…..Here Are Some Logical and Funny Reasons to Call a Ship a She
1. Looks beautiful: Anyone seeing a ship at sea from shore would appreciate how beautiful the ship is. Neatly painted hull, colourful flags flying in the mast, curves of the hull definitely make the ship charming.
2. Behaves like a woman: If you look after her, she will take care of you. If not, she will ditch you. You have to love her or she will make you suffer. During the good old days, when mariners were only men, she was their pretty woman.
3. Seen as Goddesses and Angels: As ensuring the safety of the life of the sailors were in the hands of the ship, traditionally ships were dedicated to goddesses and angels by naming them. Thereafter mostly female names are given to the ships.
4. Grammatical Gender: Certain languages like Indo European languages have grammatical gender, where the word for ship is feminine.
5. Clean and tidy: To ensure better crew health and machinery health (read reliability), the whole ship is kept spick and span and ensures good housekeeping like a woman who spends most of the time in keeping the house in order.
6. Hard taskmaster: Life at sea demands tough ship routine, keeps the crew always occupied like a woman who always prefers to keep you in her bond.
7. Prefers company: Ship at sea generally keeps watch for other ships at sea like a woman who does not like loneliness and looks for company.
8. 360° of freedom: Ship is free to sail 360° around the globe like a woman who prefers total freedom in her movements.
9. Costly to maintain: The running costs of a ship are mostly high like a woman who goes on a spending free on shopping.
10. Up gradation: Ship needs machinery up gradation during the whole life cycle to remain sea worthy like a woman who upgrades to latest fashion, cosmetics, dress.
Status Of Seized Vessels Still In Custody Of Pirates In Somalia (Part 3)
(Continued form last week)
MV ELENI P: Seized in the morning of May 12, 2010, the Greek-owned, Liberia-flagged 72,100 dwt bulker was sea-jacked around 380 nm south-east of Salalah (Oman) in position 15°55N / 060°50E. The 23 crew comprises of 19 Filipinos, 2 Greek and one U krainian sailor, who are said to be unharmed. Reports say that under other names the vessel had been attacked already before (as SEAHORSE on April 09, 2009). The vessel is held near Garacad at the north-eastern Somali Indian Ocean coast.
MT GOLDEN BLESSING: Seized in the morning at 03h27 UTC (06h27 loc al time) of June 28, 2010, the Singapore flagged, Chinese-managed 14,300 DWT chemical tanker GOLDEN BLESSING (IMO number 9539016) was plying the waters inside the Internationally Recognized Transit Corridor (IRTC) on her way from Saudi Arabia to India, when the 19 men strong all Chinese crew was overwhelmed at position Latitude: 13°23.7N Longitude: 049°58E and taken hostage in the view of a helicopter from a nearby naval vessel. Singapore’s Maritime Port Authority (MPA) confirmed the sea-jacking of the Singapore-registered ship. The 2010-built Handy tanker was then commandeered by its Somali captors to the Somali Indian Ocean coast, where it stopped at Bargaal, but was later taken back into the Gulf of Aden, where it is held near MT MOTIVATOR at the northern Puntland shores off Habo (Xabo). The China-owned tanker carries as cargo around 15,000 m³ of highly toxic ethylene glycol – a poisonous chemical used in antifreeze, in her 10 separated tanks, which are MARPOL certified. Mr. Li Jingzhong, spokesman of the charterer company SHANGHAI DINGHENG SHIPPING CO, was able to contact the captain of the ship and could establish that the crew is safe. Vessel and crew are not covered by an ITF agreement. After first contacts for negotiations concerning the release had been made by the owner-managers Advance Shipping for registered owner GOLDEN PACIFIC INTL & HOLDINGS, the mediation progressed positively.
MT MOTIVATOR: At 09h44 UTC (12h44 local time) on 4 July, the tanker’s captain reported they were under small arms fire from a pirate attack in position 13°16N / 042°56E in the northern Bab Al Mandeb area – around 50nm north of the Bab al-Mandeb and approximately 18nm west of Mokha, Yemen while travellin g south when she was attacked by two small vessels in the southern Red Sea. After the initial notification of this attack, unsuccessful attempts were made to contact the Greek-owned vessel. The capture then was confirmed early on 5. July at Latitude: 11°33N, Longitude: 045°28E in the Gulf of Aden. Position 11 ° 50 / 45 ° 00 is Point A of the internationally protected maritime shipping corridor through the Gulf of Aden, called the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC). The MT MOTIVATOR, with a dead-weight of 13,065 tonnes has a crew of 18 Filipino nationals on board, though the Philippine government had ruled out that Pinoy crews could be allowed to sail these dangerous waters through the Gulf of Aden. The sea-jacked ship is a Marshall Islands flagged chemical products tanker loaded with lubrication-oil and therefore is posing the potential danger of an oil-spill. While at least one foreign warship intercepted the captured merchant-vessel’s path towards the Somali coast and shadowed the situation, it has become clear that the pirate group hails from Puntland. The commandeered vessel stopped briefly north of Puntland and intended to proceed towards the pirate stronghold of Garacad, but it is held now close to Xabo at the Gulf of Aden coast due to a dispute between the captors from Puntland and other pirate groups at Garacad. Xabo (Habo) became infamous for the holding of two tugboats and their crews for over a year. The 18 Filipino seafarers on board the MT MOTIVATOR are all accounted for and safe, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said. Philippine’s executive director Enrico Fos of the DFA’s Office of the Under-secretary for Migrant Workers Affairs (OUMWA) said the seafarers were able to communicate with their families to let them know that all crew is well. “The pirates have also already called the ship’s principal, but no demands have yet been made," he added.
*To be concluded next week
SHIPTALK: A GLOSSARY OF SHIPPING AND MARITIME TERMS
WATCH – The day at sea is divided into six four-hour periods. Three groups of watchstanders are on duty for four hours and then off for eight, then back to duty. Seamen often work overtime during their off time.
TUG – A small vessel designed to tow or push large ships or barges. Tugs have powerful diesel engines and are essential for manoeuvring large ships around the port. Pusher tugs are also used to push enormous trains of barges on the rivers and inland waterways of the U.S. Ocean-going salvage tugs provide assistance to ships in distress and engage in such work as towing drilling rigs and oil production platforms.
TOWAGE – Charges for the services of tugs assisting a ship or other vessels in ports or other locations; the act of towing a ship or other objects from one place to another.
TRADING LIMITS – Maritime area usually specified by range of ports in which a vessel may operate
TERRITORIAL WATERS – That portion of the sea up to a limited instance which is immediately adjacent to the shores of any country and over which the sovereignty and exclusive jurisdiction of that country extend. South Africa’s territorial waters extend for 200 n.miles offshore.
STOWAGE – The placing of goods in a ship in such a way as to ensure the safety and stability of the ship not only on a sea or ocean passage but also while in port when parts of the cargo have been loaded or discharged.
STARBOARD – The right-hand side of a ship when facing the front or forward end. The starboard side of a ship during darkness is indicated by a green light.
SPOT VOYAGE – A charter for a particular vessel to move a single cargo between specified loading port(s) and discharge port(s) in the immediate future. Contract rate (spot rate) covers total operating expenses, i.e., bunkers, port charges, canal tolls, crew’s wages and food, insurance and repairs. Cargo owner absorbs, in addition, any expenses specifically levied against the cargo.
SHIFTING – This refers to movements or changing positions of cargo from one place to another – a dangerous situation at sea that can easily endanger the seaworthiness or cargo worthiness of the
ship.
SALVAGE – The property which has been recovered from a wrecked vessel, or the recovery of the vessel herself.
PORT SIDE – The left hand side of a ship facing the front or forward end. The port side of a ship during darkness is indicated by a red light. Was previously known as the larboard side but this created confusion with starboard and was changed
PILOT – A person who is qualified to assist the master of a ship to navigate when entering or leaving a port. In most ports pilotage is compulsory.
PILOTAGE – The act carried out by a pilot of assisting the master of a ship in navigation when entering or leaving a port. Sometimes used to define the fee payable for the services of a pilot.
PILOTAGE DUES – A fee payable by the owner or operator of a ship for the services of a pilot. This fee is normally based on the ship’s tonnage.
PILOT HOUSE – The enclosed space on the navigating bridge from which a ship is controlled when under way.
WEEKLY PIRACY REPORT
25.09.2010:
0315 UTC: Posn: 07:24N – 064:50E: Around 1200nm ENE of Mogadishu. (Indian Ocean), off Somalia
Heavily armed pirates boarded a general cargo ship underway. The crew members disabled the ships engine and locked themselves in the safe room /citadel. When the pirates could not sail the ship they damaged the ships equipment, set the bridge on fire and abandoned the ship. Later the crew emerged from the citadel, extinguished the fire and proceeded to a safe port.
28.09.2010:
0740 UTC: Posn: 06:28S – 039:48E, around 40nm NE of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (off Somalia).
Pirates armed with automatic weapons and RPG attacked a chemical tanker underway. A military helicopter arrived at location. Vessel evaded the attack.
……Panamanian vessel Hijacked
A maritime security alert has been issued for the Indian Ocean following the reported hijack of a Panama-flagged vessel with 15 crewmembers on board.
The MT Asphalt Venture is believed to have been travelling to Mombasa and is now en route to Harardhere in northern Somalia.
28.09.2010:
2000 UTC: Posn: 07:07S – 041:02E (around 100 nm SE of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania), off Somalia.
Armed pirates attacked and hijacked An Asphalt tanker underway. Tanker activated ship security alert. Further details are awaited.
29.09.2010:
0455 UTC: Posn: 06:47.5N – 061:51.0E: (Around 1000nm NE of Mogadishu, Indian Ocean), off Somalia.
Five pirates armed with AK-47 in a white coloured skiff approached a container ship underway with intent to board. Master altered course, sounded security signal and crew mustered and locked all access doors. The security team onboard activated the LRAD, SSAS and fired warning shots when the skiff approached around 100 meters off the port quarter. The pirates retreated and aborted the attempted attack.
30.09.2010:
0730 LT: Posn: 00:53.02S – 104:18.46E: Selat Berhala, Indonesia.
Twelve pirates armed with knives boarded a tug towing a barge. Crew enforced anti piracy measures and contacted owners. Owners contacted the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre and requested assistance. The Centre immediately contacted the authorities and relayed the tug’s request for assistance. When pirates could not enter the accommodation they disembarked and proceeded to board the barge. Pirates stole ship’s stores and equipment and lowered them into the boat. A naval patrol craft contacted the tug and arrived at the location.
Illegal Operations: Navy Impounds Panamanian Ship
The rising spate of illegal activities of foreign ships on Nigerian waters again came to the fore last week following the arrest of MT Alegra; a Panamanian ship for allegedly operating on Nigerian waters without possessing the necessary documents.
The vessel was seized with her 25 crew around the Forcados area in Delta State.
Confirming the arrest to reporters, the Commanding Officer, NNS Delta, Commodore Henry Babalola, said MT Alegra, which flew Panama’s flag was accosted and reported to the Base by a naval patrol unit from the NNS Delta on September 22, 2010 about 2p.m.
Specifically, he said the vessel was discovered to be operating in Nigerian waters without Nigerian certificate of registration after change of ownership, and that she did not possess the mandatory Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) papers to operate in Nigerian waters as well as clearance to leave anchorage in Lagos for Forcados.
The Naval chief confirmed that MT Alegra was earlier sighted in Lagos and that she had no relevant papers of nomination to load product in Forcados.
According to him, “the vessel which carries Panama flag was accosted and reported to the Base by one of our ships on routine patrol on September 22 at about 2pm. The vessel was operating in Nigeria without the relevant papers such as Nigerian certificate of registration after change of ownership; relevant NIMASA papers to operate on Nigerian waters.
Confirming that the Navy was suspicious, the CO added that “though the vessel was imballast as at the time of arrest, the absence of the above mentioned papers made its presence on our waterways illegal.”
He also gave the identities of some of the 25 crew members as: Mr. Agbe Paul (captain); Mustapha Lukman; Agbkponu Mawali; Iheanacho Patrick; Mr. Essien Sunday; Mr. Yusuf Yakub; Efe Ohwosa and Okon Michael.
He said that the vessel and its crew were now under the custody of his men at Escravos and would soon be handed over to NIMASA for further investigation.
CO2 Control Measures Takes Centre Stage At IMO Environment Meeting
The reduction of greenhouse gases (GHGs) from international shipping is featuring high on the agenda for the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), which met last week for its 61st session at the IMO Headquarters in London.
Also high on the agenda was the expected adoption of the revised Annex III of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), covering pollution from packaged goods, and consideration of issues relating to the implementation of the ballast water management and ship recycling conventions.
Measures to address GHG from ships
The MEPC considered the approval of technical and operational measures to reduce CO2 emissions from international shipping (specifically, the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) and the Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP)) as mandatory measures, possibly as amendments to MARPOL Annex VI Regulations for the prevention of air pollution from ships, with the type and size of vessel to which they will apply also to be agreed.
The Committee also discussed further work concerning market-based measures, including the possible development of a mandatory IMO instrument.
A working group on GHG issues is expected to be convened to refine the regulatory text implementing the technical and operational measures as mandatory standards, as well as the formulas and guidelines supporting the regulatory text.
The MEPC also considered the outcome of two intersessional working groups, one of which progressed work on the contemplated technical and operational measures to enhance energy efficiency in ships’ operations, while the other, consisting of a group of experts, conducted a feasibility study and impact assessment of a number of proposed market-based measures.
The Committee also considered the issue of a reduction target and whether the international maritime sector should be subject to an explicit emission ceiling (cap) comprising the entire world fleet of merchant vessels.
Adoption of the revised MARPOL Annex III
The MEPC also considered, with a view to adoption, the revised MARPOL Annex III Regulations for the prevention of pollution by harmful substances carried by sea in packaged form. The amended text, which was approved at the last session, is aimed at bringing the Annex up to date with the mandatory International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code, specifying that goods should be shipped in accordance with relevant provisions.
Implementation of the Ballast Water Management Convention
The MEPC also addressed issues relating to the implementation of the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments, 2004 and is expected to reiterate the need for ratification of the Convention to achieve its entry into force. To date, 26 States, with an aggregate merchant shipping tonnage of 24.66% of the world total, have ratified the Convention. The Convention will enter into force twelve months after the date on which not fewer than 30 States, the combined merchant fleets of which constitute not less than 35 percent of the gross tonnage of the world’s merchant shipping, have become Parties to it.
The MEPC is also expected to decide on proposals for "basic approval" or "final approval" of 10 ballast water management systems that make use of active substances, after consideration of the reports of the thirteenth and fourteenth meetings of the Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environment Protection (GESAMP) Ballast Water Working Group, which met in May and July 2010, respectively.
Recycling of ships
The MEPC continued its work on developing guidelines intended to assist ship recycling facilities to commence introducing voluntary improvements to meet the requirements of the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, which was adopted in May 2009.
Following development by a correspondence group, the MEPC will consider draft Guidelines for safe and environmentally sound ship recycling, Guidelines for the development of the Ship Recycling Plan and Guidelines for the authorization of Ship Recycling Facilities.
The Committee is expected to encourage Governments to ratify the Convention, which has been signed, subject to ratification, by five countries, and to review the programme for technical assistance aimed at supporting its early implementation.
Revision of MARPOL Annex V
The MEPC is expected to consider the approval of proposed draft amendments to revise and update MARPOL Annex V Regulations for the prevention of pollution by garbage from ships and its guidelines, following a comprehensive review by a correspondence group.
Emission Control Area proposal
The MEPC also considered a proposal to designate certain waters adjacent to coasts of Puerto Rico (United States) and the Virgin Islands (United States) as an Emission Control Area (ECA) for the control of emissions of nitrogen oxide (NOX), sulphur oxide (SOX), and particulate matter under MARPOL Annex VI Regulations for the prevention of air pollution from ships.
Currently, there are two designated ECAs under Annex VI, the Baltic Sea area and the North Sea area, and a third area, the North American ECA, was adopted in March 2010, with expected entry into force in August 2011.
Annex IV special area proposal
The MEPC also considered a proposal to amend MARPOL Annex IV Prevention of pollution by sewage from ships to include the possibility of establishing Special Areas for the prevention of such pollution and to designate the Baltic Sea as a Special Area under this Annex.
Proposal to make Strait of Bonifacio a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area
The MEPC also considered a proposal submitted by France and Italy to designate the Strait of Bonifacio as a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area (PSSA).
Indian Coast Guard To The Rescue As Crews Brawl On MV Maritime Setoshio,
The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) on Sunday have saved the life of a foreign crew member who was on a Singapore merchant vessel. He was allegedly stabbed severely by another crew member.
The merchant vessel, MV Maritime Setoshio, was on passage from Singapore to the Navlakhi port in India when its officials called up the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) for help and sought emergency evacuation and medical help for the injured crew member. At that time, the vessel was at a distance of about 95 nautical miles from the Mumbai coast.
ICG interceptor boat C-145 sailed out immediately with a medical team, and an ICG helicopter was kept on standby for medical evacuation.
Around 2:30pm, the ICG ship reached the spot and rescued the injured crew member whose condition had deteriorated by then, and proceeded at the highest possible speed towards Mumbai.
The ICG team reached Mumbai coast around 4 pm and after which the local agents were alerted.
An ICG officer said: “The medical examination team provided medical assistance while on the way to Mumbai so that his condition did not deteriorate.
The patient was handed over to local agents in presence of police, for further medical treatment. He was shifted to Masina Hospital in Byculla where he was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).”
The patient’s condition was stable by evening and doctors said he was out of danger. The doctors said it was because of quick rescue and evacuation operation carried out by the ICG team which saved the life of the crew member.
The vessel has been directed by the Yellow Gate police station to anchor off Mumbai for investigation. As it is a medico-legal case, the coastal police will take action against the person involved in attacking the injured crew member.
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