World Maritime News - 11 Apr., 1997

Canada, China in maritime agreement

Canadian Transport Minister David Andersen and Chinese Minister of Communications Huang Zhendong reportedly agreed on a maritime agreement between the two countries late last week. It is Canada's first bilateral maritime pact. The agreement was due to be signed in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Herma Shipping and Tranport wins P.N.O.C. shipping stake

Herma Shipping and Transport Corp. has won the bid for 60 percent of P.N.O.C. Shipping and Transport Corp., the shipping division of Philippine National Oil Co. It will pay 301.23 million Philippine pesos/U.S.$11.6 million.

Holt Cargo Systems acquires 15 percent of Atlantic Container Line

Bilspedition Transport and Logistics A.B. has sold a 15 percent stake in Atlantic Container Line to Holt Cargo Systems Inc. Holt Cargo Systems took an option for one million shares in September, and bought them shortly before a 31 March deadline. The stake is valued at 156 million Norwegian kroner/U.S.$20 million. Bilspedition expects a capital gain of 50 million kroner/U.S.$7.2 million.

Sun selling its fleet

Sun Co. announced 9 April it will sell its fleet of 16 vessels and eliminate 210 jobs.

Star Cruise to be transfered to shareholders

Genting International has announced it will transfer ownership of its Star Cruise division to its shareholders and sell its non-cruise assets to Resorts World Bhd., Genting International's casino unit, for U.S.$58.1 million. In addition, Star Cruise will list its shares on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange. Star Cruise's share capital of 499.5 million will be distributed on a one for one basis.

Lykes reorganization approved

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Alexander L. Paskay approved the reorganization of Lykes Bros. Steamship Co. on 2 April.

Princess Cruises settles with Florida

Princess Cruises Inc. has settled all outstanding problems with the Florida Attorney-General, Bob Butterworth. On 25 March, he filed a civil complaint against Princess Cruises, alledging that the firm has violated consumer protection laws. It was accused of representing port charges as fees, when the extra cost was another charge by Princess Cruises itself. In a complaint with the Broward County Circuit Court, Butterworth alledged that by covering actual fees and keeping the money for itself, Princess Cruises was able to market cruises for a lower price than should be possible. Florida sought U.S.$15,000 for each passenger over the last four years for violation of its Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act. In the settlement, Princess Cruises will pay U.S.$85,000 towards the cost of the investigation, and admits no liability or wrongdoing. It will change how the fee is represented by 1 June.

New competitor for Sofrana Unilines

Several former employees of Sofrana Unilines have reportedly begun a rival to serve Pacific islands. Backed by a Fijian investor, the line will handle breakbulk and container cargoes.

Indonesian firms forming new line

Salim Group and Sukanto Tanoto will sign an agreement 21 April to jointly form a shipping line that will specialize in liquid cargoes.

A.N. Deringer buys Maron Shipping Agency

Maron Shipping Agency, with offices in Miami and New York, has been sold to A.N. Deringer Inc.

Ireland cuts fees

Ireland has announced plans to reduce fees that pay for operation and maintenance of lighthouses and other navigation aids. The "light fees" will be in line with the British rates.

Danish employment declines

For the first time since the second Danish register was formed in 1988, the number of Danish citizens working in its merchant fleet has dropped below 5,000.

U.K. P. & I. Club to make I.S.M. Template available

The U.K. P. & I. Club has announced it will make available its I.S.M. Template to all vessel operators, even if with a different club. The template is a model safety management system for ships that has been certified by Lloyd's Register as complying with the I.S.M. Code.

A.M.M.L.A. adds Port Athur

The American Merchant Marine Library Association has added Port Arthur, Texas, to its network. It is the sixth "branch."

China approves six shipping firms for sailings to Taiwan

The Chinese Ministry of Communications has reportedly approved service by six Chinese shipping lines between China and Taiwan. They are: the Fujian branch of China Ocean Shipping Co., Fujian Foreign Trade Center Shipping Co., Fujian Provincial Shipping Co., Fujian Shipping Co., Fujian Xiamen Shipping Co. and Fujian Mawei Shipping Co.

Delmas and Safmarine/CMB Transport combining in western Africa

Delmas and Safmarine/CMBT Transport have announced plans to link their services operating in western Africa, between Dakar, Senegal, and Douala, Cameroon. Starting in mid-April, they will operate two joint fixed-day, container services. Six containerships of 1,700-TEU to 1,900-TEU will be used on one, with three 1,150-TEU capacity shallow-draft containerships on the other. The former will be weekly and the latter every 10 to 11 days. The ships will sail from European ports on the Atlantic. The two lines will combine breakbulk and combination cargoes in the region later this year.

Quadrant buys Unicorn stake in joint venture

Quadrant Container Line has purchased Unicorn's interest in a joint venture container service with CMB Transport to eastern Africa, the Middle East and Persian Gulf and the Indian subcontinent. The eight-day service was jointly marketed, but will now be separate. A new vessel sharing agreement has been reached between CMB Transport, Laurel Corp., P. & O. Nedlloyd Container Line and Quadrant.

New Maersk service from Florida to Colombia and Venezuela

Maersk Line is starting a fixed-day, direct weekly container service from Florida to Colombia and Venezuela. Using two 400-TEU containerships, calls will be at Miami; Freeport, the Bahamas; the Colombian ports of Cartagena and Barranquilla; the Venezuelan ports of Maracaibo and Puerto Cabello; Cartagena; and Miami. Transit from Miami to Cartagena is four days.

Cagema and Tropical Shipping end service

The joint service of Cagema and Tropical Shipping Co. in the Caribbean ended 11 April. The service sailed between the United States and the Windward Islands.

Polferries to place fast ferry in service in June

Polish Baltic Shipping Co., or Polferries, will place the fast ferry Boomerang in service on its route from Swinoujscie, Poland, to Malmo, Sweden, in June. The 82-meter/269-foot catamaran was built by Austal Ships Pty. Ltd. and can carry 700 passengers and 175 vehciles at 38 knots. The Boomerang is of the Auto Express design.

Mercandia leasing out Oresund route

Mercandia Rederierne has leased out its ferry operation across the Oresund from Helsingor, Denmark, to Helsingborg, Sweden, to a new firm formed by Danish and Swedish interests. Helsingor-Helsingborg Lines will operate two vessels owned by Mercandia, the Mercandia IV (Danish-registry 1,280-dwt ferry built in 1989) and the Mercandia VIII (Danish-registry 1,237-dwt ferry built in 1987). The new arrangement will be effective until 2005, when Mercandia's concession on the route expires.

Second SuperSeaCat arriving on the English Channel in June

Sea Containers Ltd. has announced its second new SuperSeaCat will enter service with Hoverspeed on the English Channel in June. The 100-meter/330-foot vessel, building in Italy, will carry 782 passengers and 175 vehicles. It will replace the first SuperSeaCat, which will sail the route to the Isle of Man.

Japanese dockworkers to resume working at night

Some 47,000 Japanese dockworkers on 8 April ended a night work stoppage after the Japan Harbor Transportation Association agreed to back two unions. The 44,000 members of the National Council of Dockworkers Unions of Japan and the 3,000 members of the Japanese Confederation of Port and Transport Workers Unions refused to work between 2000 and 0600 daily, starting 31 March. The move, during the "spring offensive," is in part in protest of calls from the United States to deregulate Japanese ports. The J.H.T.A. will continue to oppose the U.S. requests on behalf of the unions. Also, it was agreed to abolish the practice of having dockworkers work continuously and instead begin a shift-based system. The agreement essentially is for five-day work weeks, but dockworkers will continue to refuse to work on Sundays in protest.

China reviewing ports across the country

The Chinese State Port Administration Office is currently reviewing ports across China. It intends to restrict building of new ports and merge or close others that are poorly operated or that handle little cargo.

Chittagong shuts down during protest

Jetties at the Port of Chittagong, Bangladesh, were blocked 8 April by truck drivers. Cargo handling was suspended after the drivers began the protest against the death of Abdul Wahab Noman. He was killed when iron pipes rolled onto him as he slept on a jetty the night of 7 April. The Chittagong Port Authority, which said Noman's death was an accident, agreed to pay 50,000 Bangladeshi taka/U.S.$1,150 in compensation to his family. After the agreement was announced, the blockade ended. The protest idled 19 ships at the jetties and another eight in the outer anchorage. More than 100,000 tons of cargo and 11,861 containers were stranded at the port. By 10 April, the port was returning to normal operation.

Brazilian ports returning to normal

Most Brazilian ports affected by dockworker strikes returned to normal over the weekend. Except for dockworkers at Companhia Siderurgica Paulist (COSIPA), Santos is operating again. At the COSIPA terminal, 36 dockworkers are occupying two ships. COSIPA said it has a court order to remove the group, but police have not yet done so. COSIPA was considering whether to ask for Brazilian Army soldiers to remove the dockworkers. Also working are the ports of Rio Grande, Salvador, Sao Francisco do Sul and Vitoria. Contrary to previous reports, dockworkers at Fortaleza did not strike, though the dockworker's organization said they would. An unrelated strike at Rio de Janeiro also ended over the weekend.

Cargo theft reportedly rampant at Mombasa

According to an investigation by the East African Standard reported 10 April, an organized cargo theft system is operating at the Port of Mombasa, Kenya. Based on information during a six-hour "stakeout" at the port on 5 April, the most often hit cargoes are second-hand clothes, electronics and grain, all of which is imported. The newspaper said that cargoes are overtly stolen in the presence of security personnel from the Kenya Ports Authority as well as port police. In one incident, the newpspaer said that smugglers offered money to truck drivers who would allow them to load stolen maize.

Grindrod, P. & O. Ports in South African venture

Grindrod and P. & O. Ports Ltd. have formed Southern Terminals. The joint venture will seek to develop ports and terminals in South Africa.

Panama Canal to test new reservation system, new board planned

Starting this month, the Panama Canal Commission will operate a three-month test of a new reservation system. Also, the commision has announced plans for an 11-member board of directors instead of nine. In addition, their terms would be staggered three to nine years.

Dredging at Aden will begin 17 April

The world's fourth largest dredger has arrived at the Port of Aden, Yemen, from Singapore for 15 weeks of dredging. The spoils will create an island for a new port and container station opposite the current facility. It will have six quays and the channel will be deepened from 12 meters/39 feet to 16 meters/52 feet.

New working rules in Hamburg

OTU, the dockworkers' union at the Port of Hamburg, Germany, has agreed in principle to new work arrangements with UHH, the organization of the port's terminal operators. In exchange for guarantees that there will be no compulsory job losses for a year, dockworkers will work more flexible hours. This includes at least 13 Sundays per year.

Melbourne Port receives writ from Patrick

As part of an on-going dispute, Melbourne Port Corp. received a writ 7 April from Patrick Stevedores, which is protesting actions made by the firm at the Australian port.

J.N.P.T. may corporatize

The Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust in India will appoint an independent entity to study the possibility of corporatizing J.N.P.T. The trust asked the Indian Ministry of Surface Transport to consider its debt as an equal share of a government grant and loans in perpetuity with a 5.5 percent interest rate. The ministry responded with the proposal that J.N.P.T. corporatize with 50 percent government equity.

Hong Kong cargo forecasts to be reviewed

The Hong Kong Port Development Board signed a U.S.$1.82 million contract 9 April with GHK Hong Kong Ltd. for a study to update the port's cargo forecasts. The last such study was in 1995.

Mexico approves warehouses at Tuxpan

Mexico on 30 March conditionally approved a terminal operator for bonded warehouses at Tuxpan. Terminales Maritimas Transvaisa S.A. de C.V. will take over when improvements worth 585,000 Mexican pesos/U.S.$75,000 are done.

V.L.C.C.s spent more time in drydock in 1996

A study released by the International Association of Independent Tanker Owners (INTERTANKO) this week reports that more very large crude carriers were drydocked last year for longer periods of time. Some 158 vessels were drydocked, compared to 122 in 1995 and 104 in 1994. The average drydocking in 1996 was 31 days, eight days longer than the 1995 figure. INTERNTANKO cited the fact that many of the ships were built in 1976 and required their fourth enhanced special periodical survey. In addition, more strenuous regulations for classification socities were a factor.

LISNAVE restructuring approved

At the annual meeting of shareholders of Estaleiros Navais De Lisboa S.A., a restructuring plan for the firm was approved. Under the Portuguese government, the shipyard group will split into operating companies, with Blohm + Voss taking as much as a 20 percent stake. Of the 3,900 employees, about 1,500 will be laid off. The rest will be employed via Gestnave, a human resources company. The Margueira yard will close within three years.

Metro Machine lays off 70 personnel

Metro Machine Corp. has laid off 70 employees. Most are from two shipyards in Pennsylvania, at Chester and Erie. Metro Machine cited a lack of work as the reason. The firm now employs a total of 160 people. In addition, Metro Machine has requested that Virginia postpone a loan payment until the end of 1998. The firm barrowed U.S.$15.5 million in 1994 to buy part of Pennsylvania Shipbuilding in Chester. Metro Machine planned to build product tankers at the yard, but has not received any orders.

Neue Brand Werft to survive?

The German state of Lower Saxony has said it will provide three million German marks/U.S.$1.75 million to fund 250 workers at Neue Brand Werft G.m.b.H. and Co. KG. On 27 March, it was declared bankrupt after Bremer Landesbank refused to satisfy credit demands. Workers at the yard, in Oldenburg, Germany, then refused to continue work on the Tian Fu (10,800-dwt general cargo ship), which is to be delivered at the end of April to Tianjin Marine Shipping Co. If the money is provided, the Tian Fu and two other ships on order may be completed.

Success of Lykes ships puts Lloyd Werft employees in temporary work

Lloyd Werft Bremerhaven G.m.b.H. will put 170 of 430 employees on temporary short-time work. The yard was to do contractual repair work on three containerships it built for Lykes Bros. Steamship Co. However, the Lykes ships are reportedly operating at full-capacity in the North Atlantic, so the work has been delayed.

Chantiers de l'Atlantique reports order

Chantiers de l'Atlantique has received an order for a cruise ship with 400 to 600 cabins. Despite the order, of which little is known, the yard plans to lay off about 1,000 employees in May for three days, including administrative staff and 400 designers, due to a lack of orders.

Mitsui division gets I.S.O. 9001 certification

Mitsui Engineering and Shipbuilding Co. Ltd.'s maintenance service division has received I.S.O. 9001 certification. The certification includes equipment design, maintenance and repair of diesel engines, turbo chargers, steam turbines, cranes and other equipment. It is reportedly the first Japanese shipbuilder to receive I.S.O. 9001 for customer service-related items.

Award of LPD 17 work to Avondale Industries upheld

The U.S. General Accounting Office on 7 April upheld the U.S. Navy's decision to award the contract for design and construction of the Amphibious Transport Dock San Antonio (LPD 17) to Avondale Industries Inc. It has options for LPD 18 and LPD 19. With the "stop work" order lifted, work began immediately.

N.Y.K. places orders for three V.L.C.C.s

Nippon Yusen Kaisha Ltd. recently ordered three very large crude carriers. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Co. Ltd. will build two 259,999-dwt double-hull tankers for delivery in October 1999 and January 2000. They will be built at Nagasaki, Japan, and chartered to Mitsubishi Oil Co. Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries Co. Ltd. will build a third vessel at Kure, Japan, for delivery in October 1998.

Sembawang to refurbish floating hotel

Sembawang Maritime Ltd. has been awarded a turnkey deal in which it will refurbish and upgrade the Saigon Floating Hotel. The hotel arrived in Singapore under tow by Sembawang subsidiary Semco on 9 April from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The structure was built by Bethelhem Shipyard in Singapore in 1987, and spent a brief time at Australia's Great Barrier Reef before spending the last seven years moored on the Saigon River. It was closed last year when Vietnam did not renew its license. The 186-room hotel will be upgraded by July and will be towed by Semco to Palau, Micronesia.

Kawasaki receives ro/ro order

Kawasaki Heavy Industries Co. Ltd. has announced it has received an order for two 9,500-dwt ro/ros. For a firm based in Luxembourg, they will be delivered in March 1999 and June 1999.

O.O.C.L. awards Daewoo contract for ice-class containership

Orient Overseas Container Line has ordered a 2,800-TEU capacity containership from Daewoo Heavy Industries Ltd. The ship, to be delivered by the end of 1998, will operate between Canada and northern Europe. With a B&W engine, it will be capable of 21 knots and have +100A1 Icelass 1A with Lloyd's Register.

Greenbay Marine will build rescue vessels for new Hong Kong airport

Greenbay Marine Pte. Ltd. has won a U.S.$20 millon order for two rescue vessels that will be used by the Royal Hong Kong Airport Authority's new Chap Lap Kok International Airport. The airport opens in April 1998. The 35-meter/115-foot vessels will be equipped as rescue and firefighting vessels, able to carry 2,400 liters/620 gallons of foam, 2,000 liters/500 gallons of fresh water and 300 passengers at 25 knots. They will be delivered in early 1998.

Croatia in deal with Iran

A Croatian shipbuilder reportedly agreed 9 April to build four vessels for an Iranian firm at U.S.$109 million.

Ship to be converted, operated for U.S. Military Sealift Command

Ocean Marine Navigation Co. has received a U.S.$149,967,998 contract to purchase, convert and operate a vessel for the U.S. Military Sealift Command under under Phase II and III of the U.S. Maritime Prepositioning Force (Enhanced) Program. Under Phase II, a Grenadian-registry containership will be converted to a ro/ro, registered in the United States and renamed the LCPL Roy M. Wheat. Phase III will involve operation and maintenance of the ship for five years. The conversion will be done at Mobile, Ala., by November 2003.

Alisa-Troon to build another trawler

Ailsa-Troon has received an order worth 3 million British pounds/U.S.$4.9 million to build a 34-meter/112-foot trawler designed by Vik and Sandvik. The vessel, ordered by Harcus Fishing Co., will operate in the Atlantic. The trawler will operate at 12 knots with a crew of as many as 12. There will be a large net working area on the main deck, enclosed at the bow, and most of the vessel's length will be shielded. Processing will be on the second deck, with a storage capacity of 230 cubic meters/300 cubic yards. Three split trawl winches will be fitted on the stern, each with a pull of 28 tons and coordinated by computer.

District Offshore awards anchor/supply vessel contract

District Offshore Management A/S has awarded Kvaerner Klaven a U.S.$26 million contract for an anchor handling and supply vessel to be built at Ulsteinvik, Norway, by late 1998. The vessel will be a variant of the ME 303 Mk II design.

Harland and Wolff to upgrade the Star Princess

Starting in mid-November, Harland and Wolff Holdings P.L.C. will upgrade the Star Princess (Liberian-registry 5,950-dwt passenger ship built in 1989) for P. & O. Cruises Ltd. The ship, with 1,650 berths, will enter service in Europe on 23 Dec., renamed the Arcadia. Most of the work will involve public areas.

Crowley announces plan for six tractor tugs

Crowley Maritime Corp. is planning six new tractor tugs, to be operated by its Vessel Management Systems Inc. A contract will be awarded in mid-May. The 32.0-meter/105-foot tugs were designed by Gudio Perla and Associates with Voith Schneider Hydro Marine Technology equipment. Nine U.S. shipyards have expressed interest.

U.S.N.S. Mount Baker to be overhauled

Norfolk Shipbuilding and Drydock Corp. has received a U.S.$27,807,517 contract to overhaul and upgrade the U.S. Military Sealift Command Kilauea-class Ammunition Ship U.S.N.S. Mount Baker (T-AE 34). The contract could total U.S.$31,561,061. The overhaul will be completed by June 1998.

EISA delivers PETROBRAS tanker

Estaleiro Ilha S.A. delivered the Livramento (Brazilian-registry 33,000-dwt tanker) to Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. on 4 April. The last in a series of newbuildings, it will be operated by Frota Nacional de Petroleiros.

Aluminum catamaran ferry delivered by Hitachi

Hitachi Zosen Corp. delivered an 850-gt high-speed catamaran ferry built of aluminum alloy to a firm in Nagasaki, Japan, on 3 April. The Sea Bird, designed by an Australian firm, has a maximum speed of 35.2 knots with four water jets and a diesel engine. The ferry is 62 meters/203 feet long, has a beam of 15.4 meters/50.5 feet and a height of 10.8 meters/35.4 feet. It can carry 48 vehicles and 296 passengers. The Sea Bird will sail between Nagasaki and Kushikino New Port in Japan starting 18 April.

Keppel completes tanker order for F.T. Everard

Keppel Singmarine Dockyard Pte. Ltd. has delivered the Audacity (3,700-dwt double-hull product tanker) to F.T. Everard Shipping Ltd. The 4,250-cubic meter/5,525-cubic yard tanker is the second of a two-ship order valued at Singapore$34 million/U.S.$24 million.

Tanker to begin carrying L.N.G. between Libyan ports

The tanker Tazerpo has been delivered to General National Maritime Transport Co. The ship will carry L.N.G. for Brega between Libyan ports and was built by Kanrei Zosen K.K. The Tazerpo has two cargo tanks for a capacity of 1,300 cubic meters/1,700 cubic yards.

New bulk carrier christened for Foremost Maritime

A new 73,000-dwt bulk carrier, the Chia May, has been christened for Foremost Maritime Corp. by Tsuneishi Shipbuilding Co.

Arleigh Burke-class destroyer McFaul to be christened

The U.S. Navy's Arleigh Burke-class Guided-Missile Destroyer McFaul (DDG 74) will be christened at 1100 12 April at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Miss. DDG 74 is named for Chief Engineman Donald L. McFaul, U.S. Navy (1957 - 1989), a native of Orange County, Calif. McFaul was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for service with Seal Team Four during Operation Just Cause in Panama. While under heavy small-arms fire, McFaul left the safety of his position to assist wounded members of his platoon. While carrying one of the members to safety, McFaul was killed. Marcia Coats, wife of Sen. Dan Coats of Indiana, is the sponsor. DDG 74 was authorized fiscal year 1993, ordered 21 Jan., 1993, and laid down 12 Feb., 1996. Cmdr. Bernard L. Jackson, of Macon, Ga., is the prospective commanding officer. The ship will be commissioned in June 1998 and homeported at Norfolk, Va.

NOL Iolite christened

The NOL Iolite, a 5,000-TEU capacity containership owned by Neptune Orient Lines Ltd., was recently christened. The cellular ship, which will operate at 24.5 knots, was built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Co. Ltd. It will be operated by Neptune Shipmanagement Services Pte. Ltd.

More on Trailer Bridge order

Trailer Bridge Inc. has ordered two triple-stack container carriers from Halter Marine Inc.'s Gulf Coast Fabrication at Pearlington, Miss. For use between Puerto Rico and the continental United States, the vessels will be designed to carry 16-meter/53-foot containers. The first will be delivered late this year with the second in early 1998.

Two killed in engine room of dredge in Kaohsiung

Two crewmembers were killed aboard a dredge in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, on 24 March. A Ukrainian citizen making repairs in the engine room collapsed, apparently due to a gas leak that depleted the air supply. The master, Richard Culliford, a 54-year-old Belgian citizen, attempted to rescue the crewmember but also collapsed. Both suffocated.

Search for the Char-Lee II suspended, three missing

The search for the Char-Lee II (U.S.-registry 12-meter/40-foot fishing vessel, homeported at Morehead City, N.C.) has been suspended. The vessel planned to ride out a storm 31 March about 48 kilometers/30 miles southeast of Cape Lookout, N.C., as its anchor was stuck on the bottom. The Char-Lee II, with three crewmembers, has not been heard from since. On the night of 3 April, a search began with a U.S. Coast Guard HC-130H Hercules from Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, N.C., and the "Island"-class Patrol Boat U.S.C.G.C. Aquidneck (WPB 1309). They were joined by about 20 vessels in the area. By 4 April, the search expanded to more than 1.14 million square kilometers/440,000 square miles. On 8 April, after 255 hours of accumulated searching, the effort was suspended. The three missing are identified as: Jessie Lee Dempsey of Morehead City, N.C.; Roy Pickle of Beaufort, N.C.; and John M. Williams of Elizabeth, N.J. Units involved in the search included four Hercules and two HH-60J Jayhawks from Air Station Elizabeth City; two HU-25A Falcon aircraft from Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod, Mass.; a Hercules from Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater, Fla.; the U.S.C.G.C. Aquidneck; the Bear-class Medium-Endurance Cutter U.S.C.G.C. Forward (WMEC 911); the "Point"-class Patrol Boat U.S.C.G.C. Point Warde (WPB 82368); a U.S. Navy E-2C Hawkeye from Naval Air Station Norfolk, Va.; a Navy P-3C Orion from Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla.; a Navy Orion from Naval Air Station Brunswick, Maine; and the Navy's Nimitz-class Nuclear-Powered Aircraft Carrier U.S.S. George Washington (CVN 73) and several of its aircraft.

At least 356 people contract virus during Carribean cruise

A gastrointestinal virus affected more than 350 people aboard the Royal Odyssey (5,936-dwt passenger ship built in 1973, operated by Norwegian Cruise Line Ltd.) during a 10-day cruise in the Carribean. It was the third consecutive voyage of the Royal Odyssey in which some passengers had contracted the virus. Several weeks ago, almost half of the passengers reported symptoms. In the latest incident, 306 of 781 passengers and 50 of 379 crewmembers had the virus, which results in diarrhea and vomiting. Treatment involved an over-the-counter medication. The ship was to sail this week, but it has been canceled on the advice of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Royal Odyssey left Miami on 25 March and returned 4 April. Calls included St. John's and Tortola in the Virgin Islands; St. Barts; St. Kitts; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Great Stirrup Cay, an island owned by Norwegian Cruise Line in the Bahamas.

Sailor seriously injured aboard the U.S.S. Independence

A sailor aboard the U.S. Navy's Forrestal-class Aircraft Carrier U.S.S. Independence (CV 62) underwent surgery 3 April after an accident aboard the ship. An F/A-18 series Hornet was taking off when its port landing gear collapsed. The aircraft's wingtip hit a hatch the closed across the catapult opeartor's thighs, breaking both legs and right arm. The sailor is in stable condition. The Hornet made an emergency landing in Sydney, Australia, after taking off from the carrier 192 kilometers/120 miles west of Australia. The aircraft is badly damaged.

U.S. Coast Guard airlifts woman from cruise ship off the Bahamas

On 21 March, a U.S. Coast Guard HH-60J Jayhawk hoisted a 39-year-old female passenger aboard from the Sensation (Panamanian-registry 6,870-dwt passenger ship built in 1993, operated by Carnival Corp.). The ship was 282 kilometers/176 miles west of Great Inagua, the Bahamas. The woman was suffering from an internal brain hemorrhage, and was taken with the ship's nurse to a commercial air ambulance at Mosstown, Great Exuma, the Bahamas. The patient was transferred to Jackson Memorial Hospital where she later died.

Bahamian-registry vessel charged with oil dumping that killed 30,000 birds

Diana Shipping Services S.A., the operator of the Elm (Bahamian-registry 21,978-dwt dry cargo ship built in 1984) was charged 4 April with eight pollution-related violations.. The action came after an investigation into the deaths of thousands of seabirds. The ship, which mainly carries lumber between Canada and Europe, allegedly dumped oil off southeastern Newfoundland, Canada. The oil, according to Environment Canada, killed more than 30,000 birds, the majority of them dovekies and murres, between November and January. On 24 March, the Elm was searched at Grand Anse, Quebec. The ship and its crew will remain at the port until the case is decided. The charges involved can result in fines up to Canadian$1 million/U.S.$750,000.

Motor Oil fined for tanker spill in Greece

The Greek Environment Ministry fined Motor Oil, a joint venture of Saudi Aramco and the Vardinoyannis Group, 100 million Greek drachmas/U.S.$370,000 on 4 April for an oil spill. In August, lightning struck a tanker loading crude oil at the refinery, 60 kilometers/37 miles south of Athens, Greece. An oil slick covered waters in the area for 10 days before it was dissolved by chemicals. The fine will be placed in a "Green Fund" for local governments attempting to restore the area.

Police escort crew from tanker in Oregon after labor standoff

At 1400 2 April, the master of a tanker moored in Portland, Ore., was escorted off the vessel by local police in a labor dispute. George Green, master of the Cornucopia (U.S.-registry 23,451-dwt tanker built in 1958), refused to turn the ship over to a replacement crew, which he said was unqualified. Under police escort, Green led 17 crewmembers off the ship at Union Oil Co. of California's (UNOCAL) Rivergate Terminal. The Cornucopia is the only U.S.-registry ship carrying chilled anhydrous ammonia, a toxic substance. The vessel had been operated by a UNOCAL subsidiary, but the contract was transferred to Keystone Shipping Co. UNOCAL had contracted with several unions to crew the ship, but Keystone brought in a new crew that resulted in most of the former crew being dismissed. The U.S. Coast Guard certified the new crew as capable of operating the Cornucopia.

Master requests assistance in labor dispute on fishing vessel

The master of the Amanda Alice (U.S.-registry fishing vessel) requested U.S. Coast Guard assistance on 21 March, claiming his crew chased him into his cabin with knives and a gun. The Bear-class Medium-Endurance Cutter U.S.C.G.C. Escanaba (WMEC 907) found the master on the bridge and escorted the vessel to Provincetown, Mass. En route, the master requested a boarding team to maintain order. The group did not find any firearms aboard. An investigation by the Coast Guard, the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service and police in Provincetown concluded that a labor dispute had taken place. The crew was released and the Amanda Alice left the port.

Canadian scallop crews stage protest

Crews of scallop vessels protested at the Canadian Human Resources office in Digby, Nova Scotia, Canada, on 3 and 4 April. The group of about 20 wants access to a larger fishing area, rather that access only to the Bay of Fundy. The office was open 3 April but closed 4 April after it was occupied. On 7 April, about 15 people took over the office of Harry Verran, a minister of parliament.

Ice off Nova Scotia traps at least four vessels

The Joseph and Clara Smallwood (4,597-dwt ferry built in 1989, operated by Marine Atlantic Inc.) became stuck in ice 4 April off Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Canada. Two Canadian Coast Guard icebreakers, including the Pierre Radisson-class River Icebreaker C.C.G.S. Des Groseilliers, worked to free the vessel, with 204 passengers aboard. After 36 hours, the ferry finally arrived at North Sydney the afternoon of 5 April. A few hours later, it sailed back to Newfoundland with about 260 passengers but leaving 174 trailers and eight vehicles for the next ferry. It was accompanied by two icebreakers. Ice also trapped the Caribou (3,662-dwt ferry built in 1985, operated by Marine Atlantic Inc.), carrying 282 passengers; an oil tanker; and a coast guard icebreaker. The same icebreakers that freed the Joseph and Clara Smallwood also were able to bring the other three trapped vessels out of the ice 5 April. The Caribou arrived at Port aux Basques, Newfoundland, that night and sailed again about 2200. Ice conditions off Nova Scotia were exacerbated by high northeast winds, which packed ice in the area for three or four days. In order to secure a spot in the next ferry, truckers must pay double rates. Due to the ice problems, Marine Atlantic has waived this provision temporarily.

Maid of the Mist cruises likely delayed at Niagara Falls

Operations by the Maid of the Mist vessels in the Niagara River below Niagara Falls may be delayed this year. An ice jam caused flooding at the Maid of the Mist facilities, with water one meter/three feet over the second floor of a three-story building there. Two of the vessels floated off the cradles and came to rest on ice along with floating docks. Damage is not yet known, but the mid-May opening will likely be delayed.

Fishing vessel stranded in Newfoundland ordered sold

A Canadian court on 4 April ordered that the fishing vessel Sheduva, which has been stranded at Harbour Grace, Newfoundland, Canada, for six months, be auctioned in May to help pay U.S.$200,000 in back wages to the crew. The 19 Lithuanian crewmembers were given a U.S.$30,000 payment last month. Fifteen planned to return to Lithuania the night of 4 April, while four others will remain aboard until the vessel is sold.

Pilot in California Orion allision gets license revoked

A Board of Pilot Commissioners recently voted to revoke the license of Donald Hughes. However, the judgement was waived and instead he is suspended for 180 days and will be on probation for two years. Hughes, 69, was the pilot aboard the California Orion (Panamanian-registry 36,022-dwt, 227-meter/746-foot long containership built in 1980, operated by Nippon Yusen Kaisha Ltd.) when it allided with a gantry crane at the Port of Oakland, Calif., on 7 Feb. The ship had sailed from Los Angeles and was docking at Berth 23. Before the ship was to dock, Hughes had "severe intestinal distress." He left the bridge, leaving a student pilot and the master in command. When he returned eight minutes later, the ship was on course to ram the crane. The berth and crane sustained U.S.$250,000 in damage and were taken out of service for a week. The ship had some damage. On 13 Feb., the San Francisco Bar Pilots voted 5 to 0 with 1 abstention to suspend Hughes' state license without pay, pending a hearing. At the hearing, Hughes was found guilty of misconduct for leaving the vessel under control of the trainee for over 10 minutes, failing to discuss a docking plan with the trainee, not telling anyone why he left the bridge and not carrying a radio with him to monitor the docking. Hughes plans to appeal to the State Superior Court.

"Fishing" of Albania gets more hazardous...

Albania said 7 April that when vessels of the Albanian People's Navy were stolen recently, some 25,000 37-millimeter/1.5-inch shells, 50 torpedoes and 70 mines were dumped off Pasha Liman. The Albanian government reported that fishermen often through hand-grenades overboard to "fish," and it is feared that the grenades will detonate the arms off Pasha Liman. --

Asia Securities International and Bengal Star Investment in deal

Asia Securities International Ltd. and Bengal Star Investment Corp., through China Natinal Foreign Trade Transportation Corp., are buying five bulk carriers from Sinotrans for Hong Kong$544.12 million/U.S.$70.246 million. Asia Securities International will have a 91 percent stake and Bengal Star Investment the rest. The deal involves a guaranteed rate of return of 4.5 percent the first year and 8.5 percent the second.

Tankers

Crowley Petroleum Transport has bought two tankers from Tosco Corp. The Blue Ridge (U.S.-registry 42,268-dwt double-bottom tanker built in 1981 by National Steel and Shipbuilding Co. at San Diego) and the Coast Range (U.S.-registry 39,990-dwt double-bottom tanker built in 1981 by National Steel and Shipbuilding Co. at San Diego) were operated by West Coast Shipping Co. for Union Oil Co. of California (UNOCAL).

Bulk carriers

The Glory Hope (68,634-dwt bulk carrier built in 1987) has reportedly been sold to Greek interests for U.S.$16 million. The Narwal (67,359-dwt bulk carrier built in 1985) has also reportedly gone to Greek interests for U.S.$12.6 million.

Transocean Offshore wins two drilling contracts

Transocean Offshore Inc. said 8 April that it has received contracts for two of its oil and natural gas drilling rigs that could total U.S.$116.8 million. The Transocean Rather was hired for a year starting in June 1998 for U.S.$63.9 million. The Transocean Driller will start operations in August for a year for U.S.$52.9 million.

Two killed after boat carried under a barge

A pleasure boat with 11 people aboard took in water on a strong current at 1430 6 April and was carried under a barge in the Intracoastal Waterway in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Two German citizens were killed. A U.S. Coast Guard vessel was moored 90 meters/300 feet away when the rented 7.6-meter/25 foot vessel went under. It emerged on the other side of the barge, its engines still operating, and was semi-submerged. The crew of a tug found the body of Josef Federl, 62. The body of his wife, Maria Anna Federl, 58, was found under the barge. They were residents of Roth, Germany.

Fire aboard passenger ship off the Bahamas kills one

A fire began in a laundry area of the Vistafjord (Bahamian-registry 24,492-gt, 5,600-dwt, 191-meter/627-foot passenger ship built in 1973, operated by Cunard Line Ltd.) at 0140 6 April, about 32 kilometers/20 miles south of Freeport, the Bahamas. A short circuit in chemical dispensing equipment was cited as the cause. Stephen Moeller, a 26-year-old German waiter, was found unconscious in a cabin on the deck above the fire and died the morning of 6 April at a Freeport hospital. Another crewmember suffered a broken ankle and a passenger had a broken arm. The fire aboard the ship, carrying 569 passengers (about half U.S. citizens) and 422 crew, was contained about three hours after a distress call. The U.S. Coast Guard sent a vessel and an aircraft to the ship and three cruise ships in the area diverted course. The Vistafjord arrived at Freeport at 0520, where firefighters and the ship's crew finally extinguished the fire. Damage is limited to a linen locker area on the third deck near the stern. The cruise was canceled, as damage included the laundry and some passenger areas. The ship left Fort Lauderdale, Fla., late 5 April for Funchal, Madeira Island, Portugal. All passengers will receive full reimbursement and a U.S.$1,000 per person travel credit for a future cruise. Aircraft were chartered to fly passengers home. The Vistafjord was previously scheduled for drydocking in Malta from 21 April to 5 May and will now sail there early.

Three injured, 10 may be missing as two ships are destroyed

Fire destroyed two vessels and damaged a third at Zamboanga City, the Philippines, early 5 April. The wooden-hulled Petron was destroyed when a fire began after the vessel's engine was started at 0530. Explosions were heard up to seven kilometers/four miles away. Three crewmembers - Johnny Abdurahman, Leonardo Balotanan and Chief Engineer Danny Bilangan - suffered serious burns and are at the Brent Hospital. As many as 10 other crewmembers may be missing. The fire was fueled by the vessel's cargo, which included 250 tanks of liquified petroleum gas and 50,000 liters/13,000 gallons each of diesel fuel, gasoline and other petroleum in drums. A research vessel operated by the Western Mindanao College of Fishery and Marine Sciences and the Philippine Department of Science and Technology was destroyed by the spreading fire. The Petron was to sail for Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, the night of 4 April, but a delay was requested because the engine room smelled of gasoline. Even though the area still smelled of gasoline on 5 April, the master ordered the engine started. The Petron sank at the western end of the port at 0830. Also, a vessel owned by Fortune Navigation Lines, unloading rice, was damaged. Its crew managed to move the ship after the fire began.

U.S. Coast Guard crewmember injured off Oregon

On 1 April, the U.S. Coast Guard's Motor Lifeboat U.S.C.G.C. Intrepid (52315) responded to a distress call from the fishing vessel Don Pesqually, which was taking on water 14 kilometers/nine miles west of Cape Blanco, Ore. During a personnel transfer, one of the Coast Guard vessel's crew was caught between it and the Intrepid. He suffered severe injuries to his legs. An HH-65A Dolphin from Coast Guard Air Station North Bend, Ore., airlifted the crewmember to a local hospital where he was found to have a broken pelvis. The fishing vessel was towed to Coos Bay, Ore.

Osung No. 3 sinks off South Korea, cargo creates oil slicks

The Osung No. 3 (South Korean-registry 786-gt tanker) sank the night of 3 April after running aground on a reef off Koje Island, South Korea. The nine crewmembers were rescued 4 April. The Osung No. 3 was carrying 1.7 million liters/440,000 gallons or 1,530 tons of bunker C fuel in eight tanks. At least 186,000 liters/48,400 gallons spilled. Oil began washing ashore the afternoon of 9 April on northern Tsushima Island, Japan, between Kamiagata and Kamitsushima. Another slick was reported about five kilometers/three miles east of Saozaki, Japan. At least 27 vessels are working to contain the spill, and authorities on Tsushima provided 900 barrels to put the oil in.

Tug sinks in Mississippi in Louisiana

The Bayou Black (19-meter/62-foot tug) sank 31 March at mile 120 of the Mississippi River near Luling, La. The tug was downbound to relieve a three-barge tow when its bow caught the bow rake of the lead barge. All four aboard boarded the barge before the tug sank.

One injured in colllision off Japan

The Woo Yang Friend (Panamanian-registry 1,545-gt, 2,163-dwt dry cargo ship built in 1993, operated by Woo Yang Shipping Co. Ltd.) collided with the TA-Explorer (Liberian-registry 17,101-gt ship) off Fukuyama, Japan, at 2330 8 April. Of the 11 crewmembers on the Woo Yang Friend, the chief engineer suffered slight facial injuries. None of the 22 crew aboard the TA-Explorer was injured. The Japanese Maritime Safety Agency reported that the collision resulted from insufficient lookout on both ships.

Three sustain injuries in collision between barge and dragon boat

A ceremonial dragon boat sponsored by Nike Inc. collided with a barge in the Willamette River in Portland, Ore., on 1 April. The boat capsized, with three of the 25 women aboard sustaining injuries that ranged from hypothermia to a broken hand. The barge was owned by Ross Island Sand and Gravel Co. The crew of the dragon boat was preparing for annual races in June in Portland as part of the Rose Festival.

Barge sinking closes section of the Houston Ship Channel

A barge sank early 10 April near Texas City, Texas, partially closing the Houston Ship Channel.

Two safe after fishing vessel sinks off Nova Scotia

The fishing vessel Mona Pearl (Canadian-registry) sank off Digby, Nova Scotia, Canada, late 8 April. The two crewmembers boarded a liferaft and were rescued after drifting to shore.

Steering failure results in collision in Elbe River

The Cis Brovig (Norwegian-registry 1,599-gt, 4,127-dwt containership built in 1985, operated by Brovig Rederi A/S) collided on 25 March with the Oriental Bay (British-registry 59,367-dwt containership built in 1989, operated by Actinor Shipping A/S) in the Elbe River. The Cis Broving had a steering failure. Both ships sailed to Hamburg, Germany, for repairs.

Rinos suffers fire in Nigeria

The Rinos (Cypriot-registry 10,672-gt, 15,094-dwt dry cargo ship built in 1976, operated by Lignes Togolaises S.A.) suffered a fire in its No. 1 cargo hold while unloading general cargo at Apapa-Lagos, Nigeria, on 9 April. The ship had arrived from Antwerp, Belgium.

Fire aboard the Tiger Wave contained

A fire began on the forward deck of the Tiger Wave (Singaporean-registry 13,315-gt, 17,226-dwt containership built in 1988, operated by Odesta Pte. Ltd.) on 6 April, at 08 degrees 00 minutes north, 97 degrees 41 minutes east. The location is in the southern Andaman Sea. It was quickly brought under control.

Chinese-registry ferry collides with barge in Hong Kong

The Hai Bin (Chinese-registry 538-gt catamaran ferry), sailing from Hong Kong to Zhuhai, China, with 193 passengers, collided on 9 April with a small barge off Shek Kwu Chau Island. The Hai Bin sustained a hole in its bow and returned to Hong Kong.

Green Flake takes on water, reaches port

The Green Flake (Maltese-registry 2,688-gt, 1,840-dwt vessel built in 1976, operated by Green Chartering A/S) took on water 10 April at 59 degrees 22.1 minutes north, 02 degrees 01.7 minutes west, northwest of Scotland. The ship was carrying frozen fish from Inverness, Scotland, to Iceland. After a helicopter dropped pumps to to the ship, the flooding was contained and the Green Flake was escorted to Kirkwall, Scotland.

Louisiana docks damaged by Cypriot-registry vessel

The Tzanetis (Cypriot-registry 26,500-dwt bulk carrier built in 1980) allided with the CII Carbon docks in Chalmette, La., late 1 April. While the ship sustained minimal damage, the docks suffered severe damage.

Salvage vessel runs aground in Cyprus

The Skip (Cypriot-registry 233-gt salvage vessel) ran aground in high winds off Cyprus 6 April, at 34 degrees 59 minutes north, 33 degrees 43 minutes east. The vessel was working on a desalination facility and was not damaged.

Belize-registry ship aground off Turkey

A Belize-registry vessel ran aground 10 April in the Black Sea off Turkey.

Edward L. Ryerson disabled in Lake Michigan, towed to Milwaukee

The night of 7 April, the Edward L. Ryerson (U.S.-registry 12,170-gt, 7,637-nt, 220-meter/730-foot "classic Laker"-design bulk carrier built in 1960 by Manitowoc Shipbuilding Inc. at Manitowoc, Wis.; owned and operated by Inland Steel Co.) suffered a turbine failure due to boiler problems, eight kilometers/five miles off shore between Milwaukee and Port Washington, Wis. The ship was sailing to Indiana Harbor, Ind., with 26,066 tons of taconite. Emergency generators were activated. The Superior (U.S.-registry 147-gt, 1,640-brake horsepower tug built in 1953, owned and operated by Great Lakes Towing Co.) towed the ship to Milwaukee, arriving early 8 April, where the tow was assisted by the California (U.S.-registry 98-gt, 1,200-brake horsepower tug built in 1951, owned and operated by Great Lakes Towing Co.). Some boiler operation was restored by the time the ship docked at the liquid terminal in the outer harbor, with aid from the Washington (U.S.-registry 98-gt, 1,200-brake horsepower tug built in 1951, owned and operated by Great Lakes Towing Co.). The ship was repaired and left 1030 9 April.

Update on the Cita

The Cita (Antigua and Barbuda-registry 3,083-gt, 3,900-dwt, 241-TEU dry cargo vessel built in 1976, owned and operated by Reederei Gerd A. Gorke; classed by Germanischer Lloyd), which ran aground early 26 March west of St. Mary's off Newfoundland Point in the Isles of Scilly, slipped off the rocks and into deeper water on 9 April in bad weather. The ship was carrying containers from Southampton, England, to Belfast, Northern Ireland. Smit Tak B.V., using the vessel Salvage Chief, has recovered 98 percent of the petroleum and paint aboard the Cita. Smit Tak is now waiting for word on what to do with the ship, which has been declared a total constructive loss by its hull insurers.

Fishing vessel master distracted by D.G.P.S. at fault in collision

A court in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, recently suspended the license of a fishing vessel master after he was found at fault in a collision with the Sea Merit (Maltese-registry tanker) in April 1996. The Dutch master was aware of the anchored tanker, but while adjusting a differential global positioning system, apparently forgot about the ship due to the distraction. The court also found that the Sea Merit did not maintain an effective watch. The Filipino officer first sounded an alarm when the fishing vessel was 250 meters/820 feet away.

Trans-Atlantic record falls

The yacht Nicorette broke the trans-Atlantic record for a non-motorized monohull vessel on 6 April. The yacht sailed from Sandy Hook, N.J., to Lizard Point, England, in 11 days 13 hours 22 minutes. The Nicorette beat the previous record, set by the schooner Atlantic in 1905, by more than 14 hours.

H.M.S. Tamar closes

H.M.S. Tamar, the British Royal Navy's last facility in Hong Kong, and the Far East, closed 11 April. Exactly 100 years before, a vessel with the same name was the first to arrive there.

Amsterdam to build a new steel clipper

For a tall-ships event in 2000, the City of Amsterdam, the Netherlands, will build a new steel-hulled clipper. The Stad Amsterdam will be built along the designs of a ship built in 1854. It will be 53 meters/174 feet long, have a beam of 9.85 meters/32.3 feet and carry 1,680 square meters/2,020 square yards of sail. The ship will be built with several modern items, such as a bow thruster. Accomodation will be provided for 53 crewmembers and 36 passengers.

New Canadian/U.S. Great Lakes cargo record set

On 28 March, the Philip R. Clarke (U.S.-registry 12,342-gt, 9,372-nt, 234-meter/767-foot bulk carrier built in 1952, owned and operated by USS Great Lakes Fleet Inc.) set a new U.S. cargo record on the Canadian/U.S. Great Lakes. The ship loaded 25,325-nt of salt at Fairport Harbor, Ohio, for Toledo, Ohio. The cargo was five tons more than the previous record, set in 1987.

Two galleons to be explored off Virginia

The Virginia Marine Resource Commission has voted to allow Sea Hunt Inc. to explore and retrieve items from two vessels, believed to be Spanish galleons, off Assateague Island. One vessel may be the La Galga, a naval escort that sank in a storm leaving Norfolk for Spain. The ship have have carried horses that were the ancestors of the present day group on Assateague. The other may be the Juno, a "treasure ship."

Hyundai gets 100th ship

The Asian Vision, a 6,000-vehicle capacity ro/ro, was delivered to Hynudai Merchant Marine Co. Ltd. on 28 March. It is the firm's 100th vessel, the first South Korean shipping line to reach that milestone. The Asian Vision was built by Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. Ltd.

U.S. Coast Guard to commission to buoy tenders 12 April

Two U.S. Coast Guard buoy tenders will be commissioned at 1400 12 April at the Naval Education and Training Center in Newport, R.I. The sponsor for the Juniper-class Seagoing Buoy Tender Willow (WLB 202) is Susan Henn, wife of retured Coast Guard Vice Commandant Adm. Eugene Henn. The lead ship of the Ida Lewis (WLM 552)-class Coastal Buoy Tender is sponsored by Patricia Kramek, wife of Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Robert E. Kramek. The Willow is commanded by Lt. Cmdr. Fred White of Charleston, S.C, and the Ida Lewis will be commanded by Chief Warrant Officer Mark W. Allen of Grove City, Pa. WLB 202 was ordered in July 1994 and was launched at Marinette Marine Corp. in Marinette, Wis., on 15 June, 1996. WLM 552 was ordered 22 June, 1993, and was also built at Marinette Marine.

U.S. Navy's Cormorant to be commissioned

The U.S. Navy's Osprey-class Coastal Minehunter Cormorant (MHC 57) will be commissioned at 1100 12 April at Harbor Island, Tampa, Fla. Suzanne P. Prueher, wife of Adm. Joseph W. Prueher, Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Pacific Command, is the ship's sponsor. Lt. Cmdr. Ronald W. Kennedy, of Jersey City, N.J., is Cormorant's commanding officer. The vessel will be based at U.S. Naval Station Ingleside, Texas. MHC 57 was authorized fiscal year 1991, ordered 29 March, 1991, and begun 8 April, 1992. Cormorant was launched 21 Oct., 1994, at Avondale Industries Inc. in Gulfport, Miss.

New explanation of the sinking of the R.M.S. Titanic

A new explanation has emerged on the sinking of the R.M.S. Titanic, the White Star Line ship that sank on its maiden voyage after hitting an iceberg in the North Atlantic late 14 April, 1912. A total of 1,503 people were killed. It has long been believed that the iceberg tore a 90-meter/300-foot gash along the ship's starboard hull, flooding six watertight compartments. However, a new explanation states that the ship sank after high-pressure water flooded in six narrow tears. It is based on sonar imaging of the bow, which is imbedded in mud up to 17 meters/55 feet deep on the bottom of the Atlantic, four kilometers/2.5 miles down. The new explanation comes from a group put together by the Discovery Channel for its month-long expedition to the ship in August. "Titanic: Anatomy of a Disaster," a two-hour television program on the recent findings, will be broadcast on the Discovery Channel the night of 13 April. With Ellipse Programme, the expedition cost almost U.S.$3 million. Among those assembled was William H. Garzke Jr., a member of the Marine Forensics Panel of the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers and a senior naval architect of Gibbs & Cox Inc., and David Livingstone, of Harland and Wolff Holdings P.L.C., which built the ship. Livingstone was the first person of Harland and Wolff to see the ship on the bottom. Also working on the analysis was David M. Wood at Gibbs and Cox. The dive itself was done by Institut Francais de Recherche pour L'Exploitation de la Mer. Paul K. Matthias, president of Polaris Imaging Inc., used a sub-bottom profiler to image the port side of the ship from the Nautile, a 7.9-meter/26-foot submersible. Using it has a "control," the starboard was surveyed. Using this research, the group has concluded that the total area of damage caused by the iceberg is about 1.1 to 1.2 square meters/12 to 13 square feet. Such damage would not have sunk the ship, were it not for where the damage occurred. Combined with metallurgic studies of pieces of R.M.S. Titanic's hull, a computer simulation was made to demonstrate the ship's sinking. At 2340, the ship struck an iceberg that damaged six of 16 watertight compartments. The six tears average about 6.1 meters/20 feet below the waterline. At 0050, the forward bulkhead of Boiler Room 5 collapsed, allowing water that had come in forward to flood aft. Between 0120 and 0130, Boiler Room 4 had started to fill, with no compartments affected aft but all those forward flooded. By this time, there was 31,000 tons of water aboard. As flooding continues, the stern lifted into the air, with the ship beginning to break in half around 0200. By 0220, the R.M.S. Titanic was underwater. Based on a large bend in the port side, the ship likely hit the bottom at 30 to 45 knots. The idea that small tears and not a large gash sank the ship first came to light, officially, at the British inquiry in 1912. Edward Wilding, then a naval architect for Harland and Wolff, stated that uneven flooding meant that each compartment could have suffered unique damage. Further, the water would not have had to enter in large holes, but only small perforations. Matthias' work found that the tears are about three meters/10 feet from the keel, and follow hull plating, which suggests that iron rivets opened to create the tears. The longest one is between Boiler Room 5 and Boiler Room 6, an 11-meter/36 foot section just crossing the watertight bulkhead. The ship was sailing at 22 knots, which contributed to the damage. As for the ship breaking in half, a finite element analysis by Gibbs and Cox found the ship's steel to have a high sulphur content. Since the steel was not as strong to begin with, the considerable stress of thousands of tons of water was enough to tear the ship apart. In a final investigation, Dr. D. Roy Cullimore, a microbiologist of the University of Regina in Saskatchewan, Canada, studied the bacteria that is eating away the the steel. Cullimore estimates 20 percent of the bow is gone. The deterioration is continuing.