Skip to main content

NAUTICAL NOTES - ILLUSTRATED


HMAS Broome
MS Vega Fynen
The Broome that brushed


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.

MS Schelde Trader
Not again!


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.


Voith Steam Trac
Operating principle graphic
Back to the future


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.


PLAN hospital ship heading to berth at Kingston.
Harmonious Mission progresses


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.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

PAINT LOCKER FIRES

The photographs above are revealing in several ways, lets have a look. Clearly the Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) vessel JS "Kurama" impacted the Korean container ship MS "Carina Star" just aft of the turn of the fo'cs'le on the Starboard side. Please note that's the Starboard side, thus it appears JS "Kurama" would have shown "Carina Star" the red port sidelight and "Carina Star" would have shown JS "Kurama" the green starboard sidelight. This impact point would tend to suggest that JS "Kurama" was the 'stand-on' vessel and the MS "Carina Star" is the 'giving-way' vessel. Until there is a complete plot of the tracks made good of both these vessels and the position in the Kanmon Strait of the point of collision no determination can actually be made. As a result of this impact there was severe bow damage to JS "Kurama" and in addition a massive f...
Post a Comment
Read more

HOW TO WEAR A LIFEJACKET

A popular U.S.-based cruise ship style A popular European ferry style Several times during the year NAUTICAL LOG has had visitors searching for lifejacket instructions. With two just over Christmas we decided to publish something for everybody to see and read. Choose a Coast Guard approved life-jacket and make sure it is undamaged. Make sure life-jackets are readily accessible, never locked away. Check the fit, there are adult, child and infant sizes, the correct one MUST be used. Choose bright colour life-jackets so as to be seen easily by Search and Rescue (SAR). Put your life-jacket ON BEFORE you leave the berth. Make sure you have a light and whistle attached AND they BOTH WORK. Good Watch
Post a Comment
Read more

CYCLONES AND SENTINELS

USCG Sentinel-class which are based on the Netherlands Damen Stan-class USCGC opened hull view USCG Sentinel-class interior layout USN Cyclone-class In the NAUTICAL LOG Press Release folder comes news of Bollinger Shipyards in Lockport, LA. The United States Coast Guard has awarded a $166.1 million option to start production of four ' Sentinel-class' Fast Response Cutters (FRCs). This latest award brings a total of eight FRCs under production at Bollinger with a value of $410.7 million. The current FRC contract contains options for up to 34 cutters and is worth $1.5 billion if they are all exercised. Recently the United States Navy limited operation of its 'Cyclone-class' coastal patrol boats stationed in Bahrain and Norfolk, VA. Any vessel operation would depend on sea state and speed restrictions. This was due to structural damage as the vessels reach the 15 year mark which is considered close to the operational limit. This is apparently not a design fault but ...
Post a Comment
Read more