- One Dead After Vessel Collides with Yacht in Tsukumi Bay, Japan
On 13th August, a collision of the aggregate carrier Sada Maru No. 38 with a yacht off the coast of Oita Prefecture resulted in the death of an individual. The captain of the Sada Maru has been arrested.
The collision occurred at around 8:15 AM local time when the aggregate carrier transporting gravel struck the yacht amid poor visibility.
The captain of the vessel reportedly notified the Japanese Coast Guard of the accident, stating that the struck vessel had disappeared from sight and had likely sunk. An extensive Search and Rescue operation was launched by the Japanese coast guard, involving one aircraft and six patrol boats. By around 10:00 AM, the body of a 70 year old man had been recovered.
The man was later pronounced dead due to a cardiac incident at the hospital. Witnesses confirmed he had been alone aboard the yacht at the time of the collision.
The Coast Guard suspects the cargo vessel did not slow or stop and that the captain failed to take proper precautions. The four other crewmembers aboard the carrier are being interviewed to investigate the cause of the accident further.
Sada Maru No. 38 is a 1997-built vessel sailing under the flag of Japan. It measures 70 metres in length, 13.5 metres in width, and has a gross tonnage of 492.
- Marshall Islands Bulk Carrier Runs Aground in St. Lawrence River
On 12th August, the Marshall Island bulk carrier Federal Yamaska ran aground in the St. Lawrence River near Montreal, Canada. No injuries or pollution were reported.
The incident occurred at approximately 5:45 am local time, following a complete loss of engine near Verchères, Que. The vessel, which is carrying a cargo of sugar, remains partially within the main shipping channel. However, the Canadian Coast Guard confirmed that other ships are able to navigate safely around the grounded bulk carrier.
As of today, the vessel remained stuck despite tug assistance.
Federal Yamaska is a 2013-built bulk carrier, en route from Trois Rivières, Brazil, to Montreal. The vessel measures 179.95 metres in length, 30.14 metres in width, and has a carrying capacity of 37,144 tonnes.
- Chinese Vessels Collide During Scarborough Shoal Interference
The Philippines expressed serious concern on Tuesday over what it described as “dangerous manoeuvres and unlawful interference” by Chinese vessels during a coast guard supply mission for Filipino fishermen in the Scarborough Shoal on Monday.
“Their actions not only posed a grave danger to Philippine personnel and vessels, but also resulted in the unfortunate collision between the two Chinese vessels,” the Philippine foreign ministry said in a statement.
A Chinese navy ship collided with a smaller coast guard vessel while the latter was chasing one of the Philippine Coast Guard ships involved in the mission, according to the PCG, which captured the incident on video.
China’s defence ministry and its embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the ministry’s statement.
On Monday, China’s coast guard said it took necessary measures to expel Philippine vessels from waters around the Scarborough Shoal.
- Liberian-Flagged Tanker Resumes Voyage After Iraqi Authorities Lift Detention
Iraqi authorities have released the unnamed Liberian-flagged oil tanker, which was seized by the Iraqi Navy at the Port of Basra earlier this month.
The vessel, established by authorities as the Liliana tanker operated by Dubai-based Babylon Navigation, was intercepted on 6th July in Iraqi waters of the Arabian Gulf at a side-loading platform of Basra’s oil terminal. The tanker, carrying 93,000 tonnes of fuel oil, failed to present sufficient documentation for the oil at the time of inspection.
Iraq’s port authorities had granted the crew 48 hours to provide the required paperwork, warning that failure to do so would result in the case being referred to the judiciary. According to Reuters, a court ordered the vessel’s release, ruling that no violations had been committed.
Built in 2005, the Liliana has since resumed its voyage in the Persian Gulf and is currently en route to Khor Fakkan in the United Arab Emirates.
