Salvage World Q3 2017

October 2017

INTERNATIONAL SALVAGE UNION

New President for International Salvage Union The Annual General Meeting of the International Salvage Union held in Singapore in September elected Ms Charo Coll as the new President of the ISU. Ms Coll succeeds Mr John Witte, who will continue as a member of the ISU Executive Committee. Mr Witte said: “It has been a privilege to be the President of ISU and to represent the interests of all our members as we have tackled the major issues facing our industry.

The ISU’s own statistics show that our members are facing difficult economic times and there is little expectation of rapid improvement. However, we are a vibrant industry and we continue to provide vital services. I am pleased to hand over the Presidency to Charo and I know she will be a strong leader for the ISU.” Commenting on her appointment, Ms Coll said: “I would like to thank John Witte for all that he has done for the ISU over the past two years: he has shown great dedication to the role. For my part it is a great honour to be the President of the ISU and I look forward to leading the association as it continues to address the current challenges, in particular, enhancing the reputation of the industry and strengthening further our relationships with shipowners and insurers."

Ms Coll is General Manager of the Offshore and Salvage Division of Spanish company Boluda Corporación Marítima. She has more than 25 years’ experience in the industry coordinating

Ms Coll is a former President of the European Tug Owners’ Association. She has been a member of the Valencian Chamber of Commerce, member of WISTA (Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association) and she was recently honoured with the Valencian Government Business and Social Achievement Award, presented by the President of the Valencian Government.

ISU President, Charo Coll

At the same meeting, Mr Richard Janssen (below) was elected as vice President of the International Salvage Union. Mr Janssen is Managing Director of Smit Salvage and has 20 years’ experience of the marine salvage, towage, offshore and energy sectors. It includes involvement in many well-known salvage and wreck removal cases such as Kursk, Tricolor, MSC Chitra, Troll, PN6 and Modern Express.

the salvage division of Boluda Corporation. In this role she coordinated the Boluda Tugs engaged with the Spanish Maritime Safety Agency for 15 years. She also manages the chartering and sales and purchase departments of the corporation.

Charo Coll grew up in Valencia, Spain.

She holds a Specialist Degree in International Maritime Law from the Comillas Pontifical University of Madrid and a Ship Management diploma from the International Ship Manager’s Association at the National Sea Training Centre in the UK. She has also attended numerous seminars at the Lloyd’s Maritime Training Programme as well others at the Instituto Marítimo Español.

Richard Janssen studied business in Rotterdam and has undertaken a number of international commercial, contracting, subsea engineering and management courses. He was a member of the ISU’s Salvage sub-Committee and has been a member of the Executive Committee since 2015.

Major Greek oil spill off Athens Greek shipping was under the spotlight following pollution around Athens and Piraeus caused by the sinking of the aged product tanker AGIA ZONI II near the island of Salamis which lies just offshore from the Greek capital.

regime. The vessel was reproted to be 45 years old and sank in benign conditions while at anchor with just two crew aboard while laden with 2500 tonnes of fuel.

Questions over the integrity of the vessel were said to have been raised as long ago as 2008.

meeting to address the response and ordering an inquiry into the incident.

Pollution was caused by leaking fuel and products triggering a major clean up operation and raising questions about the Greek ship inspection and supervision

The Greek government was accused of being slow to respond to the pollution incident and Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras became involved, chairing a high level

ISU member, Spanopoulos Group, has been contracted to assist with the initial response and clean up of the sea and coastline.

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The Ministry of Health banned swimming on a 20-kilometer stretch of coast from Piraeus to Glyfada on the southern coast of Athens and on the island of Salamis.

ISU NEWS Salvage and Wreck Conference London ISU is supporting Salvage and Wreck London 2017, 06 – 07 December and ISU full members qualify for a 40% discount and associate members 25%.

ISU President, Ms Charo Coll will give the opening address at the event which is celebrating its 20th anniversary.

In the two decades since the first event the operational and commercial demands placed upon salvors have altered significantly. The organisers say the conference will include “targeted sessions drilling down into the details of topics such as oil spill response, new salvage technology, casualty assessment, risk management, future threats, offshore decommissioning and more.”

The conference takes place at The Grange, Tower Bridge. The main conference is followed by a seminar on 8 December considering legal and insurance aspects of salvage contracting.

For more information, visit: https://goo. gl/LXQjuv To book, visit: https://goo.gl/ NQyx3W Associates’ Day Advance notice is given of the ISU’s annual conference for its Associate Members which will be held at the Merchant Taylors’ Hall in the City of London on Wednesday 14 March 2018.

More details will follow in the December edition of Salvage World.

ExCel in London 13 -15 March 2018. In particular, ISU is linked to the conference stream “Shipping and Salvage Risks” which has been specially scheduled for Thursday 15 March to follow on from the ISU Associate Members’ Day in London the day before. This stream will cover oil and HNS risks in the context of casualty handling.

Interspill 2018

Other topics for the conference include: Government/Industry Collaboration; Surveillance, Modelling and Visualisation; Decommissioning and Monitoring; Effective Preparedness; Inland Risks and Offshore Exploration and Production Risks.

ISU is also supporting the Interspill 2018 Conference and Exhibition being held at

For more information, visit: http://www.interspillevent.com/

It was the first time Japanese sailors and warships have been in Port Everglades and one of the few US port visits since the US and Japan formed their alliance over 60 years ago.

two-storey wet trainer, the T/V Gray Manatee, a 140 ft. LOA shipboard firefighting simulator. The Japanese sailors had the opportunity to experience real fire, smoke and flooding.

The JMSDF sailors participated in three intensive maritime training events, including shipboard firefighting, search and rescue and damage control training using the Resolve Maritime Academy’s

The event was also attended by the Deputy Port Director of Port Everglades as well as veterans and volunteers from MISSION UNITED in partnership with the United Way of Broward County.

Ardent

Ardent performed a pre-operation inspection survey at the site in August to "eliminate unknowns" and to inform removal design decisions.

Members’ News Multraship Multraship is strengthening its position in the Black Sea region by transferring its state-of-the-art Damen-built tugboat MULTRATUG 26 to the Bulgarian port of Bourgas for operation by its 100-percent owned subsidiary, Bourgas Tug Service.

Commenting on the move, Pepijn Nuijten, joint-managing director of Multraship, said: “Multraship believes very strongly in the strategic importance of the Black Sea region and its prospects for commercial and economic growth. It is committed to expanding its fleet in the area to provide the quality services which the industry needs, both now and in the future".

Resolve Marine In July the Resolve Maritime Academy hosted over 30 Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) sailors and members of the US Coast Guard for an international fire safety and damage control training event at its training facility in Port Everglades (above right).

Ardent has been awarded the decommissioning of two met masts located in an offshore wind farm in the UK North Sea. Met masts are installed to measure specific wind profiles prior to a Final Investment Decision on a wind farm project.

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The masts consist of an 80 metre tower on a 16 metre square platform, mounted on a single pile secured by a 15 metre diameter suction bucket. The largest lift is anticipated to be 820 tonnes and will be executed within the next few weeks.

International Salvage Union re-states value of traditional salvors The outgoing president of the ISU, John Witte, said at the ISU’s 63rd AGM in Singapore in September that ISU members represent the best way for ship owners and insurers to limit their losses from marine casualties.

Mr Witte said: “It is no secret that the salvage industry is experiencing significant commercial pressures.

Nevertheless it is absolutely clear to me from the discussions we have had here in Singapore that this remains a vibrant industry. Many of our members have substantial assets and experienced personnel at their disposal and are willing to take on the financial risk of providing services in dangerous and uncertain circumstances.”

The ISU has 58 full members from all around the world, many of them represented at the 2017 AGM. All ISU members have to demonstrate a track record in salvage as a lead contractor.

ISU also has more than 80 Associate and Affiliate Members representing a range of supporting industries and professions.

However, ISU believes that ship owners and their insurers benefit in individual cases - and in general - by supporting a strong, professional salvage industry and members of the ISU.” Mr Witte noted, for example, recent cases of giant containerships grounded in the approaches to both Hamburg and Antwerp and in which ISU members were able to use their experience and assets to re-float the casualties avoiding potentially huge interruptions to trade in those key ports (see story Page 5).

New ISU President Charo Coll recieves the ISU's ceremonial gavel from John Witte

utilised offshore sector and so-called consultants who might assemble a team and gear on a case by case basis.

In concluding, Mr Witte said: “There is a point of difference between our members and others offering salvage services and ISU will continue to work with shipowners and property and liability underwriters to ensure that the value of this vital industry is properly recognised.”

Mr Witte continued: “We know our members are not only competing against each other but also against more opportunistic operators; the under-

New UK SoSRep The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency has appointed its new Secretary of State’s Representative for Maritime Salvage and Intervention (SOSRep) who oversees the UK’s response to accidents at sea.

role, and will not assume the job and responsibilities of the SOSRep until an agreed time later in the year.

The SOSRep is responsible for reducing the risk to safety and the environment arising from accidents at sea. Major incidents overseen by the current SOSRep, Hugh Shaw, include the TRANSOCEAN WINNER rig grounding off the Isle of Lewis and the HOEGH OSAKA car carrier incident in the Solent.

Mr Chapman graduated from the Royal Military College of Canada and served in both the UK's Royal Navy and the Royal Canadian Navy – as part of the former, he qualified for nuclear submarine command and held four command appointments.

Les Chapman (above) has been appointed to the role and joined the Agency in August. He will work alongside the existing SOSRep, Hugh Shaw, OBE, for several months to allow a substantial transition period in this important

Over the course of a career spanning the maritime, security and transportation industries, Les has also worked with a number of commercial maritime organisations including Associated British Ports Ltd, DNV and The Maritime Group.

He is a Fellow of the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology, the Institute of Civil Protection and Emergency 3

Management and the Nautical Institute, a Liveryman of the Honourable Company of Master Mariners, The Worshipful Company of Arbitrators, The Worshipful Company of Shipwrights and a Younger Brother of Trinity House.

Speaking of his appointment, Les Chapman said: “The SOSRep role can be a difficult but very rewarding one as it’s all about providing protection and safety in the maritime world. I’m looking forward to working alongside Hugh Shaw as I familiarise myself with all aspects of the job.”

Sir Alan Massey, Chief Executive of the Maritime & Coastguard Agency, commented: "The SOSRep has a unique and critical role in rapidly and effectively marshalling the resources of all parties to achieve the best possible outcomes.

"I am delighted we have appointed Les Chapman as our new SOSRep. He will be an excellent successor to Hugh Shaw who has done a superb job over the years in growing the effectiveness and influence of the SOSRep role.”

Associates’ and Affiliates’ News ISU welcomes the following new Associate Members Grand Benchmark Marine Services Sdn Bhd Services: Malacca straits pilotage; lay up operation services; ship-toship operational services; emergency response services; operational base in Batu Pahat port, Johor, Malaysia No 73A, Jalan Susur Zamrud, Taman Soga, 83000 Batu Pahat, Johor, Malaysia +60 07 4394931 admin@benchmarkmarine.com.my www.benchmarkmarine.com.my

Prantik Bengal Salvage & Diving

Braemar

Services: Emergency Response vessel service in Chittagong Port & Bay of Bengal waters; towing; underwater Inspection with color CCTV; offshore diving; underwater ship repair and underwater welding & cutting

Braemar has announced that John “Ian” Kerr has joined its US surveying and consulting team from its engineering and Naval Architecture Division. Mr Kerr has an extensive background in marine engineering, both ashore and at sea in senior positions with expertise in LNG and LPG vessels.

Prantik Group, Akhtaruzzaman Center, 7th Floor, 21/22 Agrabad C/A, Chittagong -4100, Bangladesh +88 031-710525, +88 031-716674 , 24 HRS Contact +88 01730004279 info@prantik.net www.prantik.net

Braemar has also moved its New York office, re-locating to: 100 Wall Street, Suite 2202, New York, NY 10005.

Braemar said the move was prompted by a need for more space for its growing team of surveyors and consultants.

Unimar Offshore Services Limited Provider of marine services; vessel operations; ROV inspections and investigations; emergency response; oil spill response; project management; supply chain management; shore base operators; logistics; crewing & payroll Maritime House, 30 Centennial Drive, Moturoa, New Zealand +64 6 751 4398 cmaclean@unimar.co.nz www.unimar.co.nz Baltic Taucherei- und Bergungsbetrieb Rostock GmbH (Baltic Diver) Services covering the coast of Germany include: diving, ROV, UXO and salvage projects and offshore wind farm subsea works. The company has its own fleet of vessels which includes 4-Point Mooring Dive Support Vessels, a crane barge and a guard/safety vessel Alter Hafen Süd 3, D-18069 Rostock, Germany

Before joining Braemar in 2015 Ian worked for Chevron as a repair superintendent, incident investigation manager and vessel reliability engineer.

He will be based in the Houston office.

The ABR Company The ABR Company reports that the exhibition stands accompanying its International Tug, Salvage and OSV Convention (ITS) being held in Marseille, France (below) next year are “selling fast”. There are expected to be more than 100 companies demonstrating their products and innovations to convention delegates and other attendees.

ABR says many big names in the tug, OSV, salvage, offshore, marine technology and associated sectors have already taken space which is booked on a first come, first served basis.

Garth Manson, managing director of The ABR Company said: “I think a

+49 (0)381 811 1000 caspar@baltic-taucher http://baltic-taucher.com/ Calceus Cargo Solutions BV Specialist in casualty aftermath shore operations with a specialization and expertise in large container and bulk vessels. Combined disposal, recycling and trading operations. Recent projects include MSC Flaminia; MV Purple Beach; CCNI Arauco and the MV Fluvius Tamar Maasstraat 17 3016DB Rotterdam +31104148314 Ronald@calceus.nl www.calceus.nl

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major factor is that ITS is unique in that it focuses solely on our sector of the marine industry and is attended by the highest level executives, key people who have the power to make decisions. The exhibition allows companies to showcase their products and expertise to them face-to-face.”

ITS 2018 Marseille will be held at the Parc Chanot convention centre in central Marseille from 25-29 June, with the exhibition running from 26-28 June.

More details about the exhibition, including a floorplan, types and sizes of stand available, prices and how to reserve a stand, are available at www.tugandosv.com

Multraship's River Scheldt refloating operations

In August, Multraship Salvage and URS (part of Kotug Smit) attended to the mega container ship CSCL JUPITER under a Lloyd’s Open Form contract after she had grounded in the Nauw van Bath on the River Scheldt, obstructing vessel traffic going into and out of the major European port of Antwerp.

using seven tugs and working with cocontractors URS. Editor’s comment These incidents highlight the potential for large casualties to cause prolonged blockages of major ports leading to severe economic consequences, to say

nothing of the potential for pollution and economic loss to cargo and hull interests.

In this case, as with the similar episode of the CSCL INDIAN OCEAN grounded last year in the Elbe outside Hamburg, the quick and effective response of professional salvors averted the risk and made critical work look deceptively easy.

The salvage team, led by Leendert Muller, past President of the ISU, managed to refloat the boxship - capable of carrying 14,000 teu - on the second high tide using a total of 16 tugs.

In September, the tanker SEATROUT, in ballast, grounded in the same area as the CSCL JUPITER. Multraship also refloated her on the second high tide

Resolve refloating The MV HIGH broke her tow during a cyclone and beached on Sonadia Island in southern Bangladesh.

She was overrun by pirates and the owner's attempts to recover her with local tugs were unsuccessful.

RESOLVE was engaged on behalf of the owners and underwriters and mobilised a team to carry out an inspection and safely refloat the vessel.

With the prevailing severe weather of the monsoon season, conditions were

transfer the salvage team and required salvage and pumping kit on board.

Resolve also mobilised its 152 tonne bollard pull salvage tug RESOLVE MONARCH to assist with the refloating operation.

difficult and access to the casualty was challenging, dependent on tides and weather. Eventually the team managed to secure the services of a Bell 407 helicopter, which was able to safely 5

The safety of the crew was a concern throughout as there were regular approaches by armed pirates. Once refloated on the spring tides, the HIGH was towed by the RESOLVE MONARCH towards Chittagong and handed over to the owners.

Smit operations The tug HARITA BERLIAN 18 sank in water depth of some 45 meters while being moored alongside an anchored barge in the middle of the very busy traffic separation scheme (TSS) of the Singapore Straits to the south of Sungai Kapal, Malaysia. Following a tender process, SMIT Salvage was awarded with the wreck removal contract.

Because the wreck site was in the TSS and because there was also a variety of submerged cables in the near vicinity an anchorless operation with a minimum dive scope undertaken. Tugs with DP capabilities were mobilized to hold the 1,000 tonnes sheerlegs SMIT CYCLONE over the wreck position. An ROV and divers installed the rigging to the sheerlegs which was difficult due to the strong currents - up to 3 knots - and limited visibility.

Once connected and secured, the wreck was carefully lifted to the surface and the convoy slowly moved out of the TSS towards a nearby safe anchorage. At this location the wreck was lifted further and landed onto a barge and towed to a scrapping facitly at Johor, Malaysia for disposal. The ROV made a final check and sweep of the seabed removing a few pieces of debris and subsequently confirming with a multibeam survey that the seabed was left as clean as it was prior to the incident.

Smit said the entire operation lasted only 12 days and was successfully completed within the timeframe and budget of the client and to the full satisfaction of the Authorities and clients.

In April the fully laden 299,446 DWT VLCC ALEX was underway from Galveston, USA to Ningbo, China, when she ran aground in the Indonesian waters of the Java Sea off Pulau Banka. The casualty was reportedly aground on a coral bank with a mixture of sand and clay and no hull breaches or leakages were reported.

for refloating. The preparations for the lightering included chartering and mobilizing a lightering Aframax-size tanker, specialized lightering equipment, oil spill response providers, harbour tugs to assist with mooring and unmooring during the Ship To Ship (STS) operations and a full salvage team to coordinate the operations.

to a safe anchorage nearby for a dive survey. There was minimal damage to the hull and therefore the cargo was safely backloaded by STS transfer. After all approvals from authorities were obtained the ALEX was escorted by the tugs and Smit Salvage teams towards Singapore where she was fully offloaded and scheduled for repairs.

Smit’s local salvage partner Samudera assisted with all logistical matters and liaison with local authorities for obtaining the salvage permit.

The entire operation lasted about 30 days and was successfully completed.

Except for some grounding impact to the sea bottom, no environmental damage occurred during the salvage operation.

When all the salvage assets were on scene and after careful planning, the STS operations commenced and were completed within 24 hours. The lightering tanker subsequently unmoored and awaited at anchor in the vicinity. After waiting for the high tide and with controlled de-ballasting the ALEX was successfully refloated with the assistance of two large anchor handling tugs. She was brought

Immediately a first response team including Smit dive equipment was mobilized from its base in Singapore by tug. Inspections on and around the casualty, including a multi-beam survey, (image right) and the subsequent calculations by the naval architect revealed that the casualty was very hard aground and could not be pulled off by tug assistance alone.

It was agreed that about 60,000 tonnes of crude oil would have to be offloaded in order to create sufficient buoyancy 6

Smit also reports that in addition to these cases it has been very busy over the past months with several emergency response contracts in the Mediterranean and a wreck removal contract in the Baltic for a drydock which sank while a tanker was still in the dock.

Ardent round up

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In July the KEA TRADER (above) - a newly built 2000 teu container ship ran aground on the Durand Reefs in the Pacific Ocean. She was sailing from Papeete in French Polynesia to Noumea in New Caledonia, laden with 756 containers. Ardent was contracted under Lloyd's Open Form to remove the vessel.

The first step was to remove 820 tonnes of heavy fuel and then to lighter the vessel. However the grounding site is in a remote part of the Pacific Ocean which increased the logistical challenge of 5. the operation. Nevertheless by mid-September 457 containers had been discharged using a Sikorsky Skycrane helicopter. The tug LANPAN 34 and crane barge SSE JEROME - reconfigured as a sea base - have also arrived on-site and the Ardent salvage team is currently making preparations to refloat the KEA TRADER. Elsewhere, Ardent recently refloated and removed the FLUVIUS TAMAR wreck in the UK North Sea. The project has been largely concluded with the recovery of hatch covers remaining. The job was a complex operation involving mobilization of heavy assets and use of

chain pullers. The operations were part of the company’s ISO 14001 (Environmental Management) audits. Ardent received the ISO 14001 certificate from Lloyd’s Register soon after the auditors’ visit.

In July, the general cargo vessel SHUYA ran aground 17 miles north of Cuxhaven, Germany. The vessel had about 40

tonnes of bunker fuel aboard and was loaded with 4,400 tonnes of salt.

Initial refloating attempts by local operators were unsuccessful and Ardent was contracted with a Lloyd’s Open Form, following a detailed inspection.

The bunkers were quickly removed and specialized equipment delivered from 7

Ardent’s warehouse at Ijmuiden, the Netherlands, to install strong points for appropriate tug connection. A barge with an excavator was contracted via Bugsier Reederei and mobilized to the site for lightering.

770 tons of salt were lightered and moved for storage to Brunsbüttel. The strong points for tug connections were installed and the SHUYA was succesfully refloated.

In the Amazon River in Brazil the container ship MERCOSUL SANTOS was in collision with a convoy of nine barges. One tug sank and one barge remained entangled with the ship. Ardent was contracted to separate the barge and move it to a sheltered, shallow area. Preparations were made in Manaus to start removing the wreckage from the riverbed after stabilizing the situation. The operation is ongoing with a fully equipped crane barge and team of Ardent specialists. Ardent's Peter Pietka said: “During the last months, there generally seems to have been more activity in the salvage industry than what we have seen during recent periods and Ardent has been able to secure its share of the increased volume of work".

Tsavliris operations

NAVIOS ORBITER

Tsavliris has provided salvage services to a string of vessels suffering from mechanical troubles during the northern hemisphere summer.

In June the bulk carrier RAINBOW HARMONY - 35,106 dwt - was immobilised about 300 miles west of Luanda, Angola following generator failure. The incident occurred while the vessel was on a passage from Panjang, Indonesia to Brake, Germany, laden with 32,000 tonnes of palm kernel expeller.

Tsavliris Salvage was contracted to provide assistance and the AHTS UOS EXPLORER was dispatched from Limbe, Cameroon and towed the vessel to Walvis Bay, Namibia where the salvage tug was released.

Also in June, the bulker VSC POSEIDON - 74,957 dwt - encountered a main engine malfunction and anchored north of Salvador, Brazil. The vessel was en route from Mobile, USA to Richards Bay, South Africa, laden with 54,000 tonnes of coking coal.

Tsavliris Salvage was contracted to provide assistance and the tugs TS MERITO and TS FAVORITO (60 tonnes bollard pull each) were dispatched from Rio de Janeiro and discussions were held with the port authorities regarding entry permits to Salvador.

The two tugs arrived at the casualty’s position and tow lines were established

in adverse weather conditions but, due to 40 knot winds and a 4 metre swell, both tugs disconnected for safety reasons and stood-off the casualty. The casualty dragged her anchors some 600 metres towards submerged fibre optic cables that were two miles from the anchored position. A safe re-connection was subsequently made and the towage commenced in difficult weather conditions.

After discussion with the authorities and with additional assistance from two port tugs the vessel was eventually taken to anchorage for repairs and the services were terminated.

In July the bulk carrier NAVIOS ORBITER - 76,602 tonnes dwt - was immobilized by mechanical failure 64 nautical miles east of Lisbon, Portugal. The vessel was en route from the Amazon River, Brazil, to Lisbon and Amsterdam, laden with 55,000 tonnes of soya beans. Tsavliris Salvage was contracted to provide assistance and sent the VB HISPANIA (8,046 BHP and 103 tonnes bollard pull) from Ceuta, Spain to assist and towed the casualty to Lisbon.

Also in July the general cargo vessel MISTRAL - 7,321 dwt - was immobilised, due to a main engine problem, while transiting the Dover Straits TSS and anchored 19 miles north east of Dover, English Channel. The vessel was en route from Romania to Hamburg laden with 5,000 tonnes of bulk corn.

Tsavliris Salvage was contracted to 8

provide assistance and, using the tug LINGESTROOM (4,000 BHP and 62 tonnes bollard pull) from Cherbourg, safely towed the vessel to Hamburg.

Eslewhere in July bulk carrier TRIUMPH 50,619 tonnes dwt – was also immobilised due to main engine problems in the Pacific some 1,050 miles west of Port of Ensenada, Mexico.The vessel was on a voyage from Jamaica to China, laden with 47,000 tonnes of bulk bauxite.

Tsavliris Salvage dispatched the MT MICHELLE FOSS from Seattle to assist.

Prior to departure the tug was supplied with ten 220 litre drums of oil for transfer to the casualty. The tug arrived at the casualty’s position and delivered about 20 tonnes of fresh water but the swell prevented delivery of the oil. A towing connection was established and towage to Ensenada commenced. During the towage, the vessel was supplied with an additional 20 tonnes of fresh water.

Due to heavy yawing of the tow, the tug’s speed was reduced to avoid damage.

The convoy arrived safely at Ensenada where she was berthed with the further assistance two pilots and three port tugs.

The oil drums were then delivered to the vessel and the MICHELLE FOSS was released with the operation completed.

ISU AGM 2017 Singapore 1.

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1. L - R Joe Farrell Jr, Nick Sloane, Gordon Lorenson 2. Richard Janssen 3. Charo Coll 11.

4. Rupert Bray (L), Kyriakos Mitsotakis 5. John Witte, Mark Hoddinott 6. Keith Rusby (L), Mark De Jong 7. L - R Zoe Fell, Gordon Lorenson, Christi Lorenson, Sean Harrington 8. L - R Joanne Goedhart, Maria Paz Fernandez, Nickie Hoddinott, Victoria Mizzi

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9. Li Jianping (L) Wang Zhenliang

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10. Rupert and Mi Hyun Bray 11. Eline Muller 12. Pascal Potrel (L), Paul Maclons 13. L - R Niharika Wahi, Andrew Lee, Barend Zonneveld, Ian Offland, Amit Wahi

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International Monitor US Navy The US Navy has had four accidents in the Pacific this year including two that left sailors dead and missing.

"While each of these four incidents is unique, they cannot be viewed in isolation," Pacific Fleet commander Admiral Scott Swift said.

Seven sailors died in June when the USS FITZGERALD was in collision with a container ship off Japan. In August the USS JOHN S MCCAIN was in collision with a tanker off Singapore. 10 sailors lost their lives in the incident. The other incidents were more minor but together led to concern that the US navy was “overstretched” in its duties in the Pacific at a time of heightened tensions.

UK The UK Ship Register (UKSR) is pursuing a strategy of growth and intends to double the tonnage flying the UK flag from 15 million to 30 million tonnes as set down by the Maritime Growth Study. Shipping Minister John Hayes renewed his assertion that although it’s a challenge, he is determined it can be done.

will apply to “high seas” areas beyond national jurisdiction.

The principal aim of this UN work is to address the vacuum that exists with respect to issues such as preserving global fish stocks from unregulated fishing and damage to marine ecosystems from ocean acidification and plastics caused by land based agriculture and industry.

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) says that developing new measures applicable to the high seas is a “very important and legitimate exercise” but that it wants to ensure that the interests of shipping will not be “unwittingly damaged”.

ICS Director Legal Affairs, Kiran Khosla, commented: “Whatever might be decided in the future, great care should be taken by governments with regard to the maintenance of freedom of the high seas, rights of navigation currently enshrined within UNCLOS, and the current balance that exists between the rights and obligations of flag states, coastal states and port states.”

Shipping Minister John Hayes MP said: “For any leading maritime nation, its ship register has a special significance. I have personally backed the recommendations of the Maritime Growth Study and remain committed to seeing those being implemented, as many of them already have been".

“High Seas” A United Nations Preparatory Committee is developing a new legal instrument, under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which

He added “This new edition of the ICS record book, which includes a record of participation in drills, will also help during port state control inspections and when seafarers seek to revalidate their certificates, as well as supporting shipping companies’ ISM Code processes.”

The revision of the ICS book coincides with the end of the transitional period for the 2010 Manila Amendments to the IMO STCW Convention, and takes full account of the latest STCW requirements as well as developments such as the entry into force of the ILO Maritime Labour Convention.

The UKSR is considering more choice and flexibility for customers, no annual tonnage fees, new ways of working for Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) surveyors and plans to digitise many of the services.

Director of the UK Ship Register, Doug Barrow, said: “We already know that we are a quality flag for quality owners.

We’ve listened and we know that owners want flexibility. Our Client Technical Managers as well as our Customer Account Managers are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The MCA’s survey and inspection transformation programme has brought changes to the way we’re available to offer surveys and the Enhanced Authorisation Scheme means that for selected ships, more surveys and audits can be carried out by MCAapproved Recognised Organisations".

seagoing experience is essential to support a seafarer’s career at sea, and it is vital that shipping companies and seafarers are able to use a standard international book.” said ICS Director of Policy, Simon Bennett.

ICS Director Legal Affairs, Kiran Khosla

This latest ICS book, which is for use by all grades of qualified seafarers, supplements a series of ICS training record books for trainee officers and ratings, in both the deck and engine departments, which have been used by tens of thousands of seafarers worldwide.

The work of the UN Preparatory Committee should eventually lead to a high level Diplomatic Conference, possibly within the next two years, which is expected to adopt a new UNCLOS agreement on the ‘Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction’.

New Personal Training and Service Record Book for seafarers The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has published a new edition of its widely used Personal Training and Service Record Book, to help qualified seafarers and their employers maintain a comprehensive record of training and seagoing service.

“Good record keeping of training and 10

Salvage World is produced by the International Salvage Union. For matters relating to the publication contact: James Herbert, ISU communications advisor.

Tel: +44 1423 330 505 Email: james.herbert@gemcommunications.co.uk For general enquiries contact: ISU, Holland House 1-4 Bury Street London EC3A 5AW Tel: +44 20 7220 6597 Email: ISU@marine-salvage.com