alert" -- gave position as 800 miles W. Northern Ireland. Distress alert picked up by Falmouth Coastguard. U.S. flagged oceanographic M/V Mary Sears responding -- en route to the distress position. (Wed. Aug. 20 2003)

UK Falmouth Coastguard currently sending assistance to Japanese F/V Kinshoumaru No 18, with 23 crew. Distress alert picked up by Falmouth Coastguard at 11:40 pm last night as 406 distress alert & gave positin of vessel as 800 miles W. of coast of Northern Ireland. (Tues. Aug. 19 2003PM)

Philippines Navy vessel atttacked & ambushed killing 7 military personnel -- 5 others wounded when 15 New People's Army (NPA) rebels attacked ship docked in coastal town of Real, E. of Manila. NPA is armed wing of Communist Party of Philippines which has been waging a decades-old rebellion. (Tues. Aug. 19 2003PM)

246m M/V Sealand Express, aground off Dolphin Beach near Milnerton -- container vessel driven ashore in high winds & heavy sea conditions. National Ports Authority (NPA) at the Port of Cape Town, said NPA assisted in an earlier attempt to tow ship off beach, but had been unsuccessful. (Tues. Aug. 19 2003) UPDATE>> M/V Sealand Express dragged her anchor & touched beach due to bad weather conditions. Another mess. (Tues. Aug. 19 2003PM) UPDATE>> M/V Sealand Express also carrying containers of industrial chemicals, including leaking propyl acetate, & 59 sealed drums of uranium oxide, a byproduct of gold mining & raw material for nuclear fuel rods. (Sat. Aug. 23 2003)

Panamanian chemical/oil M/T Amer Thames, with 4,000 tons caustic soda aground at Mumbai.

U.S.-based World Vision charted M/V Madame Patricia, with 20 crew & thousands of blankets, tons of laundry soap, jerry cans & mats to supply 21,000 displaced people in the city, sank off Sierra Leone -- crew swam to safety -- ship ran into storm Aug. 17 night -- battled storm for 10 hours before crew abandoned ship. >>> Meanwhile In The City>>> Liberian capital largely returned to normal week after forced resignation & departure into exile of former Detroit gas station attendant, turned warlord, turned president Charles Taylor, at the center of 2 wars that raged almost non-stop for 14 years. Meanwhile 15 US Navy SEALS landed on beach at Monrovia's Mamba Point diplomatic quarter on Aug. 18, from 1 of 3 U.S. rescue warships anchored off the coast as hundreds of curious civilians looked on. Quite sad. (Mon. Aug. 18 003)

Malaysian police report 4 armed Indonesian pirates suspected of carrying out more than 90 heists in southern Johor state have been shot dead in a clash. Skirmish took place early on Aug. 17 in area of jungle in residential suburb when suspects tried to attack police officers with a machete & chopper knife. One of the suspects seized pistol from police officers & discharged weapon twice before the police returned fire, killing all 4 suspects. (Mon. Aug. 18 003)

Crew of Malaysian-owned tanker M/T Penrider released by pirates. Capt. & 2 other crew were kidnapped by pirates with AK-47 & M-16 rifles in the Straits of Malacca. Reports said ship owner had agreed to pay S$175,000 ransom. Vessel was Singapore for Penang with 1,000 tons of fuel oil. Read our full story (Sun. Aug. 17 2003)

M/V Spirit of Free Enterprise suffered extensive damage to steering gear when it hit the bottom while departing Manukau Harbor (Auckland) -- crossing the bar at midday Aug. 16. Stricken vessel towed 7km out to sea, & salvage tug from New Plymouth was set to rendezvous at 5am for tow to Lyttelton. (Sun. Aug. 17 2003)

F/V Elhanan, with 4 crew taking water 133miles NW Aberdeen UK & requesting immediate assistance. Elhanan afloat but taking water -- rescue helicopter attempting to establish tow -- rescue helicopter attempting to establish tow. (Fri. Aug. 15 2003)

Greek M/T Tasman Spirit, with 67,500 tons of crude, grounded off Karachi port since July 27, likely to break into 2 parts within next 12 hours, which could cause a massive oil spill threatening marine life, mangrove forests -- unleashing ecological disaster. Estimated approximately 44,000 tons of crude still aboard. (Sat. Aug. 9 2003) UPDATE>> M/T Tasman Spirit has broken in half. Mjor oil spill now at hand. Pakistani port officials warned of major oil spill along S. coastline -- growing slick of oil washed ashore along main beaches outside Karachi bringing toxic fumes & hundreds of dead fish, sea birds & turtles. More than 1,000 policemen, with masks, deployed to close seafront. (Fri. Aug. 15 2003)

WEEKLY IMB PIRATE REPORTS ___

11 Aug 2003 off Dakar port, Senegal. Three armed pirates barded container ship underway after dropping pilot. Pirates stole ship's stores & escaped. (Fri. Aug. 15 2003)

10 Aug. 2003 at 0430 LT at Belem anchorage, Brazil. Pirates attempted to climb aboard chemical tanker via anchor chain. Alert A/B raised alarm & pirate escaped. (Fri. Aug. 15 2003)

09 Aug. .2003 at 1725 LT in position 05:43N - 097:44E, Malacca straits. Armed pirates chased fishing trawler & opened fire. Master hit by gunshot on his leg. Vessel proceeding towards Singapore for further assistance. Further details awaited. (Fri. Aug. 15 2003)

09 Aug. 2003 at 0220 LT in position 06:38S - 039:28E, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. Four pirates in boat came close to general cargo ship & attempted to board by using grappling hook. Alert crew mustered & raised alarm. Pirates abandoned boarding. (Fri. Aug. 15 2003)

08 Aug. 2003 at 0400 LT at berth no. 29, Puerto Cabello, Venezuela. Pirates boarded bulk carrier & broke in to paint locker. Alert crew foiled theft & pirates escaped empty handed. (Fri. Aug. 15 2003)

06 Aug. 2003 at 0645 LT in position 04:11.7N - 120:00.1E, Celebes Sea, south of Tawi Tawi Islands, Philippines. Pirates in steel hulled boat & armed with guns fired at tug escorting survey ship. Bullets hit tug -- it increased speed & took evasive manoeuvres. Pirate boat gave up chase & fled. (Fri. Aug. 15 2003)

18 Aug, .2003, Hijacked / missing tug M/V Hamco Bintang & barge Hamco Mulia. Tug Hamco Bintang towing barge from Surabaya to Tg. Selor, Indonesia. Last radio contact with tug was on 23.06.2003. Thereafter no further communication. Fate of 8 crew unknown. Tug & barge still missing. Read our full story on this incident -- with vessel identificaion.. (Fri. Aug. 15 2003)

"Container Pool" - A Cargo Law Mystery - what? May 2002

UPDATE>> M/T Tasman Spirit<<webfeature has broken apart & sank. Oil spill follows. Read Our Story. (Thurs. 14 Aug. 2003)

SEA CHASE>> Uruguayan-flagged ocean trawler F/V Viarsa, fleeing storm-lashed "Southern Ocean" carrying believed to be valuable cargo of Patagonian toothfish<<webfeature -- being "pursued indefinitely" by Australian Navy. Australian patrol boat Southern Supporter began chasing Viarsa after it was spotted fishing in Australia's sub-Antarctic waters off Heard Island 4000km SW of Australian mainland week ago. Australian authorities say patrol boat in hot pursuit & closing on Viarsa -- now fleeing in huge seas to what its Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) have assured Australia they would close their ports to Viarsa & prevent any possibility of catch being unloaded. (Thurs. 14 Aug. 2003) UPDATE>> The race may be running out for the Viarsa. South Africa yesterday was ready to join chase, with 2 vessels now reported to be 1,200 miles S. of Cape Town. (Mon. Aug. 18 003)

F/V Sardonyx II issued mayday after taking water 80 miles NE of Fraserburgh -- put under tow. F/V Elhanan issued a mayday 100 miles NE Peterhead. All crews rescued by UK Coast Guards. (Thurs. 14 Aug. 2003)

PIRATE ATTACK>> Malaysian oil M/T Penrider, with 1,000 tons of fuel, Singapore for Penang -- 6 Indonesian pirates in military gear fired several shots at oil tanker from boat 16 NM west of One Fathom Bank, off Port Klang -- boarded vessel & relieved its 10 crew members of mobile telephones, clothes & RM10,000 while vessel still in Indonesian waters. Indonesian Consulate yet to ascertain if pirates belonged to militant group. Consul-General Noro Murdiyanto Adisasmito said although pirates reported to have donned military fatigues, the group's identity had yet to be established. Negotiations under way to secure release of Capt. & crew for undisclosed ransom. (Thurs. 14 Aug. 2003) Crew of Malaysian-owned tanker M/T Penrider released by pirates. Capt. & 2 other crew were kidnapped by pirates with AK-47 & M-16 rifles in the Straits of Malacca. Reports said ship owner had agreed to pay S$175,000 ransom. (Sun. Aug. 17 2003)

6.7 meter catamaran S/V Cornalar fired red distress flare & appeared to be sinking -- new RNLI Severn Class Lifeboat, on delivery trip to Tobermory on the Isle of Mull made rescue. (Thurs. 14 Aug. 2003)

HEAD ON COLLISION CLOSES PORT>> Italian 56,800gt Ro/Ro Grande Nigeria & 43,101gt Panamanian vehicle M/V Nada V (built 1984), both 200 meters in length & with thousands of automobiles, in collision -- Belgian port of Antwerp on Aug. 13, blocking all shipping to/from Europe's 2nd largest port. Both ships still afloat on Westerschelde River outside Antwerp. One ship entering port while other leaving Antwerp but facts of accident still unclear. Rudder problem considered, as both vessels involved in frontal collision. Not clear how long Antwerp port likely to remain blocked & closed. (Wed. 13 Aug. 2003)

Cypriot-registered M/V Jambo, Dublin for Norway, which sank off Wester Ross, proving too heavy to salvage -- vessel veered off course, struck rocks & sank off Summer Isles at end of June- 3,000 tons of zinc sulphide on board proving too heavy to remove -- estimated time frame for bringing up mineral load about 2 weeks, but those working said could take as long as a month. (Wed. 13 Aug. 2003)

35ft Belgian trawler F/V Ramorah, with 5 crew, abandoned vessel & clambered aboard ship about whch there are no further details -- trawleR now "semi-sunk" & RNLI crew trying to locate its position. (Tues. 12 Aug. 2003)

What We Missed>> M/T Heung Yang, with gasoil in collision, stbd qtr somewhere in Sea of Japan with bulk/log carrier (?) evening 22 June., Heung Yang beached on purpose to avoid sinking. Holed twiced, ER flooded. (Tues. 12 Aug. 2003)

200-foot barge, with 64,000 bushels of wheat, pounding through 4- to 6-foot waves lost a cargo hatch, took on water & sank in Lake Michigan 5 miles off Waukegan on 8 Aug. (Tues. 12 Aug. 2003)

2,630gt general cargo M/V Peng Fei (built 1984), Dalian for Kashima, with 3,100 tons maize -- aground in Kanmon Strait with hull damage. (Mon. Aug. 11 2003)

Gulf Marine Repair of Tampa, FL, suffered 2 tugs sunk in shipyard -- unknown amount fuel leaked into Ybor Channel when boats sank Aug. 10, Coast Guard said -- boats tied together & as one began to sink -- took other along to bottom. (Mon. Aug. 11 2003)

Norwegian registered 72,000grt M/T Evita in collision with F/V Gitte Liza -- Gitte Liza lost her mast but no ingress of water & no injuries sustained to 3 crew aboard -- fisher now being towed by U.K. lifeboat to Grimsby where vessel registered. (Mon. Aug. 11 2003)

35ft Belgian fishing trawler, with 6 crew. in collision with M/V Ramorah -- fisher abanoned -- helicopter from nearby RAF Wattisham in Suffolk winched crew off to nearby land. (Sun. Aug. 10 2003)

72,00gt Grimsby-registered M/T Gitte Lize sent mayday message at 0845 BST on Aug. -- crew of fishing boat have been rescued by coastguard after collision after accident off Spurn Point, in North Sea. Norwegian tanker now anchored in Humber. (Sun. Aug. 10 2003)

Greek cruise M/V Atlantis, with Greek crew, explosion caused by a gas leak, on Aug. 8 killed 1 & injured, empty passenger ship anchored off Greek coast explosion, probably caused by gas leak, According to initial reports, some 1000 tourists took part in ship's daily trip around island of Santorini, but were on land when explosion occurred. (Sat. Aug. 9 2003)

Greek M/T Tasman Spirit, with 67,500 tons of crude, grounded off Karachi port since July 27, likely to break into 2 parts within next 12 hours, which could cause a massive oil spill threatening marine life, mangrove forests -- unleashing an ecological disaster. Estimated approximately 44,000 tons of crude still aboard. (Sat. Aug. 9 2003) UPDATE: M/T Tasman Spirit has broken apart & sank. Oil spill follows. (Thurs. Aug. 2003)

Panamanian registered container M/V Itutile, Ningbo for Yantian in Shenzhen with 3,709 containers & 14 Taiwan crew, suffered 12 hour fire on 3 Aug. in Dapeng Bay off Guangdong Province. Smoke came from 60 containers &endash; 47 containing hazardous materials, including 8 with cigarette lighters. (Fri. Aug. 8 2003)

3,712gt cargo M/V Ilya Selvinskiy, in collision Aug, 7, near Gelibolu while transiting Dardanelles southbound near Gelibolu. (Fri. Aug. 8 2003)

Port Brisbane>> Man in his 60s fell from back of truck & then shipping container fell on him -- airlifted to hospital in Brisbane after accident in near Killarney, on NSW border early Aug. 9 -- suffered dislocated shoulder & chest injuries. (Fri. Aug. 8 2003)

WEEKLY IMB PIRATE REPORTS ___

04 August 2003 at 0220 LT in position 13:00N-047:28.9E, Gulf of Aden. Several pirate boats approached ship underway intending to board. Preventive measures by crew & assistance from coalition warships avoided boarding. (Fri. Aug. 8 2003)

03 August 2003 2340 LT in position 12:55N - 047:35E, Gulf of Aden. Three fast pirate boats approached tanker underway. Alert duty officer sounded ship's whistle & altered course & informed ships in the vicinity. Boats continued to chase for over one hour & finally gave up. (Fri. Aug. 8 2003)

31 July 2003 at 0645 UTC in position 05:59.4N - 096:10.8E, Northern tip of Sumatra, Indonesia. Pirates in 5 fast motorboats attempted to board gas carrier underway. Two boats each on port & starboard sides whilst one boat criss-crossed ahead. Alert crew prevented boarding by activating fire hoses. Seeing crew alertness boats aborted attempt & fled after 10 minutes. (Fri. Aug. 8 2003)

30 July 2003 at 0840 LT in position 05:36N - 097:34E, Malacca straits. Four pirates in 2 speedboats attempted to board tanker underway from port & starboard sides. Alert crew sounded whistle & activated fire hoses. Boats aborted attempt & fled. (Fri. Aug. 8 2003)

30 July .2003 at 0630 LT in position 14:04N - 062:19.5W, W. of St. Lucia island, Caribbean Sea. Two pirates in speedboat named "Manada Bay" color white with interior orange color chased & attempted to board tanker underway. Crew mustered & activated fire hoses -- boat fled. (Fri. Aug. 8 2003)

30 July 2003 at 0030 UTC in position 14:00N - 062:30W, W. of St. Lucia Island, Caribbean Sea. Speedboat came close to bulk carrier underway. Pirates asked for help. When asked nature of help they refused to answer & continued to follow -- attempted to board. Ship raised alarm, switched on deck lights & activated fire hoses & boat fled. (Fri. Aug. 8 2003)

29 July 2003 at 1045 UTC at Chittagong Alpha anchorage, Bangladesh. 15 pirates in 4 boats armed with knives & crowbars boarded chemical tanker at stern. Alert crew raised alarm & mustered, meanwhile 12 shore watchmen who just boarded ship chased pirates. Pirates broke open aft locker & stole ship's stores & safety equipment. Coast guard immediately informed -- but unable to apprehend the pirates. (Fri. Aug. 8 2003)

PIRATE HIJACK>> 18 July 2003, Hijacked/missing tug M/V Hamco Bintang & barge "Hamco Mulia" -- Tug Hamco Bintang towing barge from Surabaya to Tg. Selor, Indonesia. Last radio contact was on 23.06.2003. Thereafter there is no further communication.

4,239gt M/V United Malika, (built 1979) with fish, aground off Nouadhibou. (Fri. Aug. 8 2003)

Greek registered 67,500MT M/T Tasman Spirit, U.A.E. for Pakistan Refinery Ltd. with 67,500mt crude -- aground near port of Karachi last week after monsoon rains & high tides caused drift into port's channels -- tanker stable & crude hasn't spilled to sea. (Thurs. Aug. 7 2003)

3,712gt general cargo M/V Ilya Selvinskiy -- aground while transiting Dardanelles southbound near Gelibolu (Istanbul). (Thurs. Aug. 7 2003)

Pakistan F/V sank during fierce monsoon rains in Arabian Sea -- Mohammed Mumtaz Magsi only survivor from a crew of 17 -- after 6 days floating -- faced high waves, hunger, stinging fish bites & blistering sun that slowly took lives of 5 other survivors of initial sinking disaster. Vessel name pending. (Wed. Aug. 6 2003)

In emergency rescue mission, personnel of Pakistan Army rescued 25,000 stranded men, women & children from marooned areas of Badin district shifted them to different relief camps. Army started rescue operation in affected areas following the request of the district administration. Total of 1,45,000 kgs of dry food dropped in marooned areas of district by army helicopters during their 110 flights. (Wed. Aug. 6 2003)

36,30gt bulk M/V Morning Cloud (built 1983), Tubarao for San Nicolas, Argentina, with iron, aground in River Plate.(Wed. Aug. 6 2003)

12,405 gt M/V Uni-Concert (built 1993) in collision at Manila. (Wed. Aug. 6 2003)

497gt M/V Ohama Maru, from Tokushima Prefecture, in collision with oil 1,499gt M/T No. 2 Sampo Maru, from Ehime Prefecture -- M/V Ohama Maru sank before 4 a.m. -- 3 of 4 crew of freighter rescued by tanker, but Capt. Masayoshi Fukuda, 52, missing. (Tues. Aug. 5 2003)

42-year-old M/V Gulf-5, Sudan for Alang shipbreaking yard with 13 crew & 17 tons of fuel, broke down following power failure near Tudka Miyan -- heavy flooding, water entered into engine room following which 4 generators of ship went out of order -- 12 NM from Porbandar leading to flood-like situation on board. Crew rescued -- still chances of sinking ship if water would not pumped out by Aug. 7. (Mon. Aug. 4 2003)

98-foot ferry M/V Sea Hauler & 170-foot cargo M/V United Star in collision 1:30 a.m. EDT, 9 miles SW of Bahamian island of Eleuthera, 6 dead & injuring at least 16 others -- U.S. Coast Guard, Royal Bahamas Defense Force & Royal Bahamas Police searching for more survivors. (Sat. Aug. 2 2003)

WEEKLY IMB PIRATE REPORTS ___

28 July 2003 at 1605 UTC in position 01:59.4N - 102:07.7E, Malacca Straits. Pirates in high speedboat attempted to board LPG carrier underway. Alert crew directed searchlights & boat moved to another ship in vicinity. (Fri. Aug. 1 2003)

26 July 2003 at 1020 UTC in position 05:45N - 097:51E, Malacca straits. Four armed pirates in a boat fired at bulk carrier underway. Pirate's boat name is Cakrac 2, Indonesian flag & blue colored. Master increased speed & took evasive manouvers. Due to rough sea boat could not close in & fled at 1035 UTC. (Fri. Aug. 1 2003)

26 July 2003 at 0500 LT at berth no.16, Santos, Brazil. Armed pirates boarded bulk carrier during cargo operations -- damaged starboard bridge door & provision storeroom door & stole ship's equipment & stores. Local police was informed. (Fri. Aug. 1 2003)

26 July 2003 0305 UTC at berth no. 11, Belem, Brazil. Pirates armed with guns boarded container ship & attacked duty A/B -- broke in to paint locker & stole ship's stores. (Fri. Aug. 1 2003)

25 July2003 at 0045 LT at Barranquilla, Colombia. Pirates armed with knives boarded container ship underway & stole ship's stores. Attempts to contact port security failed. (Fri. Aug. 1 2003)

24 July 2003 at 0815 LT in position 00:23N - 082:33W, off Ecuador -- 15 pirates in 3 speedboats, dressed in black clothes attempted to board bulk carrier underway. Alert crew mustered & activated fire hoses. Pirates aborted boarding. (Fri. Aug. 1 2003)

24 July 2003 at TSP jetty, Chittagong, Bangladesh. Pirates boarded ageneral cargo ship & stole ship's gangway. Master advised that since arriving at Chittagong anchorage, pirates had boarded several times & stole ship's stores & equipment. N.B: armed robbery incidents in Chittagong port ranked highest in the world in 1st 6 months of 2003. (Fri. Aug. 1 2003)

22 July 2003 at 2235 LT at Maracaibo channel, vicinity of Isla Pescadores, Venezuela. Pirates in 5 speedboats attempted to board container ship underway. Alert crew mustered, switched on deck lights, activated fire hoses, fired rocket flares & directed searchlights at boats. Pilot on board called coast guard but received no response. After several attempts, pirates aborted boarding & fled. (Fri. Aug. 1 2003)

Vessel Loss Dispatches For July 2003

"Denise & Polargo" - A Love Story - July 2003

Fraserburgh-registered F/V Charuny III sank 5 miles W. of the Canna, near Skye -- coastguard helicopter picked crew up from liferaft -- 2 crew taken to Broadford Hospital on Skye released after checks. (Wed. July 30 2003)

250 meter Singapore-registered tanker laden with crude oil suffered a major breakdown off Mozambique for South African port of Durban. Mozambique National Maritime Safety Authority (SAFMAR) said vessel -- originally headed for the U.S. -- had 1st detected a fault at Durban when stopped to re-fuel. Attempts to transfer crude oil cargo into another at Durban were turned down by South African port authorities fearing pollution. Tanker forced to make a U-turn & broke down in Mozambique Channel, 320km off coast. (Mon. July 28 2003)

Greek-flagged M/T Tasman Spirit, with 62,000 tons of crude oil for the Pakistan oil refinery, drifted aground while entering the channel near Keamari Harbour on July 27 evening-- approaching the channel it ran aground due to a sudden squall and the gusting winds. (Mon. July 28 2003)

26,464gt chemical M/T Al Farabi (built 1986) grounded off Kaohsung, 25 July. (Mon. July 28 2003)

1,930 TEU container M/V Pelican 1 suffered severe hull damage in collision with M/V Maersk Bahrain on the River Scheldt near Antwerp on July 20. Dutch river authorities & salvors mobilized pollution control equipment to deal with oil in river while the salvors worked on skimming oil from the surface of water in flooded engineroom -- floating crane has removed 317 deck containers from the vessel, and divers have completed a full inspection of the hull. (Sun. July 27 2003)

ALERT>> At least 173 fishermen missing off Bangladesh's coast when 20 trawlers sank in rough weather in the Bay of Bengal. Sudden rain poured down on the southern coast early on July 26, leaving 169 fishermen missing at Pathargata in Borguna district -- 92 of fishermen returned safely or were rescued by late on July 26., but continuing bad weather including high waves hampered search for 77 fishermen on 12 trawlers who were still unaccounted for. Survivors said they saw 7 bodies swept away in sea. Weather authorities warned fishermen of storm in Bay of Bengal late on July 25 as rain hammered Bangladesh's S. coast & off shore islands. But fishermen apparently ignored warning as monsoon months are prime catch season. (Sat. July 26 2003)

3,588gt general cargo M/V Jubilee, 3FBU4 -- sank in Bay of Bengal. (Fri. July 25 2003)

WEEKLY IMB PIRATE REPORTS ___

20 July 2003 at 2135 LT in position: 01:38.4N - 102:58E, Malacca straits. Pirates in unlit speedboat attempted to board bulk carrier underway. Alert crew switched on deck lights & boat gave up attempt and proceeded towards another ship in vicinity. A 2nd attempt made hour later but foiled due to crew alertness. (Fri. July 25 2003)

20 July 2003 at 0130 LT at Dakar anchorage, Senegal. Pirates boarded tanker, broke open bosun store & stole ship's stores. Port control informed who advised they were unable to assist. (Fri. July 25 2003)

19 July 2003 at 0400 LT at Phumy port, Vietnam. Pirates mixed in with stevedores & boarded general cargo ship at berth. Alert duty officer spotted pirates attempting to steal ship's stores & handed them to port security officials. (Fri. July 25 2003)

18 July .2003 at 0830 LT at Puerto Cabelo, Venezuela. Pirates boarded container ship during cargo operations & stole safety equipment from aft store. (Fri. July 25 2003)

17 Juy 2003 at 0320 UTC at Guanta port, Venezuela. Armed pirate boarded bulk carrier at berth. Duty officer spotted &raised alarm and alerted crew. Pirate stole safety equipment from liferaft & escaped. Attempt to contact authorities failed. (Fri. July 25 2003)

16 July 2003 at 0530 LT at Vung Tau anchorage, Vietnam. Six pirates boarded container ship & broke in to paint store. On seeing crew alertness they jumped overboard & escaped empty handed. (Fri. July 25 2003)

15 July 2003 at 1400 UTC in position 00:13N - 107:56E, Indonesia. Pirates in unlit speedboat doing 35 kts approached bulk carrier underway. Alert crew mustered & switched on deck lights & boat moved away. (Fri. July 25 2003)

15 July 2003 at 0130 LT at berth no 24A, port of Puerto Cabello, Venezuela. Four pirates in boat dressed in dark clothes attempted to board container ship using hook attached to a rope. Alert crew directed searchlights at boat & pirates aborted attempt -- fled. (Fri. July 25 2003)

14 July 2003 at 2000 UTC in position 13:05N - 080:25E, Chennai anchorage, India. Pirates boarded bulk carrier & stole ship's stores. Alert duty A/B raised alarm & crew mustered. Pirates jumped overboard & escaped in boat waiting with 10 pirates. (Fri. July 25 2003)

10 July 2003 at 1819 LT at Callao, Peru. Pirate armed with a long knife boarded container ship during cargo operations -- assaulted security guard who received knife wounds. Guard resisted & pirate jumped overboard & escaped empty handed. (Fri. July 25 2003)

NOTE: Reporting From LAX - Now Home

NOTE: Due to our equipment difficulties, listings were lost this week. Readers are asked to contribute.

Vietnamese vessel, with timber from Indonesia to Vietnam's central port city of Quy Nhon, capsized in heavy seas -- passing cargo ship, Antiguan-registered M/V Nord Welle, plucked 13 Indonesian nationals from the South China Sea. (Fri. July 25 2003)

Chemical 26,464gt, M/T Al Farabi (built 1986) aground near Kaohsung, Fri., 25 July 2003. (Fri. July 25 2003)

South Korean M/V Afrah, with crockery for Iran, sank at Dubai after Hamriya Port lashed by high waves at noontime yesterday causing vessels to lose their moorings & slam into each other. "First tide ebbed & suddenly surged -- waves were really high --for more than 20 minutes," said an official -- 1 One of 6 sailors aboard sunken vessel suffered leg fracture. Freak conditions. (Thurs. July 24 2003)

Typhoon Imbudo had winds of up to 160km hour. The Hong Kong Observatory said it was one of strongest typhoons to hit S. China's Guangdong province in recent years. Eleven fishing boats sank in coastal city Yangjiang & 11 fisherman missing -- 3,500 people evacuated but no immediate reports of deaths. (Thurs. July 24 2003)

At least 5 killed July 22 as Typhoon Imbudo hit Philippines with peak sustained winds of nearly 200 km (nearly 120 miles) an hour -- just after your The Cargo Letter staff departed. Geeez, glad to be home. (Tues. July 22 2003)

Feeder Vessel Alert>> More than 5,000 ships stranded in Grand Canal in east China's Jiangu Province due to severe flooding in Huaihe River, resulting in daily economic losses amounting to millions of U.S. dollars. Canal, which starts from Beijing & ends in Hangzhou, capital city of east China's Zheijang Province, is important waterway criss-crossing the Huaihe & Yangtze River in Jiangsu. On July 10, local water transport authorities stopped navigation on river for safety of ships, because flooding in Huaihe had caused water level in canal to surge rapidly, stranding ships that were heading for the Yangtze. Authorities keeping order in canal & helping stranded sailors with daily necessities. Expect container delivery delays. (Tues. July 22 2003)

141gt Hydrofoil M/V Flying Dolphin XXIV (built 1974) grounded near Trikerl, Greece. Greek Coast Guard responding. (Tues. July 22 2003)

NOTE: Reporting From Hong Kong

13,184gt chemical/oil carrier M/T Aiet (built 1981), bound Port Muhammad Bin Qasim, with 15,740.90 tons of chemicals -- aground in Gulf of Suez. (Sun. July 20 2003)

WEEKLY IMB PIRATE REPORTS ___

14 July 2003 at 1400 LT at Chittagong anchorage, Bangladesh. Eleven pirates in a boat came alongside bulk carrier. Three pirates armed with long knives attempted to board via anchor chain. Duty watchman raised alarm and informed port control & coast guard. Pirates aborted attempt. (Sun. July 20 2003)

11 July .2003, during early morning at Guanta port, Venezuela. Eight pirates armed with long knives boarded general cargo ship at berth & broke padlocks on storerooms. Alert crew raised alarm & pirates escaped. On 12.07.2003 a thorough search found stowaway hiding onboard. May be unconnected with piracy incident. (Sun. July 20 2003)

11 July 2003 at 0245 LT, 5 miles NW of Ko Khram Island, Kosichang, Thailand. Pirates boarded bulk carrier underway using grapnel hook. Duty officer raised alarm; crew mustered 7 switched on deck lights. On seeing crew alertness pirate jumped overboard & escaped in boat waiting with 3 accomplices. Master tried to call port control but received no response. (Sun. July 20 2003)

09 July 2003 at 0030 LT at Chittagong anchorage, Bangladesh. Seven pirates armed with knives boarded container ship at berth from forecastle -- took hostage duty crew & escaped with ship's stores. (Sun. July 20 2003)

NOTE: Due to equipment difficulties listings were lost this week. Readers are asked to contribute.

NOTE: Reporting From Manila

NOTE: Due to equipment difficulties listings were lost this week. Readers are asked to contribute.

General cargo M/V Pal, from Nagarbari, Pabn with 400 tons of rice, capsized & sank at the confluence of Meghna & Dakatia rivers in Bangladesh, Juky 15 -- steering failed while turning towards Dakatia River -- turbulent waters grounded vessel on huge stone near riverbank, holing ship -- all 9 crew & 300 rice sacks rescued. (Wed. July 16 2003)

NOTE: Reporting From Hong Kong

Japan 1907gt general cargo M}V Hoei Maru (built 1991), Dalian for Busan, with 1,250 tons cargo, in collision & capsized. Jul. 10. (Sat. July 12 2003)

WEEKLY IMB PIRATE REPORTS ___

04 July 2003, during morning hours at Haldia port, India. Pirates boarded tanker at berth & stole ship's stores. (Sat. July 12 2003)

02 July 2003 at 2300 LT at Merak anchorage, Indonesia. Pirates in unlit motorboat attempted to board bulk carrier. Alert crew mustered & activated fire hoses. Pirates aborted boarding. (Sat. July 12 2003)

01 July 2003 at 0255 LT at Chittagong anchorage 'A', Bangladesh -- 4 pirates armed with knives boarded a tanker. C/O saw pirates trying to steal hawsers & raised alarm and crew mustered. Crew tried to resist pirates -- they threatened crew with 18-inch long knives. Pirates jumped into sea & escaped with ship's stores in 3 boats waiting with 10 accomplices in each boat. (Sat. July 12 2003)

01 July 2003 at 0130 in position 01:05N - 105:00E, vicinity of Bintan Island, Indonesia. A group of 10 pirates armed with guns & knives -- faces covered with masks boarded general cargo ship underway. They took hostage A/B, 2/O & took to master's, C/O's & C/E's cabins -- stole ship's cash and personal belongings. Pirates had come in a speedboat and had used grapnel hooks tied to ropes to board from starboard quarter. (Sat. July 12 2003)

01 July 2003 at 0255 LT at Chittagong anchorage 'A', Bangladesh -- pirates armed with long knives boarded tanker at poop deck. Pirates came in 2 large motorboats & one small boat. They lowered mooring ropes in water & motorboats commenced pulling them. Alert watchman raised alarm & crew mustered. Pirates threatened crew with knives & escaped with 4 mooring ropes. Coast guard informed but did not respond. Pirate boats could be seen in vicinity for over 30 minutes. (Sat. July 12 2003)

01 July 2003 at 0210 LT in posn: 00:41N - 105:12.5E, vicinity of Bintan Island, Indonesia -- 8 pirates armed with guns & long knives boarded general cargo ship underway -- took hostage 2/O & went to master's cabin. Held master at gunpoint & stole ship's & his personal cash and belongings. Held master hostage & went to 3/O's cabin & stole cash & belongings. Master & 2nd officer seriously injured. Pirates escaped in speedboat. (Sat. July 12 2003)

30 July 2003 at 2230 LT at Belawan anchorage, Indonesia -- 5 pirates in fishing boat attempted to board tanker. Duty A/B raised alarm & crew mustered. (Sat. July 12 2003)

28 July 2003 at Chennai port, India. Unauthorised person from a shore service boat boarded a tanker at berth and stole ship's stores. (Sat. July 12 2003)

28 July 2003 at 0315 LT in position 00:00 - 117:35E, Bontang anchorage, Indonesia -- pirates armed with knives boarded bulk carrier at forecastle. Alert duty officer raised alarm. Pirates stole a life raft & fled. (Sat. July 12 2003)

Bangladesh 429. person capacity ferry M/V Nasreen, Dhaka for the southern Bhola district with 750 passengers, sank July 9 in 200 ft. of water, at confluence of Padma, Meghna & Dakatia rivers in approach to ferry terminal 40 miles S. of the capital, Dhaka -- 220 swam to shore -- 600 missing & feared dead. (Thurs. July 10) UPDATE>> May have been over 1,000 aboard -- 220 rescued. Hope for others fades. (Fri. July 12 2003) UPDATE>> M/V Nasreen still not located after 6 days. (Mon. July 14 2003)

NOTE: Reporting From Hong Kong Starting July 10 - Currently In Transit

South Korean 4,044-ton M/V Korex Kunsan -- in collision with 499-ton Japanese patrol vessel Karashima, 560 miles SW of Tokyo. Patrol vessel was searching for 6 crew who disappeared after loss of F/V Koya Maru last week. All 16 crew of Karashima rescued. (Sat. July 5 2003)

Danish registered tanker M/V Orasund, 40 miles out of Bressay for Lerwick with 1300 tons of fish oil, taking water into the engine room July 2. Flooding being controlled -- escorted by UK Coastguard Tug Englishman. (Sat. July 5 2003)

135-ton F/V Koyo Maru No. 18, with 17 crew, rammed & sunk by Panamanian registry 3,372gt container M/V Heung-a Jupiter -- 25km NE of Okinoshima in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan on July 2. Watch officer aboard M/V Heung-a Jupiter arrested on suspicion of professional negligence in connection with collision. For F/V Koyo Maru No. 18 -- 11 rescued -- 1 dead -- 6 missing, July 2 2003. (Fri. July 4 2003)

Panama-flagged 293,000gt very large crude carrier (VLCC) M/T Sebu & Maltese-flagged 57,000 ton product M/T Efxinos in collision, June 18 -- off United Arab Emirates -- 4 dead., 1 missing. (Fri. July 4 2003)

Vessel Loss Dispatches For June 2003

"Columbia River Round Up" - June 2003

Have You Seen The New Stuff? See "Fishing For Rabbits?" M/V Siqitika? First Photo of the Operational F-22

Cypriot registered 61 meter coaster M/V Jambo, Ireland for Norway with 3,300 tons of zinc concentrate & 7 crew, aground on rocks at Summer Isles near entrance to Loch Broom -- assistance was requested. The vessel reported holed in bow & taking in water at a very fast rate -- all 7 crew rescued. Maritime & Coastguard Agency, along with environmental organizations presently assessing risk associated with sinking of vessel & its cargo. (Sun. June 29)

Malaysian 585-foot cement M/V Alam Senang, aground 1.5 miles off Fort Lauderdale, June 26 morning, possibly damaging coral reef. Coast Guard divers found no damage to ship, but state & county biologists plan to dive reef to look for damage. Salvage divers successfully refloated June 26 night just before high tide. (Fri. June 27 2003)

80 ton, 25 meter F/V Tan Sula, with 6 crew, rescued -- battered by huge seas for more than 5 days - off NSW north coast off Cape Byron. Two helicopters from Australia Lismore & Brisbane located vessel 32 NM east of Cape Byron & winched all crew to safety 1.40pm (AEST). (Fri. June 27 2003)

WEEKLY IMB PIRATE REPORTS ___

23 June 2003 at 0330 LT in position 22:03.8N - 091:40.3E off Chittagon anchorage area, Bangladesh. During heavy rain armed pirates boarded container ship & stole ship's stores. Duty A/B raised alarm. Pirates jumped overboard & escaped. Coast guard -- port control informed. (Fri. June 27 2003)

23 June 2003 at 0230 LT in position 0057N - 105:06E, vicinity of Bintan Island, Indonesia -- 12 pirates armed with guns & knives boarded bulk carrier underway & took hostage 2 crew & went down to master's cabin where forced master to open cabin. Pirates assaulted master, 2nd Officer & crew -- stole ship's cash & property & personal effects of crew. (Fri. June 27 2003)

22 June 2003 at 1618 LT in position 22:23N - 089:37.4E, Pussur River, Mongla, Bangladesh. About 10 pirates in fishing boats obstructed LPG carrier underway & attempted to board her. Master increased speed & crew mustered. Pirates aborted boarding but kept chasing ship. Master informed coast guard who arrived within 30 minutes & escorted until berthing. (Fri. June 27 2003)

22 June 2003 at 0520 LT in position 00:43.8N - 105:27.2E, off Bintan island, Indonesia -- pirates armed with guns boarded chemical tanker underway at poop deck & tied their speedboat to stern. Anti-piracy crew raised alarm & crew mustered on bridge. Pirates tried to break accommodation door but failed. They escaped leaving behind 60m long rope they had used to tie up the speedboat. One accommodation door damaged. (Fri. June 27 2003)

21.06.2003 at 2105 LT in position 00:51N - 105:05.1E, off Bintan island, Indonesia. Eight pirates armed with guns & knives in a speedboat boarded a container ship underway at starboard quarter. They took master, duty officer, chief engineer and 2nd engineer as hostages and stole ship's cash and property along with cash from crew. Pirates forced the master to reduce speed and escaped at 2150 LT. (Fri. June 27 2003)

21 June 2003 at 0550 LT off Dakar, Senegal. Five pirates in high speedboat attempted to board container ship underway. Crew raised alarm & prevented boarding. (Fri. June 27 2003)

18 June 2003 at 0330 LT at Chittagong anchorage, Bangladesh. Three pirates armed with long knives boarded general cargo ship from 2 boats. Crew spotted & raised alarm. Pirates escaped with ship's stores. Pirates made 2nd attempt to board but crew chased away. Port authorities informed -- naval boat arrived to assist. (Fri. June 27 2003)

18 June 2003 at 0230 LT, near Pulau Mantras off Pulau Riau, Indonesia. Seven pirates hijacked tug M/V Poet Vanda towing barge. They set barge adrift & threw 7 Indonesian crew overboard. Crew later rescued by fishermen who landed them on Moro island off Riau, Indonesia. Barge has been located -- tug still missing. (Fri. June 27 2003)

THE CARGO LETTER -- reporting now at home - LAX --

Panama-flagged 293,000 ton very large crude carrier (VLCC) M/T Sebu in collision -- June 25 -- followed by explosion aboard 57,000-ton Maltese-flagged product M/T Efxinos in Gulf off United Arab Emirates -- 4 dead. (Thurs. June 26 2003)

Fraserburgh, UK registered 18 meter trawler F/V Faithful Freind II -- hit rocks & grounded at Big Sands Gairloch -- 3 on board requesting immediate assistance. Stornoway Coastguard tasked Coastguard tug M/V Anglican Prince, Portree Lifeboat & Coastguard rescue helicopter Mike Uniform from Stornoway responded. Using pumps from Portree Lifeboat & Coastguard Rescue Helicopter, flooding vessel pumped dry enough to refloat -- then towed with 3 crew, to Gairloch harbor by Portree Lifeboat. Happy ending. (Thurs. June 26 2003)

Bulk carrirer M/V Docerive, attacked by pirates with guns & sickles near entrance of Singapore Straits June 25 night -- closest pirates have come to Republic of Singapore in more than 2 years --8 pirates took 2nd officer & duty officer hostage, bound their hands with rope & forced pair to take them to captain's cabin. When he answered their knock, they tied him up as well. Pointing gun at his head -- forced him to unlock ship's safe for $$ & ransacked cabin -- went from deck to deck, barging into cabins, tying up crew & combing each cabin for valuables -- crew member who resisted beaten by pirates. (Thurs. June 26 2003)

THE CARGO LETTER -- reporting this week from Chicago --

Panamanian-flagged M/V Abel I, with 10 crew 90 miles S. of Somalia in Indian Ocean, damaged by own anchor & listing to port, expected to sink by nightfall in 12-15 foot waves. Rescue effort involved 2 U.S. Navy P-3 maritime reconnaissance patrol aircraft & 2 Germany navy Sea King helicopters from German Navy supply FGS Frankfurt -- 9 crew in good condition -- 1 missing. (Wed. June 25 2003)

Iranian M/V Iran Basir rescued 3 Russian fishermen drifting helplessly in Caspian Sea, June 24. Fishing vessel capsized due to heavy storm -- had been drifting 4 days. After medical treatment & food, ship handed over the survivors to Russian officials. (Wed. June 25 2003)

Chinese general cargo M/V Sheng Xin 658 capsizes off Wnzhou City, 11 crew missing. (Tues. June 24 2003)

Terror Threat?>> 1,717gt Marshall Islands registereds & flying flag of Comoros islands, in Indian Ocean -- 37-year-old M/V Baltic Sky, with 7 crew & 750 tons of industrial-grade explosives & 8,000 detonators --equal power of an atomic bomb-- Tunisia on May 12th for a company in Khartoum, Sudan. Ship zigzagged across Aegean Sea & E. Mediterranean for 2 weeks before boarded by Greek Special Forces on June 22 in S. Ionian Sea. The ship's manifest said cargo of ammonium nitrate-based explosives was loaded in Gabes, Tunisia, May 12 & bound for company in Sudan. But Greek officials say destination only a post office box. No other details disclosed about firm, identified as "Integrated Chemicals & Development." (Mon. June 23 2003)

Egyptian registered M/V Green Glory, with 27 crew -- 240 miles off Oman in Indian Ocean -- sinking in heaqvy seas -- Falmouth Coastguard received satellite distress alert at 13:00 this afternoon. Master reported unable to raise alarm by radio or other means & satellite distress alert received by Falmouth Coastguard stated that assistance was required urgently as all engine power was lost & vessel taking in water in engine room -- unlikely to remain afloat much longer in heavy sea conditions. USNS Concord in range at 05:00 tomorrow morning. (Mon. June 23 2003) UPDATE>> USNS Concord rescues 560 km. off Oman,. (Tues. June 24 2003)

Decrepit African vessel for Italy with 250 from Morocco, Egypt, Mali, Liberia & Somalia, sank at dawn June 21, 70 miles SE of Tunisian city of Sfax -- 12 dead, 200 Africans missing -- presumed dead. Had paid between US$700 & US$800 for smuggled passage to Europe. (Sat. June 21 2003)

WEEKLY IMB PIRATE REPORTS ___

16 June 2003 at 0200 LT at Chennai anchorage, India -- pirates boarded bulk carrier at forecastle, broke open forward locker & stole ship's stores. Alert A/B spotted pirates & raised alarm. Pirates escaped in waiting boat. Port control informed. (Fri. June 20 2003)

14 June 2003 at 1310 LT at Chennai anchorage, India -- pirates boarded bulk carrier & broke into the forecastle locker & stole ship's equipment. When spotted, pirates escaped with stolen goods in a boat waiting with 6 accomplices. Port control informed. (Fri. June 20 2003)

13 June 2003 at 2245 LT in position 12:46N - 043:15E, Bab El Mandeb strait, southern Red Sea. Pirates in fast boat attempted to board bulk carrier underway. Duty officer raised alarm, crew mustered & directed lights. Boat retreated & fled. (Fri. June 20 2003)

13 June 2003 at 0730 UTC in position 09:05N - 015:35W, about 90nm west of Guinea. 15-20 armed pirates in wooden craft attempted to board bulk carrier underway. Duty officer blew whistle -- mustered crew & pirates aborted boarding. (Fri. June 20 2003)

13 June 2003 between 0300 - 0600 LT at Luanda bay, Angola. Pirates boarded supply ship at anchor -- stole ship's equipment & escaped. (Fri. June 20 2003)

13 June 2003 at 0140 LT at Kingston inner anchorage, Jamaica. Four pirates boarded bulk carrier at forecastle. Duty officer raised alarm & crew mustered. On seeing crew alertness, pirates escaped empty handed. Kingston coast guard was informed at 0200 LT -- came at 0545 LT for investigation. (Fri. June 20 2003)

12 June 2003 at 2300 LT at Barranquilla anchorage, Colombia. Three pirates in boat boarded bulk carrier at forecastle using grapnel hooks. Alert crew saw the pirates & raised alarm -- directed lights at pirates. On seeing crew alertness, pirates jumped overboard & escaped in their boat. Port control informed. (Fri. June 20 2003)

12 June 2003 between 2200 - 0600 UTC in position between 10:53N - 017:17W and 09:38N - 016:05W, about 60-90 nm west of Guinea. Pirates boarded bulk carrier underway unnoticed & stole ship's stores. (Fri. June 20 2003)

11 June 2003 between 2130 LT at fertilizer jetty, Chittagong port, Bangladesh. Three pirates boarded general cargo ship, injured 2 watchmen & stole ship's stores. Alert duty A/B raised alarm & crew mustered. Pirates jumped over board and escaped in a boat waiting with 7 accomplices. Port authorities informed. (Fri. June 20 2003)

10 June 2003 at 1950 LT, berth no 5, Buenaventura, Colombia. Three pirates boarded general cargo ship -- entered engine room & 2 went to the boat deck. Pirates stole safety equipment from 2 life rafts and escaped when an alert A/B raised alarm. (Fri. June 20 2003)

09 June 2003 at 0415 LT, 5 miles from sea buoy, Kingston, Jamaica. Five pirates boarded bulk carrier awaiting pilot & stole ship's stores. Duty officer raised alarm, sounded ship's whistle & crew mustered. Seeing crew alertness, pirates escaped in boat. Kingston coast guard informed. (Fri. June 20 2003)

26 May 2003 at south pier - national port authority, port au prince, Haiti. Stevedores and/or pirates mixed in with them boarded general cargo ship -- opened bosun store & stole deck spares & part bagged cargo from holds. (Fri. June 20 2003)

Terror Warning?>> Boeing 727 mysteriously took off & disappeared from Luanda Airport in Angola. Int'l authorities fear jetliner could be used for terrorist act. The 727 refitted to haul diesel fuel tanks, making it potential flying bomb. Not seen since take off, Benjamin Padilla -- a U.S. citizen from Florida is suspected of piloting the 727. Last time family heard from Padilla was May 14, when e-mail informed family that he was on way to Africa & would get in touch with his ailing mother as soon as he returned home. A U.S. citizen from Florida. Padilla, too, has vanished, & family worried. Family believes Padilla, a licensed mechanic & pilot, flew to Angola on behalf of Aerospace Sales & Leasing, a Florida-based company that bought the 727 from American Airlines 2 years ago. The 727 had not been moved for a year -- family believes Padilla went to see whether it was fit to fly. Despite use of satellites to scour African landscape, & request to all African embassies for information, U.S. officials still have no clue about plane's location. Have not ruled out possibility 727 is in hands of terrorists -- perhaps plotting to target U.S. embassies in Africa. Family says "He was a (U.S.) patriot, he loved his country, he loved to fly." Whatever the circumstances there is NO CHANCE of this plane causing mischief in the mainland U.S. or most of Europe. The big question is what present circumstances might put Western installations in Africa at risk. This incident is most likley commercial -- a failure of payment -- but until this is confirmed -- Pray. (Thurs. June 19 2003)

The Boeing 727

B-727 Technical Data

Houston-based Transocean Inc. Oil Rig No. 62, 1 mile from April Fool Point near San Leon, 35 miles SE of downtown Houston --- suffered blast -- 21 workers were rescued -- dead worker's body found on rig almost 9 hours later. (Thurs. June 19 2003)

French cruise M/V Fou de Bassan, Brehat island, off France's popular Brittany coast, for Perros-Guirec with 136 passengers, foundered on rocks off NW French coast. Uninjured passengers evacuated by emergency services. Traveling under own steam, damaged M/V Fou de Bassan made way from scene of incident towards mooring point on Brehat Island<<webfeature. (Thurs. June 19 2003)

Passenger M/V Fuzhou No. 10 (M/V Peazhou?) , with ?? passengers, in collision with cargo vessel owned by Fuling Jianglong Shipping Co. -- on Yangtze River, near Fuling city, 270km (167 miles) above the massive Three Gorges Reservoir>><<webfeature,. M/V Fuzhou No. 10 sank -- 13 rescued thus far. Said 90 missing -- 23 confirmed dead. Both vessels violating regulations because according to regulations vessels cannot leave port in heavy fog. (Thurs. June 19 2003)

Refueling M/T Sebu conducting ship-to-ship fuel transfer with product tanker M/T Efixnos 7 NM off Kalba Coast<<webfeature, off little known Emirate of al-Fujairah<<webfeature, Persian Gulf -- suffered explosion that ripped through Sebu -- 4 killed & several others injured -- UAE Coast Guard officials rushed to scene & battled blaze over 2 hours before bringing under control. Details pending. (Wed. June 18 2003)

Argentine ferry M/V Flecha das Ilhas, Niteroi for Rio de Janeiro, in collision with bulk carrier -- over 40 injured. Details pending. (Wed. June 18 2003)

UPDATE For M/V Matsonia>> Hawaii supply giant Matsonia did not lose her propeller as previously reported. Divers report indicates torque tube shaft missing from approximately six (6) feet aft of forward coupling to & including the after coupling flange & coupling bolts. Divers report strut, rudder propeller appear in good condition undamaged. Matsonia scheduled to Pearl Harbor Dry Dock on Sunday 22 June 2003 & back in service by 1st week of July. Bad news for competitor Horizon Lines <<webfeature. Follow our feature for Matsonia. (Wed. June 18 2003)

27,039gt bulk M/V New Wind (believed M/V Idee Fixe) (built 1985) drifting, with mechanical failure, off Greece. (Wed. June 18 2003)

3001gt Russian trawler F/V Vluchnik (perhaps former fish factory Wlocznik) sank off Sahalian. (Wed. June 18 2003)

3,786 gt Sulpicio Lines ferry M/V Dipolog Princess, with passengers, aground off Cordova, Philippines. (Wed. June 18 2003)

Cargo M/V Patricia Delmas, 12 miles south of Eastbourne, East Sussex -- stowaway from Ivory Coast, jumped into sea -- search for man launched, involving 2 lifeboats & rescue helicopter and HMS Lindisfarne<<webfeature, & ferry M/V Dieppe -- stowaway found in water 1.5 hours later -- taken to Eastbourne Hospital & pronounced dead. (Tues. June 17 2003)

Three Gorges Reservoir>><<webfeature, This largest costruction project in world history is now open for business -- as 2 passenger ships passed through huge, towering Three Gorges Dam ship lock on the Yangtze River June 16 morning, signifying accomplishment of major goal of world's largest water control project -- 2-way 5-step permanent ship lock will open for 1-year trial navigation period. By June 10, water level of mammoth Three Gorges Reservoir<<webfeature, had risen to height of 135 meters with a total waterstorage of 12.3 billion cubic meters, paving way for navigation & power generation plans. Water level will ultimately reach 175 meters by year 2009, when entire project completed, further improving navigation on mighty Yangtze, China's longest river. Total of 26 hydropower-generating units to be installed consecutively, which together would produce 84.6 billion kwh of electricity annually. The 1st 2 units expected to go operational by end of 2003. Sadly, many historic Chinese cities, towns & villages are now under water & lost. Millions of peoplere displaced -- forever. (Mon. June 16 2003)

Honduran-flagged 160-foot M/V Silhouette, for Haiti with rice, beans, cooking oil & gen'l cargo -- 9 crew, experienced engine trouble June 14 -- drifted for day & anchored near Hollywood Beach, FL. Took water & sank. Crew rescued by U.S. Coast Guard. (Mon. June 16 2003)

U.S. amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3)<<webfeature, ordered to West African coast for a possible evacuation of American citizens from strife-torn Liberia. Diverted from return voyage home after action in Iraq, Kearsarge & its force of 3,000 Marines & sailors & attack helicopters was cruising waters near Liberian capital of Monrovia. U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force & Marine Corps personnel protecting the U.S. embassy in Monrovia. French Special Forces<<webfeature, swooped into Monrovia by helicopter on to airlift hundreds of foreigners to safety as rebels moved closer to center of Liberian capital. Amid mortar & artillery fire, French troops whisked 535 people from 38 nations, among them 100 Americans, by helicopter to naval vessel waiting off West African coast. Rebel forces & government of Liberian President Charles Taylor late this week tentatively agreed to a cease-fire to end conflict -- continuing for years. Liberia, founded as haven of liberty for freed American slaves, has endured 14 years of almost non-stop war. Rebels seek the ouster of Taylor, a former warlord indicted last week by a UN-backed court for war crimes. (Sun. June 15 2003)

USS Kearsarge (1862 - 1894)

21-meter geoduck packing vessel M/V Silver Bounty, with 3 crew in Hecate Strait, took on water in engine room & capsized 64km SW of Sandspit, British Columbia -- 2 Maydays sent at 5 a.m., warning they were abandoning ship. Cruise M/V Radiance of the Seas<<webfeature, for Alaska, responded at full speed -- found Silver Bounty capsized, crew hanging on to her side, battered by 4 meter waves. Fast-rescue vessel from Radiance picked them out of water, just over an hour after Mayday. (Sun. June 15 2003)

32-foot commerical charter F/V Taki-Tooo, with 17 passengers & 2 crew, capsized in 10-foot to 15-foot swells shortly after launched from near entrance of Tillamook Bay, 45 miles west of Portland -- 9 dead. 2 missing, 8 rescued. (Sat. June 14 2001)

Schooner S/V Cabin Fever I<<webfeature, Dublin for 2 month TV filming voyage around Ireland, struck rocks June 13 afternoon off Ireland's NW coast -- cast & crew rescued by helicopter & lifeboat. Each week, 1 contestant kicked off in response to viewers' votes. Next episodes of "Cabin Fever"<<webfeature, were scheduled for broadcast 15 & 16 June nights. 1st hour-long episode ejected 1 "crew." -- remaining 9 competing for a US$117,000 prize. Pounding surf left much of vessel in ruins. Politicians criticized program as irresponsible -- said destruction of S/V Cabin Fever I "shows so-called reality television gone too far, with untrained people asked to carry out challenges that are too dangerous." NEXT EPISODE: We suggest -"Survivor Ireland"? (Fri. 13 June 2003)

5100gt chemical/oil M/T Chassiron (built 1999), in ballast, suffered explosion 38 miles off SW France, killing 1 crew. Explosion caused no leaks. Returned to French Port of Bayonne, accompanied by 2 tow boats & army helicopter. (Fri. 13 June 2003)

25-meter F/V Silver Bounty, with 3 crew, took on on water S of Sandspit on the Queen Charlotte Islands, B.C. -- crew found clinging to floating debris by cruise M/V Radiance of the Sea -- expected to continue on to Vancouver. (Fri. 13 June 2003)

Tamil Tiger M/T Shoshin blew up & sank with all crew, 12 dead. off Sri Lanka Jue 13 as Shri Lanka Navy fired warning shots -- vessel belonging to the rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) was being towed by a smaller boat when Navy confronted. Crew blasted the vessel before Navy could board. (Fri. 13 June 2003) UPDATE>> Now said all 12 crew jumped off vessel, but fate unknown. (Sat. June 14 2001)

WEEKLY IMB PIRATE REPORTS ___

04 June 2003 at 0605 UTC in position 12:01.6N - 059:43.5W, vicinity of Tobago island, Caribbean Sea. Five pirates in unlit fast craft attempted to board a RO/RO ship underway. Craft came alongside several times but ship took evasive maneuvers to prevent boarding. (Fri. 13 June 2003)

28 May 2003 at 2100 LT at Dowes anchorage, Nigeria -- 2 armed pirates boarded barge alongside a bulk carrier engaged in lighterage operations. Threatened the C/O & the supercargo with guns & took away the barge & robbed personal belongings from the crew of the barge. (Fri. 13 June 2003)

28 May .2003 at 1630 LT off Pangkor Island, Perak, Straits of Malacca. Pirates armed with guns boarded fishing trawler underway -- shot & injured skipper & kidnapped 2 crew.. (Fri. 13 June 2003)

Singapore registered 40,077-ton continer M/V APL Emerald, for China, strayed out of lane in Singapore Strait -- aground S. of Horsburgh Lighthouse, 25 miles from E. coast of Singapore -- 165 tons of fuel leaked. This is a bad thing. (Thurs. June 12 2003) UPDATE>> Maritime & Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) said 4 of ship's fuel tanks & 1 water ballast tank damaged -- none of 30 crew injured. Rocks which ship struck were marked on nautical chart & weather fine at time of accident. Last time a ship ran aground here was in August 1998, when the Singapore-registered oil N/T Ocean Gurnard, hit edge of South Ledge Shoal, 4km south of Horsburgh Lighthouse. (Fri. 13 June 2003) UPDATE>> re-floated just before 1pm, using a 180 ton tug, a 90 ton tug & 4 towage tugs. Salvage teams remain on site assessing the extent of damage. (Wed. June 18 2003)

USS Anchorage (LSD-36)<<webfeature, 360 miles E. of Philippines, rescued 4 fishermen & boy adrift in small fishing boat prepared to die -- 1 companion had already died from exhaustion, -- they had given him ocean burial -- after 25 days adrift because of engine failure -- drinking seawater. Two others had seen mirage of an island in distance, taken a small canoe attached to fishing boat & rowed away, never to return. U.S. Navy's Helicopter Combat Support Squadron 5 turned the 5 over to Guam's Philippine Consulate office early June 11 morning. (Thurs. June 12 2003)

2075gt general cargo M/V Nautila (built 1974) sank off Cascais<<webfeature, Portugal. (Thurs. June 12 2003)

Paradise Commerce Disaster>> 712 ft -- 22,501 LT Matson Navigation 1712 TEU M/V Matsonia lost her propeller 700 miles off Honolulu on June 9. (Tues. June 10 2003) UPDATE>> Matson Navigation now intending to move spare prop & tailshaft over to Honolulu (HON). Cause of casualty not certain -- possible struck an object but apparently afterpeak tank is damaged, prop gone as is propeller shaft up to coupling. Replacement vessel being activated. No report of cargo loss. Confidential sources report perhaps several months or more to restore to service depending on damage. Will competitor Horizon Lines <<webfeature, pick up more customers in this esablished trade lane? (Wed. June 11 2003) NOTE>> Additional news of this event is requested of YOU. (Wed. June 11 2003) UPDATE For M/V Matsonia>> Matsonia did not lose her propeller as previously reported. Divers report indicates torque tube shaft missing from approximately six (6) feet aft of forward coupling to & including the after coupling flange & coupling bolts. Divers report strut, rudder propeller appear in good condition undamaged. Matsonia scheduled to Pearl Harbor Dry Dock on Sunday 22 June 2003 & back in service by 1st week of July. (Wed. June 18 2003)

Ed Note: Your editor's grandfather, Lt. Howard G. Hanbloom, USNR, was the Executive Officer (XO) aboard the 1st S.S. Matsonia -- a U.S. Navy WW I troop transport in 1918.

3241gt general cargo M/V Ivory Star (built 1970) collided with floating crane barge -- sunk at Lagos, Nigeria. (Wed. June 11 2003)

106.13 meter North American built Belize M/V Fortune Carrier (built 1980), Singapore for Diamond Harbor in South 24 Parganas District, India with 5,203 cubic meters logs valued at over Rs 1.5 crore & 20 crew, sank in rough seas off the Sandheads, 38 NM off Sagar island in South 24 Parganas District on June 11. All crew rescued by Indian naval ship INS Betwa<<webfeature, on sea trials off Sandheads at Sagar island in South 24 Parganas district India. (Wed. June 11 2003)

Tensions Rise>> As 298-ton North Korean cargo M/V Nam Sang is barred from leaving W. Japanese Port of Maizuru<<webfeature, after failing inspections -- to crack down on illicit commerce with communist country & rein in its nuclear programs. Beefed-up security comes days after North Korean ferry canceled plans to dock in N. Japan in the face of Tokyo's pledge to scrutinize that ship for customs, immigration, health & safety problems. M/V Nam Sang had planned to leave port on June 17, so there is still time for the its crew of 16 to fix problems & continue on schedule. Each year, 147 North Korean ships make a total of 1,344 port calls in Japan. In April, Australian authorities found 110 pounds of heroin worth US$48M from a North Korean-owned ship & charged 29 crew members with aiding & abetting import of illegal product. (Tues. June 10 2003)

Irish registered 25 meter S/V Antonio, UK for Mexico on Atlantic crossing vessel delivery trip with 3 crew -- issued Mayday -- taking water & generator providing power to pumps out of use. Falmouth Coastguard sent Ireland&endash; based rescue helicopter -- lowered a pump to vessel. (Mon. June 9 2002}

296gt, general cargo M/V Opsanger (built 1942), Etne for Bergen, aground & sunk. (Mon. June 9 2002}

Irish registered 25 meter F/V Antonio, with 3 crew, taking water in forward hold, 230 miles SSW of Isles of Scilly. -- lost use of generator power -- unable to pump water out. -- gale force winds. Falmouth Coastguard received emergency call. Coastguard helicopter assistance from Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Center Dublin due to location of vessel being out of UK range -- anticipated time of arrival for aircraft is in approximately in 2 hours -- will rop pumps. Pray. (Sun. June 8 2003)

15-meter S/V Grace II, for Vanuatu with 5 missionaries, radioed mayday signal on June 6 when 3 men, a woman & a child were 1480km NE of Brisbane. Vessel broke down in 3 meter seas & strengthening winds as they headed towards center of Cyclone Gina. Rescued by Japanese ship in the Coral Sea on June 7. (Sun. June 8 2003)

Australian HMAS Manoora<<webfeature, in the Persian Gulf received mayday call from sinking 474 ton fishing vessel -- taking on water & capsized in 2 minutes -- 9 NM away. Manoora's 2 inflatable boats used to recover all 8 crew members who suffered minor injuries. (Sun. June 8 2003)

Port Chaos>> As the top UK container ports were in a race against time over this weekend to clear up days of chaos caused by the crash of a new computer system. A series of malfunctions last week blocked electronic customs clearance at Southampton & Tilbury. Bristol & Humberside ports were also affected. The collapse also had a "severe effect" on some UK courier operators, using Heathrow, Stansted & East Midlands airport. (Sun. June 8 2003)

360-foot chemical M/T Ece suffered severe crew injury when Turkish AB burned from hands to elbows & also on neck, face,& ears after a generator cover came off -- splashed with hot lube oil -- 5 miles off Galveston. Rescue helicopter sent from U.S. Coast Guard's Air Station Houston -- seaman flown to University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston -- transferred to the John Sealy Burn Center. (Sat. June 7 2003)

WEEKLY IMB PIRATE REPORTS ___

02 June 2003 at 1030 LT at Mongla, Bangladesh. Twenty pirates armed with long knives boarded general cargo ship with pilot on board & preparing to depart. Pirates threatened crew with knives & axes --- stole ship's property & stores and escaped after 30 minutes. Master reported to port authorities & coast guard who did not respond. (Fri. June 6 2003)

30 May 2003 at 2355 LT in position: 03:03S - 107:17E, vicinity of Mendanau island, Gelasa / Gaspar straits, Indonesia. Four pirates armed with long knives boarded tanker underway -- took 2 crewmembers hostage & held them at knifepoint. Rest of the crew mustered & switched on deck lights. Pirates jumped overboard & escaped. (Fri. June 6 2003)

30 May 2003 at 1950 LT at Cochin anchorage, India. Ten pirates boarded container ship at forecastle. Alert crew raised alarm & pirates jumped overboard and escaped. Port control informed. (Fri. June 6 2003)

30 May 2003 at 0330 LT in position 06:17N - 003:22E, Lagos anchorage, Nigeria. Four pirates armed with knives & wooden clubs boarded Ro Ro ship & assaulted duty A/B who managed to raise alarm. Pirates stole ship's equipment & escaped. Ship tried to call port authority who did not respond. (Fri. June 6 2003)

30 May 2003 at 2355 LT in position: 03:03S - 107:17E, vicinity of Mendanau island, Gelasa / Gaspar straits, Indonesia. Four pirates armed with long knives boarded tanker underway -- took 2 crewmembers hostage & held them at knifepoint. Rest of the crew mustered & switched on deck lights. Pirates jumped overboard & escaped. (Fri. June 6 2003)

30 May 2003 at 1950 LT at Cochin anchorage, India. Ten pirates boarded container ship at forecastle. Alert crew raised alarm & pirates jumped overboard and escaped. Port control informed. (Fri. June 6 2003)

30 May 2003 at 0330 LT in position 06:17N - 003:22E, Lagos anchorage, Nigeria. Four pirates armed with knives & wooden clubs boarded Ro Ro ship & assaulted duty A/B who managed to raise alarm. Pirates stole ship's equipment & escaped. Ship tried to call port authority who did not respond. (Fri. June 6 2003)

OIL Follies>> Over 1,000 oil tankers worth of US$13.5M worth of fuel destined for Zambia's oil refinery from neighboring countries never reached their destination between 1999 & 2000, said an auditor general's report tabled in parliament. Report also noted that examination of supplier's records showed more than double amount of oil approved by Zambia National Tender Board was sold to procurer the Zambian National Oil Company (ZNOC). There was also a discrepancy in official records between amount of oil loaded by supplier & amount actually received in Zambia ZNOC, the national oil purchaser, put into receivership in 2001 with vast debts. Zambia's oil procurement procedures have become part of a wider anti-corruption probe by President Levy Mwanawasa. (Fri. June 6 2003)

50 foot Stornoway registered F/V Diana, with 6 crew, in collision with anchored Panamanian registered bulk M/V Santa Vitoria13 miles NEof Spurn Point, Humber Estuary, UK. F/V Diana taking water -- expected to sink -- crew abandoned to liferaft -- picked up by fast rescue craft from rig standby vessel M/V Putford Trader. (Fri. June 6 2003)

MARINERS WARNING>> as foreign ships entering territorial waters of war torn Indonesian Province of Aceh risk being shot on sight by Indonesian navy. Decree isued barring all foreign vessels from territorial waters, however it has not been well publicized, leading to foreign flag ships being arrested. Province borders NW end of busy Strait of Malacca shipping lane. On June 2, an unnamed Panama-flagged tanker arrested at Sabang port. Navy said any foreign vessel crossing the 12-mile territorial waters boundary of Aceh would be subject to a "shoot-on-sight" policy. Indonesia has 20 vessels, from warships to police patrol boats, for patrolling Aceh's waters. Aceh is home to several large energy firms, such as PT ExxonMobil Oil Indonesian & gas processing firm PT Arun NGL. (Wed. June 4 2003)

30 foot M/V Dakala Mist sent rescue call after going aground at Patterson Rock (E of the Island) while ferrying 11 naval personnel from Royal Naval war ship HMS Southampton (D90)<<webfeature, to the Island of Sanda (SE of the Mull of Kintyre) . Clyde Coastguard requested launch of Campbeltown lifeboat & tasked the Southend Argyll & Campbeltown Coastguard rescue teams. Naval personnel, skipper of M/V Dakala Mist & his dog 'Ben' -- all safely transferred from the Dakala Mist by Campbeltown lifeboat & 2 boats from warship. (Wed. June 4 2003)

MARINERS WARNING>> Ships in Gulf of Aden told to be extra vigilant after 6 pirate attacks in 3 days, including targeting of chemical tanker, The In'tl Maritime Bureau (IMB) says. (Wed. June 4 2003)

Australian Coast Guards alerted navy & merchant ships to keep lookout for 2 former Australian Army officers rowing across Indian Ocean, one of whom has seriously concussed himself & needs to be rescued. Father of 3 Mike Noel-Smith, 45, smashed head on side of 7-meter boat during a fierce storm 2,400 km off W coast of Australia in their record-breaking attempt. With waves towering 7.6 meters high, winds beating at 30 knots (55.6 kph) & torrential rain, Mr. Noel-Smith, from Much Dewchurch, Herefordshire -- torn from his seat & injured. The incident is another blow to troubled pair, struggling on restricted water rations after a vital piece of water-making equipment failed. (Tues June 3 2003} UPDATE>> Rowers dramatically plucked from Indian Ocean, June 3 morning. Australian navy frigate HMAS Newcastle<<webfeaturs, picked up Rob Abernethy & Noel-Smith just after 4am (AEST) 2414km from the West Australian coast where they had been stranded in huge seas for 3 days. British rowers were 45 days into attempt to row 7080km from Carnarvon in Western Australia to Reunion Island<<webfeature, off E. coast of Madagascar. "It's lucky we are able to sit here on the Newcastle. At one stage I thought we might not make it," Abernethy, 31, said after rescue. "The rescue was a bit scary in as much as everything was happening in the pitch black in rough seas." (Wed. June 4 2003)

Vessel Loss Dispatches For May 2003

"T-Boned" - historic collision at sea - May 2003

Have You Seen The New Stuff? See "Fishing For Rabbits?" M/V Siqitika?

70,000gt Chinese bulker M/V Fu Shan Hai (built 1995)<<OURphotofeature, Ventspils, Latvia, for China with 27 crew & fertilizer, in collision with Cyprus-registered, Polish based freighter M/V Gdynia north of Danish island of Bornholm in Baltic, 1030 GMT May 31, 2003 -- clear mild weather & calm sea. Gdynia was apparently overtaking the bulk carrier when the two hit. Series of explosions on M/V Fu Shan Hai probably due to gases caused by chemical reactions in the 66,000 tons of fertilizer in contact with seawater -- M/V Fu Shan Hai<<OURphotofeature, sank. (Sat. May 31 2003)

WEEKLY IMB PIRATE REPORTS ___

25 May 2003 at 0200 LT in position 01:02.3N - 105:00.3E, off Pulau Bintan, Indonesia -- 12 pirates armed with guns & knives boarded a general cargo ship underway -- stole ship's cash, equipment & crew personal belongings -- left at 0250 LT. (Fri. May 30 2003)

24 May 2003 at 0315 LT in posn: 02:57S - 118:35E, south Makassar Strait, Indonesia. Pirates boarded a bulk carrier at forecastle & stole life raft. (Fri. May 30 2003)

23 May 2003 at 2315 LT in posn: 10.16.0N - 107:05.2E, anchored 3nm south off Vung Tau, Vietnam -- pirates armed with knives boarded container ship. Duty officer raised alarm, directed lights at their boats & reported to port control. Pirates jumped overboard & escaped in 2 boats waiting with accomplices. Ship's stores stolen. (Fri. May 30 2003)

21 May 2003 at 1945 LT at Chittagong anchorage 'B', Bangladesh -- pirate armed with steel bar boarded chemical tanker at forecastle. Duty A/B raised alarm & sounded ship's whistle & crew mustered. Pirate jumped overboard & escaped in a boat waiting with 3 other accomplices. Port control informed.

12 May 2003 at 0340 LT off buoy no. 24, Buenaventura anchorage, Colombia -- 4 pirates armed with long knives boarded bulk carrier at forecastle. They took hostage duty A/B & tied him up. They broke into forecastle store & stole ship's stores and a life raft. Coast guard informed who came onboard & inspected the ship. (Fri. May 30 2003)

11 May 2003 at 1900 LT at 20nm off the fairway buoy, Guayaquil, Ecuador -- 2 blue colored wooden speedboats approached a container ship drifting 20 NM from fairway buoy. Master took evasive maneuvres & increased speed -- 5 pirates in a speedboat came alongside & tried to board using hooks attached to bamboo poles. Master raised alarm & alert crew activated fire hoses. Pirates aborted boarding & fled. Port control was informed & it promised to send coast guard who never arrived. (Fri. May 30 2003)

16,465gt bulk M/V Ocean D. (built 1977), sailed Terminal Arroyo Seco, Rosario, for Syria, but grounded May 27 in River Parana. (Fri. May 30 2003)

£500,000, 47ft yacht S/V Wahkuna, with 5 crew run down by unidentified 600 ft. Liberian registered container vessel -- yacht sliced in half in thick fog -- ripped bow right off & sank 25 miles off Portland, Dorset, UK. (Fri. May 30 2003)

200,000 ton bulk-ore carrier M/V Asian Nova in collision -- ran down --13.21 meter trawler F/V Sassenach -- 62-year-old deckhand found alive yesterday -- 55-year-old Capt. missing. Authorities fear little chance of locating reamining crew in north Queensland, Australia.. (Thurs. May 29 2003)

1,846-ton RMS Mulheim, with 2,200 tons of scrap car plastic & 6 crew -- aground on March 22 -- lodged on rocks near Sennen Cove, west Cornwall. Half her cargo escaped into sea & for past 8 weeks salvage operation under way to remove remaining load. Vessel now breaking up. No save. (Thurs. May 29 2003)

14,716gt crude oil M/T Polyxeni I (built 1972), Batumi for Mombasa, passing through the Bosporus slammed into Istanbul shoreline. Details pending. {Wed. May 28 2003)

Russian-crewed oil M/T Polisini-1, crashed into 4 floating restaurants on Bosphorus at Istanbul, sinking one in Arnavutkoy district, on European side of Istanbul, at narrowest point in busy Bosphorus straits. People aboard floating restaurants scrambled ashore -- no injuries. Accidents of this kind are common in Bosphorus Strait, a narrow waterway where navigation is difficult because of strong currents & blindspots. The Cargo Letter having visited the Bosphorus Strait in recent months -- we wonder why these incidents are not more frequent. Geez --a thousand ships per day, navigating this narrow channel -- dodging 100.s of ferries in really bad weather. It is a wonder that these incidents do not happen daily. Indeed, the food at that Arnavutkoy district restaurant was quite good! {Wed. May 28 2003)

Pen Hadow, 41, 1st person to reach North Pole unsupported from Canada was rescued May 28 after being stranded at the top of the world for 8 days -- he reached the geographic North Pole May 19 after a 64-day trek over 769km from Ellesmere Island, in Canada's high arctic. May 24 his satellite telephone gave up, but he was able to signal he was still alive thanks to a rescue beacon giving his exact position as well as coded messages. (Tues. May 27 2003)

Phillipine F/V Maricel I, ventured to sea to fish with 4 crew but overwhelmed by bad weather -- capsized -- managed to hold on to flotsams -- Panamanian M/V Honey Sun diverted route nearer estimated site of accident -- fished out all the 4 fishermen holding on floating objects. Coast guard later fetched from ship. (Mon. May 26 2003)

Philippine, steel hulled M/V Superferry 12, with 1,700 passengers, in collision with smaller M/V San Nicolas at mouth of Manila Bay -- M/V San Nicolas sank -- at least 25 dead. Philippines was the site of world's worst peacetime maritime disaster when ferry sank after colliding with fuel tanker in 1987, killing 4,340 people. (Sun. May 25 2003) UPDATE>> A businessman may have survived collision, but may face death penalty for allegedly raping his only daughter in Palawan. Jameson Fedelin, 43, was immediately arrested by combined agents of Task Force Jericho<<webfeature, & Phillipine Coast Guard intelligence agents after he disembarked May 25 from ship that rescued him &194 others from Manila Bay. Prior to arrest, Fedelin had been describing how he survived the collision between M/V San Nicolas & M/V Super Ferry 12 on May 25 morning. But he turned silent when informed he may face death penalty for repeatedly raping his 14-year-old daughter in residence in Barangay I, Coron, Palawan for 3 years now. (Mon. May 26 2003)

1,035ft Norwegian Cruise Lines 76,049gt SS Norway<<webfeature, (ex-SS France) with 920 crew, at Miami -- suffered explosion & fire in boiler room -- 4 dead & 20 injured -- 14 critical -- after super-heated steam line breaks in boiler room -- 2,135 passengers not injured -- discharged at Miami. (Sun. May 25 2003) UPDATE>> 6th crew member now dead. Geez -- you editor spent his honeymoon on this vessel! {Wed. May 28 2003) UPDATE>> 7th crew member now dead. (Fri. May 30 2003) UPDATE>> month after deadly boiler room explosion, SS Norway being tugged out of Port of Miami. Tugs pushed disabled ship out Government Cut this morning -- may be heading to Europe for repairs -- or worse? (Fri. June 27 2003)

==

Philippine passenger M/V. San Nicolas, Coron for Manila with 168 passengers & 25 crew, in western Palawan province -- in collision with M/V Superferry 12 at 11:45 a.m. as monsoon rains & strong winds lashed Philippines --M/V San Nicolas sank near Corregidor Island. (Sun. May 25 2003)

M/V Al Safa sent distress call early May 23, afire in Persian Gulf -- HMCS Fredericton<<webfeature, rescued 2 crew with serious burns -- Sea King rescue helicopter sent to ship, but unable to hoist men onto aircraft because alongside another vessel. Another ship recovered the men and transported them to HMCS Fredericton. (Sat. May 24 2003)

66,000gt container M/V Hanjin Ottowa, with 2,899 containers & 24 crew, Rotterdam for Felixsto÷÷we, aground on Galloper Bank, 25 miles south E. of Felixstowe -- suffered some damage -- now awaiting instructions from owners. Ingress of seawater well within capability -- no pollution -- she has gone to anchor in Sunk Deepwater Anchorage, 11 miles E. of Felixstowe for damage inspection. (Fri. May 23 2003)

186gt tug M/V Atlas II (built 1966) aground on approaches to Kronshtadt off St. Petersburg, May 21. (Fri. May 23 2003)

WEEKLY IMB PIRATE REPORTS ___

17 May 2003 at 1010 LT in position: 12:53.2N - 049:22.5E, Gulf of Aden -- 12 pirates in a craft towing 2 boats came within 1 NM of a bulk carrier underway. They moved in to small boats & attempted to board. Master took evasive maneuvres & crew activated fire hoses. Attempted boarding aborted. (Fri. May 23 2003)

17 May 2003 at 0050 LT in position: 03:07N - 105:10E, Anambas island, Indonesia -- 3 small craft detected on radar approaching a tanker underway. Craft increased speed from 15 to 35 knots, came close & tried to board. Crew raised alarm, switched on deck lights & activated fire hoses. Attempted boarding aborted. (Fri. May 23 2003)

16 May 2003 at 0400 LT in position: 12:18N - 047:33E, Gulf of Aden -- 6 pirates in speedboat followed bulk carrier for 1 hour -- headed directly towards ship & made attempt to board. Alert crew raised alarm & directed searchlights -- boat retreated. (Fri. May 23 2003)

16 May 2003 at 0010 UTC at Chittagong anchorage 'A', Bangladesh -- 5 pirates armed with steel bars boarded bulk carrier at bow. Crew raised alarm & pirates jumped overboard & escaped in a motorboat with 5 other accomplices waiting inside. Ship contacted port authorities but received no response. (Fri. May 23 2003)

15 May 2003 at 1850 UTC at Chittagong anchorage 'A', Bangladesh -- 5 pirates boarded bulk carrier from stern. Duty A/B raised alarm & pirates jumped overboard & escaped in waiting boat. (Fri. May 23 2003)

14 May 2003 at 0230 LT in position 01:35S - 117:16.8E, 25 miles from outer buoy, Balikpapan, Indonesia. Pirates boarded chemical tanker underway & stole 2 life rafts & mooring rope. Attempts to contact Balikpapan port failed. Earlier, 5 pirates armed with knives boarded a tug in same area & stole stores. (Fri. May 23 2003)

13 May 2003 at 0545 UTC in position: 04:31N - 098:23E, off Kuala Langsa, Sumatra coast, Indonesia -- 4 pirates dressed in military uniforms & armed with machine guns in speedboat fired at bulk carrier underway. Crew retreated inside accommodation & raised alarm. Master took evasive maneuvres. Pirates continued shooting for 30 minutes & finally retreated. No injuries to crew or serious damage to ship. (Fri. May 23 2003)

13 May 2003 at 0445 LT in position: 01:25N - 105:25E, off Bintan island, Indonesia -- 5 pirates armed with knives & guns boarded container ship underway from stern. They took crewmember hostage, went to bridge & pistol-whipped chief officer -- then entered master's cabin & fired a warning shot. Pirates stole ship's cash, property & personal belongings of crew & left after 45 minutes. (Fri. May 23 2003)

12 May 2003 at 0630 LT in position 05:12N - 098:33E, northern entrance of Malacca straits. Pirates in 3 speedboats attempted to board container ship underway. Ship increased speed, took evasive maneuvres & directed searchlights. Pirates aborted the attempt & retreated. (Fri. May 23 2003)

09 May 2003 at 1630-1915 LT at Bourgas port, Bulgaria. Pirates boarded bulk carrier at berth -- entered master's cabin & stole ship's cash. (Fri. May 23 2003)

U.S.186gt tug M/V Atlas II (built 1966) grounded on approaches to Kronshtadt off St. Petersburg. (Thurs. Thurs. 22 2003)

7,300-ton Indonesian M/V Sigitika Biru, with 22 crew, hit by cyclone & aground last week -- lying capsized on sandbar near the mouth of Bay of Bengal 200 km (125 miles) S. of E. Indian city of Calcutta, May 21, 2003. India's coast guard & port authorities working to remove 5,327 tons of soda ash & 150 tons of diesel from ship to prevent leakage into Bay of Bengal. Crew rescued by coast guard. See OUR PHOTO FEATURE >> of the capsized vessel. (Thurs. Thurs. 22 2003)

Liberian timber company M/V Benty, with 10 crew, commandeered at gunpoint by Liberian soldiers at port city of Harper, May 19, fleeing rebel advance in the east, ordering the captain to carry them to the capital. Fleeing civilians among the 1,000-1,500 people aboard filed off the ship May 21 in Monrovia, descending with their goats, chickens, bedding & other household materials. Harper since fell to rebels. Liberian President Charles Taylor (a former Boston, Massachusetts-area gas station attendant) has not confirmed or denied fall of Harper &emdash; but arrival of the large numbers of fleeing soldiers aboard M/V Benty strongly supported claim. (Thurs. Thurs. 22 2003)

105gt Lerwick registered UK trawler F/V Neptune LK 171 (built 1991), with 10 crew, taking water -- engine room & hold flooded -- 30 miles NNW of Muckle Flugga<<webfeature, in Shetland, most northerly lighthouse in Britain, May 17. Faroese trawler & 2 other Scottish based vessels, F/V Caspian & F/V Nordfjordr responded to VHF emergency call. Faroese trawler 1st on scene -- able to assist crew aboard from liferaft. (Wed. May 21 2003)

Turkish general cargo M/V Behzat Senkaya, with 10 crew listing off Malta. (Wed. May 21 2003)

M/T Normal -- 6 people were killed & 5 sustained severe injuries in Alang<<webfeature, -- world's biggest ship-breaking yard -- May 19 afternoon after explosion ripped oil tanker, moored at Pilot #5. This is 2nd major accident at Alang in a span of 3 months, following Feb. 22 fire that had left 6 dead. Explosion near engine room of retired ocean-liner, M/V Inville while laborers engaged in ship breaking with gas cutters. Work to dismantle it has been on for weeks now. According to sources, M/T Normal originally an oil tanker but, over the last 8 years, but in recent years used for bulk cargo. (Wed. May 21 2003)

UK S/V Liberation issued mayday signal 5 miles west of St Anne's -- reporting a man in his mid 50s had gone overboard. Body recovered. (Wed. May 21 2003)

U.S. Coast Guard searched for worker off Gulf oil rig Rowan Paris early this morning offshore oil rig off Texas coast, 12 miles SE of Port O'Connor, 70 miles up the coast from Corpus Christi. Rig requested assistance 1:40 a.m. after Kris Kilpatrick, 24, last seen climbing down crane -- search aboard rig by fellow crewmen came up empty. (Mon. May 19 2003)

M/V Norwegian Sky, docked in Seattle on May 17 with 55 passengers sickened with nausea & diarrhea. Official of Centers for Disease Control & Prevention said agency contacted ship's officers -- vessel was sanitized before it left on another cruise. Ship docked early May 17 with 2,200 passengers after 7-day cruise to Alaska, then left again on another weeklong cruise to Alaska late May 17 afternoon. Sickened passengers part of tour group of 376. Most spent May 17 night & May 18 at Marriott SeaTac Hotel & left yesterday. SARS -- not likely. (Mon. May 19 2003)

UK tri-maran S/V Shockwave -- off coast of Isle of Wight when vessel overturned -- radio failed -- rescued because a text message was sent on the Internet -- emergency signal received by satellite by Falmouth Coastguards -- coastguard rescue helicopter & lifeboat scrambled to scene 5pm. All safe. (Sat. May 17 2003)

26 meter trawler F/V Neptune from Shetland Island of Whalsay -- engine room flooded, forcing crew to abandon ship.forced to take to life raft after vessel began to take in water -- then sank. Shetland Coastguard launched rescue helicopter, but Faroese trawler arrived first & took them back to land. (Sat. May 17 2003)

Indonesian M/V Sigitika Biru (built about 1983), Porbander in Gujarat , Chittagong in Bangladesh with soda ash & diesel, aground -- Sank off Haldia coast due to hole in bow causing fears of major environmental hazard in Bay of Bengal, 30km from Sagar islands -- 200km from Calcutta, also known as Kolkata. The 22 member crew rescued by Indian Coast Guard. M/V Sigitika Biru damaged after it hit sandheads while sailing through severe cyclone in Bay of Bengal. Vessel said to be in very bad condition prior to incident. (Fri. May 16 2003)

WEEKLY IMB PIRATE REPORTS ___

12 May 2003 at 0330 UTC in position 14:20.5N - 050:36.7E, off Yemen, Gulf of Aden. Pirates in 8 speedboats doing about 30 knots attempted to board bulk carrier underway. Master raised alarm, sent distress message & took evasive maneuvers. Crew mustered & activated fire hoses. After 30 minutes, pirates retreated towards Yemeni coast. (Fri. May 16 2003)

11 May 2003 at 1900 LT at 20nm off the sea buoy, Guayaquil, Ecuador. Two blue colored wooden speedboats approached container ship drifting 20 NM from fairway buoy. Master took evasive maneuvers & increased speed -- 5 pirates in speedboat came alongside& tried to board using hooks attached to bamboo poles. Master raised alarm & alert crew activated fire hoses. Pirates aborted boarding & fled. Port control informed -- promised to send coast guard who never arrived. (Fri. May 16 2003)