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| HMAS Broome |
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| MS Vega Fynen |
The PR folder brought lots of interesting news this morning as NAUTICAL LOG catches up on things after a busy day and tropical downpour yesterday.
The HMAS Broome went 146 miles at best speed (25+ knots) to assist the MS Vega Fynen which had lost power and drifted towards Ragelapra Reef, Papua New Guinea. On arrival the C/O and Master conferred, it was decided to take the drifting vessel in tow by passing a stern to stern towline. At that time the Phillipine crewed container ship was 700 metres from grounding on the Reef. The tow effort lasted six (6) hours until the arrival of a commercial tug better suited for the task at hand. HMAS Broome then returned to berth at Alotau, Papua New Guinea having averted a brush with an environmental disaster.
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| MS Schelde Trader |
It seems container ships are not having a very good time in New Zealand. At the Port of Tauranga, NZ the MS Schelde Trader also lost power and went aground on the rocks off Mount Maunganui. The vessel had a Port Pilot on board and an escort tug at the time. We wonder how escort tugs escort in NZ - no doubt the investigation will reveal their secret system - and yes we are being sarcastic. The vessel was refloated (perhaps by that escort tug?) and berthed at Mount Maunganui wharves. No oil leaked and there will be an inspection and investigation. This incident occurred at a Port near where the MS Rena is aground and breaking up on Astrolabe Reef, NZ.
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| Voith Steam Trac |
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| Operating principle graphic |
Voith have announced a steam engine which can be operated in connection with diesel engines using the heat to raise steam. Using a waste heat recovery system it acts as a turbo connecte to provide additional driving power to the vessel. The application seems to be directed towards smaller vessels and ferries. NAUTICAL LOG is still learning about the system from Voith.
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| PLAN hospital ship heading to berth at Kingston. |
The Chinese hospital ship PLAN Daishandao/Peace Ark left Havana, Cuba on Thursday 10/27 and arrived in Kingston, Jamaica on Saturday 10/29 for a six day visit. During this time she will offer medical services and interact with the local Chinese community who welcomed the vessel with traditional Chinese greetings and dragon dancers.
Anti-Piracy
Finally some good news Mr. Cameron the British PM has authorised armed teams and response in British Flag ships due to the ever increasing attacks by pirates off the Horn of Africa. Hopefully this will lead to other Flag States following the British Merchant Navy example.
Good Watch
As usual we remind you that 400 of our fellow seafarers are being held captive by pirates off Somalia. By this time we had hoped that they would have been rescued and released.
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