MNA CIRCULAR 2021 - #12 30th July 2021

1

The Pulse

The MISSION of The Merchant Navy Association is to bring all serving and retired Seafarers together in a spirit of

companionship, consideration and commitment towards a united lobby for the Community of the Sea Hi Shipmates,

Please find below more snippets of information since circular #11 was published 9th July 2021

My thanks to MNA National Secretary, Pete Sinke’s daily publication “Maasmond Maritime - Shipping News

Clippings”, Lloyds List, gCaptain, Maritime London, Flashlight and many others from the T’internet, not

forgetting the items sent in by Readers and any other source I can access.

MNA National Contact Points Chairman, Malcolm Mathison - Mobile: 07831 622 312 Email: chairman@mna.org.uk

Secretary, David Parsons Tel: 01935 414 765 Email: secretary@mna.org.uk

Welfare & Events, Tim Brant, - Tel: 01733 205001, Email : events@mna.org.uk

Membership, Roy Glencross - Mobile: 07738 425 875 Email: membership@mna.org.uk

MNA Slop Chest, The Supply Officer:- Sandra Broom Tel 0121 244 0190

shop@mna.org.uk

Full Ahead Editor, Sandra Turner,fullahead@mna.org.uk Tel 01889 585 588

Change of Address???? If any member has changed any of their contact details (Postal, E-

mail or Telephone) it is important that you inform the following people by email:- membership@mna.org.uk, secretary@mna.org.uk, events@mna.org.uk, chairman@mna.org.uk

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Huisman has successfully tested four new 3D printed 350mt crane hooks according to the strictest

criteria, and under the supervision of the independent certification authority Lloyd's Register.

The hooks are approx. 170 by 130cm in size, almost 9 times larger than the first Huisman 3D

printed crane hook. They have a weight of 1,700kg each and a loading capacity of 350mt.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

MNA CIRCULAR 2021 - #12 30th July 2021

2

The Pulse

The Merchant Navy Association Bringing Seafarers past & present together

Through meetings and communications Comradeship and Support for all seafarers

Merchant Navy and Fishing Fleets

For information visit our website

www.mna.org.uk

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Norwegian Operator Expands Fleet with New Tier III TRAktor 3000-Z Tug Robert Allan Ltd. is pleased to announce that BAMSE, a TRAktor 3000-Z, built by Sanmar Shipyards in

Altinova, Turkey, has been delivered to Norwegian operator Bukser og Berging AS. This vessel is the

first of a two boat order and will operate out of Brevik, Norway. The design was developed working

closely with both Bukser og

Berging and Sanmar to arrive at a

design achieving not only the

Owner’s requirements but also

suiting Sanmar’s tug building

practice.

BAMSE will conduct active escort

operations through tight narrow

passages in and out of the terminal

in the Oslo Fjord. With a top speed

of 14 knots and capable of

producing steering forces in excess

of 80 tonnes, it will be able to

connect to assisted ships at 10

knots in heavy weather typical for

the area. To achieve this

performance extensive CFD

simulations were completed for the BAMSE during the design phase in order to optimize escort

capability.

All operations will be conducted while keeping BAMSE’s emissions footprint low, with it being the first

IMO Tier III Tug in Bukser og Berging’s fleet, and the first-Tier III tug to be built by Sanmar Shipyards.

Installed are Caterpillar 3516E high speed engines, rated at 2200 bkW and fully IMO Tier III compliant

with SCR units. Z-drive units are Schottel’s SRP 490 CP with 2.8 metre propeller diameter. BAMSE’s

resulting bollard pull is 75 tonnes.

MNA CIRCULAR 2021 - #12 30th July 2021

3

The Pulse

Key particulars of the TRAktor 3000-Z are:

Length, overall (excluding fenders): 30.45 m

Beam, moulded: 12.8 m

Depth, least moulded: 4.90 m

Maximum draft (navigational): 6.35 m

Gross Tonnage: 482 tonnes

Fuel oil capacity: 126 m3

The tug was designed and constructed with the following Class Notation:

ABS ✠ A1, Escort Vessel, Fire Fighting Vessel Class 1, ✠ AMS, ✠ ABCU, Unrestricted Navigation

This high-performance tug is fully equipped with deck machinery including an escort winch from

Karmøy, tugger winch, stern tow pins and deck crane. The mooring equipment is designed for 50 tonnes

SWL and can be used in a towing by the hip arrangement.

As BAMSE will also be conducting push-pull berthing and unberthing operations of vessels with low

freeboard where the tug is working alongside, the fendering system was carefully selected and designed.

Ship-handling fenders at the stern consist of an upper row of cylindrical fenders and a lower course of W-

fender. Sheer fendering consists of “D” profiles including a lower row below the upper chine for low

freeboard vessels.

The accommodations have been outfitted to a high standard for a crew of seven. The deckhouse contains

an entrance lobby with water closet and change room, the galley, mess, laundry room, and two officer

cabins each with ensuite WC. The lower deck contains a third officer cabin with ensuite WC and two

double cabins with shared WC facilities. There is also an HVAC room on the lower deck. The

wheelhouse provides maximum all-round visibility with exceptional visibility to the bow and side

fendering, as well as operations on the aft deck. The single split control station with sliding control heads

allows the Master to face either forward or aft depending on the type of operation. Typical of Sanmar

builds, the engine room features an acoustically isolated switchboard room. Records taken during sea trial

show all crew cabins and the mess/lounge have noise level lower than 60 dB(A), providing very

comfortable working and living environment for its crew. In the wheelhouse the noise level is lower than

55 dB(A).

For more information on the BAMSE, TRAktor 3000-Z or, any other vessel designs developed by Robert

Allan Ltd., please contact: design@ral.ca.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Oil Spill After Containership and Bulk Carrier Collide in Strait of Malacca A containership and a bulk

carrier collided early Sunday in

the Strait of Malacca, causing

major damage and resulting in an

oil spill.

The Malaysian Coast guard

reports that the containership MV

Zephyr Lumos and bulk carrier

MV Galapagos collided at 14.1

nautical miles southwest of Kuala

Sungai just after midnight. The

agency said the Galapagos reportedly suffered a rudder failure that resulted in the ship crossing in from of

the Zephyr Lumos.

More photos published by the Coast Guard show an oil spill from the breached hull of the Galapagos.

https://gcaptain.com/oil-spill-after-containership-and-bulk-carrier-collide-in-strait-of-

malacca/?subscriber=true&goal=0_f50174ef03-1f76111e02-

139894965&mc_cid=1f76111e02&mc_eid=4c72dd3685

_____________________________________________________________________________________

MNA CIRCULAR 2021 - #12 30th July 2021

4

The Pulse

North Wales Inaugural meeting

Left to right : Tony Fell, Mike Marshall, Gareth Jones, Dave Creamer, Bob Simpson, Bill Flaherty,

Myself Mike Ridehalgh, Colin Pane, Paul Hughes and Gwyn Jones. Ian Hodge missing as he took the

picture and Mike Pearce had to leave early as he had a prior business appointment

__________________________________________________________________

Did you know....? Cadeler's new X-class

vessels are as tall as the Eiffel Tower when

they are fully jacked up and with the crane in

upright position. The vessels can carry 1.8

Eiffel Towers in one load

__________________________________________________________________

MNA CIRCULAR 2021 - #12 30th July 2021

5

The Pulse

Royal Navy Commits to $668 Million Upgrade of Type 45 Destroyer Fleet The Royal Navy is investing 500 million

pounds ($688 million) to upgrade the air

defence capabilities of its Type 45

destroyer fleet. As part of the upgrade,

MBDA UK will integrate the Common

Anti-Air Modular Missile (CAMM),

often referred to as Sea Ceptor, with the

destroyer’s Sea Viper weapon systems in

11 years, the service revealed in a

statement.

Additionally, Paris-based Eurosam will

provide a “refresh” to the vessel’s Aster

30 anti-air missile system in 10 years. The Royal Navy’s six Type 45 destroyers perform a range of tasks,

including air defence, counter-piracy, and providing humanitarian aid. “These programs will provide an

exceptional capability to the front line, ensuring the RN (Royal Navy) remains poised to defend the

surface fleet, and most importantly the Carrier Strike Group, against complex air threats both now and

into the future,” Royal Navy Fleet Commander, Vice Admiral Jerry Kyd said. The vessel currently uses a

combination of short-range Aster 15 and long-range Aster 30 anti-air missiles. The integration work will

see the addition of a new 24-missile CAMM silo in front of the current 48-missile Aster 30 silos. The

addition is expected to double the vessel’s protection from incoming missiles and other aerial threats such

as small, fast inshore attack craft and hovering helicopters. The second contract, meanwhile, will see “a

tri-national sustainment and enhancement contract between the UK, France, and Italy which includes

investment in a dedicated UK embodiment facility at Defence Munitions in Gosport, Hampshire.” “The

introduction of the UK produced CAMM missile in conjunction with the current Aster 30 missile will

provide the Type 45 with a significant uplift in anti-air capability into the future as the Type 45 delivers

the backbone of air defence to the Royal Navy’s Carrier Strike Group,” CEO Defence Equipment &

Support, Simon Bollom said.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

FORMER BERGE STAHL BEACHED AT GADANI BEACH All things come to an end. This is the

end for the BERGE STAHL was

beached as GEOSTAHL at Gadani

beach to be demolished. Once the

biggest ore-carrier in the world, now

to be converted to raw materials.

MS BERGE STAHL is a bulk carrier.

Until the delivery of MS VALE

BRASIL in 2011 she was the longest

and largest iron ore carrier in the

world. She was registered in Douglas,

Isle of Man. Before that, she was

registered in Stavanger, Norway as

well as in Monrovia, Liberia. An iron

ore carrier, Berge Stahl had a

capacity of 364,767 tonnes

deadweight (DWT) . She was built in 1986 by Hyundai Heavy Industries. The vessel is 342.08 m long,

had a beam, or width, of 63.5 m , and a MSX draft, of 23 m . Her MAN B&W 7L90MCE diesel engine is

9 m high, drives a single 9 m propeller, and puts out 27,610 horsepower (20.59 MW). The ship hasd a top

speed of 13.5 knots (25.0 km/h; 15.5 mph), and has a 9 m rudder (Source: Sayid Ayub, Gadani Beach)

_____________________________________________________________________________________

The Type 45 destroyer D 37 HMS DUNCAN approaching

Gibraltar Photo : Francis Ferro ©

MNA CIRCULAR 2021 - #12 30th July 2021

6

The Pulse

Golden Horizon Starts Maiden Voyage Before Aussie Visit By PETER LYNCHNEWS

After two false starts, Tradewind Voyages’

five-masted square rigger, GOLDEN

HORIZON, embarked on its first sailing from

the British port of Portland this week with

Sydney still on the schedule for later in the

year.

The five-night ‘Dress Rehearsal’, operating at

50 per cent capacity in line with England’s

Covid restrictions, will sail along the south

coast of England to Cornwall and back before

embarking on a series of voyages around

England’s shores. But the much-anticipated

Australia circumnavigation of the world’s

biggest tall ship, originally built for Star

Clippers but never sailing for the Monaco-

based line due to a dispute with the Brodosplit shipyard in Croatia, remains on schedule…though the new

wave of COVID outbreaks in NSW have sparked concerns “No update on the 2021/2022 Australian

season, so all is as scheduled. However, as you’ll be aware, it’s a fluid situation out there, especially in

NSW at present. Here’s hoping it will all remain as is with the voyages,” a line spokesperson told Cruise

Passenger on Friday. The 272-passenger GOLDEN HORIZON is due to arrive in Cairns on December 21

this year, after which it is scheduled to embark on four voyages around Australia, the last of which,

Fremantle to Bali, is due to depart on February 4.

With Australia’s international borders not likely to open until 2022, however, there’s a chance the

GOLDEN HORIZON could follow the money to, say, the Caribbean. She is scheduled back in Australia

in December 2022, when four voyages are planned along the east coast and around New Zealand. The

venture has encountered some rough waters in the countdown to the maiden voyage, some related to the

challenges of launching during a pandemic. CEO Stuart McQuaker, who had been with the Croatian-

owned company from the beginning, left the company in June, along with two other senior executives,

both industry veterans. Like all cruise lines operating in British waters, Tradewind Voyages had to

rearrange itineraries due to call at Scottish ports, thanks to the continuing refusal of the Scottish

government to accept cruise ships. Then, the original ‘Dress Rehearsal’ shakedown voyage, due to depart

on June 22, was cancelled, due, the cruise line said, to the extension of the UK government’s rule that

ships could sail at no more than 50 per cent capacity. The original ethos of the company was to sail the

world propelled by ocean currents and the tradewinds, with unusual itineraries and several long sea

passages on offer. Covid, and politics, it seems, may force Tradewind Voyages into a more conventional

schedule for the time being. Source : cruisepassenger

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Oil tanker waits for days to get paid as SPC faces crisis over foreign currency Inability to find sufficient dollars to pay for an oil consignment ordered by the Petroleum Corporation,

has compelled an oil tanker to be docked at the Colombo Port for additional four days, source said. The

ship had to wait in order to receive a payment of US $ 45 million for the oil it supplied to Sri Lanka.It is

learnt that the Corporation has to pay a sum of US $ one billion for the oils imported to Sri Lanka and the

payment dates are now getting closer.

Sources said the corporation is facing a severe problem due to the shortage of foreign currency.

Even Minister Udaya Gammanpila has told a recent briefing that they don't have foreign currencies to pay

for oil purchases. Meanwhile, the corporation called for a tender to import Octaine 92 petrol, fearing a

shortage, but only one company bid for the tender and it too later dropped the bid saying the prices were

too expensive. Source : srilankamirror

_____________________________________________________________________________________

MNA CIRCULAR 2021 - #12 30th July 2021

7

The Pulse

ABP launches new pilot vessel on the Humber The state-of-the-art boat will help move crews between ships on the estuary Author: Matt Soanes

ABP has launched the first of five new boats it will be using to

move people between ships on the Humber. The £1m pilot

launch vessel, named the OUSE, is one of two that will be

based in the Humber Estuary. Three vessels will be heading to

ABP Southampton in 2022 and one to ABP South Wales in

2023, as part of a £9m investment. The new ship the boasts

improved fuel efficiency, helping to reduce emissions, as well

as state of the art navigation technology.

Simon Bird, ABP Humber Regional Director, said: “It is an exciting time for ABP to receive the first of

its new pilot launches. The pilotage service ABP provides on the Humber is key to keeping Britain

trading, and ongoing investment in new technology and equipment ensures the service can continue to be

delivered to the highest standard, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.”

“All the new vessels arriving to the Humber will be named after some of the estuary’s main tributaries.

The estuary itself is key to everything ABP achieves on the Humber, so it seemed appropriate to

recognise the tributaries that keep the Humber flowing.” All vessels over 60m in length have to be guided

through the estuary by a pilot boat. Crews needing to get to and from larger ships in the estuary will also

use the pilot vessel.

ABP Humber Deckhand, Hollie Lewis said “The crew are looking forward to working on the new pilot

launch vessels as they arrive in the Humber. Not only is the OUSE quieter and more comfortable, it

greatly benefits from modernised safety features. We are excited to see how the OUSE stands up to the

Humber’s seasonal challenges, but we are in no doubt she will deliver everything we need her to when

called upon.” Source : Planetradio

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Walls in the Channel? Illegal, immoral, impractical, impossible another all-too-telling spoof from matchless satirical website NewsThump.

https://lloydslist.maritimeintelligence.informa.com/LL1134126/Walls-in-the-Channel-Illegal-immoral-

impractical-impossible

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Rescuing migrants at sea could lead to prison under new UK law UK's Nationality and Borders Bill could override Unclos and Solas, making it a crime to ‘facilitate the

arrival or attempted arrival’ of people if there are grounds to think they will claim asylum

https://lloydslist.maritimeintelligence.informa.com/LL1137524/Rescuing-migrants-at-sea-could-lead-to-

prison-under-new-UK-law

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Ever Given’s Owner Braces for ‘Thousands’ of Legal Claims https://gcaptain.com/ever-givens-owner-braces-for-thousands-of-legal-

claims/?subscriber=true&goal=0_f50174ef03-3865552b3f-

139894965&mc_cid=3865552b3f&mc_eid=4c72dd3685

_____________________________________________________________________________________

X-Press Pearl Insurers Make Initial $3.6 Million Compensation Payment https://gcaptain.com/x-press-pearl-insurers-make-3-6-million-initial-payment-to-compensate-for-fire-and-

wreck/?subscriber=true&goal=0_f50174ef03-3865552b3f-

139894965&mc_cid=3865552b3f&mc_eid=4c72dd3685

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Maersk Shuts Down Durban Depots as Looting Continues The violence erupted after the jailing of former president Jacob Zuma, widespread looting & destruction.

https://gcaptain.com/maersk-durban-looting/?subscriber=true&goal=0_f50174ef03-586dfa48cb-

139894965&mc_cid=586dfa48cb&mc_eid=4c72dd3685

_____________________________________________________________________________________

MNA CIRCULAR 2021 - #12 30th July 2021

8

The Pulse

Coast Guard Seeks Public’s Help Developing Mass Casualty at Sea Lifesaving

Device - Mike Schuler - July 13, 2021

Here’s a scenario for you… a cruise ship is sinking at sea and hundreds, if not thousands of people are in

need of immediate rescue. Due to conditions, lifeboats are inoperable or infeasible. What’s the best option

for rescue? That’s a question the Department of Homeland Security needs your help figuring out.

In collaboration with the U.S. Coast Guard, the Department of Homeland Security Science and

Technology Directorate has released the “Mass Rescue Operations Lifesaving Device Broad Agency

Announcement” solicitation seeking the public’s help in coming up with innovative technology to

respond to mass-casualty events at sea.

The solicitation asks innovators, industry, academia, and laboratories to submit solutions for a large

capacity-floating device to keep survivors out of the water during mass rescue operations.

The U.S. Coast Guard Research and Development Center (RDC) will provide technical support to DHS

S&T throughout the effort to help with the development of the device.

“We’re looking forward to working with the public to help develop their innovative ideas into a practical

and useable design,” said RDC Commanding Officer, Capt. Dan Keane. “If successful, the mass life-

saving device will give first responders additional capability and capacity to respond quickly to a mass

rescue situation.”

Specifically, the solicitation seeks an effective solution for providing short-term lifesaving and rescue

assistance in disasters that render existing systems, such as onboard lifeboats, inoperable or infeasible.

The Coast Guard wants to develop a non-standard, one-time use, large capacity, an ultra-lightweight

floating device that will be deployed from air or vessel during a mass rescue operation to mitigate the loss

of life.

For example, if a large ferryboat or cruise ship is unexpectedly stranded or sinking, the ship’s staff may

not be able to deploy the lifeboats. Coast Guard aircraft or vessels could respond and deploy mass rescue

devices at the scene to better maintain passengers until all can be rescued.

“The purpose of a large-capacity floating device is to solely keep survivors out of the water during a mass

rescue operation,” said S&T Program Manager Angela Blair. “The commercial marketplace already has

large, flotation devices, but these are too heavy to be deployed from a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter or

easily lifted over a vessel’s bulwark for deployment.”

White papers are due by 2 p.m. EDT on August 5, 2021.

“The Coast Guard is excited to work with industry to develop this cutting edge, mission-critical,

lifesaving capability,” said Tom Gorgol of the Coast Guard office of search and rescue.

For more information, visit the mass rescue solicitation on SAM.gov.

??? I wonder if the MAIB might run a similar project??? _____________________________________________________________________________________

Russia Warns Britain: Sail Near Crimea Again & Your Sailors Will Get Hurt

Reuters July 14, 2021

MOSCOW, July 14 (Reuters) – A senior Russian security official warned Britain on Wednesday not to

sail its warships near Russian-annexed Crimea again unless it wanted its sailors to get hurt.

The warning, issued by Mikhail Popov, deputy secretary of Russia’s Security Council, follows an

incident last month when British warship HMS Defender exercised what London said were

internationally recognized freedom of navigation rules in Ukrainian territorial waters near Crimea.

It protested strongly against the British move at the time with a coastguard vessel firing warning shots

and summoned the British ambassador for an explanation.

Popo said Britain’s behaviour and its subsequent reaction to the incident was bewildering. In particular,

he criticized suggestions from British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Dominic Raab, the foreign

minister, that the incident could be repeated.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

MNA CIRCULAR 2021 - #12 30th July 2021

9

The Pulse

"They Shall Grow Not Old....."

Introduction

The original inspiration for these pages came about

by chance when an article appeared in a magazine

about a young boy rating killed at sea in 1941, and

so it began. Reginald Earnshaw (pictured front

cover) is commemorated on Tower Hill Memorial

on Panel 74, which records all those who have no

grave but the sea. Back in 2005 my attention was

drawn to the fate of young Reginald as one of the

survivors from the attack named Alfred Tubb who

was serving as a DEMS gunner at the time stated he

remembered the body of Reginald being taken

ashore at Immingham. So the first thing to do was to

trace a copy of the ships Log Book & Survivors

Report for 1941 held at Kew, which was obtained by

a contact of mine. Next, I made a simple application with the General Register Office for a death

certificate and within a week I had an official copy of his death certificate recorded at Cleethorpes

reference 7a 1170., which proved his body had been landed ashore and examined as to be given a death

certificate. The next phase was to find out where he was buried. A check of all burials in Grimsby and

Cleethorpes for this period drew a blank so contact was made in Reginald's last place of abode in

Edinburgh, which revealed he was buried in Edinburgh's Comely Bank Cemetery, Section P Grave Space

440 and was unmarked. A temporary cross baring his details was added and all documents were

forwarded to the CWGC. Finally in 2008 these findings were officially accepted by the CWGC. On

Monday the 6rh July 2009, in a ceremony 68 years to the day of his death an official CWGC headstone

was finally mounted on Reginald’s grave and I presented his sister with his war medals I had obtained.

There was also some confusion of Reginald’s age. The ships Log Book had his date of birth as 5th

February 1926 in Dewsbury and his death certificate has him aged “about 15”. Only problem being there

was no birth registered at Dewsbury for a Reginald Earnshaw in 1926, but there was one registered in

Dewsbury in the March quarter 1927 in Volume 9b page 864. Having obtained a copy of the birth

certificate, I could verify he was born the 5th February 1927, so the Log Book shows an error of exactly

one year to the day, which made him 14 years 152days old when he was killed. Another twist in the tale

revealed that the bodies of two other seamen commemorated on Tower Hill from the North Devon were

also landed ashore. One of the men Reginald Mitchell has been found to be buried in Piershill Cemetery

in Edinburgh and he now has an official headstone to mark his grave. I was later invited to appear in the

BBC documentary on “How We Won the War” (Scotland edition) centred around the Merchant Navy

contribution during the war, using Reggie’s story as a backdrop. Further research I undertook I also

discovered many other cases of Merchant Seamen killed in WWII serving on foreign vessels, who had

been overlooked by the British Registrar General of Shipping & Seamen of the day, whose details had

never been forwarded to the CWGC for inclusion as war dead. After several years of research and

compiling details, these casualties were finally accepted by the CWGC and I was given the privilege to

unveil their names at Tower Hill Memorial on Merchant Navy Day 2019. Amongst these casualties were

a number of boys aged 16 and under including one Michael Goulden from Hull, age just 14 years old

when he was killed. Their stories here are not meant in any way to devalue the contribution of all those

who paid the ultimate sacrifice during wartime, but merely as educational purpose for those unaware of

the facts, these boys could legally join up at just 14 years old and fight for their country and is my way of

remembering a lost generation, who the likes of will never be seen again.

Hopefully the book, Book "They Shall Grow Not Old.....", will be available by the end of August. The

book will retail for £10 plus p&p by recorded delivery.

Please contact Billy McGee MNM. ( billy1963@ntlworld.com )

MNA Archivist (Merchant Navy 1980-1992)

_____________________________________________________________________________________

MNA CIRCULAR 2021 - #12 30th July 2021

10

The Pulse

‘I Am Ashamed,’ Says Former Maritime CEO Frank Coles By : John Konrad

“I am ashamed to be an executive in the maritime industry!” said Frank Coles in a

recent LinkedIn post. This statement was in regard to his recent petition asking Joe

Biden and Boris Johnson to prioritize seafarer travel. The petition has surpassed its

goal of 5,000 signatures (6,070 to be exact). So Coles is pleased, right?

“No,” says Coles. “If every person who signed had shared it 10 times, we would have

had 60,000 shares. I had hoped we could do better.” The Coles controversy all started

last month when maritime influencer Lena Göthberg published the 165th episode of

her popular Shipping Podcast, and the content shocked listeners. Her guest, the former

CEO of Transas and Wallem Group Frank Coles, put forth a radical new idea: organizing a global

seafarer strike.

The idea went viral, but rather than pushing for an immediate strike, Coles asked his thousands of social

media followers to sign and share a simple seafarer travel petition.

The petition asks world leaders to protect

the right of seafarers to travel without

onerous regulations for visas. But rather

than submit the petition, Coles has doubled

his target from 5,000 signatures to 10,000

and has widened the scope to include the

IMO. “The IMO is the most ineffective UN

body,” said Coles. “Their recent seafarer

video (linked HERE) is stating the obvious.

It’s diplomatic waffle. How have we come

to this level of over-the top treatment of

seafarers? On top of dead crew not being

landed, crew being forced to stay way over

their contracts, etc etc etc.” Regardless of your thoughts on Coles’ media tactics, his petition is picking up

steam.

Ctrl+Click the link to read, sign, and share Coles’ petition supporting seafarers.

Petition · Provide an enforceable global protocol for "green channel" travel for seafarers ·

Change.org _____________________________________________________________________________________

Crew Health Advice: Hernias What is a hernia?

A hernia occurs when an internal part of the body pushes through a weakness in the muscle or

surrounding tissue wall.

There are 4 main types of hernia:

Inguinal hernias – This is the most common type of hernia and mainly affects men. It happens when a

fatty tissue or part of your bowel pokes through into your groin at the top of your inner thigh.

Femoral hernias – These also occur when fatty tissue or a part of your bowel pokes through into your

groin at the top of your inner thigh. These are less common and tend to affect women more than men.

Umbilical hernias – This happens when fatty tissue or a part of your bowel pokes through your stomach

near the belly button.

Hiatus or Epigastric hernias – when part of the stomach pushes up into your chest by squeezing through

an opening in the diaphragm, the thin sheet of muscle that separates the chest from the stomach.

What causes hernias?

The main cause is a weakness of the muscles. In seafarers we see this due to ageing, being overweight,

bowel problems such as constipation or most commonly, by lifting things that are too heavy. This causes

repeated strain on the muscles which then leads to weakness and potential herniation of the fatty tissue or

bowel.

MNA CIRCULAR 2021 - #12 30th July 2021

11

The Pulse

How do I know if I have a hernia? What are the signs and symptoms?

Common symptoms are:

A lump or bulging in the affected area. This may disappear when you lie down

Discomfort or pain around the lump or bulge

Depending on the type of hernia you may also have:

Heartburn

Trouble swallowing

Chest pain

What should I do if I think I may have a hernia?

When onboard ship it is important to seek advice early on. Many medical conditions can be treated more

effectively and quickly when early help is sought. Speak to the Master or Chief Mate and report your

symptoms. They will conduct an assessment and seek advice from a Doctor ashore.

Make some moderations to your lifestyle as well to ease the strain on the area. This could include losing

weight, if you smoke then try and give up as this can lead to weakening of the connective tissues, stop

heavy lifting and when you do lift items make sure that you use safe manual handling techniques.

What can be done to assist me onboard?

The Master or Chief Mate will carry out a thorough assessment of your symptoms and speak to a Doctor

ashore. Depending on the severity of the symptoms you will be given pain medication and some lifestyle

advice to reduce the symptoms and prevent it from getting any worse. You will most likely need to be

seen ashore to assess the extent of the problem. It is unlikely that this will be done

as an emergency, but more likely that it will be at the next port of call or even when you sign off and can

go and see your own Doctor.

Can hernias be serious?

Yes, absolutely. In the case that you develop more severe symptoms then you will need urgent medical

attention. Those symptoms could include:

Sudden, severe pain

Vomiting

Difficulty passing stools or wind

The lump becomes firm or tender or can not be pushed back in

How are hernias treated?

In the majority of cases surgery is required to fix the hernia. It is a routine surgery, except in the cases of

serious complications, and can be done at a time to suit you. Many people choose to live with the hernia

and your Doctor will discuss those options with you.

What can I do to prevent a hernia?

Pay attention to what you are doing. Lifestyle factors such as being overweight and smoking will increase

your susceptibility to hernias as will heavy lifting and vigorous exercise. Never lift more than you are

comfortably able, and always use lifting devices where possible. If you think you have a hernia, report it

immediately to the Master or Chief Mate onboard.

This advice was compiled in collaboration with Red Square Medical, who offer a full range of maritime

medical services, from training and consultancy services, right through to mass casualty incident planning

and training. www.redsquaremedical.com

A PDF of this advice can be downloaded below

https://www.ukpandi.com/-/media/files/uk-p-and-i-club/loss-prevention/crew-health-marketing/crew-

health-advice---hernias.pdf Crew Health Advice: Hernias (652 KB)

Source:- UK P&I Club

_____________________________________________________________________________________

MNA CIRCULAR 2021 - #12 30th July 2021

12

The Pulse

Who’s for a BIG Chocolate Bar

There was only one way for our new floating hospital to get any sweeter — by being crafted with

chocolate! Thanks to a unique fundraising initiative by a Dutch chocolatier, this sweet replica of the

GLOBAL MERCY, which stood over 46 feet high and weighed over 13 tons, currently holds the

chocolate bar world record!

What do you think — would you take a bite?!

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Overdue Chinese crew are refused sign-off at Chinese port Ship's master tells Lloyd’s List that the six crew members on 2020-built dry bulker Sakizaya Treasure

have worked on board for 14 months and are now ‘extremely anxious’ to see their families. He says the

ship will not sail before the owner can provide a clear new plan for crew changeover

https://lloydslist.maritimeintelligence.informa.com/LL1137567/Overdue-Chinese-crew-are-refused-sign-

off-at-Chinese-port

_____________________________________________________________________________________

3 Charged Over 2018 Duck Boat Sinking on Table Rock Lake Remember this incident?

https://gcaptain.com/3-charged-over-2018-duck-boat-sinking-on-table-rock-

lake/?subscriber=true&goal=0_f50174ef03-1fceb17d14-

139894965&mc_cid=1fceb17d14&mc_eid=4c72dd3685

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Bad News for Chocolate Lovers

Chocolate Is the Latest Victim Of Port Congestion https://gcaptain.com/chocolate-container-port/?subscriber=true&goal=0_f50174ef03-1fceb17d14-

139894965&mc_cid=1fceb17d14&mc_eid=4c72dd3685

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Bids to Dispose of 142-Year-Old Falls of Clyde Due By August 2nd

_____________________________________________________________________________________

MNA CIRCULAR 2021 - #12 30th July 2021

13

The Pulse

Navy’s Second ‘Ghost Fleet’ Unmanned Ship Makes Long-Range Transit

from Gulf to West Coast - Mike Schuler - July 15, 2021

A U.S. Navy “Ghost Fleet Overlord” unmanned vessel has completed a second long-range autonomous

transit, traveling from the Gulf Coast to the West Coast via the Panama Canal.

The unmanned surface vessel (USV), named Nomad, travelled total of 4,421 nautical miles, 98 percent of

which was in autonomous mode.

The first Ghost Fleet Overlord vessel, Ranger, completed a similar transit in October 2020. Both vessels

passed through the Panama Canal while in manual mode.

The Navy said the Nomad transit provided an opportunity for extended testing of vessel endurance,

autonomous operations, and interoperability of government command, control, communications,

computers and intelligence systems with vendor autonomy, hull mechanical and hull electrical systems.

Remote mission command and control for the transit was conducted from an ashore Unmanned

Operations Center operated by U.S. Navy Sailors from Surface Development Squadron One.

“This is another significant milestone for SCO’s Ghost Fleet Overlord program and supports the Navy’s

Unmanned Campaign Framework by adding a second Overlord vessel to the West Coast. The SCO Ghost

Fleet Overlord program serves to inform Navy prototype efforts by integrating mature technologies to

accelerate Service priorities and is a key piece of the build a little, test a little, and learn a lot philosophy

articulated in the Navy Unmanned Campaign Framework,” said SCO Director Jay Dryer.

The Ghost Fleet Overlord program plays a central role in informing the Navy’s new classes of USVs and

serves as part of extensive technical risk-reduction efforts. The program is currently in its second phase,

which began in September 2019 and focuses on the integration of government-furnished command-and-

control systems and payloads and more complex and challenging naval operations. Phase II is being

conducted with the same vessels and industry teams that took part in Phase I and will conclude in early

2022, at which point both Ghost Fleet Overlord vessels will transition to the Navy for further

experimentation.

Two additional Ghost Fleet Overlord prototype USVs are currently under construction.

“Our close partnership with SCO on the Overlord program is accelerating the technology demonstration,

CONOPs [concept of operations] development, and operational command and control of unmanned

surface vessels in direct alignment with the Navy’s plans,” said Captain Pete Small, Navy Program

Manager for USVs.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Greek bulker denies its failing steering gear caused ship collision ATHENS-BASED Sea Traders, owners of the

76,000-dwt bulker GALAPAGOS, have denied

that the cause of its collision with the 14,952-TEU

ZEPHYR LUMOS in the Malacca Strait was the

bulk carrier's loss of steering, reports Oslo's

TradeWinds. The bulker suffered major damage in

a collision. The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement

Agency (MMEA) said the 11-year-old Galapagos.

owned by George Procopiou's Sea Traders, has a chunk taken out of its starboard hull and a mangled

cargo hatch. The collision with the 7-month-old ZEPHYR LUMOS happened 14 miles south-west of the

Sungai Muar estuary. Johor MMEA director Adm Nurul Hizam Zakaria said the Galapagos was reported

to have experienced steering system failure, causing it to move to the right and block the route of the

container vessel, which could not avoid collision.But manager Sea Traders denied these claims. The

company told TradeWinds the Zephyr Lumos "came very close to Galapagos and attempted to overtake

the vessel at high speed and at a short distance, leading to a collision".

a Traders added that the Malaysian claims "are not correct. The steering gear and all related equipment

were in good operating order."The company said that at 1250 GMT, the GALAPAGOS master reported a

collision while the vessel was laden en route to Vizag from Singapore

_____________________________________________________________________________________

MNA CIRCULAR 2021 - #12 30th July 2021

14

The Pulse

The 1953-built paddle steamer MAID OF THE LOCH being slipped on Loch Lomond on 14th July for a

major restoration programme. Photo : Maurice Napier ©

_____________________________________________________________________________________

NEW MARITIME TRAINING PROGRAM IN NEWCASTLE FOR

INDIGENOUS WOMEN Posted by Daily Cargo News

A FIRST-of-its-kind maritime training program is inviting Indigenous women in the Newcastle region to

take the helm, set their careers on a new course and train to become a ship’s master. The Female Maritime

Traineeship Program developed by Port Authority of NSW in partnership with not-for-profit Tribal

Warrior provides practical on-the-job training, mentoring with Port Authority’s maritime professionals

and the formal qualifications needed to succeed in the maritime industry. The paid two-year program is

open to Indigenous women of any age and no maritime experience is necessary. Port Authority head of

operations Peter Ernst said shipping is integral to Australia’s prosperity, yet the country faces a shortage

of maritime professionals. “Young people, women and Indigenous Australians are especially under-

represented in the industry,” he said. “Port Authority is helping young people kick-start their maritime

careers through our Sponsored Deck Cadet Program and our partnership with Tribal Warrior provides a

pathway to an exciting and rewarding maritime career for Indigenous women in NSW.”

Mr Ernst said this is a fantastic opportunity to train alongside the Port Authority’s marine operations

teams in Newcastle and learn the skills to work on vessels out in the water.“Trainees have already

successfully joined the program in Sydney and Port Kembla and we’re now seeking candidates to apply

for this one-of-a-kind opportunity in Newcastle.” Tribal Warrior is the only Indigenous maritime training

company in Australia and the Female Maritime Traineeship Program gives trainees essential seamanship

skills and valuable sea-time experience to attain the maritime qualification of Master up to 24 metres

(near coastal).Candidates can find out more about the program and how to apply by contacting Port

Authority of New South Wales at jobs@portauthoritynsw.com.au.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

MNA CIRCULAR 2021 - #12 30th July 2021

15

The Pulse

The world’s first suspension crew transfer vessel. The first commercial boat equipped with a suspension system could be a gamechanger for the

offshore wind market.

What if a vessel could be significantly smaller than a conventional crew transfer or service operation

vessel yet able to withstand the rough seas during the transfer to and whilst at a wind turbine generator? A

vessel like this could be a gamechanger for the offshore wind industry - minimising the carbon footprint

and increasing efficiency while reducing the cost of operations. Wallaby Boats GmbH of Kappeln

(Germany) and its crew transfer/daughter craft WB Wind are building such a vessel – the first

commercial boat equipped with a suspension system and selected Lloyd’s Register (LR) as its

classification provider.

The suspension system from Down Under

The vessel is basically a catamaran with a suspension system

connecting the hulls and chassis. Developed and designed by

Nauti-Craft Pty Ltd in Australia, the hydromechanical suspension

allows the hulls to move independently of the vessel’s chassis,

absorbing harsh, slamming impacts when operating at high speed

in tough conditions. With the propulsion and power generating

systems placed in the hulls and the hydraulic unit and batteries

stored underneath the chassis, there is free space on deck for

cargo, passengers, equipment and automatic crew lifts.

Wallaby Boats, which was founded specifically to design and

construct this innovative project, will design and build a series of vessels ranging from 14-meter daughter

crafts/service operation vessels to 20-meter crew transfer vessels. The prototype, WB 18 Wind, was

classified by LR, and will go through heavy weather trials in the Baltic Sea and will also be tested in the

rougher environments of the North Sea and the English Channel.

The suspension system allows the comparatively small vessel to withstand significant wave heights as

well as transport crewmembers to and from offshore wind parks. The demonstrator currently under

development is designed as a crew transfer vessel seating 31 persons including 2 crew members. As the

suspension system can buffer the impact of even large waves, the passengers will be subjected to less

motion and g-forces during transit. This reduces the risk of seasickness and number of accidents, even in

harsh weather, making crew transfers safer and more reliable. The vessel’s heated walkways and

handrails can also improve safety in adverse conditions. Due to its smaller size and substantial wave

performance, even at high speeds, the vessel offers savings on resources and cost, reducing CapEx by up

to 30% and OpEx by roughly 50%. Not surprisingly offshore wind developers have already shown

interest in the project, with EnBW providing funds and a long-term charter following the Sea Acceptance

Test.

Mission: zero carbon footprint

Aiming for a net zero carbon footprint in production and operation of the new vessels, Wallaby Boats is

building the demonstrator in accordance with ISO 18001, Blue Angel Ship Design and EU Ship

Recycling Regulation standards. Source : Lloyds register

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Technical issues force HMS Diamond out of Carrier Strike Group by Harry Lye in London

RN Type 45 destroyer HMS DIAMOND has detached from the UK's Carrier Strike Group due to

'technical issues', adding to a long history of the class's mechanical problems. The RN has confirmed that

Daring-class Type 45 destroyer, HMS DIAMOND, has detached from the UK's Carrier Strike Group

2021 (CSG 21) following 'technical issues'. The ship stayed in Augusta, Sicily, whilst the remainder of

CSG 21 transited the Suez Canal to begin the second leg of its maiden deployment. An RN spokesperson

told Shephard: 'The UK Carrier Strike Group continues with global operations and has transited through

the Suez Canal with a defensive ring of highly capable ships drawn from the Royal Navy and its closest

partners. Source : Shepherd Media

_____________________________________________________________________________________

MNA CIRCULAR 2021 - #12 30th July 2021

16

The Pulse

Corinth Canal Closed for Summer 2021 The operators of the Corinth Canal in Greece have advised that the canal will remain closed to marine

traffic until the end of the summer 2021 season with a probable extension. Studies and restoration works

are under way following a landslide in January this year.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

SpaceX May Have the Largest Unmanned Merchant Vessel in Operation No bridge, no lookout, no windows: the flat-sided

deckhouse of SpaceX's new self-driving deck barge (Elon

Musk) Elon Musk's commercial space launch company,

SpaceX, may have deployed the largest fully unmanned

commercial vessel in operation today. The 10,000 dwt,

300-foot deck barge MARMAC 302 was recently

converted at Bollinger's Port Fourchon yard and renamed

A Shortfall of Gravitas. She been outfitted with a wider

deck and a set of four thruster pods, enabling her to hold

station and catch SpaceX's booster rockets on their return

to earth.

SpaceX owns two similar vessels built from the hulls of Marmac 302's sister barges, the Marmac 303 and

304, and both are DP-capable without crew on board. However, SpaceX says that A Shortfall of Gravitas

(dubbed ASOG by SpaceX fans) can drive itself to and from port, without crew and without a tow. A

video released by Elon Musk on Twitter appears to show the vessel self-navigating at a reasonable speed,

comparable to or faster than what might be expected under tow. No bridge, windows, lookouts or other

signs of an onboard navigational watch are in evidence.In a followup tweet, Musk confirmed that ASOG

is fully automated and requires no tugboat for transits. (It is, however, getting a tow from the Gulf of

Mexico to its homeport in Port Canaveral.) The largest existing autonomous cargo vessel, the YARA

BIRKELAND, is still operating in a fully-crewed test phase. She is somewhat smaller than ASOG at

3,000 dwt and 260 feet in length. SpaceX conducted its first successful rocket landing at sea in 2016,

setting a new technological milestone that has allowed the company to greatly reduce its operating cost

per launch. SpaceX's Falcon 9 boosters are designed for refurbishment and reuse, a departure from the

disposable-booster business model used by its competitors. Musk has compared the traditional approach to

"disposable airplanes" and claims that SpaceX saves money after the third flight on each booster. Source : MAREX

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Stranded and Shattered Seafarers Threaten Global Supply Lines By Jonathan Saul and Roslan Khasawneh

"I've seen grown men cry," says Captain Tejinder Singh, who hasn't set foot on dry land in more than

seven months and isn't sure when he'll go home.

"We are forgotten and taken for granted," he says of the plight facing tens of thousands of seafarers

like him, stranded at sea as the Delta variant of the coronavirus wreaks havoc on shore.

"People don't know how their supermarkets are stocked up."

Singh and most of his 20-strong crew have criss-crossed the globe on an exhausting odyssey: from India

to the United States then on to China, where they were stuck off the congested coast for weeks waiting to

unload cargo. He was speaking to Reuters from the Pacific Ocean as his ship now heads to Australia.

They are among about 100,000 seafarers stranded at sea beyond their regular stints of typically 3-9

months, according to the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), many without even a day's break on

land. Another 100,000 are stuck on shore, unable to board the ships they need to earn a living on.

The Delta variant devastating parts of Asia - home to many of the world's 1.7 million commercial

seafarers - has prompted many nations to cut off land access to visiting crews, in some cases even for

medical treatment. Just 2.5% of seafarers - one in every 40 - have been vaccinated, the ICS estimates.

The United Nations describes the situation as a humanitarian crisis at sea and says governments should

class seafarers as essential workers. Given ships transport around 90% of the world's trade, the deepening

crisis also poses a major threat to the supply chains we rely on for everything from oil and iron to food

and electronics.

MNA CIRCULAR 2021 - #12 30th July 2021

17

The Pulse

Bulk carrier master Singh, from northern India, is not optimistic of going ashore anytime soon; his last

stint at sea lasted 11 months. He said his crew of Indians and Filipinos were living out of cabins

measuring about 15ft by 6ft."Being at sea for a very long time is tough," he says, adding that he had heard

reports of seafarers killing themselves on other ships. "The most difficult question to answer is when kids

ask, 'Papa when you are coming home?'," he said from his vessel, which was recently carrying coal. India

and the Philippines, both reeling from vicious waves of COVID-19, account for more than a third of the

world's commercial seafarers, said Guy Platten, secretary general of the ICS, which represents over 80%

of the world's merchant fleet.

"We are seriously disturbed that a second global crew change crisis is looming large on the horizon," he

told Reuters, referring to a months-long stretch in 2020 when 200,000 seafarers on ships were unable to

be relieved.

PEOPLE ARE DESPERATE

In a snapshot of the situation, this month almost 9% of merchant sailors have been stuck aboard their

ships beyond their contracts' expiry, up from just over 7% in May, according to data compiled by the

Global Maritime Forum non-profit group from 10 ship managers together responsible for over 90,000

seafarers. The maximum allowed contract length is 11 months, as stipulated by a U.N. seafaring

convention.

In normal times, around 50,000 seafarers rotate on and 50,000 rotate off ships per month on average but

the numbers are now a fraction of that, according to industry players, though there are no precise figures.

The new crew crisis stems from restrictions imposed by major maritime nations across Asia including

South Korea, Taiwan and China, which are home to many of the world's busiest container ports.

Requirements range from mandatory testing for crews who come from or have visited certain countries,

to outright bans on crew changes and berthing operations.

"Asia really is struggling and the only countries you can go about routine crew changes to some extent are

Japan and Singapore," said Rajesh Unni, chief executive of Synergy Marine Group, a leading ship

manager responsible for 14,000 seafarers. "The issue is that we have one set of people who desperately

want to go home because they have finished their tenure, and another set of people onshore that are

desperate to get back onboard to earn a living."

GLOBAL BRANDS, BEWARE

The crisis has led to almost half of commercial seafarers either considering leaving the industry or being

unsure whether they would stay or go, according to a survey by the International Transport Workers'

Federation (ITF) in March. This suggests a looming labor crunch that would strain the world's 50,000-

strong merchant shipping fleet and threaten the integrity of global supply chains.

A shortage of container ships carrying consumer products and logjams at ports around the world are

already rippling through the retail industry, which has seen freight rates spike to record levels, driving up

prices for goods. "You don't have enough crew anyway. The shipping industry was working on a very

lean model," said Mark O'Neil, CEO of leading ship manager Columbia Shipmanagement and also

president of the international association for ship and crew managers. "But now we have all of these

problems and we have a large number of seafarers taken out of that available crewing pool," he said,

adding that the result could be vessels unable to sail. Stephen Cotton, general secretary of the ITF, said

seafarers were being pushed to their physical and mental limits. "Some in the industry estimate that as

many as 25% fewer seafarers are joining vessels than pre-pandemic," he added. "We have warned that

global brands need to be ready for the moment some of these tired and fatigued people finally snap.

SHOTS FOR SEAFARERS

While COVID-19 infections in India have retreated from their peak, countries like Bangladesh, Vietnam

and Indonesia are grappling surging cases and imposing new lockdowns. "If it gets worse, which it could

well do, or if Myanmar, Vietnam, Indonesia, Ukraine - other crewing centers - experience the same

problem, then the wheels would really come off," O'Neil added. The gravity of the assessment was

echoed by Esben Poulsson, chairman of the board of the ICS.

"In my 50 years in the maritime industry, the crew change crisis has been unprecedented in the

devastating impact it has had on seafarers around the world," he told his board in June. Most seafarers

come from developing nations that have struggled to secure adequate vaccination supplies, leaving many

MNA CIRCULAR 2021 - #12 30th July 2021

18

The Pulse

in the maritime industry low on the priority list. Governments with significant access to vaccines have a

"moral responsibility" towards seafarers, said the ICS's Platten."They must follow the lead of the U.S. and

the Netherlands and vaccinate non-native crews delivering goods to their ports. They must prioritize

seafarer vaccination," he added. A total of 55 member countries of the U.N. shipping agency, the

International Maritime Organization (IMO), have classed seafarers as essential workers, said David

Hammond, chief executive of the charitable organization Human Rights at Sea. This would allow them to

travel more freely and return to their homes, and give them better access to vaccines. "But what about the

other 119 member states and associate members?" asked Hammond. "Collectively, the global shipping

industry is part of a $14 trillion maritime supply chain that cannot seemingly look after its 1.7 million

seafarers."

Source : Marinelink/Reuters (Reporting by Jonathan Saul in LONDON, Roslan Khasawneh in

SINGAPORE, Muyu Xu in BEIJING, Mayank Bhardwaj in NEW DELHI and Enrico Dela Cruz in

MANILA; Editing by Pravin Char)

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Abandoned boxship master appeals for support By : Nidaa Bakhsh

THE master of a general cargo ship abandoned in Romania since the end of last year is appealing

for support.

According to Human Rights at Sea, the captain, along with three other Syrian crew members, has been

left without money, proper food, potable water. They also only have periodic power supplies and have

been living on handouts from welfare organisations. The seafarers are owed $175,000 in outstanding

wages from the owner of the 1993-built, Panama flagged Ali Bey (IMO: 9070515) vessel, according to

the charity The matter has been raised in a local court In a video message, Capt. Abdullah Dahha said:

“We are here without basics of life —without food, without potable water, without cash, with nothing.”

He asked for help with wages, and rights to go home. The vessel, which has had 87 inspections and

detentions, and was involved in six casualties, according to Lloyd's List Intelligence data, had 12 crew on

board at the time of the abandonment.

The majority left after four months of wages being paid by the American P&I club as per the Maritime

Labour Convention 2006According to a filing with the joint abandonment database run by the

International Maritime Organisation and the International Labour Organisation, the owner of the vessel

threatened action against the master and the International Transport Workers’ Federation inspector who

reported the case Lloyd’s List Intelligence lists the beneficial owner as Team Chartering & Shipping

Services of Turkey An email and phone call to the company was not answered. Source : Lloydslist

_____________________________________________________________________________________

As Many as 17 Missing in Cargo Ship Sinking Incident off Liberia As many as 17 people were missing from a cargo ship that sank off the coast of Liberia over the weekend

despite being barred from setting sail, the Maritime Commissioner said. The Liberian-registered NIKO

IVANKA left the capital Monrovia on Saturday for a port in the West African country's south, despite

being under a detention order for failing to meet basic safety requirements. The vessel sent out a distress

signal that afternoon, notifying the coastguard that it had taken on water. By the time authorities arrived,

it had already partially sunk. Eighteen people were on the ship's manifest, 11 of whom had been rescued

during a 36-hour search, commissioner Eugene Nagbe told reporters on Monday. But those rescued said

that there were in fact about 28 people on board, leaving 17 missing. "For now, our concern is a search

and rescue mission," Nagbe said. "My focus is the lives of those people missing." The precise number of

passengers remained unknown, Deputy Information Minister Jarlaywah Tonpoe told Reuters earlier. "The

vessel was not a passenger authorized vessel and yet it had passengers on board," Tonpoe said. "So in

the coming days, investigation will establish how many people were on board." It was not clear how or

why the ship was able to leave harbour or whether it was carrying any cargo at the time. The vessel's

owner, a Chinese national, was arrested on Sunday afternoon, Nagbe said. Among those listed on the

manifest were a Swedish captain, a Chinese crew member, and nine members of West Africa's regional

school examinations body. Source : Marinelink (Reporting By Alphonso Toweh Writing by Edward

McAllister Editing by Nick Macfie)

_____________________________________________________________________________________

MNA CIRCULAR 2021 - #12 30th July 2021

19

The Pulse

New BIMCO clause clarifies contractual position on AIS switch-off BIMCO has published a new charter party clause to help tackle potential abuse by sanctions busters of the

Automatic Identification System (AIS) which is mandatory for all ships to use under regulations for the

Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS). One way of “busting” sanctions prohibiting trade with certain countries is

for a ship to switch off its AIS to reduce the likelihood of its location becoming known. AIS transmits

information about a ship including its identity and position. SOLAS requires AIS to not be switched off

or disabled at any time other than for very specific safety and security reasons permitted by the

regulations, such as avoiding detection by pirates in high-risk areas. ……………………………..

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Long Beach considers SINKING historic Queen Mary Long Beach considers SINKING historic Queen Mary cruise liner which has been deteriorating in its

harbor for years - as experts reveal preserving it would cost $500MILLION

• Queen Mary cruise liner was built in Scotland and was one of the world's most majestic vessels

after it set sail in 1936

• The ship was retired in 1967 and has

spent the past 54 years docked in

Long Beach, California

• Since that time, the Queen Mary has

served as a floating hotel and tourist

attraction

• The coronavirus pandemic forced the

closure of the vessel and

the company that held its lease

recently filed for bankruptcy

• Long Beach City Council is now

deciding what to do with the cruise

liner, which needs millions in urgent

repair work

Officials in Long Beach, California, are considering paying $190 million to dismantle and sink the Queen

Mary - the historic cruise liner docked at the city's shore since 1964.

On Tuesday, members of the Long Beach City Council were presented with a range of options for the

once-majestic vessel, which now requires extensive repairs.

In recent years, the Queen Mary has been a tourist attraction complete with an on-board hotel and

restaurants. However, the ship closed after the company that held its lease recently filed for bankruptcy.

Long Beach officials now have to decide what to do with the 81,000-ton vessel.

Officials in Long Beach, California are considering paying $190 million to dismantle and sink the Queen

Mary - the historic cruise liner that has been docked on the city's shore since 1964.

In recent years, the Queen Mary functioned as a tourist attraction complete with an on-board hotel and

restaurants. However, the ship is currently closed to the public after the company that held its lease

recently filed for bankruptcy.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the Queen Mary 'needs $23 million in immediate repairs to prevent

it from potentially capsizing', but costs to safeguard the ship are far more expensive.

Marine engineering firm Moffatt & Nichol told lawmakers Tuesday that it could cost between $200

million and $500 million to preserve the liner for the next 100 years.

Experts would need to move the 87-year-old cruise ship to a dry dock to complete the massive renovation

and upgrade.

The cost to preserve the vessel for the next 25 years could go up to $175 million, experts explained.

Dismantling and sinking the Queen Mary was the third option experts proposed.

Queen Mary photo taken in April this year

MNA CIRCULAR 2021 - #12 30th July 2021

20

The Pulse

They told the Long Beach City Council that choice would likely cost somewhere between $105 million

and $190 million, as the boat would need to be 'transported to a scrap facility or a location in the ocean

where it would become an artificial reef'.

Members of the Long Beach City Council did

not make a decision Tuesday, but several

members opposed sinking the historic liner.

Vice Mayor Rex Richardson said it would be

'irresponsible' to do so.

Meanwhile, council member Suzie Price

suggested making it a national monument and

putting it under the control of a federal agency.

Prior to the COVID pandemic, the Queen Mary

brought in $3.3 million in tax revenues to Long

Beach as a tourist attraction.

Several council members proposed 'adding a

theme park or a gambling venue to the ship' to

make it more viable into the future.

The Queen Mary was built in Scotland during the early 1930s, before its maiden voyage from

Southampton to New York City in 1936.

It boasted indoor swimming pools, beauty salons, libraries and children's nurseries, and quickly became

known as one of the world's most lavish cruise liners.

During World War II, it was converted into a

troopship, and sailed to Sydney, Australia, to carry

soldiers back to the United Kingdom.

Following the war, the boat underwent a 10-month

refurbishment before it resumed as a cruise liner. For

more than two decades, it sailed the North Atlantic,

traveling between the United Kingdom and the U.S.

East Coast.

Prince Edward, Wallis Simpson, Winston Churchill,

Audrey Hepburn and Liz Taylor all traveled on the

historic boat before she was retired in 1967.

On August 2, 1942, it began making fast eastbound

voyages carrying between 10,000-15,000 US troops at

a time.

On September 27, 1946, the Queen Mary was handed back to Cunard.

During its war service it had travelled over 600,000 miles and carried nearly 800,000 people. A ten-month

refit was then embarked upon at Southampton.

Air conditioning was fitted and passenger accommodation was altered to house 711 first class, 707 cabin

class and 577 tourist class passengers. It made its first sailing after this on July 31, 1947, from

Southampton to New York.

It made its last transatlantic crossing on September 16, 1967.

There was considerable speculation regarding the future use of the ship, but this ended in July when

Cunard decided to sell the liner to the town of Long Beach for £1,230,000.

The Queen Mary's journey to Long Beach was turned into a cruise to recoup some of the voyage costs.

It left on October 31 and called at Lisbon, Las Palmas, Rio de Janeiro, Valparaiso, Callao, Balboa,

Acapulco and finally at Long Beach.

It arrived at Long Beach on December 9 to begin its new role as a museum, hotel and conference centre.

The Queen Mary remains there today as a testament to the supreme achievement of the Atlantic ferry.

Michael Gallagher, Cunard historian

_____________________________________________________________________________________

The Queen Mary's propulsion machinery produced a

massive 160,000 SHP (shaft horsepower) and gave it a

speed of over 30 knots

The luxury dining room of the Queen Mary served as

a mess hall for American soldiers, while the vessel

was a troopship during World War II

MNA CIRCULAR 2021 - #12 30th July 2021

21

The Pulse

Safety of navigation in confined waters: a practical guide to avoid accidents The aim of this article is to provide practical advice to both seafarers and shore side personnel, in order

to prevent further difficult situations for ships.

https://www.ukpandi.com/news-and-resources/articles/2021/safety-of-navigation-in-confined-waters-a-

practical-guide-to-avoid-accidents/?dm_i=33T,7GTQE,LGE99N,UCQ1L,1

_____________________________________________________________________________________

The UK and Australia’s two new polar research ships got together off the

coast of Falmouth this week (18 July 2021) during sea trials in preparation for

their first Antarctic missions. The state-of-the-art RRS Sir David

Attenborough and RSV Nuyina will enable scientists to

understand changes in our planet’s climate, oceans and

marine life.

RSV Nuyina and RRS Sir David Attenborough

rendezvous off the coast of Falmouth. Photo: Flying

Focus

RRS Sir David Attenborough, commissioned by NERC

and built by Cammell Laird for operation by British

Antarctic Survey (BAS) is carrying out Sea

Acceptance Tests on some of its nine scientific

winches, with a combined 61,000m of cable for

deploying and retrieving scientific equipment, the

winches are essential for launching marine robotics and oceanographic equipment. Captained by John

Harper, the crew is completing on board training and gaining experience in operating the ship.

RSV Nuyina, commissioned by the Australian Government, and built in Romania for the Australian

Antarctic Division travelled to the Netherlands in 2020 to begin sea trials. It is now undergoing trials off

the coast of East Anglia.

The Australian Antarctic Division and British Antarctic

Survey have a long history of collaboration, including

the Antarctica’s Gamburtsev Province Project to map

Subglacial Mountains beneath the ice sheet in the centre of

East Antarctica.

Professor Dame Jane Francis said:

“This is such an exciting stage of the commissioning of both

the UK and Australia’s new polar ships. To be able to meet up

and celebrate the achievements of the ship’s so far was a

great opportunity and we look forward to collaborating in the

future.”

RSV Nuyina and RRS Sir David Attenborough rendezvous off the coast of Falmouth. Photo: Flying

Focus

Both RRS Sir David Attenborough and RSV Nuyina are expected to carry out their first Antarctic

missions in the upcoming 2021/22 season.

For more information on RSV Nuyina and the Australian Antarctic Division

visit https://www.antarctica.gov.au/antarctic-operations/travel-and-logistics/ships/icebreaker/

For more information on RRS Sir David Attenborough and British Antarctic Survey, visit bas.ac.uk/rrs-

sir-david-attenborough.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

WHO Says Seafarers Should Receive Priority for COVID-19 Vaccinations https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/who-says-seafarers-should-receive-priority-for-covid-19-

vaccinations

_____________________________________________________________________________________

MNA CIRCULAR 2021 - #12 30th July 2021

22

The Pulse

Brittany Ferries orders two new, hybrid ferries During a French press conference in Paris, Brittany Ferries announced the agreement with Stena RoRo

for the construction of two new E-Flexers.

· To be used on Channel routes from Saint-Malo (Bretagne) and Ouistreham (Normandy) to Portsmouth.

· New generation of E-Flexers: shortened version (194m) because of port restrictions

· Hybrid: LNG + battery + Shore power

· Chartered from Stena RoRo with purchase option after 4 years

· Strong financial involvement of regions Bretagne (SOMABRET) and Normandy (SOMANOR)

Source : Ferry Shipping News & Ferry Shipping Summit

_____________________________________________________________________________________

The survival of the Lloyd’s Salvage Arbitration Branch Authors : Mark Lloyd / Craig Boyle-Smith

In our briefing in May 2021, we advised that Lloyd’s had announced that it was considering whether to

close its Salvage Arbitration Branch (LSAB) and thereby leave the future administration of its Standard

Form Salvage Agreement and the ultimate survival of the Lloyd’s Open Form (LOF) in the balance.

Further to a message to stakeholders released by Lloyd’s today (21 July), the wider international maritime

community will be no doubt pleased to learn that, following its review of agency services - and

specifically the LSAB - Lloyd’s will:

Ø Continue to operate the LSAB and LOF

Ø Amend the charging structure for use of LOF with effect from 1 October 2021.

At the time of the initial announcement that Lloyd’s was placing the LSAB (which provides crucial

administrative support to how the LOF operates) under review, it had been understood that Lloyd’s no

longer considered the LSB to be ‘core’ to its business.

However, following substantial feedback and representations understood to have been received from the

Admiralty Solicitors Group, The International Group, the LMA, the SCR panel, LOF Arbitrators,

Maritime London, the Minister for Shipping, and the SCOPIC Committee, Lloyd’s has recognised the

international maritime community’s support of LSAB and LOF and is “determined to increase the use of

the form and highlight the benefits that its use can bring.” Details relating to the proposed amendments to

the charging structure for the use of LSAB and LOF have not however been made available at this stage.

Comment

This announcement from Lloyd’s can be seen as a welcome development for the international marine

market, protecting the LOF contract which has been recognised and utilised since its earliest days. The

administration of LOF continues to be a service of paramount importance to the marine and shipping

industry, and Lloyd’s announcement securing its status is likely to ward off any threat of an alternative

‘no cure, no pay’ contract and awards systems rising to prominence. Lloyd’s will seek to harness the

recent backing of its platform to establish an ‘LOF Market Working Group’ to review and support the

Lloyd’s Salvage Group in developing the LSAB and the LOF going forward. This will be something that

we will continue to monitor very closely and keep all updated by way of further briefings.

Related item: Is Lloyd’s Open Form on borrowed time? - Kennedys (kennedyslaw.com)

Source : Kennedylaw

_____________________________________________________________________________________

At least 24 killed, 31 missing after storm strikes fishing ships in central Indonesia Rescuers have found 24 bodies and kept searching for 31 other missing persons after 18 ships were hit by

storm in waters off West Kalimantan province in central Indonesia days ago, the top rescuer of the

province said on Wednesday. The incident took place in Sambas district when two tug boats and fishing

ships had already taken position near the coast, and some others were on their way to the territory in

response to the warning from the weather agency of the possibility of extreme weather condition, said

Yopi Haryadi, head of the provincial search and rescue office. Source : Xinhua News Agency

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Boskalis awarded contract for deepening the approach channel to harbour of Harwich, UK _____________________________________________________________________________________

MNA CIRCULAR 2021 - #12 30th July 2021

23

The Pulse

FLOATS YOUR BOAT Bizarre ‘floating cruise ship’ spotted off British coast in mind-bending optical illusion.

THIS is the incredible moment a cruise ship is spotted appearing to hover above the sea off

Plymouth in a mind-bending optical illusion.

The phenomenon was captured on Louiz Ryan's phone

while he was travelling from Exeter to Plymouth on the

train.

Fata Morgana, the name the optical illusion behind the

phenomenon, is a common occurrence.

The mind-boggling images show a large white liner

floating above the sea like some kind of ghost ship.

"My first thought was, do cruise ships actually fly," a

baffled Louiz said as he took the photos near Teignmouth.

This isn't the first time Brits have been tricked by an

optical illusion.

In April, a container ship appeared hovering in the

sky along a piece of the Kent coastline, mesmerising

onlookers.

Another was spotted near Falmouth in March and in Aberdeenshire.

The phenomenon - known as Fata Morgana - is created when the sun heats up the atmosphere above

either the land or the sea.

A layer of warmer air sits on top of a layer of cold air, causing the light from the ship to bend and making

colours blend together.

For a Fata Morgana to appear, the atmospheric conditions have to be just right, the Mail Online reports.

It starts with a cold air mass close to the ground or surface of the water that is topped by a warm layer of

air higher in the atmosphere.

And although the phenomenon can occur on land, they are more common at sea because water helps to

form the cool air layer required.

BBC meteorologist David Braine previously said the phenomenon is caused conditions in the atmosphere

which bend light. Source:- The Sun

_____________________________________________________________________________________

COVID Outbreak on Ship Off New Zealand Confirmed as Delta Variant Crew members of a Marshall Islands-flagged containership are being quarantined on board the ship off

New Zealand after testing positive for the highly transmissible Delta strain of COVID-19.

The MV Mattina arrived at the Port of Bluff on Sunday with two crew members showing symptoms of

COVID-19. Tests of all 21 crew members have confirmed at least nine cases of the virus. An update from

New Zealand’s Ministry of Health said genome sequencing tests have shown that the crew members have

the Delta variant.

The agency said plans have been finalized to disembark crew members who have tested negative,

including the ship’s captain, and isolate away from the positive crew members. Those with the virus are

being quarantined on the ship.

Read more at https://gcaptain.com/covid-outbreak-on-ship-off-new-zealand-confirmed-as-delta-

variant/?subscriber=true&goal=0_f50174ef03-49289cca1f-

139899793&mc_cid=49289cca1f&mc_eid=44ea8152fe

_____________________________________________________________________________________

The Lonely Whale https://api.follow.it/trackstatistics/v2/tsuCqakmYiksHbSAxcgzzjQrk7G3syPmzkse1mXm9HgQoO03wvp

4RGZuPaqttwwIY0GZzgLz0wjlUUMA73Uk5g?key=--

XHZqzvL806IQpA9XmjzGG7Xnl10gtkERuPKoV9DVykGO5CulcKQQN9T9WgfhePgcO1pNECxvf_2

uAyVwpOuNw7t9DpO_jEEbYwOnFA02JlA0iLLQ7PgA

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Photographer Louiz Ryan couldn't believe

his eyes when he saw the cruise liner

floating in the skyCredit: Apex

MNA CIRCULAR 2021 - #12 30th July 2021

24

The Pulse

Ruptured tank caused 2019 explosion on Cayman-flagged ship By Michael Klein

The UK government’s Marine Accident Investigation Branch

(MAIB) has released its final report on the explosion on a

Cayman Islands-registered ship in South Korea on 28 Sept.

2019.The massive explosion of the chemical tanker STOLT

GROENLAND in the cargo port of Ulsan was caused by the

rupture of a cargo tank containing styrene monomer – a

colourless, oily liquid that is a precursor to polystyrene. The

inquiry found that nearby heated cargo tanks caused the

dangerous warming of the temperature-sensitive substance.

Styrene is widely used in the chemical industry but is

thermally unstable. The explosion and subsequent fire

injured two crew and 15 emergency responders.

The tank rupture resulted from runaway polymerisation, a

chemical reaction of styrene molecules. It released a large

quantity of vapour into the atmosphere that ignited and formed a burning mushroom cloud over the road

bridge to Ulsan. It took 700 firefighters with 117 fire trucks, pumps and fire tugs six hours to fight the

blaze. The investigation report found that an inhibitor compound, that was added to the tank to prevent

this type of chemical reaction, had depleted more quickly than expected because of the heat from

surrounding cargo tanks. Although the styrene monomer had not been stowed directly next to heated

cargo, the crew had not fully appreciated the potential heat transfer through intermediate tanks, or

monitored the styrene temperature, the report said. About a month before the accident, another case of

styrene polymerisation occurred on the STOLT FOCUS, another Cayman Islands-registered ship that

belongs to the same company, Stolt Tankers B.V. This ship’s crew noticed the heating before a critical

temperature was reached and prevented a runaway reaction by adding saltwater to the tanks.

However, the ship’s crew did not alert the Cayman Islands Shipping Registry about the incident

immediately, as it should have under Cayman regulations, according to the report. “In not reporting or

informing other ships’ masters of the Stolt Focus marine incident, an opportunity to avoid the explosion

in Ulsan was lost,” the report said.

The accident investigation was carried out by the UK government branch on behalf of the Cayman

Islands government. Cayman is responsible for the safety checks and protocols on licensed vessels. The

report aims to help prevent similar accidents in the future and not to apportion liability or blame. Under

Cayman’s Merchant Shipping Regulations, the investigation report is not admissible in any court

proceedings. The report made several safety recommendations to ensure that the guidance provided for

inhibitor and styrene monomer handling is consistent and achievable “given the limitations of equipment

and testing facilities on board ships”. In response to the accident, Stolt Tankers B.V. ensured that the

temperatures of all cargoes carried on board its ships are monitored and reported to shore management.

The company also took steps to enhance crew awareness of the hazards of heat-sensitive cargoes. Korea’s

Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries has now prohibited the ship-to-ship transfer of dangerous cargo on

general cargo berths in Ulsan. Source : Cayman Compass

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Navy sea graves to be protected from looters by underwater drones, says First

Sea Lord https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/07/18/navy-sea-graves-protected-looters-underwater-drones-

says-

first/#:~:text=Royal%20Navy%20sea%20graves%20are,unethical%20scrap%20metal%20bounty%20hun

ters.

Royal Navy sea graves are to be protected from looters by underwater drones, the First Sea Lord has said,

as US forensics teams work to identify British remains of past conflicts. …….. Discuss……..?

_____________________________________________________________________________________

MNA CIRCULAR 2021 - #12 30th July 2021

25

The Pulse

Nigeria Sentences Pirates to Prison A court in Lagos sentenced 10 men to 12 years in prison

on Friday for kidnapping the crew of a Chinese-flagged merchant vessel last year, the navy said, a verdict

that officials hope will help tackle piracy in the waters off Nigeria’s coast. Federal high court Justice

Ayokunle Faji, who also fined each man 250,000 naira ($608) for each of the three counts for which they

were charged, said their actions in kidnapping 18 crew from the FV HAILUFENG II in May 2020, were

“an embarrassment to the nation that has impacted the economy negatively.” The defense counsel said the

men would appeal. The hijacking ended when the navy said it had rescued the vessel’s crew members and

arrested the pirates. The Gulf of Guinea, which spans more than a dozen West African countries, has been

known as “pirate alley” for years due to persistent attacks. Last year pirates in the region kidnapped a

record 130 seafarers in 22 separate incidents, according to the International Maritime Bureau. Most of the

pirates operating in the area come from the Delta region of Nigeria, which is poverty-stricken despite

being rich in oil resources. Last year a Nigerian court made the first convictions under a 2019 anti-piracy

law. Before that, there was no specific law against piracy. ($1 = 411.0000 naira) source : Reuters

(Reporting By Camillus Eboh and Tife Owolabi Writing by Libby George Editing by Frances Kerry)

_____________________________________________________________________________________

The British Royal Navy has only one operational destroyer Published by: MRT

British ministers acknowledged that only

one of the six destroyers type 45 The Royal

Navy is operational, a situation that House

of Commons Defense Committee Chairman

Tobias Ellwood called “operationally

unacceptable.” During the meeting of the

commission this Tuesday in the Palace of

Westminster, the congregation confirmed

that at the moment the HMS DEFENDER

is the only ship that does not experience

problems. UK Defense Procurement

Minister Jeremy Quin confirmed that the

destroyers HMS DARING & HMS

DUNCAN are undergoing maintenance work, while the HMS DAUNTLESS is undergoing a

modernization process that will end at the end of this year It is also expected that the HMS Dragon, which

is currently also facing planned maintenance work, but, according to Quin, could return to sea in the

coming months. Meanwhile, the HMS DIAMOND registers problems with the propulsion.

“HMS DEFENDER is currently our only operational Type 45 destroyer. If that ship experiences

propulsion problems that we have seen across the entire Type 45 family, our carrier group would be

forced to rely on a NATO ally to ensure protection of the destroyers, “concluded Ellwood, adding that

this situation shows that his country needs” a bigger Navy.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

The lessons and the aftermath of the Ever Given incident https://lloydslist.maritimeintelligence.informa.com/LL1137492/The-lessons-and-the-aftermath-of-the-

Ever-Given-incident

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Port of London Authority recruits more apprentices for careers on Thames

The Port of London Authority is recruiting three more apprentices to join its marine operations and

engineering teams, based in Gravesend, Kent.

PLA director of human resources Glenn Witham said: ‘We want to create long-term opportunities and

careers for our apprentices. They are key to the future of the PLA and the wider marine sector.’

The new recruits will join an established team of eight apprentices at the PLA.

PLA training and liaison officer Rachel De Bont added: ‘These new vacancies are an exciting opportunity

to start a career, supported by first class training opportunities.’

_____________________________________________________________________________________

The Type 45 destroyer D 36 HMS DEFENDER transited the

Singapore Strait last Friday with a speed of 22 knots

Photo : Piet Sinke www.maasmondmaritime.com (c)

MNA CIRCULAR 2021 - #12 30th July 2021

26

The Pulse

DERBYSHIRE SUBMARINERS NEWSLETTER TRADE JOURNAL 264

AUGUST 2021 The Trade Journal No 264 August 2021 link is now active for the August Edition

of the Derbyshire Submariners newsletter Trade Journal with a special message

on the back page from our Chairman, Coin Watson now moved to Aberdeenshire.

http://www.godfreydykes.info/TJ%20264%20Aug%202021.pdf

STOP PRESS. Derby RBL Pop in Centre now Closed. The RBL Board of Trustees has confirmed the

charity will be removing its 15 High Street Pop-in Centres and reducing its office space across the

UK also closing area and secondary offices, and instead creating six regional hubs in Belfast,

Birmingham, Cardiff, Manchester, London & Edinburgh from which we will continue to deliver our

operations.

A bit of Positive Local News: A new Micro Pub has opened in Spondon - The Hoptimist,

the bad news is is has taken over the premises where a very good local Hardware shop was!!

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Over €130 million in cocaine found in Costa Rica sweet potato shipment Criminal investigators working at the port of Rotterdam on Friday night found a large amount of cocaine

hidden in a sweet potato shipment. A total of 1,760 kilograms of cocaine was seized, the Public

Prosecution Service (OM) said in a statement. The cocaine carried an estimated street value of 132

million euros. The drugs were found hidden in a sea container which was sent from Costa Rica. The haul

was destined for a company in The Hague. Authorities do not believe the business had any knowledge

that the cocaine was sent with the root vegetables. It was the second major capture at the port in a week,

as investigators found just over 3,000 kilograms of cocaine in a banana puree shipment from Ecuador.

That batch was valued at about 225 million euros. At the end of June, nearly 3,000 kilograms of the drug

was discovered on a farm in De Kwakel. Though that catch was estimated at 195 million euros, it was

found along with over 11 million euros in cash. The recent port seizure was uncovered by the Hit-and-

Run Cargo Team working at the Rotterdam seaport. The team is made up of investigators from the port

police, the Rotterdam office of the OM, financial crimes inspectorate FIOD and the Dutch customs office.

Source : NLtime

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Vaccination of Seafarers Since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic worked closely together to ensure that seafarers are kept

safe from the coronavirus and that crew change continues with minimum disruption.Throughout the

pandemic seafarers have ensured that the global supply chain continued to deliver goods despite the

restrictions, and it is essential that these key workers are prioritised when it comes to lifesaving vaccines

Several vaccines have now been authorised in different countries and more are gaining official

authorisation on a regular basis. Some countries have already started mass vaccination campaigns and,

when stocks allow it are also vaccinating foreign seafarers in their ports. The United States lead the way

but were soon joined by countries like Canada, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Cyprus and the UK

amongst others. In the global fight against Covid-19, vaccination is a key. Therefore, IMEC and ITF

strongly recommend to seafarers to get vaccinated and for companies to ensure that the seafarers that

want to be vaccinated are allowed to do so when this is possible.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Mauritius government must release Wakashio crew held for a year without charge The ITF is calling for the immediate release and repatriation of the MV WAKASHIO (IMO: 9337119)

crew who have been held by Mauritian authorities for over a year. “This week marks the one-year

anniversary of the grounding of the MV WAKASHIO and the environmental catastrophe associated with

it. This week also marks one year since the Mauritian authorities have prevented them from leaving the

Republic. ……………………………………………………… Source : ITF

_____________________________________________________________________________________

MNA CIRCULAR 2021 - #12 30th July 2021

27

The Pulse

MNA AGM

Important update – change of 2021 AGM venue Subject to any regulations in force at the time, the 2021 Merchant Navy Association AGM, on

Saturday 30th October will now take place at 11.30am at: Tyseley Working Men’s Club, 573 Warwick Road, Birmingham B11 2EX

____________________________________________________________________________________

UK sends navy ships to Jersey over fishing dispute with France France had previously threatened that the transmission of electricity from France via a submarine cable to

the island could be cut off as a “retaliation”. French fishermen plan to take action today in Jersey’s main

port of St Helier. But according to local authorities, fishermen do not intend to stop it. Johnson said

yesterday that he would send the two naval vessels to Jersey “as a precaution”. The prime minister said

the blockade would be “totally unjustified”. According to French Minister Annick Girardin (Sea), the

British introduced new conditions of access for French fishermen, allowing them to be active in the area

for a shorter period of time and removing fewer species from the waters. Girardin said he found out last

Friday. The United Kingdom has published a list of 41 French fishing boats subject to new conditions that

Paris says have not been “agreed, discussed or notified” as part of its Brexit deal with the European

Union. “Totally unacceptable,” Girardin said in Parliament this week on the issue. She fears that if France

does not take action, fishermen will also be banned from fish-rich British waters. Jersey is located 20

kilometers from the coast of Normandy. It is not part of the United Kingdom but is a property of the

British Crown

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Port of London Authority recruits more apprentices for careers on Thames The Port of London Authority is recruiting three more apprentices to join its marine operations and

engineering teams, based in Gravesend, Kent.

PLA director of human resources Glenn Witham said: ‘We want to create long-term opportunities and

careers for our apprentices. They are key to the future of the PLA and the wider marine sector.’

The new recruits will join an established team of eight apprentices at the PLA.

PLA training and liaison officer Rachel De Bont added: ‘These new vacancies are an exciting opportunity

to start a career, supported by first class training opportunities.’

_____________________________________________________________________________________

New BIMCO/ICS seafarer workforce report warns of serious potential officer

shortage https://splash247.com/new-bimco-ics-seafarer-workforce-report-warns-of-serious-potential-officer-

shortage/

_____________________________________________________________________________________

What happens to British ships when satellites don't work? The Royal Navy and Britain's merchant fleet, along with most others around the world, rely on

satellites for navigation - but what happens if they don't work?

It's a question that troubles the former First Sea Lord, Lord West of Spithead, who has spent months

trying to find out if the UK has a back-up plan.

"My concern is that those people who are not friends with us are looking at ways to knock out satellite

communications," he says.

"I thought I'd ask the government, I thought they'd have processes, but it became very clear from their

answers that they don't understand what the problem is.

"There's no proper system for achieving communication if satellites collapse."

See more at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-57440787

• 'I was blamed for blocking the Suez Canal'

_____________________________________________________________________________________

MNA CIRCULAR 2021 - #12 30th July 2021

28

The Pulse

TRIBUTE BOARD

Looking for a Good Home!

This photograph is of a large wooden

plaque approx. (5’ x 2’ 6”) or

(1500mm x 750mm).

If anyone can suggest a good home

for it, a museum, a hall or other

appropriate location please get in

touch with me at R546060@ao;.com

It was made by a Shipmate who

makes similar items of good quality

as a retirement hobby.

And it’s FREE

for collection from the

Manchester area.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

MNA CIRCULAR 2021 - #12 30th July 2021

29

The Pulse

Royal Naval Association Service & Parade - Sunday 12 September 2021 at the

Cenotaph The RNA has invited MNA members and Branch Standards to attend the event.

Please contact, as soon as possible, RNA HQ - Ops Manager - Andy Christie -

andy@royalnavalassoc.com with numbers of members attending and whether a Branch Standard will be

paraded. At present, the MNA National and 3 MNA Branch Standards are due to be paraded.

The RNA will advise times as soon as they get final numbers. In the past, it has started at 10.00 hours.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

All Hands and the Cook By Captain Barry Thompson

ISBN: 0 908608 72 1

The customs and language of the British Merchant Seaman, 1875-1975.

To quote from the book:- All Hands and the Cook – The Customs and language of the British Merchant

Seaman 1875 – 1975.

“Captain Barry Thompson shares a long-time interest in the language and customs of his shipmates and

the ships in which they served.

It is a fascinating work of social history as well as a reference for seafarers, libraries, writers, and

researchers and anyone interested in the development of popular language.

It covers a period when Britain was a great maritime nation with merchant ships trading to almost every

port in the world.

The book contains more than 2000 entries.”

Available from Ian Biles at: Ian@maritime.uk.com Price £….

_____________________________________________________________________________________

RNLI Clacton unveils new lifeboat at traditional ceremony By George King

………. The nippy orange vessel was officially named

DAMAR’s PRIDE during a ceremony at Clacton lifeboat

station as families and crew members gathered for handover.

Community members and charity fundraisers also attended

the celebration, as well as Andrew Snell, whose family

donated the new lifeboat to the station. The Snell family,

benefactor of the station's previous D-class ILB, Damarkand

IV, have been staunch supporters of the RNLI over the last 50

years. During the event Mr Snell reminded those in

attendance of the importance of lifeboats as he officially

handed over the boat to deputy chair of the RNLI Janet Cooper. He also recounted some of the lines from

Eternal Father Strong to Save and reflected on how everyone in the RNLI contributes to help those that

are in peril on the seas. Marion Snell officially named the D-class boat by dousing it in champagne,

followed by a service by Father Justin Hutcherson of St James Church. The boat was then passed onto

Clacton lifeboat operations manager, David Wells who thanked the family for their past and continued

support of the lifeboat station He said: “We are very fortunate to have Marion, Andrew and the Snell

family supporting us, with this, their second donation of a lifeboat to the Clacton station. ……….

Source : clactonandfrintongazette

_____________________________________________________________________________________

MNA CIRCULAR 2021 - #12 30th July 2021

30

The Pulse

The World’s Most Powerful Firefighting Vessel

The Singapore Civil Defense Force Heavy Fire Vessel RED SAILFISH navigating the Eastern Anchorage

inbound for the Base at the Brani terminal

Photo’s : Piet Sinke www.maasmondmaritime.com (c)

Codenamed the RED SAILFISH, after the SCDF Marine division’s mascot, It boasts 12 water and foam

monitors and has a total output of 240,000 litres of water per minute. making it the world's most powerful

firefighting vessel, These monitors can spray water up to a distance of 180 metres to 200 metres, SCDF

added. It is also the first firefighting vessel to have a dynamic positioning system (DP), which allows the

ship to automatically keeps position itself to counteract the reaction forces of its powerful pumps. The

vessel is 50m long and has a top speed of 20 knots (or about 37 kmh). It is equipped with CBR protection

and detection system, thermal imaging capabilities and a rigid-hulled inflatable boat (RHIB) for quick

launch and recovery operations. It also has a rescue room that could take up to 30 evacuees sitting or six

lying down. The RED SAILFISH can also transform into a mobile pumping station for its land

counterparts, particularly for near-shore operations.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

VIDEO: THE STORY OF RUM RATION AND BLACK TOT DAY https://pussersrum.com/blogs/black-tot-day/black-tot-day-video

_____________________________________________________________________________________

The Pool of Ship Officers Is Running Dry Reuters July 28, 2021

By Jonathan Saul (Reuters)

There could be a shortage of merchant sailors to crew

commercial ships in five years if action is not taken to boost

numbers, raising risks for global supply chains, a report said

on Wednesday.

The shipping industry is already struggling with crewing

shortfalls due to the coronavirus pandemic, a situation that

will exacerbate expected labor supply problems over the next

few years, according to the study published by trade

MNA CIRCULAR 2021 - #12 30th July 2021

31

The Pulse

associations BIMCO and the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS).

The Delta variant of the coronavirus has hit hard in parts of Asia and prompted many nations to cut off

land access for sailors. That’s left captains unable to rotate weary crews and about 100,000 seafarers

stranded at sea beyond their stints, in a flashback to 2020 and the height of lockdowns when over 200,000

merchant sailors were stuck on ships.

The study released by BIMCO and ICS estimated that 1.89 million seafarers were operating over 74,000

vessels in the global merchant fleet.

The Seafarer Workforce Report, which was last published in 2015, predicted that an additional 89,510

officers would be needed by 2026, based on projections for growth in shipping trade, and said there was a

current shortfall of some 26,240 certified officers, indicating that demand for seafarers had outpaced

supply in 2021.

“We are far beyond the safety net of workforce surplus that protects the world’s supply of food, fuel, and

medicine,” said ICS secretary general Guy Platten. “Without urgent action from governments the supply

of seafarers will run dry.”

The report said more emphasis was needed to recruit and retain seafarers.

Platten, citing industry surveys, added that as few as 20% of seafarers around the world had been

vaccinated against COVID-19 and urged governments to prioritize “essential transport workers for

vaccinations.”

“Combined with a surge in demand for labor, this is pushing global supply chains to breaking point,” he

added.

“Countries which supply most of the world’s seafarers, such as the Philippines, Indonesia and India have

limited access to COVID-19 vaccines, threatening further supply chain instability without rapid action at

a national level.”

(Reporting by Jonathan Saul; Editing by Susan Fenton, Reuters)

_____________________________________________________________________________________

How to Stay Calm A woman in a supermarket is following a grandfather and his badly behaved grandson. He has his hands

full with the child screaming for sweets, biscuits, and all sorts of things.

The grandfather is saying in a controlled voice:

"Easy, William, we won't be long".

Another outburst and she hears the grandfather calmly say,

"It's okay William. Just a couple more minutes and we'll be out of here. Hang in there".

At the checkout the little horror is throwing items out of the cart.

Grandfather says again in a controlled voice,

"William, relax buddy, don't get upset. We'll be home in five minutes, stay cool William."

Very impressed, the woman goes outside to where the grandfather is loading his groceries and the boy

into the car. She says,

"It's none of my business, but you were amazing in there. I don't know how you did it. That whole time

you kept your composure, and no matter how loud and disruptive he got, you just calmly kept saying that

things would be okay. William is very lucky to have you as his grandfather."

"Thanks," says the grandfather, "but I'm William, this little sods name is Kevin!

_____________________________________________________________________________________

MSC, Fincantieri and Snam to partner for world’s first oceangoing hydrogen-powered cruise ship

_____________________________________________________________________________________

MNA CIRCULAR 2021 - #12 30th July 2021

32

The Pulse

_____________________________________________________________________________________

MNA CIRCULAR 2021 - #12 30th July 2021

33

The Pulse

_____________________________________________________________________________________

The British have such a command of decorum and aplomb to which others can

only aspire.

His Lordship was in the study when the butler approached and coughed discreetly.

"May I ask you a question, My Lord?"

"Go ahead, Carson ," said His Lordship.

"I am doing the crossword in The Times and found a word the exact meaning of which I am not too

certain."

"What word is that?" asked His Lordship.

"Aplomb," My Lord.

"Now that's a difficult one to explain. I would say it is self-assurance or complete composure"

"Thank you, My Lord, but I'm still a little confused about it."

"Let me give you an example to make it clearer. Do you remember a few months ago when the Duke

and Duchess of Cambridge arrived to spend a weekend with us?"

"I remember the occasion very well, My Lord. It gave the staff and myself much pleasure to look after

them."

MNA CIRCULAR 2021 - #12 30th July 2021

34

The Pulse

"Also," continued the Earl of Grantham, "do you remember when Wills plucked a rose for Kate in the

rose garden?"

"I was present on that occasion, My Lord, ministering to their needs.

"While Will was plucking the rose, a thorn embedded itself in his thumb very deeply."

"I witnessed the incident, My Lord, and saw the Duchess herself remove the thorn and bandage his

thumb with her own dainty handkerchief."

"That evening the hole the thorn made in his thumb was very sore. Kate had to cut his venison for him,

even though it was extremely tender."

"Yes, My Lord, I did see everything that transpired that evening."

"And do you remember the next morning while you were pouring coffee for Her Ladyship, Kate inquired

of Will in a loud voice, “'Darling, is your prick still throbbing?” ….

And you, Carson, did not spill one drop of coffee? ……… That, Carson, is aplomb.”

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

LANDLUBBERS

Last summer, down on Lake Isabella, located in the high desert an hour east of Bakersfield, CA, some

folks, new to boating, were having a problem. No matter how hard they tried, they couldn't get their brand

new 22 foot boat, going. It was very sluggish in almost every maneuver, no matter how much power they

applied. After about an hour of trying to make it go, they putted into a nearby marina, thinking someone

there may be able to tell them what was wrong. A thorough topside check revealed everything in perfect

working condition. The engine ran fine, the out-drive went up and down, and the propeller was the correct

size and pitch.

So, one of the marina guys jumped in the water to check underneath.

He came up choking on water, he was laughing so hard.

Under the boat, still strapped securely in place, was the trailer!

Doooooooh!

_____________________________________________________________________________________

MNA CIRCULAR 2021 - #12 30th July 2021

35

The Pulse

_____________________________________________________________________________________

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Merchant Navy Association

____________________________________________________________________________________________

That’s all from me now folks.

Stay Safe Shipmates

Good Health, Fair Winds and Calm Seas. Take Care.

Yours Aye,

Malcolm

Malcolm Mathison

National Chairman

Merchant Navy Association

Tel: 01472 277 266 Mob: 07831 622 312 Email: R546060@aol.com

www.mna.org.uk Registered Charity No. 1135661