World Maritime News - 4 Apr., 1997

U.S. act to modify container shipping regulations

Due to the U.S. Intermodal Safe Container Act, the regulatons on overweight containers and export documentation for at least one container conference will change 9 April. Shippers will be required to provide weight documentation for the container's gross cargo weight at the beginning of a cargo move. Also needed will be a description of cargo in the container, the container number, the identity of the shipper and the date of certification.

Three Japanese lines file petition in U.S. court on charges

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha Ltd., Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd. and Nippon Yusen Kaisha Ltd. filed a petition 28 March at a U.S. court of appeals in Washington, requesting a review of the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission's decision to impose charges on the three. On 14 April, each time a containership of the three lines calls at a U.S. port, it will be charged U.S.$100,000. The charges are in an attempt to speed-up reform of Japanese port practices.

I.S.F. launches new safety initiative

At its annual meeting in Melbourne, Australia, on 2 April, the International Shipping Federation announced a new initiative in safety and employment standards, with a focus on eliminating substandard vessels. A "code of good employment practice" will be created for I.S.F. members.

U.S. representative introduces legislation to extend veterans benefits

U.S. Rep. Lane Evans, D-Ill., has introduced a bill to give veterans status to merchant crewmembers who served just after World War II. Veterans status for that time period is currently granted to military personnel only. The bill, in the U.S. House of Representatives, has 17 co-sponsors. Veterans benefits would be granted to merchant crewmembers who served betwen 15 Aug., 1945, and 31 Dec., 1946.

Club Med abandoning vessel operations

Club Med, which operates two cruise ships, is exiting the industry and will sell its maritime assets. It lost 743 million French francs/U.S.$130 million last year. The ships are actually owned by investors under France's quirats system, so how much money Club Med will gain from the sale is not clear.

China, Israel in maritime agreement

China and Israel on 30 March signed an agreement to offer each other "most favored nation" status in maritime trade. Under the agreement signed by Chinese Transport Minister Huang Zhendong and Israeli Foreign Minister David Levy in Jerusalem, the vessels of each country will get access to ports and use of facilities, comparable fees and taxes and so on. In addition, shipping lines of one will be able to establish representative offices in the other.

Romania announces changes to shipping

Romania has announced schanges to its maritime industry in an attempt to improve the working conditions of crews. Union certification of employment conditions will be sought amd monetary bonds will be issued to cover outstanding wages and repatriation expenses.

United Kingdom announces SMART

The United Kingdom has announced the Support for Maritime Training Scheme, which will replace the DOCS and GAFT programs as a merchant marine recruitment and training program.

Baltic Shipping to restructure

Creditors of Baltic Shipping Co. have agreed to a restructuring plan. When the line emerges from receivership in 18 months, it will have 10 vessels and 600 employees.

Fairyoung Holdings to spin off Pacific Ports

Pacific Ports, the port operator, will be spun off from Fairyound Holdings to raise capital estimated at Hong Kong$520 million to H.K.$650 million/U.S.$67 million to U.S.$84 million. The money will be used to expand port operations in China, especially at Nanjian, Suzhou and Xiamen.

Gibraltar to operate own register

The government of Gibraltar has paid 71,000 British pounds/U.S.$114,961 to repurchase the contract to manage its register. The contract had been awarded to Gibraltar Ship Registry. It will retain yacht registry, while the government operates the vessel register with three people. The new government, elected in may, reportedly feared that local law firms would lose business.

Italian ministers approve another register

Italian ministers have approved plans for a second register, but in the process, dropped a proposed tonnage tax. A new tax rebate will reportedly be introduced instead. The second register will likely reduce crew requirements, as mandated crews will be decided by a commission of several interests.

U.S. court upholds ruling on passenger tax

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit on 25 March upheld a district court decision that Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines Ltd. was not liable for failing to collect a U.S.$3 tax from passengers that went ashore during short calls at U.S. ports on cruises that began and ended outside the United States. In the case, a ship had left Canada and stopped at several locations in Alaska for less than a day. U.S. laws require that cruise lines collect U.S.$3 from each passenger when they embark or disembark from ships while in the United States. The case involved whether this tax included calls between the beginning and ending of a cruise. In the appeals court ruling, the law was interpreted to mean that the tax was to be collected only at the start and end of a voyage.

Shuster introduces Truth in Transportation Act

U.S. Rep. Bud Shuster of Pennsylvania has introduced legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives to remove a ceiling on transport spending. The Truth In Transportation Act would take four trust funds, two of the maritime, "off budget." Currently, specific taxes fund certain transport programs, with allocations by the House Appropriations Committee. Under the act, the House Transportation Infrastructure Committee would be able to spend money without limits, essentially bypassing the Appropriations Committee. Shuster is chairman of the transportation infrastructure committee.

Fallout from crewing dispute hits two Philippine firms

The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration has suspended the license of C.F. Sharp Crew Management for two years and imposed a fine for violations of Philippine labor codes and P.O.E.A. regulations. Five executives of the firm have resigned over alledged illegal recruitment pratices. Also, the Philippine Bureau of Immigration has issued a "hold departure order" for the president of Rizal International Shipping Services. The actions come after a legal battle relating to supplying crewmembers for a cruise business.

United States sets limits on shark fishing

The United States announced restrictions 2 April in shark fishing, as overfishing is jeopardizing some species. The limits, by the U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service, are effective immediately from the North Atlantic to the Gulf of Mexico. Commercial fishing vessels must reduce their annual catch of large coastal sharks to no more than 1,275 metric tons, a 50 percent reduction. Since the quota for half he year has already been exceeded, no fishing will be allow starting 7 April and lasting until 1 July, the start of the second season. In addition to recreational limits, new limits on small coastal sharks were put in place and fishing for great white sharks and four others was banned. Annual commercial limits of 1,760 tons for small sharks such as blacknose and bonnethead was put in place. Recreational fishing is limited to two sharks per vessel per trip except for the small coastal sharpnose shark, of which two can be taken. Previously, the limits were four large and five small sharks. In addition to great whites, fishing for basking, bigeye sand tiger, sand tiger and whale sharks is banned. A group of concerned interests will be formed to develop long-term plans on shark fishing.

Far Eastern Shipping to issue shares

Far Eastern Shipping Co. will reportedly issue 250 billion Russian rubles/U.S.$43 million in shares. Currently, the line is 28 percent owned by employees, with the Russian government 20 percent, Crawford holding 17 percent, and Credit Suisse First Boston 16 percent.

NCL raises U.S.$74 million

NCL Holding Inc., the parent of Norwegian Cruise Line, has raised 481 million Norwegian kroner/U.S.$74 million through a share issue to 40 investors, mostly Norwegian interests. The price was 18.50 kroner/U.S.$2.729 per share.

Marine Atlantic fined C$1,000

Marine Atlantic Inc. has been fined Canadian$1,000/U.S.$700 after cows aboard a truck died as the Joseph and Clara Smallwood (4,597-dwt ferry built in 1989) crossed the Cabot Strait to Port aux Basques, Newfoundland, Canada, in 1995. Five cows were aboard a truck loaded in the vessel's hold, and died of heat prostration. Five pregnant cows later had stillborn calves and died. A Canadian court ruled that the truck should have been placed on the weatherdeck. A civil suit by the Sackville, Nova Scotia, farmer is pending.

Sea-Com to delist from Tokyo exchange

Sea-Com Corp. announced 3 April it is delisting its stock on the Tokyo Stock Exchange's second section. The company is forecasting a deficit of 46 billion Japanese yen, up three billion yen/U.S.$24 million from a year ago. In addition, it has not paid a dividend in five years and a plan to restructure its debts was rejected by creditors including the Long-Term Credit Bank of Japan.

Montague sentenced

Ed Montague, formerly of the National Maritime Union, was sentenced in a federal court in Philadelphia last week to 36 months probation and was ordered to pay U.S.$47,000 in restitution to the union's pension plan. In January, Montague pleaded guilty to embezzlling U.S.$94,000 from the plan to finance chauffeurs for Louis Parise, the N.M.U. president. Montague testified aganist Parise and his son.

Inchcape, Wallem to start joint Japanese agency

Inchcape Shipping Services and Wallem Group are planning a joint shipping agency in Japan. Wallem Inchcape Shipping will handle all current Inchcape Shipping Services business.

Associated Transport Line names agent

Associated Transport Line Inc. has apponted Biehl and Co. as its agent.

South Korean liner industry in 1996

The container capacity of the South Korean-registry fleet last year was 307,000 TEUs, according to the Korean Shipowners' Association. It was an increase of 33 percent from 1995, with 224 ships of 3.89 million gross tons - an increase of 18 ships and 29 percent tonnage. Of the ships, 31 were operating betwen Asia and North America, 63 were sailing in Southeast Asia, and 68 were sailing betweem South Korea and Japan.

China approves lines for China to Taiwan service

On 2 April, the Chinese Ministry of Communications approved shipping by China Ocean Shipping Co., Fujian Foreign Trade Center Shipping Co., Fujian Provincial Shipping Co., Mawei Shipping Co. and Xiamen Shipping Co. between China and Taiwan. The lines now need Taiwanese approval, which is expected shortly. Services could begin within 10 days. The approval is for service beteween Xiamen, Fujian, China, and Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

Two conferences exempted from E.C. regulations

The European Commission has exempted two liner conferences from its competition regulations. They are the Joint Operational Service Agreement of Andrew Weir Shipping, Iscont Lines, the soon-to-be dissolved KNSM-Kroonburgh amd Zim Israel Navigation Co., and the West Coast/Mediterranean Agreement, which involves the J.O.S.A. members except Iscont Lines. The former calls at Felixstowe, England; Antwerp, Belgium; Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Hamburg, Germany; Limassol, Cyprus; and the Israeli ports of Ashdod and Haifa. The latter calls at Liverpool, England; Dublin, Ireland; Lisbon, Portugal; Leixoes; Malta; the Italian ports of Palermo and Salerno; Piraeus, Greece; Limassol; and Ashdod and Haifa.

Hyundai selects Malta Freeport

Hyundai Merchant Marine has selected Malta Freeport as its Mediterranean transshipment site for the Asia-Europe Express service. Over 500,000 TEUs are expected to be handled annually.

Sea-Land makes changes to Mediterranean services

Sea-Land Service Inc. has begin a new call at Gioia Tauro, Italy, as part of its EuroMed Express Service. The call is meant to connect with a feeder sailing to Piraeus, Greece, and Izmir, Turkey. In addition, a northbound call at Naples has been introduced and a new southbound feeder operating to Bilbao, Spain, has replaced an existing one-way route to the port. The changes will result in two departures weekly to and from northern Europe and the eastern Mediterranean, and two connecting Scandinavia with Portugal and Spain.

Jacobs Holdings and E.H. Harns in ferry agreement

Jacobs Holdings has signed an agreement with E.H. Harns for the latter to operate a ro/ro ferry service from the Thames Europort at Dartford, England, to Bremerhaven, Germany. As of 4 April, two to three sailings a week will leave Dartford carrying new vehicles.

Corsica Ferries planning upgrades

Corsica Ferries will increase passenger services 60 percent this summer. In addition to more sailings, two new express services will be started between Bastia and the Italian ports of Genoa and Livorno.

Columbus Line adds 200 new refrigerated containers

Columbus Line has introduced 200 new "maximum cube" refrigerated containers on its U.S. west coast to Australia and New Zealand service. Each has an internal capacity of 30 cubic meters/39 cubic yards, achieved by changes in insulation that make the container walls thinner. The refrigeration units can lower the temperature to - 30 degrees C/-22 degrees F. The containers were design by Columbus Line with cooperation from Hamburg-Sud - The Shipping Group.

Adriatic ferry service restarts

A ferry service from Italy to Durres, Albania, restarted 2 April.

Brazilian ports closed by strikes

All major Brazilian ports except Recife and Suape were closed 4 April by dockworker strikes. At Santos, 3,500 workers struck 2 April to protest Companhia Siderurgica Paulista's decision to not employ "casual" union members at its new facility. Casual workers in Rio struck in response, shutting the port, and were joined by more strikers who sympathized with the Santos dockworkers. The workers in Rio are also calling for changes in the wage system. On 2 April, workers at Santos occupied two vessels moored at Siderurgica Paulista. The strike at Santos is costing 1.2 billion Brazilian reals/U.S.$1.1 billion daily. As of 4 April, ports affected included Angra dos Reis, Fortalez, Salvador, Sao Francisco do Sul and Vitoria. At Itajai, Paranagua, Rio Grande and Vitoria, there are periodic 15 to 20 minute work stoppages.

Thailand approves "Southern Seaboard" project

The Thai cabinet on 1 April approved the "Southern Seaboard" project, which will act as a short-cut between the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Siam. Two ports will be built, one in the Ban Bang Por - Sypsum area of the Khanom District, Nakurn Sri Thammarat Province, and one in Ban Tab Lamu in the Tai Muang District of Phangnga Province. They will be connected by 200 kilometers/124 miles of highways, rail lines and pipelines.

Tacoma agrees to deal with Hyundai, leaving Seattle

The Port of Tacoma, Wash., on 2 April approved a deal to lease the West Blair Terminal on the upper Blair Waterway to Hyundai Merchant Marine for 30 years. The port will build a U.S.$60 million terminal for Hyundai, which will be operational by mid-1999. The line will first have a 20-hectare/50-acre site with an intermodal rail yard. Within the first five years, four hectares/10 acres will be added. There is an option to expand the facility to 40 hectares/100 acres. Hyundai will vacate the Port of Seattle.

Port of Los Angeles and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers agree on dredging

The Port of Los Angeles and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have signed a cooperation agreement to dredge the port. Some U.S.$116 million in federal money will be provided for the second stage of the Pier 400 project, which will allow larger ships to call Piers 300 and 400. The channel will be deepened from 19 meters/63 feet to 25 meters/81 feet. A 15-meter/50-foot channel will be lengthened and a 23-meter/75-foot deep channel will be created on the east side of the first stage of Pier 400. About 126 hectares/315 acres of spoils will be added to 106 hectares/265 acres created in stage one, which will end this summer. Work sill start in July for completion in 1999. The dredging is part of a U.S.$600 million project of 24 construction activities.

P.S.A. to manage terminal in Yemen, orders new cranes

Yemen Investment and Development International Ltd. has hired the Port of Singapore Authority to manage and operate the Ma'alla Terminal in Aden, Yemen. Also, P.S.A. has spent Singapore$335 million/U.S.$234 million to order 46 new container cranes for it Pasir Panjang Terminal.

A.C.L. switching facilities in Halifax

Atlantic Container Line is changing its call at the Port of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Starting in June, A.C.L. ships will call at the Fairview Cove terminal of Halterm Ltd. A.C.L. had used a Ceres Corp. terminal for 13 years.

Maunsell to design Manila terminal

Maunsell Philippines will design the Manila Harbor Center Port Terminal in the Philippines. The port will cost one billion Philippine pesos/U.S.$38 million. R-II Group selected Maunsell from a total of six bidders. The firm also designed the Manila International Container Terminal. A design report is due in June. R-II Group will build the port and it will be operated by Harbor Center Ports Terminal. The first phase will involve 79 hectares/195 acres of a planned 379 hectares/936 acres. There will be a 15-hectare/37-acre domestic port and seven 865-meter/2,840-foot berths with a 10-meter/30 foot draft. It is hoped to have at least one berth operating by December. There will also eventually be four bridges and a skyway to a passenger terminal, consolidation areas, a container yard and breakbulk areas. A common berthing facility will be built at the Harbor Center Industrial Park with pipelines and conveyors for cement and grain. The second pphase includes a 90-hecatre/220-acre port with three kilometers/two miles of berthing space and a draft of 14 meters/46 feet. The port will be built in the Navotas area.

Johor port developer secures financing

Pelabuhan Tanjung Pelepas Sdn. Bhd., which is developing a port at Johor, Malaysia, that it will operate for at least 30 years, has secured two billion Malaysian ringgit/U.S.$800 million in financing for the first phase. A consortium of banks is providing a floating-rate loan of 1.2 billion ringgit/U.S.$480 million. The banks include Aseam Bankers Bhd., Bank of Commerce Malaysia Bhd., Coomerce International Merchant Bankers Bhd., Kwong Yik Bank Bhd., Malayan Banking Bhd., Malaysian Industrial Development Finance Bhd., Perwira Affin Bank Bhd. and Sime Bank Bhd. The firm will also get a guaranteed fixed-rate loan of 800 million ringgit/U.S.$320 million from the Employees Provident Fund. The port will open with two berths by 1999, and phase one, with six container berths totaling 2,160 meters/7,090 feet, will be completed by April 2001.

Review of Rotterdam expansion ordered

Dutch Transport Minister Annemarie Torritsma has appointed A. Middelhoek to investigate a planned expansion at the Port of Rotterdam, the Netherlands. The Second Meuse Estuary Flats expansion has been postponed to at least late June. The Rotterdam Port Authority wants the expansion to cover 2,000 hectares/4,900 acres, but the Central Planning Bureau has called for only 500 hectares/1,200 acres.

Tata Electric to build coal, chemical berth in India

The Bombay Port Trust has approved plans by Tata Electric Cos. to build a coal and liquid fuel jett at Pir Pau, India. Tata Electric will build and operate the berth before it is transferred to port control. It will pay 120,000 Indian rupees/U.S.$3,380 per month as a lease. The berth will handle 500,000 tons of coal and 1.5 million tons of specialty chemicals annually. A rate of 20 million rupees/U.S.$560,000 was set as an annual license fee for cargo handling. The Indian Ministry of Surface Transport has not yet given approval.

P. & O. Ports to operate Newcastle berth

P. & O. Ports Ltd. and Newcastle Port Corp. have signed a deal in which P. & O. will operate the Kooragang Island No. 2 berth at the Australian port for 15 years. Some Australian$2.5 million/U.S.$1.9 million will be invested in improvements at the common user bulk cargo berth over five years. In addition, A$2/U.S.$1.5 million will be spent on environmental protection upgrades. The berth, which handles 1.1 million tons annually (most of it coal) will increase its handling to 1.5 million tons.

Neue Brand Werft bankrupt

On 27 March, Neue Brand Werft G.m.b.G. and Co. KG was declared bankrupt. 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. The workers want banks to establish an intermediate credit line for the yard of 600,000 German marks/U.S.$350,000. Employees have set up barricades around the yard. The shipyard was formed in February 1995 from Brand Werft, a 147-year-old shipbuilder that went bankrupt after a court ruling.

Jurong Shipyard and Sembawang restructure deal

Under a revised deal, Jurong Shipyard Ltd. will buy the shipyard assets of Sembawang Corp. through a share issued valued at Singapore$6.80/U.S.$4.74 each, for a total of S$187.4 million/U.S.$131.6 million. Sembawang will then increase its stake in Jurong from 23.4 percent fo 38.6 percent. The assets include Sembawang Shipyard Pte. Ltd. in Singapore; a 50 percent stake in Bohai Shipyard in Tianjin, China; and 65 percent of P.T. Karimun Shipyard in Indonesia. The new firm will have nine drydocks, three of which can handle very large crude carriers.

Wartsila to build Indonesian facility

Wartsia Diesel plans to build a manufacturing site near Jakarta, Indonesia. It will specialize in generator set packaging and engine assembly, with operations starting next year. It will cost U.S.$10 million.

Japan to start development of new gas turbine

Research into developing a more environmentally safe gas turbine for vessels will begin in Japan this month. The project has a budget of 2.5 billion Japanese yen/U.S.$21 million for five years. It is hoped to build an engine that will be as efficient as high-speed diesels but emit one-tenth of the nitrogen oxide diesels do. The project outline calls for a 2,500 kilowatt engine with a thermal efficiency of 38 to 40 percent using heavy fuel oil. At the same time, it is hoped to reduce noise and vibration levels. The Japanese Ministry of Transport will sponsor the project, which will involve Daihatsu Diesel Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries Co. Ltd., Kawasaki Heavy Industries Co. Ltd., Niigata Engineering Co. Ltd. and Yanmar Diesel Engine Co. Ltd.

Hitachi, Mitsui announce new bulk carrier designs

Hitachi Zosen and Mitsui Engineering and Shipbuilding Co. Ltd. have unveiled new bulk carrier plans. Hitachi's is 75,200-dwt, with a capacity of 89,400 cubic meters/116,000 cubic yards. A fourth-generation development of the Optima-class, it would be built at Maizuru, Japan. The "panamax jumbo" adds 3,900-dwt and 4,400 cubic meters/5,700 cubic yards to the last design, with only small increases in length and draft. Using more powerful engines, fuel consumption is 32.2 tons per day, up from 30.8 tons but maintaining 14.5 knots. There are seven holds with side-rolling hatchovers and a slightly longer hatchway. The Mitsui Engineering and Shipbuilding's vessel is 75,000-dwt with 89,000 cubic meters/116,000 cubic yards of capacity. It is still being designed.

Yanmar licensing engines to Chinese builder

Yanmar Diesel Engine Co. Ltd. said 1 April it has signed a licensing agreement with a Beijing subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corp. The Chinese company will build three engine models for the local market under a 10-year deal. The engines range from 270 to 1,000 horsepower, and will be used in vessels as well as auxiliary power plants for buildings. It is expected that 50 engines will be built annually starting in four or five years.

Kawasaki changes graving dock tonnages

Kawasaki Heavy Industries Co. Ltd. has changed the tonnage of its graving docks at the Kobe and Sakaide shipyards in Japan. The No. 3 dock at Sakaide has been decreased from 300,000-gt to 170,000-gt, and the No. 1 dock has gone from 49,000-gt to 67,000-gt. No. 3 had worked on tankers that left much of the dock unused, while the No. 1 dock can now handle larger containerships.

Lykes reaches agreement to pay debt on containerships

Lykes Bros. Steamship Co. has agreed to pay outstanding debt to Mitsui Engineering and Shipbuilding Co. Ltd. and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Co. Ltd. The two yards are secured creditors of Lykes, which is operating under Chapter XI bankruptcy protection. The debt will be amortised by payments over 11 years at about U.S.$7,000 daily. The money relates to payments for four U.S.-registry, 44,966-dwt containerships built in 1987: the Almeria Lykes, Genevieve Lykes, Margaret Lykes and Stella Lykes.

Turkish firm orders from Japanese yard, first in 20 years

Dunya Denizcilik ve Ticaret A.S. has ordered two 46,500-dwt product tankers from Onomichi Dockyard Co. Ltd. in Kobe, Japan, for U.S.$62 million. The 182-meter/597-foot tankers will carry naptha and other petroleum and will be delivered in August and October 1998. The deal was made on 31 March, with assistance by Nichimen Corp. It is the first order by a Turkish firm with a Japanese shipyard in about 20 years.

LIBRA to rent yard to build own ships

Linhas Brasileiras de Navegacao S.A. will receive U.S.$340 million from BNDES on 14 April, part of a U.S.$380 million project to build four 2,300-TEU capacity containerships and two 1,700-TEU ships. LIBRA will rent the Maua Shipyard in Brazil to build the ships. The ships will be registered with Brazil's Registro Especial Brasileiro.

Samsung to build two tankers for Great Eastern Shipping

Great Eastern Shipping Co. has ordered two 105,000-dwt tankers from Samsung Heavy Industries Co. Ltd. for U.S.$40 million each. They will be delivered in March 1999 and September 1999, and will be funded through external commercial borrowing.

Daewoo, Hanjin receive containership order

Daewoo Corp. has won a U.S.$42 million contract from Malaysian International Shipping Corp. for two 700-TEU capacity containerships. The deal is in cooperation with Hanjin Heavy Industries Co. Ltd. The ships will be delivered in September and December 1998.

U.S.$48 million chemical carrier for Marnavi

Marnavi S.p.A. has ordered a 22,000-dwt chemical carrier from Societa Esercizio Cantieri S.p.A. Reportedly valued at U.S.$48 million, the ship will be delivered in late 1998. The double-hull ship will be built with 28 to 32 stainless steel cargo tanks with diesel-electric propulsion for 16 knots. There is an option of another such ship for Finaval S.p.A. Finaval and Marnavi operate their chemical carriers through Novamar International.

Petromarine orders from Niestern Sander

Niestern Sander B.V. will built an 8,230-dwt chemical/oil tanker for Petromarine. It will have 12 cargo tanks for a capacity of 8,450 cubic meters/10,990 cubic yards and a beam of 16.50 meters/54.13 feet.

Lasco Shipping orders two log carriers from Chinese yard

Lasco Shipping Co. has ordered two 28,000-dwt log carriers from Bohai Shipyard at Huludao, China. The shallow-draft ships will each have a Sulzer 5RTA52 engine developing 8,685 horsepower and three Yanmar 500 kilowatt electric generators. There will also be four Mitsubishi 30-ton cranes. Delivery is scheduled for September and December.

Cobrelfret orders two ro/ros from Kawasaki

Cobelfret N.V. has ordered two 10,000-dwt ro/ro vessels from Kawasaki Heavy Industries Co. Ltd. There are two options. Each will have a capacity of 2,300 lane meters/7,500 lane feet, with delivery in the first half of 1999. The options will be delivered at three month increments afterwards.

Trailer Bridge announces barge order

Trailer Bridge Inc. on 1 April ordered two container barges for use in shipping to Puerto Rico.

N.O.L. christens two bulk carriers

Neptune Orient Lines Ltd. announced the christening of two 73,000-dwt bulk carriers 2 April built by Samsung Heavy Industries Co. Ltd. The NOL Castor and the NOL Pollux, capable of 14 knots, will be operated by Neptune Shipmanagement Services Pte. Ltd.

IHI delivers containership to Sea-Land Service, will switch to V.L.C.C.s

Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries Co. Ltd. delivered a 59,984-dwt, 4,062-TEU capacity containership to Sea-Land Service Inc. on 31 March. After completing several containerships at Kure, Japan, including three more for Sea-Land Service and six 80,000-dwt ships for firms including Nippon Yusen Kaisha Ltd., the yard will start building very large crude carriers.

L.N.G. carrier christened at NKK yard

The Aman Sendai was christened 29 March at NKK Corp.'s Tsu Works. The ship is a a 130-meter/430-foot liquified natural gas carrier, and will transport L.N.G. from Malaysia to Japan. The 16,336-gt, 10,975-dwt ship has a capacity of 18,000 cubic meters/23,000 cubic yards and cost eight billion Japanese yen/U.S.$65 million. Asia LNG Transport will operate the Aman Sendai, which will start carrying L.N.G. in early June.

U.S. Coast Guard buoy tender to be launched

The U.S. Coast Guard's Ida Lewis-class Coastal Buoy Tender Abigail Burgess (WLM 553) has been rolled out at Marinette Marine Corp. in Marinette, Wis., and will be launched 5 April. WLM 553 is named for the daughter of a lighthouse keeper, who at age 14, kept two lights on an island operating during a storm while caring for her family as well. The ship was ordered in February 1995 with two others at a cost of U.S.$36.5 million.

Rickmers Lloyd Dockbetrieb working on the Sprut

Rickmers Lloyd Dockbetrieb G.m.b.H. in Bremerhaven, Germany, is converting the Sprut (Russian-registry 750-dwt offshore diving support ship built in 1979, operated by the Russian government) to an underwater mining services vessel.

Tuzla Shipyard to convert platform

Tuzla Shipyard has won a U.S.$54 million contract from Saipem S.p.A. to convert the Scarabeo 7 (semi-submersible floating platform) to a drilling platform. It will involve 6,000 tons of steel and additional legs will be added, with new pipes and machinery. A 100-ton drilling tower built by Saipem will be installed.

Kotka sells largest drydock

Kotka shipyard has sold its largest floating drydock to Fredericia Skibsvaerft A/S for around U.S.$3.5 million. It has a lifting capacity of 12,000 tons.

Marystown Shipyard to build platform sections

Marystown Shipyard Ltd. in Marystown, Newfoundland, Canada, has won a Canadian$8.25 million/U.S.$5.93 millin contract from a firm in Mississippi to build sections for petroleum platforms. They include lower hull pontoons and vertical stability columns. Some 260 people will be employed starting in June. --

Sembawang Shipyard worker killed

Soh Chong Heng, an employee of Sembawang Shipyard Pte. Ltd. in Singapore, was killed 28 March. He was guiding a crane during repairs to the Chi Linh (150,500-dwt vessel built in 1974, operated by the Vietnamese government), when the crane's cable struck him. He died that afternoon at a hospital.

Search underway for missing fishing vessel off North Carolina

The U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Navy and 20 fishing vessels are searching for a missing fishing vessel, which planned to ride out a storm 31 March because the vessel's anchor was stuck on the bottom 48 kilometers/30 miles southeast of Cape Lookout, N.C. Attempts to contact the Char-Lee II have been unsuccessful. A Coast Guard HC-130H Hercules from Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City and the "Island"-class Patrol Boat U.S.C.G.C. Aquidneck (WPB 1309) began operations the night of 3 April and were joined by about 20 vessels in the area. On 4 April, they were joined by another Hercules aircraft from Elizabeth City, a Hercules from Air Station Clearwater, Fla., and a U.S. Navy E-2C Hawkeye from Virginia. The search area is more than 1.14 million square kilometers/440,000 square miles. The Char-Lee II has an electronic position indicating radio beacon and a liferaft, but an inspection report by Coast Guard Marine Safety Office Wilmington, N.C., reported that the beacon's battery and the liferaft's hydrostatic release line needed replacement. It is not known if the problems were corrected.

U.S.-registry ro/ro rescues six off North Carolina

Early 1 April, the U.S. Coast Guard received an emergency position indicating radio beacon signal from the Alegras (10-meter/34-foot sloop), about 450 kilometers/280 miles southeast of Cape Hatteras, N.C. An HC-130H Hercules from Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, N.C., flew to the area and found that the vessel had a ripped sail and no propulsion, in 50-knot winds and six-meter/20-foot seas. The aircraft circled overhead for eight hours until the MSC Veronique (180-meter/600-foot containership) arrived at 1200. The ship had been asked to divert through the Automated Mutual Assistance Vessel Rescue system. The MSC Veronique was joined by the Revolere, but neither was able to rescue the six due to the weather conditions. On 2 April, the weather included 35-knot winds and 7.6-meter/25-foot seas. A Hercules dropped a V.H.F. radio, and the MSC Veronique was relieved by the Sea Wolf (U.S.-registry 34,100-dwt ro/ro built in 1984, operated by Crowley Maritime Corp.). Through a hatch in the side of the Sea Wolf, the six people were rescued and the ship sailed to Philadelphia. The Alegra last called at Charleston, S.C., and was sailing to Annapolis, Md., its homeport.

U.S. Coast Guard evacuates crewmember from bulk carrier

A U.S. Coast Guard HH-60J Jayhawk from Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod, Mass., hoisted a crewmember from the Gypsum Baron (Bermudan-registry 18,314-dwt, 152-meter/498-foot bulk carrier built in 1976, operated by Gypsum Transport Ltd.) on 3 April and took him to Massachusetts General Hospital. Ray C. Riley, a 67-year-old Canadian citizen, complained of severe chest pains and difficult breathing while aboard the ship, 120 kilometers/75 miles east of Boston. The medical officer aboard the Gypsum Baron contacted the Coast Guard by cellular phone at 1650 and the helicopter arrived 20 minutes later. One of the helicopter's crew was lowered to the ship to stabilize Riley before hoisting him aboard. Riley is in serious condition.

Black Sea Shipping vessel under arrest leaves port, location unknown

The Nikolay Nekrasov (Ukrainian-registry 12,585-dwt general cargo ship built in 1966, owned and operated by Black Sea Shipping Co.), under arrest at the Port of Mombasa, Kenya, with debts nearing U.S.$1 million, has left the port. Its location is unknown. The ship reportedly sailed at 0300 from a tidal creek without lights or a pilot. Kenya has arrested three people in connection with the incident. The Nikolay Nekrasov arrived at Mombasa 7 Aug., sailing from Istanbul, Turkey, to Shanghai, China, with newsprint and hot-rolled metal sheets. The ship apparently was avoiding a storm and also wanted to make repairs. At first arrested for wage arrears, commercial debts were added. A Black Sea Shipping representative had arrived a few days before, and stated that he sought an out of court settlement so the ship could sail to South Africa for scrapping. The night before the ship sailed, the master was reportedly given U.S.$50,000.

Containers lost off Nantucket, thousands of pieces of candy wash ashore

The Pol America (Polish-registry 35,332-dwt containership built in 1975, operated by Mediterranean Shipping) lost 23 containers overboard this week in heavy winds and seas up to nine meters/30 feet off Nantucket Island, Mass. Most of containers apparently sank, but at least one, carrying candy, washed ashore on the eastern section of the island. Residents on 3 April reported finding thousands of Hershey Kisses, Tootsie Rolls and other candy. A clean-up operation was begun, with fears that the candy could affect right whales and other animals. Other containers carried a car, furniture and shoes. The Pol America sailed to Baltimore.

St. Lawrence Seaway open

The Algocape (Canadian-registry 15,969-gt, 29,709-dwt, 13,472-nt, 223-meter/730-foot bulk carrier built in 1967 by Davie Shipbuilding Ltd. at Lauzon, Quebec; owned and operated by Algoma Central Marine) was the first ship to enter the St. Lawrence Seaway when it opened 1030 2 April. The ship, carrying iron ore from Pointe-Noire, Quebec, Canada, to Indiana Harbor, entered the system at the St. Lambert Lock at Montreal. Though it was previously thought that high water levels would cause restrictions on night navigation, the levels have lowered and no restrictions are in place.

Judge delays ban of single-hull tankers in Maracaibo Channel

Venezuelan Judge Ricardo Colmenares has delayed a ruling banning single-hull tankers from the Maracaibo Channel for five years. The ruling, which was made after two recent groundings with one spilling oil, was to come in effect 16 April.

Cuban crewmembers seek refugee status in Canada

Six Cuban crewmembers are seeking refugee status in Canada after deserting their ship at Shelburne, Nova Scotia, Canada. Three left 28 March and three followed the morning of 29 March.

Paul Watson arrested in the Netherlands after being released by Germany

Paul Watson, 46, was arrested 2 April by Dutch police at the airport in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Watson, a Canadian environmental activist, was being sought by Norway for vandalizing a whaling vessel. He was arrested as he attempted to board an aircraft for the United States. Germany arrested Watson earlier this week, but released him, stating that the 120-day sentence imposed by Norway after he was convicted in absentia did not justify his detenton. Watson is head of Sea Shepherd. He and his girlfriend, Lise Distefano, were convicted of vandalizing the whaling vessel Nybraena on 26 Dec., 1992. Norway also wants to try Watson for damaging another vessel in 1994 and in regards to a collision between the Whales Forever, a Sea Shepherd vessel, and a Norwegian Coast Guard vessel the same year.

Marijuana seized from ship in Colombia

Security forces seized 37 tons of marijuana on 29 March, found aboard a Polish-registry ship at Cartagena, Colombia.

Cocaine found aboard the Orinoco

More than 40 kilograms/90 pounds of cocaine was found aboard the Orinoco (German-registry) at Botwood, Newfoundland, Canada, recently. The ship had arrived at an Abitibi-Prince facility to load paper. The ship had sailed from the Carribean and South America.

Great Eastern Shipping in two-ship deal

Great Eastern Shipping Co. has reportedly bought a 28,400-dwt liquified petroleum gas carrier and a 50,000-dwt products tanker for U.S.$44.5 million. The former was bought from Norwegian interests at U.S.$24.5 million and the latter from A.P. Moller for U.S.$20 million.

Bulk carriers

Torvald Klaveness and Co. A/S has bought the CSK Brilliance (Singaporean-registry 75,822-gt, 134,176-dwt motor bulk carrier built in 1971 by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Co. Ltd. at Nagasaki, Japan; formerly the Shinei Maru) for U.S.$11.5 million to U.S.$11.6 million from Tai Chong Cheang Steamship Co. It had been operated by Nippon Yusen Kaisha Ltd. Good Faith Shipping Co., via Frangos, reportedly bought the Bacesti (65,418-dwt bulk carrier built in 1982 in Romania) for U.S.$7.2 million from Torvald Klaveness and Co. A/S. It was part of Petromin Shipping Co. Roper Shipping Services Ltd. has reportedly sold the Deerpool (67,163-dwt bulk carrier built in 1982) to clients of Konkar Shipping Agencies S.A. for U.S.$10.25 million. Precious Shipping Co. has bought the Salinas (13,635-gt, 23,532-dwt motor bulk carrier built in 1985 by Uwajima Zosensho at Uwajima, Japan; formerly the Oriana King and Kent) for more than U.S.$8 million, including a two-year time-charter at U.S.$6,000 per day. The ship was operated by Toko Kain and has two 25-ton cranes. The Hong Qi 205 and Hong Qi 206, both Chinese-registry 12,382-gt, 19,239-dwt ice-strengthened bulk carriers, have been sold for U.S.$10 million by Guangzhou Maritime. Each has 10 10-ton derricks and were built by Jiangnan Shipyard Co. at Shanghai, China, in 1983 and 1984.

Tankers

Clients of Ancora Investment Trust Inc. have reportedly bought the Seafriend (37,797-dwt products tanker built in 1974) for U.S.$5 million and the Seaoth (32,751-dwt products tanker built in 1976) for U.S.$5.5 million. The former was operated by Thenamaris Ships Management. The Flaminia (63,774-dwt coated tanker built in 1985), which was recently sold to the Vietnamese government for U.S.$20.4 million, has reportedly been sold again to clients of Lykiardopolou.

Demolition

The Kittanning (U.S.-registry 44,875-gt, 92,809-dwt turbine tanker built in 1977 by National Steel and Shipbuilding Co. at San Diego), of 15,500-ldt, has reportedly been sold for scrapping in India at U.S.$190 per ldt. The ship was operated by Keystone Shipping Co. The V Star (22,687-dwt bulk carrier built in 1970) has reportedly been sold for U.S.$166 per ldt for scrapping in India. It is 7,593-ldt and was operated by Black Sea Shipping Co. The Su Run (St. Vincent and the Grenadines-registry 5,902-gt, 6,950-dwt motor general cargo/refrigerated vessel built in 1969 by Mathias Thesen-Werft G.m.b.H. at Wismar, Germany; formerly the Wittenberg), at 3,820-ldt, has reportedly been sold to Indian scrappers for U.S.$170 per ldt. It is ice-strengthened and has a five-ton derrick, four seven to 14-ton cranes, two five to 10-ton cranes and six three to five-ton cranes. The ship was operated by COSCO Jiangsu.

As many as 83 killed in Adriatic sinking, Albania blames Italy

An Albanian People's Navy vessel carrying Albanian migrants to Italy capsized and sank 28 March in the Adriatic Sea after colliding with the Italian Navy Minerva-class Corvette Sibilla (F 558). Four bodies (three women and one man) were found and 34 people were rescued. The vessel sank in water 730 meters/2,400 feet deep and was reportedly stolen from Sarande on 26 March. Italy is searching for the vessel. Albania declared a day of mourning 31 March, and flags were flown at half-mast. Albanian President Sali Berisha called for a minute of silence at noon and asked that vehicle's sound their horns to remember 83 people the Albanian government said were killed. Church bells rang along with sirens, and state radio and televison played solemn music. The mobile telephone network closed for 15 minutes. Survivors said that the Sibilla deliberated rammed the Albanian vessel, which had left Vlore. At that port, at least 3,000 people attended a rally to denounce Italy. In Rome, Albanian Ambassador to Italy Pandeli Pasko presented a list of 117 names of people he said were aboard the sunken vessel. Most were women and children, and the names were supplied by the survivors. Pasko said the survivors reported the vessel was rammed twice, one astern and once on a side. Responding to Pasko, Italian Foreign Minister Lamberto Dini said the Albanian vessel attempted to evade Italian ships and then sailed on a collision course with the Sibilla. The commanding officer of the Italian ship, Maurizio Laudadio, was relieved of his duties 30 March. Weather conditions in the area at the time of the collision reportedly included high winds and storm conditions.

Two injuried in ferry fire in the Philippines

Two people, including an electrician, were injured 26 March when the Superferry 7 (Philippine-registry 4,847-gt, 3,199-dwt ro/ro ferry built in 1980, operated by Oshima Unyu and owned by WG & A Lines, formerly the Mabuhay II) caught fire in the North Harbor of Manila, the Philippines. The ferry was preparing to sail to Cebu and Dumaguete from Pier 4 and had arrived from Cagayan de Oro. As 572 passengers disembarked, there were two explosions aboard, followed by a fire near crew cabins above the engine room. As the fire spread, the ferry was towed away from the pier. The ferry is essentially destroyed, and the hull is half-submerged, lying on its side in an anchorage. Damage is estimated at 800 million Philippine pesos/U.S.$30.4 million. The Superferry 7 could carry 2,015 passengers and 110 TEUs. A preliminary investigation concluded that "illegal electrical connections" in a crewmember's cabin short-circuited, starting the fire. The crewmember said an electrical extension cord connected several appliances to an overhead outlet. It probably could not handle the load. Cabin 23 was assigned to contractual workers doing repair work aboard.

Some 51 evacuate platform in well blowout off Louisiana

An offshore petroleum production platform 160 kilometers/100 miles southeast of Cameron, La., was severely damaged early 1 April after a well blowout and fire. The platform of American Exploration Co. was drilling a well in East Cameron Block 328 when a noise alerted the crew that the new wellhead could blow out. The 51 aboard closed other wells on the platform and boarded an offshore supply vessel before the fire began. Pride Petroleum Services was reportedly operating the platform.

Taiwanese naval vessel with hundreds in collision

A Republic of China Navy vessel collided with a South Korean-registry ship off Keelung, Taiwan, on 28 March. The naval vessel carried hundreds of civilians, but there were no casualties.

Barge carrying styrene holed near Baton Rouge

A 195-foot tank barge was holed by a tree in a fleeting area of the Mississippi River early 3 April near mile 227 at Baton Rouge, La. The river section was closed three hours. The barge was under tow, and hit the tree while its tug attempted to ground it to avoid a collision with another tow. An unknown amount of styrene leaked from the seven centimeter/three inch by 13 centimeter/five inch hole. The barge has a 10,000 barrel capacity.

Chemtrans Belocean runs aground at Head of Passes

The Chemtrans Belocean (Liberian-registry 44,910-gt, 75,500-dwt ore/bulk/oil carrier bult in 1982, operated by Chemikalien Seetransport G.m.b.H.) ran aground 1 April, 1.6 kilometers/one mile below the Head of Passes in the Southwest Pass of the Mississippi River mouth. The ship is carrying coal and was refloated with tug assistance 3 April.

General cargo vessel grounds off Norway

The Tanto (Norwegian-registry 1,003-gt general cargo vessel) ran aground near Rovdeforden, Norway, on 30 March. The ship, sailing from Kristiansund to Spain with 600 tons of dried fish, was refloated by the salvage vessel Mega Mammut (Norwegian-registry) and towed to Aalesund the same day.

Bulk carrier allides with Michigan seawall

The Wilfred Sykes (U.S.-registry 11,701-gt, 7,148-nt, 207-meter/678-foot bulk carrier built in 1949 by American Shipbuilding Co. at Lorain, Ohio; owned and operated by Inland Steel Co.) allided with the seawall entering Grand Haven, Mich., at 0700 2 April. About 18 meters/60 feet of the wall near Franklin Street was damaged. The ship docked in Ferrysburg.

Cargo shift aboard vessel in Cabot Strait

The Dennis Danielsen (Cypriot-registry 2,537-dwt, 79-meter/260-foot dry cargo vessel built in 1978, operated by Delta Shipping and Trading BVSA) sent out a broadcast 3 April that its cargo had shifted during a storm in the Cabot Strait. A Canadian Air Command CC-130E Hercules contacted the ship off Newfoundland and the ship reported all 10 crewmembers were safe. The cargo shifted as the vessel sailed into the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

Philippine Navy assists cargo vessel

The Tayabas Bay, sailing from Dipolog to Dumaguette in the Phillipines, was assisted by the Philippine Navy 26 March after it developed engine problems. The ship, with 19 crew aboard, began drifting 23 March after the trouble began near Siaton Point. At 0830 25 March, the Philippine Navy Miguel Malvar-class Corvette B.R.P. Cebu (PS 28) found the Tayabas Bay 136 kilometers/85 miles northeast of Coronado Point, Pangasinan, Zamboanga del Norte. The ship was spotted by a Navy BN-2A Islander aircraft. The B.R.P. Cebu towed the ship to Santa Maria, Siocon, arriving the morning of 27 March.

Tank barge righted in Louisiana

The IB 960, a tank barge owned by Ingram Barge Co. carrying 1.5 million liters/400,000 gallons of benzene and toluene, was righted on 28 March and floated down the Mississippi River. The barge was part of a tow of 25 pushed by the F.R. Bigelow that allided with the U.S. 190 bridge at Port Allen, La., at 1700 17 March. The IB 960 capsized and began leaking its cargo. After the tow broke apart, the barge was pushed downstream to the Placid oil refinery on the west bank and removal of the cargo began 24 March.

Cita written off by hull insurers

The Cita (Antigua and Barbuda-registry 3,083-gt, 3,900-dwt dry cargo vessel built in 1976, owned and operated by Reederei Gerd A. Gorke; classed by Germanischer Lloyd) has been declared a total constructive loss by its hull insurers. The ship was sailing from Southampton, England, to Belfast, Northern Ireland, with 220 containers, when it ran aground early 26 March west of St. Mary's off Newfoundland Point in the Isles of Scilly. The ship is at 49 degrees 54.79 minutes north, 06 degrees 16.79 west. The eight crewmembers, all Polish citizens, abandoned the ship and one suffered a broken leg. Some 100 containers were lost overboard, loaded with clothing, tires, tobacco and vehicle batteries. Smit Tak B.V. has removed 100 tons of fuel from the ship and is continuing salvage operations. The ship was on time-charter to Bugsier-Reederei-und Bergungsgesellschaft.

Bodies of crewmembers missing from Greek Navy sinking recovered

The bodies of four Greek Navy personnel were recovered the afternoon of 29 March from the Antipliarchos Lascos-class Guided-Missile Patrol Boat H.S. Antipliarchos Kostakos (P 25). The vessel was raised 15 March by Tsavliris after sinking at 1845 4 Nov. after it was in a collision with the the Samaina (Greek-registry 3,783-gt, 810-dwt ro/ro and passenger ferry built in 1962, owned and operated by Arkadia Lines Naftkik Eteria) off Vathi, Samos Island, Greece. The H.S. Antipliarchos Kostakos sank in 151 meters/495 feet of water about one kilometer/0.6 miles from Samos. The bodies of three petty officers and a warrant officer - identified by family names as Anadranisiakis, Asprogerakas, Kokkinis and Mavrogiorgos - were found when the vessel was examined at the Salamis naval facility. Funerals were held the afternoon of 31 March.

Egypt announces findings of investigation into the Amira Jihan sinking

An Egyptian report into the capsizing and sinking of the Amira Jihan at 1530 14 Nov. concludes that the vessel had design and structural flaws and had been altered to carry more passengers than it was allowed. The vessel, carrying mostly Czech, Egyptian and Slovak tourists, sank in a storm near Al-Mufalsa on the Nile River. Seventeen Egyptian passengers and crew and three Czech and Slovak citizens were killed. The vessel was sailing from Aswan to Luxor with 77 passengers and 51 crew.

Rumors on the Estonia report

Reports suggest that the forthcoming investigation into the sinking of the Estonia will not implicate the crew, but rather weak construction of the vessel's bow door and vehicle ramp. The vessel sank 28 Sept., 1994, sailing from Tallinn, Estonia, to Stockholm, Sweden, when seas tore the door off the ship. At least 852 people were killed. The report will reportedly not name who is at fault for the doors.

Venezuela reports on Virgen del Valle fire

The Venezuelan Congress has released its report on the Virgen del Valle (Venezuelan-registry 1,100-dwt, 200-meter/660-foot ferry, owned and operated by Consolidada de Ferrys). The vessel caught fire and was destroyed at La Cruz, Venezuela, on 7 Aug. with 100 vehicles aboard. The 800 passengers aboard, headed for Margarita Island, were not injured. The engine room fire spread to at least one fuel tank. The ferry was insured for U.S.$8.5 million. A report by the Commission for Administration and Services cites problems with safety equipment and crew trining for the spread of the fire. In addition, a Venezuelan Ministry of Transport certificate issued to the vessel in 1974 allowed the ferry to carry cargo and no more than 12 passengers. A judicial inquiry is being sought.

U.S. Navy transfers Midway Island

Midway Island was dedicated as a U.S. National Wildlife Refuge at 1600 3 April. The island, about 2,000 kilometers/1,250 miles northwest of Honolulu, is best known for the Battle of Midway in World War II. The island has been administered by the U.S. Navy since 1903, and is now under the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. As a result, for the first time in over 50 years, it is open to the public. Millions of migratory birds use Midway as a nesting site.

U.S.S. Constitution damaged

The U.S. Navy's frigate U.S.S. Constitution, moored in Boston, was damaged during a winter storm on 1 April. The top of the foremast snapped, near the fore topgallant yard. The ship marks its 200th anniversary this year, having been launched at Hartt's Shipyard in Boston on 21 Oct., 1797.