
TODAY’S BULLETIN OF MARITIME NEWS
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- First View : JO ALM
- Drama in Table Bay as Robben Island ferry takes on list
- Ferry sinks in Nigeria – many deaths
- Tug and tow due in Durban – Superyacht M5 arrives
- Vard introduces new design for Japanese cable lay ship
- Richards Bay Golf Day to raise funds for Mission to Seafarers
- Exercise DYNAMIC MONARCH 2017
- NATO Operation Sea Guardian
- PRESS RELEASE: Large Vesconite marine bearings available in Buenos Aires
- Expected Ship Arrivals and Ships in Port
- Cruise News and Naval Activities
- Pics of the Day : IBSA QUINTO
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All at sea! The Norwegian oil and chemical products tanker JO ALM (33,000-dwt) photographed off Glenashley Beach, part of the designated outer anchorage for the port of Durban. Jo Alm is owned by the Norwegian-based Hassel Shipping A/S, one of four such ships, and is managed/operated by Stolt BV/Jo Tankers A/S of the Netherlands and Norway respectively. Jo Tankers A/S, the company is registered in Kokstad, Norway – no relationship to the South African town of the same name, which was named after Adam Kok, the Griqua leader in the 19th Century. Jo Tankers is now a part of the Stolt/Nielsen group. The 185-metre long, 28m wide Jo Alm was built in 2016. This picture is by Ken Malcolm
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DRAMA IN TABLE BAY AS ROBBEN ISLAND FERRY TAKES ON LIST

There was drama aplenty in Table Bay on Friday (15 September) when the Robben Island ferry THANDI began to list causing fears that she might capsize, with passengers taking to liferafts.
The ferry, which operates between the Victoria & Alfred waterfront and Robben Island out in Table Bay, began taking in water while out in Table Bay with 68 people on board, including the crew of four. As she began to fill with water and began to list, some of the passengers were directed into liferafts while others gathered on the stern deck of the vessel.
Meanwhile a message advising that the ferry required urgent assistance was responded to by other vessels nearby and by the NSRI which dispatched several rescue craft from NRI headquarters, Table Bay, NSRI Bakoven and NSRI Hout Bay.
Also responding was another Robben Island ferry, MADIBA 1 which was first to arrive on scene. With the arrival of the NSRI craft passengers and crew from the listing ferry were transferred across to Madiba 1 to be taken ashore at the NSRI rescue station.
Once all the passengers and crew had been safely accounted for and ashore NSRI Table Bay sent out its rescue craft Spirit of Round Table and the NSRI Hout Bay craft Albie Matthews. A towline was rigged from the sea rescue craft Spirit of Vodacom onto the listing ferry which was then towed to Murray’s Bay harbour on Robben Island.
Once safely berthed NSRI crew used water extrication pumps to pump the ferry free of water and fully right her. She was then secured to a berth at Murray’s Bay harbour.
Meanwhile, ashore at NSRI Table Bay all passengers and crew had again been accounted for and medically checked by paramedics. Two females were taken by ambulances to hospital as precautions – one a passenger who was suffering from back pain and the other a crew member of the ferry Thandi who was experiencing an anxiety episode.
The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) was also alerted and an investigation into the cause of the ferry taking water will take place.
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FERRY SINKS IN NIGERIA – MANY DEATHS

In another ferry accident, this time in northern Nigeria, at least 33 people have died and the number may reach around the sixty mark as 30 passengers remained unaccounted shortly after a ferry sank in northern Nigeria last week.
A total of 84 passengers were rescued from the ferry which had travelled from neighbouring Niger.
Rescuers suggested that the ferry was overloaded but…[restrict] whether this was a fact is not clear as it is based on an assumption that most ferries are usually overloaded. The ferry had a capacity of 70 passengers but reports suggested that the ferry was carrying 150 people at the time in addition to cargo.
However, river ferries are often not well maintained and this may have contributed to the cause of the disaster.
The accident took place last Wednesday but the news only began to emerge on Friday. It apparently occurred near the village of Lolo in Nigeria’s Kebbi state. Most of the passengers were traders planning to attend a village market near Gaya.
A spokesman for Nigeria’s National Emergency Management (NEMA) told a French news agency that after two days it was being assumed that most of those still missing were dead.[/restrict]
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TUG AND TOW DUE IN DURBAN – SUPERYACHT M5 ARRIVES


A dry bulk carrier from Brazil is under tow and heading for Durban where it is due off port limits later today and later into port, presumably for repairs.
The bulker TINA (75,933-dwt, built 2000) is being towed by the tug PACIFIC DILIGENCE (6,641-gt, built 2013), one of Swire Pacific Offshore’s powerful 92-metre long D class tugs with…[restrict] a bollard pull of between 220 and 240 tonnes and brake horse power of 17,600 bhp.
The nature of the tow is not confirmed to Africa PORTS & SHIPS at this stage, but Tina is reported to be fully laden ex Brazil. The 225-metre long bulker is due to berth at 101 berth on Pier 1 at approximately noon today. The ship is flagged in Monrovia, Liberia.
A strong south-westerly ‘buster’ blew along the KZN South Coast on Saturday late afternoon, with winds gusting to over 65 knots (120 km/h+). The tug and tow were then opposite Port Shepstone. At 06h00 today the two vessels were opposite Park Rynie, which is immediately south of Scottburgh.
Luxury Superyacht M5 in port

In other interesting ship movements at Durban, the yacht M5 (ex MIRABELLA V) has arrived and is berthed at B berth, the site of Durban’s future cruise terminal. Built by Vosper Thornycroft in 2004 and refitted in 2013 the sloop-sailed yacht is 75 metres in length and has a beam of 14.82 metres. She has seven cabins with accommodation for 14 passengers and a crew of 15.
M5 has been described as one of the ten best sailing superyachts in the world.[/restrict]
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VARD INTRODUCES NEW DESIGN FOR JAPANESE CABLE LAY SHIP

Singapore – Norway’s Vard Holdings Limited, a division of Fincantieri and one of the major global designers and shipbuilders of specialised vessels, said last week that it has secured a contract for the design of one Cable Lay Vessel for Kokusai Cable Ship Co. Ltd in Japan.
The vessel is being constructed at Colombo Dockyard PLC in Sri Lanka.
According to the designer, the cable lay vessel, VARD 9 01 design, is…[restrict] tailor-made for efficient installation and repair of subsea telecom cables. In addition, the vessel is prepared for the expanding power cable installation market by incorporating a high capacity below-deck cable carousel.
Developed in close cooperation with the shipowner, the shipyard and key suppliers, the vessel will add a new level of efficiency and capability to the cable laying market in Japan.
Built in full accordance with ClassNK and Japanese flag regulations as well as all relevant international safety and environmental standards, the vessel will feature diesel electric propulsion, DP2 positioning and large cable tanks combined with a 2000 ton capacity carousel.
The total cable carrying capacity is 5000 tons. The outfitting also comprises a dual cable lay system, A-frame, hydro plough and trenching ROV.
“Vard Design has designed 185 specialised vessels for shipowners and shipyards all over the world,” said Erik Haakonsholm, Senior Vice President in Vard Design. “We are proud to be selected by Kokusai Cable Ship together with Colombo Dockyard to design their new flagship. Our first cable layer of VARD 9 01 design was built by VARD in 2014, and the new vessel for operations in the Japanese market is a further evolution of this vessel, with additional capacity and power cable installation features.”
The keel laying ceremony for the 113-metre long, 21.5m wide vessel was held in Colombo on 7 September, 2017. The vessel will be delivered in 2019.[/restrict]
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RICHARDS BAY GOLF DAY TO RAISE FUNDS FOR MISSION TO SEAFARERS

The Richards Bay golf day fundraiser held last year was quite successful in terms of raising the profile of the Mission to Seafarers and as a result another golf day for this year is planned for Saturday 28 October 2017.
“We take this opportunity to thank all who sponsored and supported us last year, and we hope we can count on your support once again this year,” says Mark Classen, the port chaplain at Richards Bay.
The Mission to Seafarers is a charity organisation that provides recreation, ‘a home away from home’, together with communication facilities, and spiritual guidance, for visiting seafarers. “On many an occasion we have been the people to assist in dire, emergency situations,” Classen says.

Chaplains frequent the vessels in port in order to reach out to all seafarers, especially those in need. They are provided with different resources, services and personal care.
The Richards Bay Seafarers Mission itself has a rich heritage, serving seafarers for the last 39 years, and is therefore well-loved by seafarers all around the world.
“In view of the above-mentioned, a golf day has been organised at the Richards Bay Country Club on 28 October. The cost is R180.00 per person and the format will be Four Ball Better Ball Stableford (4BBBS). Golf carts and caddies at own cost.
Please feel free to make your bookings to play at the Pro Shop on 035 753 4848.”
Chaplain Classen says that the success of this event hinges on hole sponsorship i.e. tee boxes and greens, unchanged at R1000,00 per hole. “The tee and/or green can then be used by your company for advertising your products or services, and/or to sponsor any refreshments.
“We also require cash donations and/or prizes, which can be collected or delivered.
“We therefore humbly request your support of our fundraiser, to help make this a success in order to continue to meet the needs of seafarers, and to keep the centre viable.”
The chaplain can be contacted at 035 797 9341 (Switchboard); 035 797 9348 (Direct); 060 731 8518 (Mobile); or email at mark.classen@mtsmail.org
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HQ NATO Maritime Command (MARCOM) announced from Northwood in NW London that Exercise Dynamic Monarch 2017, the tenth in a series of NATO sponsored live Submarine Escape and Rescue (SMER) exercises, commenced on 8 September and is due for completion on 22 September in Turkish waters in the SE Aegean off the Turkish naval base of Aksaz.
Participants from Canada, France, Italy, Norway, Poland, Spain, Turkey, United Kingdom and the United States are participating in the submarine escape and…[restrict] rescue training scenarios. Additionally, representatives from Bangladesh, Chile, Israel and Sweden are due to observe the exercise.
This year, three submarines, four submarine rescue ships, five surface ships, four aircraft, three diving teams, three medical teams and one submarine parachute assistance group have gathered to demonstrate multinational submarine rescue cooperation and interoperability. The exercise enables worldwide partners to share SMER-related knowledge.
The sea phase runs ten days and consist of numerous rescue and intervention exercises using rescue vehicles and chambers, Remote Operated Vehicles, Atmospheric Diving Suits and divers.
This training also features a 48-hour coordinated mass evacuation exercise (MASSEVEX) in which two major air transportable rescue vehicles, a US Submarine Rescue Chambers Flyaway System and a tri-nation NATO Submarine Rescue System, will continuously provide evacuation efforts for personnel in a distressed submarine.[/restrict]
Edited by Paul Ridgway
London
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On 22 August NATO’s Allied Maritime Command reported from its HQ in Northwood (NW London) that its warships had conducted a focused operation as part of Operation Sea Guardian in the central Mediterranean Sea from 3-20 August.
This was to further refine coordination efforts with the European Union’s Operation Sophia and further integrate information provided by ships in associated support to the mission.
Operating in international waters off the coast of Libya, the Italian Navy’s ITS Euro served as the flagship for this focused operation with a Greek submarine and maritime patrol assets from various Allied nations providing direct support at various times to the operation.
With the EU’s Operation Sophia units sometimes operating in the…[restrict] same area, NATO and the EU have agreed to coordinate and cooperate on information sharing and logistics. This effort enabled NATO and the EU to share daily situation reports and intentions as well as schedules for air, surface and submarine operations. Sharing this information prevented duplication of tasks and helped build a bigger picture of maritime activities in the central Mediterranean.
ITS Euro also worked closely with ships in associated support to Operation Sea Guardian such that they were not tasked specifically to provide direct support to OSG, but to provide information to the operation in the course of their other duties.
HMS Duncan, the Standing NATO Maritime Group Two (SNMG2) flagship is a good example of this, she was also operating in the central Mediterranean on an independent Maritime Situational Awareness patrol while simultaneously providing information to ITS Euro about what they observed, broadening the flagship’s picture.
So far this year NATO has performed Focused Operations in the Central Mediterranean twice, and in the Eastern and Western Mediterranean once each.
The focused security patrol concentrated on gathering pattern-of-life information about maritime activities in the international waters of the central Mediterranean Sea and took an opportunity to practice information sharing on a real-time basis at sea to ensure successful coordination with the EU and with assets in associated support to the operation. All in support of the Operation’s Maritime Situational Awareness (MSA) task.
Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group One (SNMCMG1)

On 17 August SNMCMG1 completed four days of Historical Ordnance Disposal (HOD) operations along with Estonian minehunter ENS Admiral Cowan in Estonian territorial waters.
These warships searched Estonian coastal areas that had not been previously examined closely for the presence of sea mines or any other explosive ordnance remaining from World Wars I and II.
In the words of the commander of SNMCMG1, Commander (j.g.) Gvido Laudups: “To this point, no explosive ordnance has been identified, but it does not mean that there is no result of our work. Even if there is nothing dangerous found, the result is that now it is known that searched areas are safe for navigation and fishing. And it takes a lot of accurate work to get to this point.”
He also pointed out: “The main purpose of our Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group One activities is to make the sea safe for shipping in general and, in this case, for fisherman in particular, who can find explosive ordnance in their fishing nets and trawls in unsearched coastal areas.”
On 23 August SNMCMG1 ships steamed to Mersrags, Latvia, for a scheduled port visit and for the ship’s company to take part in the annual Mersrags County Festival during the weekend as well as to rest and recuperate before participation in annual historical naval mine disposal operation Open Spirit held in Latvian waters this year.
This exercise is hosted on a rotational basis by one of the Baltic States.[/restrict]
Edited by Paul Ridgway
London
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LARGE VESCONITE MARINE BEARINGS NOW AVAILABLE IN BUENOS AIRES

Marine bushing emergencies in South America can now be easily dealt with by ordering XL marine bushings that are available for immediate dispatch from Buenos Aires, Argentina.
The bushings, which are widely used in the marine industry as rudder bushings and stern tubes, are made of Vesconite, a very strong, wear-resistant, low-friction, ultraviolet-stable engineered polymer that is also dimensionally stable in water.
The polymer bushings are ideal for the submerged and corrosive conditions found in the marine industry. They are easily removed and refitted, saving in costly downtime. They also are resistant to oils and fuels and do not delaminate or distort under high loads.

Over the past 50 years, hundreds of industrial and leisure marine applications ‒ from yachts to supertankers ‒ have been equipped with Vesconite bushings. The bushings have been particularly enthusiastically received by the marine industry in South America, and are valued for their ability to withstand the tough and abrasive conditions found in the subcontinent’s inland waterways. They have also been widely accepted by container ships entering South American waters, having been certified by most of the large ship classification societies.
Contact Leandro Panzini on (+54-11) 5353-0499 (Buenos Aires – Argentina and the rest of South America) or (2) 570-3855 (Santiago de Chile) for:
* marine emergencies
* to obtain rudder bushing and stern tube references
* an assessment of your bushing needs
* to order ship spares; and
* bushing machining requirements.
South African-manufactured polymers Vesconite and Vesconite Hilube are finding a ready market in South America as a result of the hard-work of Panzini, who has been representing the products through Argentinian based VesArg for almost 20 years.
Panzini, who has a degree in Business Administration from the University of Buenos Aires, is a firm believer in the products, which were first developed in an attempt to find a bushing material suitable for use in South Africa’s ultra-deep wet and dirty mines.
Panzini has even developed various applications for the products that have become widely-used globally. His successful applications for the polymers include using Vesconite rudder bushings on tug boats on South America’s Parana River; in no-tillage planters in Argentina so as to avoid the greasing requirements of bronze bushings; and in hard-wearing pump applications in Chile, Venezuela, Paraguay, Uruguay and Argentina.
“Vesconite is used in numerous industries where bushings operate in water or without lubrication, including in shipbuilding, pumps, road and forestry equipment, renewable energy, heavy transport and agriculture,” enthuses Panzini.
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EXPECTED SHIP ARRIVALS and SHIPS IN PORT
Port Louis – Indian Ocean gateway port
Ports & Ships publishes regularly updated SHIP MOVEMENT reports including ETAs for ports extending from West Africa to South Africa to East Africa and including Port Louis in Mauritius.
In the case of South Africa’s container ports of Durban, Ngqura, Ports Elizabeth and Cape Town links to container Stack Dates are also available.
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CRUISE NEWS AND NAVAL ACTIVITIES
QM2 in Cape Town. Picture by Ian Shiffman
We publish news about the cruise industry here in the general news section.
Naval News
Similarly you can read our regular Naval News reports and stories here in the general news section.

The smart and seemingly well-maintained Spanish fishing trawler IBSO QUINTO (650 tons, 380-dwt) which is currently operating out of Durban, is seen leaving port on Saturday, some hours before the ‘big blow’ of the south-westerly buster roared over the city (see above). The vessel was built in Spain at the Astilleros Valina Shipyard in A Coruna in 1991 which is where the vessel remains registered. Ibsa Quinto is owned and managed by Vila Pesquera also of that Spanish port. The fishing vessel was formerly named SIEMPRE BELUSO. Pictures are by Keith Betts
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
“And whatever your labours and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.”
– Max Ehrmann, ‘Desiderata’
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