Casualty Week Oct 8

October 8 2004

CasualtyWeekLloyd's Lloyd’s Casualty Week contains information from worldwide sources

of Marine, Non-Marine and Aviation casualties together with other reportsrelevant to the shipping, transport and insurance communities

St Vincent and Grenadinesleads EU vessel detentions

EDITORStephen Legall Tel +44 020 7017 5228

ADVERTISEMENTSMike Smith Tel +44 (0) 20 7017 4488Fax +44 (0) 20 7017 5007email [email protected]

SUBSCRIPTIONS: Peter BarkerTel: +44 (0) 20 7017 4779Fax: +44 (0) 20 7017 5007Email: [email protected]

PORT state control in Europecontinues to catchsignificant numbers of ships,

as two recent official statisticalreleases underline.

Britain’s Maritime and CoastguardAgency yesterday announced that itdetained 11 vessels in August.

Meanwhile, the EuropeanCommission last week published in itsOfficial Journal a list of 19 shipsbanned from European Union ports.

Almost a third of them areregistered under the St Vincent andGrenadines flag of convenience.

The MCA said that Britain’s currentrolling 12-month average for port statecontrol detentions, as a percentage ofinspection, is 6.4%.

Among the ships singled out forspecial mention is Polar Discovery, aPanama-flag gas carrier of 10,537 cu mand built 1989.

The ship was held on Teesside onAugust 9, after failing to inform theagency that it was due a mandatoryexpanded inspection under EuropeanUnion rules.

A total of 17 deficiencies were found.

Beata (2,388 dwt, built 1971) wasdetained in Sunderland on August 10,after an inspection revealed 23deficiencies.

Three of the deficiencies on the StVincent flag general cargoship wereserious enough to be regarded as‘major non-conformities’.

Ice Wind, a 1967-built Norwegiansecond register flag general cargoshipof 1,245 dwt, was detained in Hull onAugust 16, after it was found thatclass had removed some certificatesbecause annual surveys had not beencarried out by due dates.

Major structural defects wereidentified in the double bottom tanksand associated bulkheads.

Bureau Veritas carried out anadditional ISM document ofcompliance audit before the ship wasreleased on August 28.

Panama-flag general cargoshipFushimi (20,475 dwt, built 1987) washeld in Hartlepool on August 18 with14 deficiencies including corrosion ofthe aft accommodation bulkhead inthe way of both port and starboardaccess doors, and corrosion of the airconditioning trunking by the portlifeboat.

The water supply was badlydiscoloured, and there was no hotwater in the galley. The lifeboat wasseized in the davit, and it took thecrew one hour to move it.

The European Commission’s list ofbanned ships was published on Friday

as a legal requirement underEuropean rules on port state control.

Transport commissioner Loyola dePalacio commented: “This measure ispart of the arsenal of legislationadopted in the wake of the Erika andPrestige disasters to combat oil spillsand rustbucket ships.”

All told, 19 ships were barred fromEU ports in the period November 1,2003 to August 31, 2004.

Six ships were St Vincentregistered. Bolivia, Turkey andPanama accounted for three ships,while Belize, Cyprus, Romania andSyria each accounted for one ship.

Some 12 of the 19 were bulkcarriers, with the remainder made upof four ro-ros, two chemical tankersand a tanker.

- France has detained 29 ships formarine pollution offences since thestart of 2003, including four vessels inthe last three weeks alone, accordingto media reports.

The crackdown is part of adeliberate get-tough policy mandatedby the central government, utilisingtactics including improved techniquesof pollution detection, and specialtribunals to progress cases rapidly.

David OslerLloyd’s List Editorial

A complete online archive covering the last 10 years of Lloyd’s Casualty Week. For further information please call +44 (0) 20 7017 4779.

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Summary of Major Cases in this week’s issue of Lloyd’s Casualty Week

Vessel Type Flag Class G T DWT Blt Casualty

BAHAMA SPIRIT bulker VUT AB 26,792 44,389 1995 Grounded in the shipping channel, Charleston Harbour 28 Sep 2004, during galeforce winds. Refloated same day. Investigation underway. Some cargo dumped overboard.

CONTRADER cement PAN LR 2,233 3,230 1965 Reported Sep 26 lying on side, partially submerged, spilling oil after tipping overagainst pier on south coastline of New Providence due hurricane "Jeanne". Wasundergoing repairs before hurricane's arrival.

CRISTALLO chem ITA RI 5,038 8,000 1991 Grounded at Miringia, near Selinion Salamis, tanker while manoeuvring in Piraeus roads Sep 26.

No pollution. Tugs on scene. Refloated by tug Sep 28. Damage being ascertained.

DAINTY RIVER container PAN NV 22,746 33,610 1993 Struck anti-submarine caissons entrance channel Durban Sep 25. Severe damage to bulbous bow & 5/6 holes on port side. Proceeded to port with tug assistance. To enterdrydock for assessment.

GREAT tug BHS LR 226 — 1990 Reported Sep 29, while assisting barge ATC HARBOUR CAY 23, under control of tug Sea Raven, in collision

in Freeport Harbour. Sank in 40 ft of water.

NICON bulker PAN NK 26,067 45,499 2000 Ran aground in Upper Delaware River on silt FRONTIER carried into Novolog in Falls by floodwaters

carried by hurricane "Ivan" Sep 22. Reported Sep 24 to have been refloated with tugs.

NINA bulker COM — 40,038 64,401 1977 Reported fire in No.3 cargo hold Eastern Special Anchorage, Singapore, Sep 24. Investigation under way. No major damage. Salvage rendered under LOF. Anchored RafflesAnchorage Sep 26. Still smoking Sep 29, to be beached to extinguish fire.

NUSA DAMAI ro-ro IDN — 6,057 4,140 1972 Sank while being loaded at Ippi Port in the town of Ende on Flores Island Sep 27. Port closed, vessels diverted to nearby ports.

PRIDE A. product GRC AB 18,539 29,993 1982 Had fire on board in master's cabin and bridge tanker at Tarragona Sep 24. Fire extinguished by crew

with tug assistance. At Tarragona for inspection. 18 crew evacuated.

SPETSES crude oil GRC AB 80,637 147,916 1996 Contacted by passenger Van Gogh, in fog, tanker Sep 26 off southern Spain. Dented above

waterline. Divers determined no leakage. Towed to refinery berth for cargo discharge, to be allowed into port for damage assessment.

THOR R. dredger DNK SK 1,995 — 1984 In collision with ro/ro Ocean Ady entrance to Esbjerg port in lat 55 28.337N, long 08 20.64E,Sep 26. Heavy damage aft & sank. Assistance in hand. Small amount of light fuel oil spilled. All crew rescued.

YM PEOPLE container HKG NK 17,153 22,052 2003 Had explosion in engine-room about 400 miles off southern Sri Lanka Sep 27. Four crew dead.Subsequently arrived Colombo. Inquiry to be carried out in Sri Lanka.

ABRA (Marshall Islands)London, Sep 23 — Bulk Abra arrived

San Lorenzo (ARG) Sep 12, from SanNicolas.

AL-MUHAMMADI (Pakistan)Karachi, Sep 25 — Maritime Security

Agency (MSA) ship Rehmat whilepatrolling in Eastern Martime Regionlocated Pakistan f ishing Al-Muhammadi, registration No.7770, indistress with 14 crew membersonboard about 140 kms south east ofKarachi. The vessel left Karachi forfishing Sep 18 and developed an engineproblem on Sep 21. The vessel wasdrifting with the wind and tide forthree days when on Sep 24, the MSAship located and rescued it successfullyby taking it in tow to Karachi,according to a press release. — Lloyd’sList Correspondent.

ANGLIAN EARL (Barbados)Falmouth, Sept 29 — Anchor handling

tug/supply Anglian Earl undocked fromNo.3 dry dock, Duchy Wharf, to carryout repairs which are expected to takeseveral weeks. — Lloyd’s Agents.

ANNA DESGAGNES (Canada)London, Sep 29 — Ro/ro Anna

Desgagnes (15893 gt, built 1986)reported making contact with thebottom near Cote Ste-Catherine lock inlat 45 27.37N, long 73 30 07W at 1832,Sep 28. Temporary repairs being madein way of DB 10 and 12.

ARATERE (New Zealand)Wellington, Sep 28 — Ro/ro Aratere:

The Fire Service ensured that thesituation was safe and the spill wascleaned up by a waste company on themorning of Sep 17. The vessel missedits 0630 hrs Wellington to Pictoncrossing that day but resumed normaloperations across Cook Strait fromWellington at 1400 hrs. — Lloyd’sAgents.

ARNOYTRANS (Norway)Trondheim, Sep 27 — Ref Arnoytrans

arrived Tromso Sep 19 and sailed Sep20. — Lloyd’s Agents.

ASMAT DACI (Indonesia)London, Sep 26 — A press report,

dated today, states: General cargoAsmat Daci, belonging to the Asmatregency administration in Indonesia’sPapua Province, sank while en route tothe city of Merauke with a cargo ofkerosene and building materials earlyyesterday, officials said. No casualtieswere reported as all 10 crew membersand nine passengers survived theaccident, which occurred about 0115 hrsoff Habee Island in Kimaan district.Merauke official Petrus Kutmo said thesurvivors were rescued by a vesselowned by PT Korindo about 0545 hrs.

The vessel is thought to have sunk afterdeveloping a leak as it was headingfrom Agats in Asmat to Merauke.

ATC 23 (U.S.A.)See Great Harbour Cay.

ATLANTIC PATROLLER (Cyprus)London, Sep 27 — On Sep 27, general

cargo Atlantic Patroller (12993 gt, built1999) reported having lost thestarboard anchor during the Atlanticcrossing while upbound at Iles-des-Barques. (Note — Atlantic Patrollersailed Sluiskil Sep 15 for Contrecoeur.)

London, Sep 30 — General cargoAtlantic Patroller arrived Contrecoeur1703, Sep 27, sailed 0734, Sep 29 andarrived Montreal 1034 same day.

BADGER II (Philippines)Port Moresby, Sep 26 — General cargo

Badger II sailed Rabaul Sep 9 after theNippon Kaiji Kyokai surveyor wassatisfied with the temporary repairs tothe propeller and that it was trimmedevenly. — Lloyd’s Agents.

BAHAMA SPIRIT (Vanuatu)London, Sep 29 — A press report,

dated Sep 28, states: Bulk BahamaSpirit (26792 gt, built 1995), carryingCanadian cargo, buffeted by gale-forcewinds from the remnants of hurricane“Jeanne”, ran aground at approximately0600 today in the shipping channelleading into Charleston Harbour,closing the harbour to large vessels.Bahama Spirit , carrying a load ofcrushed granite from Canada, groundedin about eight metres of water, the U.S.coast guard said. There were no injuriesor signs of leakage from the ship,officials said. A gale warning had beenin effect for waters 32 kilometres out asthe remnants of “Jeanne” moved up theeastern seaboard. “It’s been pretty nastyout there today,” said coast guard Lieut.J.G. Calvin Summers. Crews planned touse tugs to pull the vessel free at hightide this evening, when winds wereexpected to subside. Only two vesselswere scheduled to arrive at the StatePorts Authority terminals in Charlestontoday. Authority spokesman ByronMiller said it was unclear whether theywould be delayed.

London, Sep 29 — Following receivedfrom Coast Guard Portsmouth, Va,timed 0620, UTC: Bulk Bahama Spiritwas refloated at 2209, local time,yesterday. Cause of grounding andextent of damage, if any, underinvestigation.

London, Sep 29 — Following therefloating of bulk Bahama Spirit, at2209, local time, Sep 28, the port ofCharleston resumed normal operationstoday.

London, Sep 30 — A press report,dated Sep 29, states: Bulk BahamaSpirit which grounded in theCharleston harbour shipping channelduring gusty winds was refloated aftersome of the granite it was carrying wasdumped overboard, the U.S. CoastGuard said. Bahama Spirit, carryingcrushed granite from Canada, groundedabout 0600 yesterday seven miles fromCharleston’s Battery, the Coast Guard

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The following reports are reprinted from Lloyd’s List

CONTENTS

Reports appear in alphabeticalorder under the followingheadings and relevant pagenumber:

Marine, including Overdue& Missing Vessels 1

Piracy 1 2

Port State Control 1 2

Seizures & Arrests 1 2

Pipeline Accidents 1 3

Pollution 1 4

Weather & Navigation 1 4

Earthquakes 1 8

Volcanic Activity 1 9

Political & Civil Unrest 1 9

Labour Disputes 2 4

Awards & Settlements 2 5

Railway Accidents 2 6

Robberies & Thefts 2 6

Computer Systems 2 7

Miscellaneous 2 7

Fires & Explosions 2 7

Aviation 2 9

Port Conditions 3 1

Port Conditions charts 3 1

Receive immediate notice as soon as a Casualty occurs. For further information please contact Andrew Luxton on +44 (0) 20 7017 4625.

© Lloyd’s Marine Intelligence Unit 2004These reports may not be reproduced,stored in a retrieval system, ortransmitted in any form or by anymeans electronic, mechanical,photographic, recorded or otherisewithout the prior written permission ofthe publisher.

said. The vessel was freed about 2200yesterday, about the time of high tide.The Coast Guard had closed theshipping channel to large vessels untilthe vessel could be freed. At the time ofthe grounding, a gale warning was ineffect along the coast as the remnantsof Hurricane “Jeanne” moved acrossupstate South Carolina. About 3,500“pounds” of granite was dumpedoverboard and the stone was to berecovered today. No one was injuredand the Coast Guard said it did notappear any fuel leaked from the vessel.Investigators will determine whetherweather, mechanical problems orhuman error caused the grounding.

BARGE 1016 (Canada)London, Sep 27 — Tank barge Barge

1016 , being pushed by tug VicIngraham (711 gt, built 1970), ranaground at Providence Rapids, Mile 51,in lat 61 22N, long 117 41W, whileproceeding upbound in the MacKenzieRiver at 1915, Sep 23. Barge was holedand beached. Minor pollution andboomed. Proceeding to lighter barge.

BUXTEHUDE (Cyprus)Vigo, Sep 24 — General cargo

Buxtehude sailed Vigo 1000, Sep 23,bound Seville. — Lloyd’s Agents.

CHRISTINE (Denmark)London, Sep 25 — General cargo

Pioner Belorussii arrived St.PetersburgSep 21 from Aarhus.

Gothenburg, Sep 25 — TrawlerChristine, ran into by general cargoPioner Belorussii: The Shipping Boardhave investigated the matter but as yetthere have been no results or report. Areport is expected to be ready in aroundtwo months. — Westax Marine ServicesAB.

CLIPPER ODYSSEY (Bahamas)London, Sep 23 — Passenger Clipper

Odyssey, which proceeded to Vancouverfor permanent repairs to groundingdamage sustained in Alaska on Jul 31,completed repairs and sailed VancouverSep 16.

London, Sep 26 — A press releasefrom Clipper Cruise Line, datedSt.Louis Sep 17, states: Clipper CruiseLine announced today that passengerClipper Odyssey is currently underwayto Papeete, Tahiti, in preparation for itsupcoming cruises in the South Pacific.Clipper Odyssey had been damagedafter running against a previouslyuncharted rock in the Aleutian Islandson Jul 31. Necessary repairs werecarried out in Vancouver, BC. ClipperOdyssey is en route to Papeete for theOct 1 departure from French Polynesiato Easter Island.

COLE (U.S.A.)London, Sep 30 — A press report,

dated today, states: A Yemeni courtyesterday sentenced two al-Qaidamilitants to death for the bombing ofguided-missile destroyer Cole thatkilled 17 US sailors. Another fourdefendants were given jail sentencesranging from five to 10 years. Chiefsuspect Abdel Rahim al-Nashiri, who isin US custody and was sentenced in

absentia, and Jamal Mohammed al-Bedawi, 30, were given the deathpenalty for the attack on Oct 12, 2000.The pair were found guilty of “formingan armed group, taking part in thefinalising, preparation and execution ofthe attack on the Cole and of thekillings,” judge Najib Qadiri said. Thesailors were killed when an explosives-laden rubber dinghy rammed thedestroyer while it was in Aden harbour,blasting a hole in one of the mosttechnologically advanced vessels in theUS Navy. Al-Qaida chief Osama binLaden claimed responsibility for theattack. Born in Saudi Arabia of Yemenidescent, Nashiri was described at thetime as al-Qaida’s chief for navaloperations and its operations chief inthe Gulf. He was arrested in the UnitedArab Emirates in October 2002 andhanded to Washington. He is alsosuspected of involvement in attacksagainst US embassies in Kenya andTanzania in August 1998 that killed224 people and in the October 2002attack on the French supertankerLimburg. The prosecution had arguedthat 38-year-old Nashiri was “the mainbankroller of the attack” and a “fugitivefrom justice” and asked for maximumpenalties. “The verdict is unjust and wewill appeal,” Bedawi’s fatherMohammed said. He asked YemeniPresident Ali Abdullah Saleh tointervene to commute his son’s deathsentence.

CONRAD WIRTH (U.S.A.)London, Sep 25 — A press report,

dated today, states: Ferry Conrad Wirth(199 gt, built 1970) hauling sand to fillan area wrongly dredged by statecontractors in May ran agroundThursday afternoon (Sep 23) just northof Churches Island. The Hatteras classferry stopped immediately afterrunning aground about 1400 Thursdayrather than risk the hull digginganother illegal channel in the CurrituckSound, said Bill Jones, spokesman forthe North Carolina Department ofTransportation. The ferry was carryingsand to an area behind the WhaleheadClub where state contractors dug a 700-foot channel illegally in May.Transportation officials say it was anaccident and have agreed to refill thechannel. The project is scheduled to beabout halfway done by Monday, saidCharlie Utz, business manager for theN.C. Ferry Division. The sand wasunloaded from the ferry to other vesselsto lighten its load, prevent the ferryfrom gouging the bottom and preventanother clash with state environmentalofficials. The ferry was freed by around0200 yesterday without any damage tothe hull, Utz said. A northeast windmade the depth of the Currituck Soundlower than normal Thursday, Utz said.

CONTRADER (Panama)See “Hurricane ‘Jeanne’” under

“Weather & Navigation.”

CRISTALLO (Italy)London, Sep 27 — Lloyd’s Casualty

representatives in Piraeus report: At2345, Sep 26, while chem.tank Cristallo(5038 gt, built 1991) was manoeuvring

to anchor in Piraeus roads, it groundedin shallow waters at the rocky isletsMirinigia near Selinion Salamis. Fromthe grounding there were no injuries tothe 15 crew or loss of cargo into the sea.Previously it had sailed from Spain forCesme, Turkey, loaded with 7,350 tonsof chemicals and had stopped at Piraeusin order to bunker. Immediatelyfollowing the incident patrol and anti-pollution craft of the Piraeus PortAuthority were dispatched to the areaalong with a tug. Additionally theEleusis port authority placed personnelwith anti-pollution equipment at a stateof readiness in case they were required.Efforts to refloat the vessel began in theearly hours of today following anunderwater survey. (Note — Cristallosailed Santander Sep 17 for Turkey.)

London, Sep 27 — Following receivedfrom Piraeus RCC, timed 2030, UTC:Chem.tank Cristallo is still aground inthe same position. Tugs are on scene.

London, Sep 28 — Following receivedfrom Piraeus RCC, timed 0450, UTC:Chem.tank Cristallo is still agroundnear Piraeus with tugs in attendance.

London, Sep 28 — Following receivedfrom Piraeus RCC, timed 1230, UTC:Chem.tank Cristallo is still aground.

Piraeus, Sep 28 — Chem.tankCristallo, Spain to Cesme, 7,350 tons ofchemicals, during anchoragemanoeuvres at Piraeus roads strandedin shallow waters near the rocky island“Mirmigia” at Salamis island area at2345, Sep 26. The extent of the damagehas not yet been ascertained while all15 crew members were reportedlyhealthy and secure. No pollutionoccured. — Lloyd’s Agents.

London, Sep 28 — Following receivedfrom Piraeus RCC, timed 1830, UTC:Chem.tank Cristallo refloated about1700, local time. Vessel to be surveyedby class.

London, Sep 28 — Lloyd’s Casualtyrepresentatives in Piraeus report:During this afternoon chem.tankCristallo was refloated with theassistance of a tug and anchored inPiraeus roads.

CRISTOFORO COLOMBO (Belgium)London, Sep 24 — A press report,

dated today, states: A motion by thenature conservation prosecutor’s officeto take Nicolas Verbraeken, the masterof hopper dredger Cristoforo Colombo,into custody was rejected by the citycourt of Kholmsk today, federal judgeYulia Kurilo said. On Sep 22, Mr.Verbraeken was detained for and heldin solitary confinement in the isolationward for 48 hours by acting SakhalinNature Conservation Prosecutor SergeiMochalov. The master is suspected ofcommitting a crime due to carelessness.His detention was in keeping withRussian legislation on the investigationof a criminal case. The case was filedon Sep 14 under the article of theCriminal Code “Pollution of theMaritime Environment.” Mr.Verbraeken could face two years inprison and a fine. According topreliminary estimates, the oil spillcaused Russia more than 57 millionrubles (about $2 million) in damages.However, the Sakhalin region

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prosecutor’s office said an alternativeform of restraint, possibly bail, could beused for Mr. Verbraeken.London, Sep 26 — A press report, dated

Sep 25, states: Engineers continuepumping fuel oil and oily water from thedamaged hopper dredger CristoforoColombo, a spokesperson for theemergency centre set up to deal with thedisaster said. The owner of the ship, theBrussels-based European DredgingCompany, decided to hand over morethan 120 tons of fuel oil to the town’sboiler plants, the spokesperson said.Disposal of oily water currently held inthe ship’s tanks, however, presents amuch more difficult problem. Engineersneed to pump out more than 400 cubicmetres of water polluted with varyingamounts of fuel oil, Colonel MikhailSitnikov, the head of Kholmsk’s civildefence and emergencies office, toldjournalists. One hundred and eighty-twocubic metres of such water has beenpumped out of the dredger’s tanks overthe past 24 hours. On Friday, the federaljudge of the Kholmsk municipal courtdismissed the application filed by thelocal prosecutor overseeingenvironmental protection in the areawho demanded that the ship’s masterNicolas Verbreken be taken into custody.The latter, suspected of committing acrime through negligence, returned onboard Cristoforo Colombo after spendingtwo days in a solitary confinement cell ofthe local pre-trial detention centre. Inthe meantime, investigators continuetheir probe into the case. Thespokesperson for the emergency centresaid that by today the coastline had beenfully cleared of the oil fuel pollution.

DAINTY RIVER (Panama)London, Sep 27 — Information

received, dated Sep 26, states: C.c.Dainty River (22746 gt, built 1993)struck one of the former anti-submarinecaissons in the entrance channel to theport of Durban shortly after 2100,yesterday. The vessel was entering portto discharge and load containers at theDurban Container Terminal when theincident occurred. A marine pilot fromthe National Ports Authority wouldhave been on board at the time. Theaccident took place during heavy rainover the Durban region although it isnot yet known if it was actually rainingin the entrance channel at the time. Theship is reported to have sustainedsevere damage to its bulbous bow andhas five or six holes on the port side. Itis not known at this time whether thereis any bottom damage but anunderwater assessment is beingundertaken. Early reports indicate theship may be too badly damaged toundergo temporary repair and is likelyto receive permanent repairs in Durbanbut this has not been confirmed. DaintyRiver has meanwhile proceeded to thecontainer terminal to discharge itscargo. This morning the port, which isbeing subjected to strong gusty winds,was closed to allow an underwaterexamination to determine whether anyconcrete pieces from the damagedcaisson was causing a navigationalobstruction. (Note — Dainty Riversailed Singapore Sep 11 for Durban.)

London, Sep 27 — A press report,dated today, states: C.c. Dainty Riverstruck a concrete anti-submarinecaisson in Durban harbour on Saturdaynight and as a reult the harbour wasclosed to incoming vessels andhighlighted the urgent need forwidening and deepening the port’sentrance channel. Dainty River, loadedwith containers for the DurbanContainer Terminal, was making itsway down the entrance channel shortlybefore 2100 hrs when the accidentoccurred. Witnesses said the vesselstruck the caisson on the southbreakwater side of the channel - theimpact causing the caisson, whichweighed more than 1,000 tons, to breakin two. The ship was able to continueinto the port with the assistance of tugsand proceeded to berth at the Point foran initial assessment of the damage.Later the ship moved across to thecontainer terminal to discharge cargobefore entering the dry dock for furtherdamage assessment. Initial reportswere of a badly buckled bulbous bowand a number of holes on the port sidebelow the waterline. The ship may alsohave bottom hull damage. The harbourwas immediately closed to all incomingvessels. Outbound vessels were,however, able to leave the harbour. Ateam of divers inspected the channel atfirst light yesterday for obstructionsbefore vessels were able to enter.National Ports Authority spokeswomanJyothi Naidoo said the temporaryclosure of the harbour entrance hadresulted in only one vessel’s entrancebeing delayed. She said the accidentwas being investigated.

DUCHESS M.London, Sep 29 — A press report,

dated today, states: Ferry Duchess M.which runs between Gravesend andTilbury is out of service after it was hitby Royal Navy minesweeper Grimsby inKent. HMS Grimsby lost power anddrifted into Duchess M. at 0200 todaywhen the ferry was moored on the RiverThames in Gravesend. John Potter,owner of the Lower Thames andMedway Passenger Boat Company, saidconsiderable damage had been caused.Excursion ferry Princess Pocahontas(180 gt, built 1962) was also damaged.No-one was injured. Mr Potter said hewas waiting for surveyors from theMaritime and Coastguard Agency toexamine the damaged vessels. He saidthe Gravesend to Tilbury ferry was hitmid-ship. “It has pushed the frameworkin, smashed all the windows anddamaged the handrails.” There was noleak of pollution in the incident, saidthe Port of London Authority. A man onthe minesweeper, which had beenworking in the area, reportedly felloverboard during the night, but wasretrieved by the ship’s crew. The ferryservice, which takes half an hour totravel from Gravesend to Tilbury, hasbeen suspended until a replacementvessel can be found.

ESTONIA (Estonia)London, Sep 28 — Five Swedish

parliamentarians are calling for a freshinquiry into the sinking of passenger

ro/ro Estonia, which capsized with theloss of 852 lives ten years ago today.The five men warned this week thatanother shipping disaster like this couldhappen again. “Even after 10 years wedon’t know the cause of the sinking andwhat led to the loss of at least 852 lives.There are reasons to believe that wehaven’t taken the right measures toavoid a similar accident in the future.”The group include Kent Harstedt, asurvivor of the accident who criticisedthe findings of the official report intothe Estline ferry’s loss which he said didnot tally with survivors’ experiences.The Swedish Parliament is set to debatethe inquiry issue again, havingpreviously rejected calls to a freshinvestigation into the accident. Over550 of the passengers that died wereSwedish nationals. InternationalMaritime Organisation secretarygeneral Efthimios Mitropoulos said thatlooking back at the accident “we cantake some comfort from the fact thatIMO and the maritime community atlarge responded rapidly to the incidentresulting in the adoption of acomprehensive series of new andamended regulations.” Dr HenningWitte, a Swedish lawyer representingthe victims of the disaster welcomed thecalls for a new inquiry from within theSwedish parliament.

FAIRWEATHER (U.S.A.)London, Sep 24 — A press release from

Alaska Marine Highway System, datedSep 22, states: After undergoingtemporary repairs for minor damagesustained in an incident yesterday inSkagway, the state’s passenger ro/roFairweather will return to its mostrecently published schedule tomorrow,with a sailing leaving Juneau at 0700hrs to Sitka. It will sail from Sitka at1300 hrs. Fairweather , with 52passengers, 10 crewmembers, and 17vehicles on board, was leaving Skagwayat mid-day yesterrday when a strongwind pushed it into the mooring lines ofthe Holland America cruise shipZaandam. The ferry severed three ofthe mooring lines and was pushed into amooring dolphin, sustaining damage tothe aluminum exterior of the vessel atthe port bow. The damage wastemporarily repaired in Juneau today.

London, Sep 30 — A press release fromAlaska Marine Highway System, datedSep 28, states: Passenger ro/roFairweather will make one more sailingto Sitka, on Oct 8, before going out ofservice for maintenance and night crewtraining. The ferry will provide serviceon its regular schedule to Haines andSkagway through Oct 14. Sitka sailingshave been cancelled because high andlow slack tides in Sergius Narrowsoccur at times that would requireFairweather to return to Juneau afterdark. The Fairweather crew has notbeen certified by the US Coast Guard tooperate after dark, because there werenot enough nighttime hours to do soduring the crew’s training period lastMay. Fairweather must time its passagethrough Sergius Narrows for either theebb tide or flood tide, because it doesnot have full manoeuvrability with onlyone engine operating on its starboard

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side. While Fairweather is out of servicefor overhaul, the Alaska MarineHighway System will be replacing oneof its four engines, which has been shutdown since late August due to amanufacturer’s defect.

FITIAL (U.S.A.)London, Sep 27 — Following received

from Coast Guard Honolulu, timed1720, UTC: Tug Fitial (191 gt, built1974) had a fire break out in the crewarea, while undergoing work, when tiedup at a pier at Guam Sep 26. The firewas extinguished soon after.Understood damages were slight.

FJORD ICE (Malta)London, Sep 23 — Ro/ro Fjord Ice

sailed Fredericia Sep 21.

FLINTERZEE (Netherlands)London, Sep 24 — General cargo

Flinterzee arrived Antwerp 1223, Sep23.

GLOBAL FREIGHTER (Finland)Gothenburg, Sep 23 — Ro/ro Global

Freighter , grounded at Loevskaer,Aland archipelago, late Tuesdayevening (Sep 21). On board were around40 trailers and trucks. Dischargecommenced this afternoon on a bargeand then brought ashore. — WestaxMarine Services AB.

London, Sep 24 — Following receivedfrom Turku MRCC, timed 0947, UTC:Ro/ro Global Freighter , cargocontainers, sustained “large” damage,one hole 3-4 m long on starboard andother smaller holes.

London, Sep 27 — Following receivedfrom Aarhus MRCC, timed 1028, UTC:Ro/ro Global Freighter remainsaground. A specialist crane unit isscheduled to arrive on scene onWednesday (Sep 29) and the nextrefloating attempt will take placethereafter.

Turku, Sep 29 — Ro/ro GlobalFreighter was refloated Saturday, Sep25, and towed to Turku Repair Yard,Naantali. No special crane was requiredas vessel was lightened of cargo bymeans of pontoon-barges and thus ableto float. Currently the vessel is atTurku Repair Yard dry dock. The dockwill most probably be emptied duringtoday and after that the hull andbottom damage can be inspected. Atthis stage it has not been decidedwhether repairs will take place atNaantali or whether the vessel will betowed to another moresuitable/economic/optimal repairyard.— Lloyd’s Agents.

GLOBAL WINNER (Panama)London, Sep 29 — Following received

from Singapore Port Operations, timed0050, UTC: Bulk Global Winner, towedto Singapore Jul 17 after grounding ona reef, remains in Jurong Shipyard atpresent.

GODDESS (Singapore)Yokohama, Sep 27 — C.c. Goddess,

Iwakuni for Tokuyama, ran aground,1,725 metres, 175 degrees fromOkozeiwa Lighthouse in EhimePrefecture at 0125, Sep 22. No oil spill,

or personal injury was involved. Vesselwas refloated by two tugs at 1445 sameday. Although water ingress to forepeaktank was observed, it proceeded toMatsuyama under its own power. Vesselsustained crushing and holing damageto its bow through to stern. Vessel“dragged” anchor at 0700, Sep 25 and“laid up” at Tsuneishi dock afterdischarging containers at Tokuyama. —Lloyd’s Agents.

GREAT HARBOUR CAY (Bahamas)Freeport, Bahamas, Sep 29 — A

collision occurred in Freeport Harbourwhen tug Great Harbour Cay (226 gt,built 1990), was assisting with berthingoperations involving barge ATC 23(10889 gt, built 1978), which was undercontrol of tug Sea Raven (190 gt, built1941). ATC 23 was reportedly holed inway of a ballast tank and GreatHarbour Cay sank in about 40 feet ofwater inside the harbour. ATC 23 ,loaded, departed Freeport at 1000 thismorning. — Lloyd’s Agents.

GREEN KARMOY (U.K.)London, Sep 25 — Ref Green Karmoy

arrived Velsen 2115, Sep 21 and sailed2145, Sep 23.

GRIMSBY (United Kingdom)See Duchess M.

H&P RIG 205See “Hurricane ‘Ivan’” under “Weather

& Navigation.”

HANDY TIGER (Philippines)London, Sep 30 — Bulk Handy Tiger

arrived Callao Sep 11.

HIBIKI MARU (Japan)Moji, Sep 26 — Non specific tanker

Hibiki Maru completed repairs Jul 30and returned to normal trading. —Lloyd’s Agents.

HWAJIN NO.938 (South Korea)Busan, Sep 30 — Permanent repairs to

fishing Hwajin No.938 will becompleted on or about Oct 2, when thevessel will return to its normal coastalservice. — Lloyd’s Sub-agents.

IBN KHALDOUN (Tunisia)Tunis, Sep 23 — C.c. MSC Camargue

(5684 gt, built 1993) collided with tugIbn Khaldoun (263 gt, built 1976)during berthing manoeuvres at Radesat 1400, Sep 22. It is understood thatonly the tug was damaged, sustainingdamages to its hull. — Lloyd’s Agents.

London, Sep 29 — C.c. MSC Camarguearrived Valencia Sep 26.

IKA NO.7Suva, Sep 26 — Vessel Ika No.7 ,

grounded outside Suva Jan 24: Vessel iscurrently lying in Suva Harbour underFiji Customs custody. No repairs will becarried out and Fiji Customs willshortly put the vessel on tender on an“as is, where is” basis. — Lloyd’sAgents.

IRAN ARDEBIL (Iran)London, Sep 27 — A press report,

dated today, states: C.c. Iran Ardebilthat ran aground on its maiden voyage

has been rescued, much to the relief ofits Middle Eastern owner. IslamicRepublic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL)is relieved following the successfulsalvage of Iran Ardebil , which ranaground during its maiden voyage. Thevessel is said to have presented acomplex salvage challenge because itwas very difficult for salvors to bringvessels alongside to tranship the cargo.IRISL officials say Iran Ardebil is nowat Aden, where the remainder of itscargo is being discharged. They say itwill proceed to a Middle Easternshipyard for full repairs. “Shipyardrepresentatives will inspect the vesselover the next few days and determinethe extent of the repair work that isnecessary,” said a senior executive. Heestimates Iran Ardebil will need around100 tonnes of steel renewal. Thecompany says there has been nodisruption to the service as the cargowas distributed among other ships onthe same route. “We have not had tocharter in any replacement vessels,”said the IRISL source.

ISARSTERN (Isle of Man)London, Sep 29 — Chemical/oil carrier

Isarstern (11426 gt, built 1995),downbound, experienced a totalblackout near Lanoraie Quebec, in lat45 58.00N, long 73 11.30W at 0926, Sep28. — (Note — Isarstern arrivedMontreal Sep 27 and sailed Sep 28 forU.S.A.)

JAG ARPAN (India)London, Sep 27 — A press report,

datelined Singapore, today, states:Twelve foreign workers were injured ina flash fire at Jurong Shipyard today.Four of the workers, who were admittedto the Singapore General Hospital,suffered degree burns ranging fromseven to 14 percent. The remainingeight workers sustained minor injurieson their hands and legs and have sincebeen discharged. The blaze was put outby workers at the scene. Police areinvestigating the cause of the fire.

London, Sep 27 — Following receivedfrom Singapore Accident InvestigationDepartment, timed 1545 hrs: There wasa fire incident ealier today onboardproduct tanker Jag Arpan (36512 gt,built 1986) at Jurong shipyard.Investigations to establish additionalinformation, such as the cause of thefire and extent of damage will beconducted tomorrow. (Note — JagArpan arrived Singapore 1600, Sep 13.)

London, Sep 28 — A press report,dated today, states: Thirteen shipyardworkers suffered burns in a flash fire onboard product tanker Jag Arpan atJurong Shipyard yesterday. All of themwere Indian nationals between about 25and 35 years old. They were rushed tothe Singapore General Hospital in theshipyard’s ambulances. Four of thevictims, who were burnt on their armsand faces, are currently underobservation in a general ward at thehospital’s burns centre. According to thehospital, they are in stable condition.Another nine who sustained minorburns have been discharged. Theshipyard confirmed in a statement thata fire had occurred at around 1500 hrs

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in the pump-room of Jag Arpan, whichwas undergoing repairs. It said thecause of the fire was ‘still underthorough investigation’ and that no oneelse was hurt.

JENABAR (Australia)See Lancelot.

JOY VICTORY (Hong Kong)London, Sep 26 — As of Sep 22, bulk

Joy Victory was still in port in HongKong.

JUBILEE (Bahamas)See “Hurricane ‘Jeanne’” under


KOVERA (Russia)London, Sep 28 — Following received

from Coastguard Humber MRSC, timed0640, UTC: It was reported at 1809,UTC, yesterday that general cargoKovera (1596 gt, built 1995) and generalcargo Odin (2997 gt, built 1994) hadbeen in collision in lat 53 42N, long 0049W, opposite Bankhouse, River Ouse.Odin sustained slight damage andproceeded on voyage for Vesteras.Kovera is now alongside at middle pier,Goole. Vessel sustained damage to bow-thruster room and forecastle. (Note —Kovera sailed St.Petersburg Sep 22 forGoole. Odin sailed Goole 1710, Sep 27for Vesteras.)

LA SUPERBA (Italy)Genoa, Sep 24 — Immediately after

passenger ro/ro La Superba concludedits intended summer voyages it is nowat Genoa under repair as per previouslyscheduled drydock. One lifeboat anddeck window, screen length of about 10metres, were damaged in the casualtyand will be renewed/repaired while it isin drydock. Repairs expected to becompleted Sep 29, when it will resumewinter trade between Genoa andPalermo. Understand winghouse andpilot bridge bulwark of ferry Nuraghessustained damage during casualty. —Lloyd’s Agents.

Genoa, Sep 28 — Passenger ro/ro LaSuperba, collision with ferry Nuraghes:Immediately after casualty La Superbaconcluded its intended Summer voyagesand is now at Genoa under repair asper previously scheduled drydock. Onelifeboat and deck window screen for alength of about 10 metres damaged andwill be renewed/repaired while indrydock, which is expected to becompleted Sep 29 next, when it willresume Winter trade between Genoaand Palermo. Ferry Nuraghes :Understand winghouse and pilot bridgebulwark sustained damage duringcasualty but we are still investigating.Presently sailing between Olbia andCivitavecchia where repairs are carriedout while berthed. — Lloyd’s Agents.

LAGAN VIKING (U.K.)London, Sep 25 — A press report,

dated today, states: More than 70people have been stuck on passengerro/ro Lagan Viking (21856 gt, built1997) which was unable to dock inBelfast because the crew could not openits doors. The Norse Merchant ferry leftBirkenhead at 1130, BST, yesterday.

When the vessel tried to dock in Belfastat about 2230, BST, crew members wereunable to get the door on the car deck towork. Attempts were made early todayto open the doors but the vessel had tosail back out to Belfast Lough to allowanother ferry to dock. It is now dockedin Belfast Harbour, and engineers fromHarland and Wolff have gone on boardwith specialist cutting equipment. Morethan 50 passengers and 20 crew remainon board today.

London, Sep 25 — A press report,dated today, states: Around 50passengers and 20 crew stuck onpassenger ro/ro Lagan Viking in Belfastdock have shown remarkablecomposure, the company responsibleclaimed today. A spokesman for NorseMerchant Ferries said they were doingeverything to ensure that passengersand crew on Lagan Viking would beable to leave the ship by mid-afternoonat the latest. The vessel left Birkenheadat around 1420 hrs with 20 cars onboard and also lorries. It docked inBelfast last night at 2230 hrs but crewwere unable to open the doors. TheNorse Merchant spokesman said:“There are seven locking bars on thedoor of the vessel. One of them failed tototally disengage and we have tried allnight to open it but we have had to callin a team from Harland and Wolffshipyard with special equipment. Theyare setting up the equipment as wespeak.” The spokesman said crewopened up cabins on the vessel toenable passengers on board to get somesleep. They also provided passengerswith food and opened bars.

London, Sep 25 — A press report,dated today, states: More than 70people have been freed after being stuckon passenger ro/ro Lagan Viking, whichwas unable to dock in Belfast becausethe crew could not open its doors. Theramp eventually came down at about1430, BST, today after engineersmanaged to remove the lock usingspecialist cutting equipment.

LANCELOT (Malta)Sydney, Sep 30 — The Australian

Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) hasblamed the failure to keep a properlook-out as the immediate cause of acollision between bulk Lancelot (34518gt, built 1982) and fishing Jenabar(built 1983) off northern New SouthWales on Aug 21, 2003. ATSBinvestigators found that both Lancelotand Jenabar failed to keep a properlook-out leading up to the collision. An“over-reliance” on information from theautomatic radar plotting aid (ARPA) onboard Lancelot was also a contributingfactor in the collision, ATSB concluded.No one was injured in the collision,although Jenabar sustained extensivedamage above the waterline and wasforced to return to Forster. At the timeof the collision it was in company withthree other fishing vessels, heading forfishing grounds north of Forster, whileLancelot was heading south forNewcastle (AUS). The ATSB said thatthe deckhand on watch on Jenabar wasseated at a table in the wheelhouse.The mate on the bulk carrier was usingthe ARPA. “Despite indications from the

ARPA that the fishing vessels werepassing clear, they were in fact oncollision or near collision courses,”ATSB said. The ARPA indicated thatthe nearest fishing vessel was on areciprocal course and that its closestpoint of approach was more than 1.5nautical miles to starboard. Soonafterwards the mate noticed that thevessel was crossing from starboard toport and altered the bulk carrier ’scourse to starboard to clear the vesselbefore resuming the original course,investigators said. He then realised asecond f ishing vessel was on acollision course and ordered the helmhard to port to steer away. “However,the fishing vessel continued to closewith the ship and, when the matereal ised that a co l l is ion wasimminent, he ordered full starboardrudder to minimise the angle o fimpact.” The vessels collided at 0427hrs. The deckhand of Jenabar told theATSB he checked the radar at 0425hrs and saw no sign of a vessel. Aminute later, however, he looked outand saw “the dark shape of a ship,extremely close on the starboard bow.”“Before he could get to the helm anddisengage the autopilot, the fishingvessel had collided with the ship,” thereport said. The report recommendedthat : Al l ship and f ishing vesselowners , operators and managersensure compliance with keeping aproper lookout, visually and by radar;the National Marit ime SafetyCommittee (NMSC) and state andterritory marine authorities reviewminimum qualifications for fishingvessel watchkeepers ; the sameauthorities ensure that guidance onprocedures for watchkeeping andsafety o f navigat ion apply to a l lvessels; and radar manufacturers’operating manuals should containexplicit instructions on setting upARPAs for col l is ion avoidance. —“Lloyd ’s List Dai ly CommercialNews.”

LITUYA (U.S.A.)London, Sep 24 — A press release

from Alaska Marine Highway System,dated Sep 23, states: Passenger Lituya(97 gt, built 2004) providing servicebetween Metlakatla and Ketchikan,encountered an engine problem thismorning, putting it out of service for theremainder of the day and for tomorrow.While underway at top speed with amedivac en route to Ketchikan, theturbo-exhaust gas temperature alarmon the vessel’s starboard main enginesounded and the engine automaticallyshut down. The vessel’s crew found asmoldering air intake filter, removed it,and notified the US Coast Guardmarine safety office in Ketchikan. ACaterpillar engine technician will be inKetchikan tomorrow to inspect theengine and determine what correctivemeasures or repairs need to be made.The vessel will remain out of serviceuntil the Caterpillar representativecertifies the engine to return to service.Briggs noted that this is the first timesince Lituya started service on May 1,2004 that the vessel has missed asailing. Home-ported in Metlakatla, the

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ferry normally makes five round-tripsto Ketchikan, Wednesday throughSunday, each week.

LUCKY LADY (Malta)London, Sep 24 — Following received

from the managers of crude oil tankerLucky Lady, dated today: Lucky Lady isstill anchored off Cilacap, withinvestigations under way into theextent of environmental damage claims,etc. Vessel will require drydocking anda decision will be taken on where andwhen this will be effected.

LUMARE (Netherlands)London, Sep 28 — General cargo

Lumare passed Dover Strait Sep 25 andsubsequently arrived Cardiff 1544, Sep27.

MAANAV STAR (India)London, Sep 24 — A press release

from the Maritime and CoastguardAgency Press Office, timed 1048, UTC,today, states: Plans are now in place ina further effort to refloat the groundedgeneral cargo Maanav Star during thelate morning Monday, Sep 27. ASalvage Control Unit was establishedearlier this month at Rye HarbourOffice by the Secretary of StatesRepresentative for Maritime Salvageand Intervention U.K. working with theMCA, who will be on site on Monday.The marine gas oil and bunker fuel hasnow been removed from the vessel.Some fuel has been kept on board toallow the running of electricalgenerators. The ship remains ballasteddown to minimise its movement fromseas at high tide. Deballastingoperations will commence at 0600Monday as it is intended to refloat thevessel on the subsequent high waterduring the late morning. Damage toMaanav Star’s bottom shell plating hasbeen patched. Bilges in the ship’s holdhave had additional steel platingwelded in place as part of refloatingpreparations. Tug Alphonse Letzer willbe on scene over the weekend as will afurther vessel. Lines will be laid inpreparation during Sunday in readinessfor the tow. If this tow operation fails,the lines will be kept in place forfurther attempts at each subsequenthigh water during daylight hours.Heavy earth moving equipment willalso be mustered at the site over theweekend and under supervision of aflood defence engineer, shingle will befurther cleared by the plant to aid therefloating of the vessel. An exclusionzone will be placed around Maanav Starat 0600 Monday. This will remain inforce until the ship is refloated.Coastguard teams are maintaining apresence at the vessel’s location. Theship owners are investigating a port forinspection and repair of the vessel.

London, Sep 27 — Following receivedfrom Coastguard Dover MRCC, timed1130, UTC: General cargo Maanav Starwas refloated at 0919, UTC. It isbelieved the vessel is to be towed toHolland.

Zeebrugge, Sep 28 — General cargoMaanav Star arrived Hansweert 0915,Sep 28, from Rye. — Lloyd’s Sub-agents.

London, Sep 29 — General cargoMaanav Star was refloated on Monday(Sep 27) from Camber Sands by asalvage team from Klyne Tugs(Lowestoft) Ltd and SMIT Salvage. Thetwo companies entered into a jointLloyd’s Open Form salvage agreement,including a SCOPIC clause. During thislatest operation many tons of shinglewere removed from around the vesselby earthmoving equipment and tugAlphonse Letzer pulled the vessel freeusing a special hi-tech 1,300-metretowline. HM Coastguard reported thatall of the crew were taken safely ashoreand that the recovery operation wascarried out with little risk of pollutionand no additional damage to the vessel.

London, Sep 29 — General cargoMaanav Star arrived Hansweert 0915,Sep 28.

MARIA JOSEFAManila, Sep 29 — General cargo

Maria Josefa has resumed normaloperations and currently operates atwice daily service between Batangasin southern Luzon Island andDalanacan in central Philippines.Maria Josefa ran aground off BacoChico island in Calapan, MindoroProvince in central Philippines on Mar15. There were no injuries nor fatalitiesamong its crew. Salvors towed thevessel to Elfa Shipyard in Navotastown in Manila where hull and steeringmechanism repairs were carried out.The vessel left Elfa Shipyard on Jun11. Further afloat repairs were carriedout by its owner Montenegro ShippingLines. The vessel resumed operationsin August. — Lloyd’s ListCorrespondent.

MARTE (Italy)Gothenburg, Sep 23 — It has been

established that a short circuit in themain machinery was probably the causeof lpg Marte drifiting towards the rockson shore, south of Mongstad Refinery atwestern Norway. A more considerableinvestigation has been initiated by theItalian Class RINA and V-Ships,technical managers of the vessel.Norwegian authorities would also liketo know why the Italian master did notrequest assistance and tugs when thevessel was drifting towards the rocksand a dangerous situation was created.— Westax Marine Services AB.

MASSACHUSETTS (U.S.A.)Suva, Sep 26 — Trawler

Massachusetts: According to the vessel’sowner, Mr Ross Brodie, of SeamechLimited, they have no intention ofhaving the vessel repaired. Currently itis at Suva Harbour awaiting potentialbuyers on an “as is, where is” basis. —Lloyd’s Agents.

MELLUM (Liberia)London, Sep 29 — Following received

from Australia MRCC, timed 0035,UTC: General cargo Mellum (13066 gt,built 1998), while departing Thevenardwith a cargo of gypsum, containers andpipes, grounded at 0402, UTC, Sep 28.Vessel is now afloat and it is notbelieved to have sustained seriousdamage; however, diver inspections of

the hull are due to take place shortly.London, Sep 30 — Following received

from Australia MRCC, timed 0005,UTC: General cargo Mellum is reportedto have resumed voyage on completionof inspections, which provedsatisfactory.

MICHELLE K. (U.S.A.)London, Sep 28 — A press report,

dated today, states: The Coast Guardcontinued yesterday to investigate acrash involving 91-foot fishing MichelleK. (149 gt, built 1969) in theManasquan Inlet as well as to overseethe cleanup of gasoline from the boat,authorities said. The Marine SafetyOffice in Philadelphia was overseeingthe cleanup, Petty Officer JohnEdwards, a Coast Guard spokesman,said yesterday. Sea Tow, a companybased in Atlantic City, was handling theactual cleanup, although Edwards saidsome of the boat’s fuel spilled into thewater during the Saturday (Sep 25)crash. Michelle K., was heading into theinlet when it hit a jetty, according topolice reports. None of the four crewmembers was injured. The boat hit thejetty on its starboard side, and theimpact ruptured the hull, Edwardssaid. The accident did not block theinlet, but the boat was moored against awall during the investigation andcleanup, authorities said.

London, Sep 28 — Following receivedfrom Coast Guard Atlantic City, datedSep 27: The salvage of fishing fishingMichelle K. that struck the north jettyin the Manasquan Inlet Saturdayevening is being monitored by the CoastGuard Marine Safety Office inPhiladelphia and the New JerseyDepartment of EnvironmentalProtection. Michelle K. , a 91-footcommercial fishing vessel carryingclams, was entering the ManasquanInlet when it struck the jetty about1930 hrs causing the vessel to take onwater. A Coast Guard boat from StationManasquan transferred the fourcrewmembers of Michelle K. to theirboat where they were taken back to thestation. A light sheen was visible butcontained within an oil boom as anenvironmental protective measure. Thevessel was secured to the south wall ofthe inlet and currently remainsaground, but is not a hazard tonavigation. Northstar was contractedby the responsible party for cleanupand salvage of the damaged vessel.3,000 gallons of fuel was pumped out ofthe fuel tanks in an effort to reduce anyfurther danger to the environment.Divers will be placing a magnetic patchto cover the 6-foot by 5-inch hole in thehull of the boat. Once the boat has beenrefloated, Northstar will take the vessel1/4 mile to Point Pleasant wherepermanent repairs will be made.

MINI COY (India)Kochi, Sep 30 — Ferry Mini Coy (931 gt,

built 2001), operating between Kochi andLakshadweep Islands, was berthed at Q2,Kochi port, when it was struck on sternby research Samudra Manthan (2374 gt,built 1958) at about 1752, Sep 27. MiniCoy sustained some damage which not ofa serious nature. — Lloyd’s Agents.

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MIRABELLA V (Isle of Man)London, Sep 23 — A press report,

dated today, states: A MarineAdministration investigator is to spendaround six weeks conducting inquiriesinto how yacht Mirabella V ran agroundon the French Riviera. Mirabella V wasstranded for two days near the entranceto Beaulieu sur Mer harbour. A salvageoperation involving divers and a tugsaw the sloop freed on Saturdaymorning (Sep 18). It was towed to a drydock in La Ciotat, Marseilles. A marineadministration investigator arrived inMarseilles on Monday. Theinvestigation will take six weeks andwill involve talking to everyoneinvolved with the yacht, said DickWelsh, the principal marine surveyor. Areport, based on the findings, will bedrawn up and sent to the InternationalMaritime Organisation.

Marseilles, Sep 23 — Yacht MirabellaV is presently at Monaco MarineShipyard, La Ciotat. Several surveysare being carried out at the momentand we have been advised by MonacoMarine that the yacht is meant to bedrydocked in early October. There is noinformation at the moment on thepossible duration of the repairs. —Lloyd’s Agents.

MSC CAMARGUE (Antigua & Barbuda)

See Ibn Khaldoun.

NICON FRONTIER (Panama)London, Sep 24 — A press report,

dated today, states: Remnants ofHurricane “Ivan” have dealt anothereconomic blow to Bucks County - thistime at the county’s only deepwaterport . Novolog in Falls was c losedWednesday (Sep 22) after bulk NiconFrontier (26067 gt, built 2000) ranaground in silt carried into the port byf loodwaters. “Part of the UpperDelaware River basin has washeddown and deposited itself,” NovologChief Executive Officer David Reidexplained yesterday. “There is what Iwould call a ‘mud wave’ on the bottomof the river.” Reid said the economicimpact could be severe should NiconFrontier remain stuck in the mud.Attempts to move it yesterday at hightide were unsuccessful. “If ships can’tget in, I can’t get people to work,” Reidsaid, adding that one ship bound forthe port is waiting on the Delawareand two ships were scheduled to arrivetoday. Nicon Frontier , with about40,000 tons of slag, ran aground about2200 Wednesday. Its cargo is destinedfor Waste Management in Falls. If theship cannot be moved, then its cargowould have to be of f loaded ontobarges - to lighten the ship. Any long-term shutdown of the port could resultin layoffs, a union official said. Theship is stuck in the turning basin, anarea about 250 feet from the shorelinethat is part of the shipping channel.The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers hasmaintenance responsibilities for theturning basin and, for the last threeyears, the agency has not dredged thearea, Crescenzo said. Dredging wassupposed to take place next month,but the flooding changed everything,

he said. “Hurricane “Ivan” dumped alot of silt and we lost a lot of depth inthe turning basin,” Crescenzo said.Novolog and the union have been incontact with state Sen. Arlen Specter’sof f ice as well as U.S. Rep. JimGreenwood, R-8, and the BucksCounty commissioners. The companyis trying to get political muscle to prodthe Army Corps of Engineers to dredgethe basin as soon as possible. Reidsaid he would see whether theproblems at Novolog could beconsidered flood damage that’s eligiblefor emergency disaster funds throughthe Federal Emergency ManagementAgency.

London, Sep 24 — Following receivedfrom Coast Guard Portsmouth, Va,timed 1440, UTC: Bulk Nicon Frontierhas been refloated.

London, Sep 27 — A press report,dated Sep 25, states: Bulk NiconFrontier was freed from Bucks County’sdeepwater port in Novolog Falls Fridaymorning (Sep 24) and the portreopened. Novolog had been closed sinceWednesday night after Nicon Frontierran aground in silt carried into the portby floodwaters. Shortly after midnightlast night, tugs from Moran andMcAllister pulled on the vessel and itspilot manoeuvred it free, said NovologChief Executive Officer David Reid.Reid credited the Army Corps ofEngineers’ survey vessel with studyingthe problem. The vessel mapped thearea and Charlie Myers of the ArmyCorps, the project manager for theUpper Delaware River Basin, helpedspeed up the response by getting thesurveys done quickly, Reid said. TheArmy Corps are now to dredge the areawhere the vessel ran aground. Calledthe turning basin, the area hasn’t beendredged for three years because thefederal agency lacked the funding,agency representative Ed Voigt said.The Army Corps was scheduled todredge the area next month but theflooding from the remnants of hurricane“Ivan” created an urgent need to get thejob done sooner. The basin lost asignificant amount of depth because ofthe silt carried in by the floodwaters.Reid said he received word yesterdaythat the Army Corps would dredge theturning basin sooner than scheduled,possibly next week.

NINA (Comoros)London, Sep 25 — Following received

from Singapore Port Operations, timed1630, UTC: Bulk Nina (40038 gt, built1977) reported with fire on board inEastern Special Anchorage, Singapore,at about 2000, local time, Sep 25. Crewstill on board. Port authoritiesinvestigating cause of fire. Vessel willprobably be towed to Western ReserveAnchorage at about 0200-0300, localtime, tomorrow. (Note — Nina arrivedSingapore 1835, Sep 23.)

London, Sep 26 — Following receivedfrom Singapore Port Operations, timed0115, UTC: Master of bulk Ninanotified, on VHF channel 12, that vesselhad a fire in No.3 cargo hold at 1800,local time, yesterday. The fire wasextinguished at 2345, local time, byMPA tug. Understand no major

damage, no injuries, no pollution. Ninaanchored at Raffles Anchorage at 0630,local time, today.

London, Sep 26 — Following receivedfrom Singapore Port Operations, timed0030, UTC: Bulk Nina remains atRaffles Anchorage in Singaporefollowing the fire on board.

London, Sep 28 — Understood salvageservices were rendered to bulk Nina bySemco Salvage & Marine Pte Limitedunder Lloyd’s Open Form.

London, Sep 29 — Following receivedfrom Singapore Port Operations, timed0045, UTC: Bulk Nina remains atRaffles Anchorage, Singapore.

London, Sep 30 — Understood smokeis still being emitted from some of theholds of bulk Nina, China for Turkey,cargo approximately 58,000 tons of coal,at Raffles Reserved Anchorage. Alsounderstood salvors, Semco Salvage,plan to beach the vessel in shallowwater so they can flood the affectedholds with seawater to completelyextinguish the fire.

NO.1 DAE BU (Panama)See “Typhoon ‘Mindulle’” under


NORDICA (Cyprus)Gibraltar, Sep 24 — General cargo

Nordica arrived Gibraltar Jun 13 witha heavy list to port and uponinvestigation by surveyors was found tohave cracks on the hull and wasdetained. Vessel had temporary repairscarried out by divers and wasconsequently granted permission todepart for a single voyage to a nearbyshipyard. Vessel departed Gibraltar Jul29 but instead of proceeding to theshipyard it anchored off limits on theeastern side of Gibraltar until Sep 23when it sailed under a new name, LadyRea, H9XW, Panama flag .This vessel iscurrently banned to enter anyEuropean port under its old name ofNordica. — Gibraltar Port Authority.

NUMBER ONE (St. Vincent & Grenadines)

London, Sep 28 — A French appealcourt has reduced the sentencespronounced against the owners,manager and classification society ofgeneral cargo Number One, which sankwith its master and 10 other membersof its 18-man crew off the coast of SriLanka in June 1999. The owners andmanager of the vessel have escaped theprison sentence to which they wereoriginally sentenced for manslaughterin March 2003, while Japaneseclassification society Nippon KaijiKyokai has had the fine imposed on itfor its part in the disaster reduced fromEuro 225,000 to Euro 200,000.Industrialist brothers Raoul and AndreSpitzer had been sentenced to threeyears in prison, of which two weresuspended, and shipping consultantJean Le Coz, who acted as manager ofNumber One, to three years suspendedfor 18 months. At the appeal courthearing last June at Rennes in Brittanythe prosecutor called for unsuspendedprison sentences for the two brothersand the consultant, all in their latesixties or early seventies. However,

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Marine

giving its judgment last week, the courtopted to give them lighter fullysuspended sentences. The Spitzerbrothers were given one-year suspendedsentences while Le Coz received an 18-month suspended sentence. The appealcourt found that the loss of the vesselwas due to the “poor state of the shipand a series of human errors.” It notedthat the 24-year-old vessel, described bythe prosecutor in the original court caseas a “floating wreck”, had been lettingin water and experiencing increasinglysevere corrosion at the time of thesinking. It said that Le Coz, who actedas adviser to the brothers for thepurchase of the vessel, must have beenaware of the vessel’s condition and hadbeen informed that it was notwatertight. As for class NK, the courtsaid that it had been aware of the gravecorrosion which the vessel had beenexperiencing and the reticence of itsowners to carry out necessary repairs.The Spitzer brothers claimed that theyhad acted for an absent partner inacquiring Number One for US$425,000in October, 1998, while Le Coz arguedthat he had recommended acquisition ofthe vessel on the basis of a report whichgave no indication that there were rustholes in its hull. Number One, whichwas carrying a cargo of timber fromMalaysia to India, sank in a monsoonstorm after fighting a losing battleagainst flooding and engine and pumpbreakdowns 160 miles off the SriLankan coast. Only seven of its 18-manSenegalese-Ukrainian crew survivedafter boarding a liferaft which wassubsequently spotted by a passingvessel. Four Senegalese crew members,six Ukrainians and the French masterlost their lives. The case came to courtin France after the family of thedeceased master, Captain JacquesRichardeau, who was 63 at the time ofthe sinking, started legal proceedings.Questions were raised, however, abouthis conduct at both the original andappeal court hearings. It was claimed inJune that he had failed to slow thevessel and seek assistance when it gotinto difficulty and that he had failed toput covers over its cargo holds.

NURAGHES (Italy)See La Superba.

NUSA DAMAI (Indonesia)London, Sep 28 — A press report,

dated today, states: Ippi Port in thetown of Ende on Flores island wastemporarily closed yesterday after ro/roNusa Damai (6057 gt, built 1972) sankwhile being laded with cargo, officialssaid. No casualties were reported, butat least 41 trucks and two cars sankalong with Nusa Damai on Sundayevening (Sept 26). The accidentoccurred when the vessel began to listdangerously to one side while beingloaded. The vessel then developed aleak and slowly sank. Port managementhead Farouk Djawas said yesterday allloading and unloading activities at theport were temporarily halted, and allships rerouted to nearby ports. “We areworking to raise the boat from thebottom of the sea so the port canresume operations,” he said.

OCEAN ADY (DIS)See Thor R..

ODIN (Antigua & Barbuda)See Kovera.

PENG YANG (China)London, Sep 26 — Following received

from Hong Kong VTS, timed 0025,UTC: Bulk Peng Yang is still aground atpresent in the same position. (See issueof Sep 17.)

PERLA (Singapore)London, Sep 28 — The Maritime and

Port Authority of Singapore ShippingCircular No.22, dated Sep 27, states: Arecent investigation on a chemicaltanker (? chemical/oil carrier Perla)revealed that the structural damages toone of its cargo tanks might have beencaused due to malfunctioning of thecargo tank pressure/vacuum valve. Asthe cargo was being loaded, themalfunction of the pressure/vacuumvalve might have caused excessivepressure build up in the cargo tankbeyond the set limit. The excessivepressure coupled with localiseddefective welding caused the centrebulkhead to give way and to deflecttowards the adjacent centre tank. Thedamage to the centre bulkhead exerteda strong downward pull on the maindeck, causing the main deck to teardownwards. It also exerted a strongupward pull on the tank top causing thetank top to tear open at two places.There was no injury or pollution fromthe incident. However, the vessel had toundergo major repairs, including therenewal of substantial steel plating. Toavoid similar incidents in future,owners and managers are advised toinform the ship’s staff sailing ontankers, to check and ensure the properfunctioning of the Pressure/Vacuumvalves during cargo operation. Ownersand managers are further advised toincorporate additional procedures tomonitor the correct functioning ofpressure/vacuum valves on chemicaltankers that are yet to comply with therequirement of secondary ventingarrangements for cargo tanks, tocomply with IBC Code1 Chapter 8.3.3 /BCH Code2 Chapter 2.14.4.

PIONER BELORUSSII (Russia)See Christine.

PLEIONE (Bahamas)Cristobal, Sep 27 — Bulk Pleione:

Understand all temporary repairs werecompleted late last week. Vesselinspected by Panama Canal Authoritieson Sep 24, at which time it wasapproved for transit. Vessel proceededsouthbound through Canal yesterday,and sailed Balboa 1933, Sep 26,reportedly bound Japan. — Lloyd’sAgents.

PRESTIGE (Bahamas)London, Sep 30 — The judge

investigating the case involving crudeoil tanker Prestige has rejected thelatest appeal by lawyers acting for thevessel ’s Greek master, ApostolosMangouras, to allow him to travel hometo Greece. The decision comes despite

firm assurances from the Greekgovernment that Capt Mangouras, 69,will return for trial in Spain once a dateis set. Lawyers acting for the Spanishgovernment say they would not opposea lifting of the travel ban.

PRIDE A. (Greece)London, Sep 25 — Following received

from Piraeus RCC, timed 1040, UTC:Product tanker Pride A. (18539 gt, built1982) had a fire on board in master’scabin and bridge at Tarragonayesterday. The fire was extinguished bycrew with tug assistance. Vessel is nowat Tarragona anchorage for inspection.

London, Sep 25 — A press report,dated today, states: A fire began in thestate-rooms of product tanker Pride A.believed due to a short circuit. The shipcast anchor and as a result was delayedin unloading 21,000 tons of gasoline forRepsol. After the fire started the vesselwas moved three miles off the coast. Thefire began at 0230 hrs in the area of thestate-rooms. The vessel’s crew could notextiguish the fire themselves soSalvamento MarÌtimo mobilised to theboat ISalvamar Diphda, four tugs and ahelicopter to extinguish the fire and toevacuate 18 of the 28 crew. The 10 crewmembers who remained on the shipparticipated in the task of extinguishingthe fire. The fire was extiguishedwithout injuries and no oil was spilledafter the rescue boats sprayed theflames with water and the helicoptersupported them from the air. Mid-morning, the master of the tankercommunicated to the rescue teams thatthe fire had been controlled andextinguished without reaching thecargo. Thereafter the previouslyevacuated 18 sailors returned to thevessel. The Marine Captain ofTarragona ordered that two tugsremained preventively in the area ofthe tanker while the techniciansevaluate the condition of the vessel.Sources of the Subdelegation of theGovernment predicted that the shipwould unload tomorrow at Repsol,Tarrangona, when the technicianscertify that the operation can be madewithout danger.

PRINCESS OF THE PACIFIC(Philippines)

Manila, Sep 27 — Ro/ro Princess of thePacific: Bottom hole being repairedtemporarily, patching up, afterwhich itwill be taken to Singapore fordemolition/scrapping. — Lloyd’s Agents.

PRINCESS POCAHONTAS (U.K.)See Duchess M..

RED BOAT (North Korea)See “Hurricane ‘Jeanne’” under


RESHID BEHBUDOV (Azerbaijan)Mersin, Sep 24 — Shipping agent of

general cargo Reshid Behbudov, basedin Mersin, EGESEL, vessel is stillunder arrest and advised by the masterverbally that the problem may be solvedin the next week. Regarding theproblem, the creditor partners still arediscussing the matter with the relatedparties. — Lloyd’s Agents.

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Marine

Mersin, Sep 28 — General cargoReshid Behbudov is still waiting onroads and under arrest. The agent hasbeen informed by both the master andthe creditors in Turkey verbally thatthe parties are about to come to anagreement about the problem andvessel is expected to be released in thenext week. — Lloyd’s Agents.

ROTTERDAM (Netherlands)London, Sep 29 — A press report,

dated Sep 28, states: Five passengersreceived minor injuries when passengerRotterdam (59652 gt, built 1997)travelling the North Atlantic stalledand was tossed about in rough seascreated by hurricane “Karl”. TheHalifax Port Authority said Rotterdamwas steaming across the mid-Atlanticfrom Belfast, to St. John’s, Nfld., whenit ran into the storm on Friday (Sept24). “They encountered the edge ofhurricane “Karl” and some rough seas,”said Michele Peveril, a spokeswomanfor the Halifax Port Authority.Passengers on board the ship, whichdocked in Halifax today, said they wereterrified when the Holland AmericaLine vessel stopped dead in the storm.Five people were taken to hospital withnon-life threatening injuries after theship docked in Halifax. The shipdeparted at 1800 today, bound for itsfinal destination of New York City. Thecruise line said the ship is structurallysound and it is investigating whatcaused the engines to quit. (Note —Rotterdam sailed Belfast Sep 21 forNewfoundland.)

London, Sep 29 — A press report,dated today, states: Ambulances greetedpassenger Rotterdam in Halifaxyesterday after passengers and crewendured a harrowing encounter withmonster waves generated by hurricane“Karl” in the North Atlantic. About adozen passengers were taken to theQueen Elizabeth II Health SciencesCentre with suspected fractures andsevere bruising after Rotterdam arrivedat Pier 21 early in the day. Onepassenger suffered a broken collarbone.The cruise ship was returning to NewYork from Greece, via London, when ithit rough water about 900 kilometreseast of St. John’s, Nfld., which was ascheduled stopover. The ship wasdiverted to Halifax. She and some otherinjured passengers returned to the shipto complete the trip to New York.” Forabout three and a half hours the vesselwas tossed about unmercifully in thedarkness. Three baby grand pianos,several pieces of furniture andhundreds of glasses and bottles wereflung about in the storm-tossed shipbefore power was restored. Manypassengers were instructed to stay onthe floor of several public lounges onthe ship. Others were told to stay intheir cabins. Engineers with HollandAmerica inspected the ship at Pier 21 inHalifax and cleared it to depart for NewYork. Eric Elvejord, communicationsdirector for the cruise line, said fromSeattle that a complete review of theloss of engine power and the encounterwith the hurricane would be conducted.He said the cruise line is awaiting crewand inspector reports. “We know there

were some injuries and damagedfurniture but no damage to thestructure of the ship,” he said. “Theproblem was the loss of propulsion,which we are investigating.”

London, Sep 29 — PassengerRotterdam, with 1821 people on board,was reported disabled with dieselgenerator problems in heavy weather inthe mid-Atlantic, in lat 44 23.36N, long34 52.06W, at 1810, UTC, Sep 24. Allpower was subsequently restored andvessel proceeded to Halifax. Superficialdamage to vessel reported. Severalpasssengers were injured.

RYAN’S COMMANDER (Canada)London, Sep 29 — A press report,

dated Sep 28, states: SomeNewfoundland fishermen believe federalregulations played a role in the sinkingof fishing Ryan’s Commander. Manyfishermen say DFO regulations limitingvessel lengths force them to build high,wide boats they do not feel are safe. Thefederal Department of Fisheries andOceans restricts the length of a vesselbased on a formula involving theamount of quota that it is allotted. Mostof the vessels prosecuting the crab andshrimp fisheries are limited to a lengthof 65 ft. The skipper of Ryan’sCommander, Ron Furlong, believes theheight of the vessel contributed to theaccident. “We had a 45-footer before. Ifwe’d been in that, we would have comehome. The difference is the 45-footerwas 12 or 14 feet out of the water andthe 65-footer was 26 feet out of thewater,” he says. Fishermen like Furlongbelieve DFO has to relax the lengthrestriction to ensure the safety of othervessels. They also think TransportCanada has to bring in tougher rules forapproving the seaworthiness of a boat.The Transportation Safety Board hasnot released the official cause of Ryan’sCommander sinking.

S. DURVILLE (Singapore)London, Sep 26 — General cargo S.

Durville arrived Brisbane Sep 24 fromNoumea.

Brisbane, Sep 28 — General cargo S.Durville arrived Brisbane Sep 24. Atpresent repairs are scheduled to becompleted Oct 7. — Lloyd’s Agents.

SAAMIS ADVENTURER (Panama)London, Sep 29 — Chemical/oil carrier

Saamis Adventurer (20597 gt, built1996) sustained minor damage topropeller after dragging anchor atAnchorage Riviere Maheu, Quebec, inlat 46 53.13N, long 70 55.32W, at 1210,Sep 28. (Note — Saamis Adventurersailed New York Sep 24 for Quebec.)

SAEHAN GALAXY (South Korea)Busan, Sep 30 — Lpg Saehan Galaxy

was released from arrest andimmediately docked for repairs to thedamaged hull. The repair work wascompleted Aug 18 and the vesselrecommenced its ocean-going service. —Lloyd’s Sub-agents.

SAINT OLIVER (Republic of Ireland)

London, Sep 25 — A press report,dated Sep 23, states: Divers were

preparing last evening to examine thewreck of the ill-fated trawler SaintOliver in the continuing search for thebody of John Dirrane, the skipper of thevessel which hit rocks on Duck Islandon Friday night (Sep 17). Mr Dirrane,an experienced fisherman and a nativeof Fearrann an Choirce in the AranIslands, is believed to have drownedalong with the three other crewmembers, Michael ‘Sonny’ Faherty fromEoghaill in Aran, Joseph Connelly fromLeitir Ard, and Michael Mullen fromCleggan. Hundreds of volunteers fromthroughout Connemara, the AranIslands, and Galway city have scouredthe rugged coastline from LeitirMeallain and Leitir Mor as far asRoundstone since the vessel was firstfound on Duck Island on Friday night.The coast guard and lifeboats fromAran and Clifden have also beenhelping with the rescue and recoveryoperations. Divers from the Navy, theGarda sub-aqua unit, and local diverswho had volunteered their serviceswere awaiting low tides last evening tobegin the underwater search for MrDirrane’s remains. Parts of the trawler,which has broken up against the rocksbut is still visible at low tide, hadalready been searched and divers werelast evening planning to examine thesubmerged sections of the vessel. SuptTony O’Dowd of Clifden Garda Stationsaid that bad weather had hamperedthe search throughout the week.Coastal searches have been carried outbut several small islands have yet to besearched. The Garda are appealing formore volunteers to help with the coastalsearch, and a base has been set up innearby TÌr an Fhia to co-ordinate theeffort

London, Sep 29 — A press report,dated Sep 26, states: Radar equipmenton the doomed Galway trawler SaintOliver, was not working when it wastorn apart by rocks in a storm lastweekend. Crew member Mickey Mullen,18, texted his girlfriend as the boatpulled out of the Connemara harbour ofGlinsk on the Friday (Sep 24) night,telling her conditions were very roughand that navigational equipment onboard the vessel was broken. The textmessage is believed to be have been thelast contact between the vessel and themainland before it was lost in one of theworst fishing disasters in Ireland inrecent years. Mullen perished alongwith fellow crewmen John Dirrane,Josie Connolly and Michael Fahertywhen the Saint Oliver hit a reef off theuninhabited Duck Island, a mile fromthe mainland. Fishermen around theRossaveal area, where the boat had itspermanent moorings, have confirmedthat navigational equipment on thevessel was not working on the night ofits ill-fated last journey. ‘The radar wasout, but they set off without it anyway,’said one. ‘Three of the four knew thatarea like the back of their hands, andthey must have thought they couldmanage it.’ An investigation into theincident by the Marine CasualtyInvestigation Board is under way. It isalready clear that the accidenthappened very suddenly with no recordof distress calls from the boat

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Marine

beforehand. The investigation unit isexamining the possibility that the boatwas travelling without navigationalequipment and hit the reef at DuckIsland at full speed, causing it todisintegrate. The boat had left therepair yard in the Connemara village ofGlinsk at 1900 hrs to make therelatively short journey to Rossaveal,also in County Galway. Despite the galeforce nine winds, Dirrane, the boat’sskipper and owner, decided to use thefavourable high spring tide to move theboat. If he had not done so, it wouldhave been several more days or possiblyeven weeks before he had the chanceagain.

SAMUDRA MANTHAN (India)See Mini Coy.

SCOT EXPLORER (U.K.)London, Sep 25 — Following received

from Coastguard Yarmouth MRCC,timed 0630, UTC: General cargo ScotExplorer , VQUR2, (1882 gt, built1996), at 0600 UTC, in lat 55 34.6N,long 06 47E, bound Rochester, cargotimber, with five persons on board, hasa 20 degree list, reports everythingOK, course 290 degrees at two knotstrying to secure cargo at first light.Position reports every 30 minutes toRCC Aarhus. Vessel reports it hasdropped 20 units of t imber eachweighing 2.5 tons. Navigation warningwill be put out. No emergency at themoment but there are no ships in thearea.

London, Sep 25 — Following receivedfrom Aarhus RCC, timed 0655, UTC:General cargo Scot Explorer: Speed stilltwo knots, proceeding Rochester.Weather improving with windsdecreasing.

London, Sep 25 — Following receivedfrom Coastguard Yarmouth MRCC,timed 1105, UTC: General cargo ScotExplorer: Weather is improving andvessel is proceeding at 6.5 knotstowards Rochester.

London, Sep 26 — Following receivedfrom Coastguard Humber MRSC, timed1035, UTC: At 1000 hrs general cargoScot Explorer was in lat 55 52.5N, long01 36.4E, course 248 degrees at 9.6knots. Vessel is looking for a safe placeto anchor to secure/check deck cargo.

London, Sep 27 — Following receivedfrom Coastguard Humber MRSC, timed0445, UTC: General cargo Scot Exploreris presently in lat 54 03N, long 0000.1W, about two miles south ofFlamborough Head, course 213 deg,speed 7.7 knots. Vessel is heading for anappropriate safe anchorage in order tocheck that the cargo is OK prior tocontinuing to its discharge port,Rochester.

London, Sep 27 — Following receivedfrom Coastguard Humber MRSC, timed0555, UTC: General cargo Scot Exploreris now anchored in lat 53 57.1N, long 0003.4W, about 10 miles south ofFlamborough Head. Vessel expects toremain at anchor for one to two hours tocheck/restow cargo then to proceed toRochester hopefully arriving for themid-day tide tomorrow.

London, Sep 27 — Following receivedfrom Coastguard Humber MRSC, timed

0945, UTC: General cargo Scot Explorerhas just left its anchored position boundRochester where ETA 1230 tomorrow.

London, Sep 30 — General cargo ScotExplorer arrived Rochester Sep 28 andsailed same day for Methil.

SEA EAGLE S. (St. Vincent & Grenadines)

Rijeka, Sep 24 — General cargo SeaEagle S. sailed Rijeka for Piraeus onSep 22, under its own power. — Lloyd’sAgents.

SEA RAVEN (U.S.A.)See Great Harbour Cay.

SEAVINHA (Malta)London, Sep 30 — Following received

from Coastguard Solent MRSC, timed0858, UTC: Product tanker Seavinha(23930 gt, built 1987), Estonia for NewYork, cargo 33,200 tons unleadedpetroleum, was anchored in lat 50 34N,long 00 11W, 170 degress, 13.9 nauticalmiles from Shoreham harbour entrance,with defective turbo. Vessel has been atanchor since 0500, UTC, Sep 27. Spareswill be brought out by the Shorehamharbour tug pm, today. (Note —Seavinha sailed Paldiski Sep 22, for NewYork, and passed Dover Strait Sep 26.)

SHOFUKU MARU (Japan)London, Sep 24 — Following

navigation warning issued at 1410, JST,today: Stranded bulk Shofuku Maru,455 gt (built 1988) exists in lat 3424.4N, long 133 13.3E.

SOUTHERN TIARE (New Zealand)London, Sep 24 — A press report,

dated today, states: General cargoSouthern Tiare (1185 gt, built 1988) wasrescued by Timaru tug Te Maruyesterday after an 18-hour ordeal atsea, the second such rescue for thevessel in three months. Southern Tiare’sengine broke down 48 km east ofTimaru while enroute to Bluff. TheMarine Safety Authority (MSA) has yetto be informed of the incident but willlaunch an investigation today. MSAmedia adviser Heidi Brook said theinvestigation would involve looking atthe vessel and talking to its owner. “Wewill definitely be taking into accountthe fact that it had to be rescued threemonths ago as well. Its entire historywill be looked at,” she said. Reef GroupLimited manager John Gresson, whosecompany owns the vessel, said it was aconcern that it had been towed into twoports within three months. He said bothincidents were “totally” unrelated andhoped the vessel could be back in actionsoon. While a request for help fromSouthern Tiare’s master had come inlate afternoon, Te Maru did not leavethe port until 2330 Wednesday becauseit had to berth the Karariki whicharrived at 2230 hrs. The tug reachedSouthern Tiare at 0330 hrs and bothvessels arrived back at the Timaru portat about 1200 yesterday. Port of Timaruharbour Master Roger Dunn said thesea conditions were rough, with a fourmetre swell. The vessel was originallyscheduled to arrive in Bluff yesterday tounload dolomite, which is used in themanufacturing of some fertilisers,

before departing for sea tomorrow.Local engineers were fixing the vesselyesterday and it would continue on toBluff when it was repaired. CaptainDunn said the owners of the vesselwould be charged a fee by PrimeportTimaru for the rescue. The MSA’s finalreport into the first incident is notexpected before February next year.

SPAILPEEN FAINEACH (Republic of Ireland)

London, Sep 28 — A press report,dated today, states: The three-man crewof Irish fishing Spailpeen Faineach (73gt, built 1972) which caught fire off theKerry coast this morning has beenrescued after it was forced to take to aliferaft. The 70-foot timber hulledtrawler was about eight miles west ofthe Skelligs Rocks when the fire brokeout in its wheelhouse. The boat, whichis based in Castletownbere in WestCork, sent out a mayday distress calljust before 0600 hrs. The crewattempted to get the blaze under controlbut were unable to do so. Eventuallythey were forced to take to the liferaft.The Valentia Lifeboat and the Shannon-based Coastguard Helicopter were sentto the scene. Fishing Arianne, whichwas in the area, also responded to theemergency and a short time agomanaged to get the three crewmensafely on board. They have now beentransferred to the lifeboat and are to betaken to Valentia. The coastguardservices say the fire on SpailpeenFaineach will be difficult to control.

London, Sept 28 — Following receivedfrom Coast Guard Valentia, timed 0745,UTC: Fishing Spailpeen Faineach ,T179, length 19.02 metres, 73.03 gt,builr 1972, was reported in lat 5145.97N, long 10 50.24W, at 0719 hrs. Ahelicopter will be sent to the area laterthis morning to assess the situation.

SPETSES (Greece)See Van Gogh.

STIG HALLE (Norway)Trondheim, Sep 28 — General cargo

Stig Halle (522 gt, built 1967) arrivedat Kvernhusvik Shipyard, Hitra, at2300, Sep 25, for repairs aftergrounding north of R¯rvik on Sep 22.Vessel refloated under its own power.Estimated repair time is about twoweeks. — Lloyd’s Agents.

SUNSHINE KINGManila, Sep 27 — General cargo

Sunshine King is still lying half-sunk atZambales and reported declared aconstructive total loss and awaitingoffers from prospective buyers. —Lloyd’s Agents.

SVEN (Germany)London, Sep 30 — Following

navigation warning broadcast at 0915,UTC: C.c. Sven (5309 gt, built 1996),with engine failure, has anchored inapproximately lat 55 27.7N, long 1240.5E. (Note — Sven sailed Malmo Sep29 for Copenhagen.)

SVITZER BIDSTON (U.K.)Liverpool, Sep 27 — Following

completion of temporary and part

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Marine

permanent repairs, tug Svitzer Bidstondeparted from Clarence DrydockLiverpool on Sep 22 to re-enter servicepending the delivery of new parts. —Lloyd’s Agents.

TAKASAGO (NIS)London, Sep 25 — Following received

from Australia RCC, timed 0005, UTC:Vehicle Takasago (49821 gt, built 1996),Fremantle for Adelaide, reported enginetrouble and drifting at 0845, UTC, Sep24. Vessel still repairing in lat 35 41S,long 136 26E at 2010, UTC. (Note —Takasago sailed Fremantle Sep 21 forMelbourne.)

London, Sep 25 — Following receivedfrom Australia RCC, timed 1100, UTC:Vehicle Takasago is now underway.

London, Sep 29 — Vehicle Takasagoarrived Melbourne Sep 26.

TENACITY (Malta)London, Sep 27 — Following received

from Coastguard Falmouth MRCC,timed 1724, UTC: Bulk Tenacity (35886gt, built 1984), Brazil for Swinoujscie,cargo iron ore, has a main enginedefect, No.2 cylinder liner cracked, atanchor and disabled requiring ETV tostand by in lat 50 08N, long 05 04W,where it arrived late Sep 25, forbunkers. Detained by surveyors to carryout repairs. Tug Anglian Princessproceeding from Mounts Bay. No detailsabout how long repairs likely to take atpresent. (Note — Tenacity sailedTubarao Sep 4, arrived Brest Sep 21and sailed Brest Sep 24 for Falmouth.)

London, Sep 28 — Following receivedfrom Coastguard Falmouth MRCC,timed 0515, UTC: Bulk Tenacity is atanchor in Falmouth Bay awaitingdelivery of new liner for No 2 cylinder.Tug Anglian Princess is also at anchorin the bay.

London, Sep 29 — Following receivedfrom Coastguard Falmouth MRCC,timed 0510, UTC: Bulk Tenacity is stillanchored in Falmouth Bay awaitingparts, which could take another coupleof days to arrive. Tug Anglian Princessremains on scene.

Falmouth, Sept 29 — Bulk Tenacity,from Tubarao, loaded, which arrivedFalmouth 1900, Sep 25 for bunkers hasbeen detained by MCA with mechanicalproblems. Vessel remains anchored inFalmouth Bay. — Lloyd’s Agents.

London, Sep 30 — Following receivedfrom Coastguard Falmouth MRCC,timed 0500, UTC: Bulk Tenacity is stillanchored in Falmouth Bay awaitingdelivery of new liner for No 2 cylinder.Tug Anglian Princess remains on scene.

THOR R. (Denmark)Esbjerg, Sep 27 — Trailing suction

hopper dredge Thor R. (1995 gt, built1984) and ro/ro Ocean Ady (3157 gt,built 1990) were in collison in lat 5528.337N, long 08 20.641E, at theentrance to port of Esbjerg, at 0547, Sep26. Thor R. sustained heavy damage aftand sank within minutes, crew rescued.No major damage to Ocean Ady. ThorR. is positioned halfway into theshipping lane, facing north, but harbourauthorities inform that the vessel is notin the way of inward/outward traffic.Assistance given by tug Bestla, rescue

vessel Esvagt Delta and tug/supplyMaersk Frontier . Floating craneunderway. A small amount of light fueloil spilled, however, Navy informs thatthe amount is minimal and it willevaporate within a short time period.There is a possibility that 1,000 litres ofluboil will leak, but Maersk Frontier isready with floating barriers. — Lloyd’sAgents.

London, Sep 27 — Following receivedfrom Aarhus MRCC, timed 1028, UTC:At 0457, UTC, Sep 26, there was acollision between trailing suctionhopper dredge Thor R. and ro/ro OceanAdy, in the approaches to Esbjerg, in lat55 28.4N, long 08 20.5E. As a result,Thor R. sank. The vessels’ four crewwere safely rescued by Ocean Ady.

Gothenburg, Sep 28 — Trailing suctionhopper dredge Thor R., owned by RohdeNielsen, sank after a collision with ro/roOcean Ady early on Sep 26. Ocean Adyis working for the wind-power-plant atHornslev, in the North Sea, and bothships were departing from Esbjergwhen the accident occurred. Thedredger was hit by the ro/ro’s bulbousbow and sustained damage and a largehole (2 x 2 metres) in its hull, in thearea of the engine-room, below thewaterline, and sank within 60 seconds.All onboard were rescued and therewere no reported injuries. Thor R. sankin a depth of eleven metres — right inthe channel/fairway to Esbjerg — andwill be salvaged as it is clearly affectingtraffic at the port. Therafter it will mostprobably be repaired. At the time ofincident, there were strong winds butclear visibility. — Westax MarineServices AB.

Esbjerg, Sep 30 — Crane ship Matador3 has arrived at the casualty location,from The Netherlands, and they plan toraise trailing suction hopper dredgeThor R. tomorrow, Oct 1. Thor R. willthen be brought to Esbjerg DockServices for repairs. — Lloyd’s Agents.

TORM GERD (DIS)London, Sep 25 — Product tanker

Torm Gerd arrived Delaware City Sep21 and sailed 0845, Sep 23 forAmsterdam.

TRADEPOORT (Netherlands)London, Sep 30 — Following received

from the operators of general cargoTradepoort (2115 gt, built 1998), datedRotterdam today: Tradepoort hadengine problems approximately 135miles south-east of Kingston, Jamaica,Sep 29. No crew injuries. A tug is nowon scene and it is now under discussionwhere vessel will be taken for repairs.(Note — Tradepoort sailed BarranquillaSep 26.)

ULLA (St. Vincent & Grenadines)Iskenderun, Sep 30 — General cargo

Ulla is still in the same position and nosalvage operations have been attemptedby its represantatives. In addition,there has been no statement as towhether the vessel’s cargo has leakedout or not. — Lloyd’s Agents.

UNION SUN (Barbados)London, Sep 23 — Following received

from Coastguard Dover MRCC, timed

1550, UTC: General cargo Union Sun isnow in tow of Dover harbour tug and iscurrently approaching berth.

Dover, Sep 24 — General cargo UnionSun, Fowey for Antwerp, had enginefailure and was towed to DoverHarbour. Repairs expected to becompleted today and vessel willcontinue on planned voyage. — Lloyd’sAgents.

Dover, Sep 27 — General cargo UnionSun completed repairs and resumed itsvoyage to Antwerp Sep 25. — Lloyd’sAgents. (Note — Union Sun arrivedAntwerp 1059, Sep 26.)

VAN GOGH (St. Vincent & Grenadines)

London, Sep 26 — A press report,dated today, states: Passenger VanGogh (15402 gt, built 1975) carryingsome 500 people was in collision withcrude oil tanker Spetses (80637 gt, built1996) today in fog-shrouded waters offsouthern Spain, causing damage to bothvessels but no injuries or environmentaldamage, officials said. Van Gogh hadleft Gibraltar for Tangiers when it wasin contact with the starboard side of thedouble-hulled tanker, which washeading for a refinery in nearbyAlgeciras with 139,000 tons of crude oil.Port authorities had radioed bothvessels to warn them visibility was zerobecause of thick fog. The tanker wasdented above the waterline but the hullwas not pierced and divers determinedthere was no leakage, said OscarLobato, an official with the InteriorMinistry office in the Andalusia region.Van Gogh sustained damage to its bowbut was able to return to Gibraltarunder its own power.

London, Sep 27 — A press report,dated today, states: Passenger VanGogh, Gibraltar for Tangiers, with 500passengers on board, collided withcrude oil tanker Spetses , Egypt forAlgeciras, cargo approximately 140,000tonnes of crude, in foggy conditions offthe Bay of Algeciras. “Fortunately,nobody was hurt,” said a localgovernment official at nearby Cadiz.Authorities said there was littledamage to either vessel and no oil hadleaked. They blamed the collision onpoor visibility. Spanish officials saidVan Gogh returned to port followingminor damage to its bow, while Spetseswas towed to its refinery berth aftersustaining a dented hull.

Gibraltar, Sep 26 — At 1240, today,passenger Van Gogh was departingGibraltar bound for Tangier when itcollided with crude oil tanker Spetses,fully loaded with crude oil and boundfor Algeciras Refinery. No injuriessustained to passengers and crews. Thecollision occured roughly in the centreof Gibraltar bay and in dense fog.Spetses sustained damage to its deckand divers are inspecting its hull inAlgeciras although no pollution hasoccured. Van Gogh is back alongside atGibraltar and surveyor has inspectedits extensive bow damage and stoppedit sailing. — Gibraltar Port Authority.

Gibraltar, Sep 27 — Passenger VanGogh and crude oil tanker Spetses werein collision in dense fog atapproximately 1230, yesterday. The bow

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of Van Gogh has been severely indentedand the vessel is apparentlyabandoning its cruise with thepassengers being repatriated. Vesselreturned to Gibraltar after the collisionand is presently alongside the NorthMole berth being evaluated. Spetses,which was carrying crude for the CepsaRefinery in Algeciras, is currently atthe monobuoy of the refinery. — Lloyd’sAgents.

London, Sep 28 — Passenger VanGogh and crude oil tanker Spetses werein collision in the Bay of Gibraltar, in apotentially disastrous incident thatfortunately resulted in no injuries orpollution. The collision happened in themiddle of the bay in thick fog at around1240 Sunday (Sep 26), with both vesselssustaining hull damage. “There waszero visibility at the time,” a Britishport official said on Sunday. Van Goghwas sailing from Gibraltar to Tangierwith 492 passengers and a crew of 228.Spetses was heading in the oppositedirection to the Cepsa refinery inAlgeciras to discharge 139,000 tonnes ofEgyptian crude oil. Officials in bothports are investigating the incident totry to establish what went wrong.Sources in Algeciras suggested that theport’s maritime traffic control centrehad warned both vessels of the risk ofcollision prior to the accident. Van Goghwill undergo repairs to its dented bowin Gibraltar, while Spetses , whichsustained a deep gouge to its starboardside, was yesterday discharging itscargo to the Cepsa refinery before beingallowed into port for damageassessment.

VEGA (Liberia)Rio de Janeiro, Sep 28 — General

cargo Vega sailed Rio de Janeiro Sep 24for Vitoria. — Lloyd’s Agents.

VIC INGRAHAM (Canada)See Barge 1016.

VIHAN 5 (Vietnam)See “Typhoon ‘Chaba’” under “Weather

& Navigation.”

XIANG LING (Panama)London, Sep 25 — Following received

from Australia RCC, timed 0005, UTC:General cargo Xiang Ling (5106 gt,built 1980), bound Port Moresby, enginestopped and anchored near BoobyIsland, at the entrance to the TorresStrait, at 1521, UTC, Sep 23. The vesselwas reported still anchored in the sameposition at 0537, UTC, Sep 24.

London, Sep 25 — Following receivedfrom Australia RCC, timed 1100, UTC:General cargo Xiang Ling is still atanchor.

London, Sep 26 — Following receivedfrom Australia RCC, timed 0020, UTC:General cargo Xiang Ling is stillanchored near Booby Island, at theentrance to the Torres Strait, carryingout repairs.

London, Sep 28 — Following receivedfrom Australia MRCC, timed 0025,UTC: General cargo Xiang Ling wasstill anchored undergoing repairs nearthe entrance to the Torres Strait at thetime of our last contact with the vessel,which was about six hours ago.

London, Sep 29 — Following receivedfrom Australia MRCC, timed 0030,UTC: General cargo Xiang Ling is nowback under way after carrying outrepairs.

YM PEOPLE (Hong Kong)London, Sep 29 — A press report,

dated today, states: Two South Koreansand two Filipinos were killed in anexplosion on c.c. YM People (17153 gt,built 2003) off Sri Lanka, port officialssaid today. YM People was sailing fromSingapore to the Suez Canal when theexplosion broke out about 400 nauticalmiles off the southern coast of SriLanka, they said. (Note — YM Peoplesailed Singapore Sep 25 for Port Said.)

London, Sep 29 — A press report,dated today, states: Four peopleincluding the master were killed in anengine explosion on board c.c. YMPeople off Sri Lanka, port officials saidtoday. The bodies of two South Koreansand two Filipinos were handed over tothe Colombo harbour police after YMPeople anchored, a port official said.The surviving 15-crew members toldauthorities the men were killedcarrying out repairs in the engine-roomon Monday (Sep 27) when the vesselwas about 400 nautical miles south ofColombo. “We are told that there hadbeen some sort of a gas cylinderexplosion in the engine-room and themaster, chief officer, chief engineer andthe third engineer had died,” the officialsaid. He said forensic tests and aninquiry would be carried out in SriLanka.

London, Sep 29 — Folowing receivedfrom Hong Kong RCC, timed 1329,UTC: C.c. YM People had a bottleexplode in CO2 room about 0900, localtime, Sep 27, killing four people. Madeemergency call at Colombo to replenishcarbon dioxide and take on replacementcrew.

YONG FENG (Hong Kong)Istanbul, Sep 28 — Bulk Yong Feng

(39873 gt, built 2000), Yuzhnyy for PortSaid, sustained engine breakdownwhile transitting Dardanelles at 0315,local time, today, and anchored offGelibolu. — Lloyd’s Agents.

Istanbul, Sept 29 — Bulk Yong Fengcompleted necessary repairs by its ownmeans and upon inspection/formalitiesit sailed Canakkale 0431, local time,today. — Lloyd’s Agents.

YUH PAO NO.1 (Taiwan)Suva, Sep 26 — Fishing Yuh Pao No.1,

grounded on reef near NukubucoPassage, entrance to Suva harbour, Jun15: Owners have no intention to havethe vessel refloated and/or repaired.Although the local authorities — FijiMarine Dept & Fiji Customs — haveissued notice to the owners to refloatthe vessel, they are reluctant to complywith this. — Lloyd’s Agents.

ZWAANTJE (Netherlands)London, Sep 29 — Following received

from Den Helder RCC, timed 0927,UTC: At 1100, UTC, Sep 28, crew offishing Zwaantje (71 gt, built 1964),PIZE, in lat 53 33N, long 06 12E,reported a fire in the vessels’ engine-

room. The engine-room wasimmediately sealed and the vessel wasattended by local lifeboat and firebrigade services. The fire wassuccessfully extinguished, the vesselwas then towed into Lauwersoog by alifeboat.

INDONESIALondon, Sep 29 — A press report,

dated Sep 28, states: Between 30 to 40robbers armed with long knives andswords escaped with property from avessel that had anchored off Indonesiaon Thursday (Sep 23), according to theInternational Maritime Bureau. Thepirates boarded a bulk carrier at theport of Tanjung Pemancingan at 1150hrs and threatened the vessel ’screwmembers, the bureau said.

PERULondon, Sep 29 — A press report,

dated Sep 28, states: Pirates took avessel’s security guard hostage and beathim up in an attack off Peru yesterday,according to the International MaritimeBureau. Five armed robbers boardedthe bulk-carrier, a ship used to carrycommodities such as coal and iron ore,at the Peruvian port of Conchan at 0130hrs, the IMB’s Piracy Reporting Centresaid on its Web site. The name and sizeof the ship weren’t reported. “The shoresecurity patrol responded with anexchange of gunfire,’’ the bureau said.The pirates escaped in a speedboat withstolen property from the ship.

GIBRALTARSee Nordica under “Marine.”

AGIOS DIONYSSIOS S. (Greece)Las Palmas, Sep 28 — Ro/ro Agios

Dionyssios S. (3995 gt, built 1972),which arrived Las Palmas Feb 12, 2003,is currently still in port here, underembargo. — Lloyd’s Agents.

ALLIANCE (Cyprus)Donges, Sep 29 — General cargo

Alliance, renamed Arca, is still in theport of St. Nazaire. Actual ownercurrently unknown. The HarbourAuthorities are conducting a procedurefor disqualification of the owner in

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Marine/Piracy/Port State Control/Seizures & Arrests

order to obtain from the tribunal theauthorisation to make an auction sale.— Lloyd’s Agents.

CHENG HUEI NO.1 (Taiwan)London, Sep 24 — A press report,

dated Sep 22, states: Kaohsiung-registered fishing Cheng Huei No.1 hasallegedly been fired at in Russianterritorial waters and the FisheriesAdministration of the Council ofAgriculture (COA) is helping toinvestigate the matter. Reports said thedeep-sea fishing vessel trespassed intoRussian waters near the Kuril Islandsand was chased by a Russian vesselafter it refused to stop. The Russianboat was only able to intercept the shipafter firing upon it, according to thereports. The crew, from Taiwan,mainland China, Vietnam and thePhilippines, were reported to be safe,but 200 tons of illegally caught fishwere found on board, the reports said.Fishery officials in Kaohsiung notedthat Taiwan fishing ships operate in theNorth Pacific fishing grounds for sauryat this time of year and that Russiamay have stepped up patrols in theregion. They urged the government toinvestigate the incident so as not tocause trouble for other fishing vessels.The owner of the ship in Kaohsiung,southern Taiwan, refused to commenton the reports. Russian nationaltelevision yesterday aired footage of theincident taken by a Russian militaryaircraft. Russian TV reported that anillegal catch was found onboard thevessel and the footage also showeddamage to the ship after it was hit byshells.

London, Sep 24 — A press report,dated today, states: The Council ofAgriculture said yesterday that it willoffer all necessary assistance to ChengHuei No.1 being detained in Russia,which allegedly trespassed into Russianwaters near the Kuril Islands. Thecouncil’s Fishery Administration said itis coordinating with the Ministry ofForeign Affairs, the ship’s owner andthe Taiwan Squid Fishing IndustryAssociation to offer timely assistance tothe detained Kaohsiung-registeredfishing vessel and its crew. According tocouncil officials, the master of ChengHuei No.1 already briefed the ship’sowner on the latest situation. Both theship and all crew members are safe, theofficials said, adding that they are nowstaying in the Shikotan Island and mayhave to stand trial. The vessel has 36crew members, including five fromTaiwan, 23 from China, four fromVietnam and four from the Philippines.The ship owner has asked its agent tohire a lawyer to assist in handling thecase, council officials said, adding thatTaiwan’s representative office inMoscow will also offer assistance. Theship owner could face a fine for illegallyoperating in Russia’s fishing waters.

DAMANIA-1 (India)Mumbai, Sep 24 — Ferry Damania-1

is still under arrest and is berthed at NShed, Princes Dock, Mumbai, pendingthe Admiralty Suit filed in the HighCourt on Dec 17, 1998. — Lloyd’sAgents.

DENEB REEFER (Panama)Las Palmas, Sep 24 — rRef Deneb

Reefer still in port and for sale. —Lloyd’s Agents.

EZZ-ELDIN REFAAT (Egypt)Port Said, Sep 29 — General cargo

Ezz-Eldin Refaat (5091 gt, built 1978),currently anchored in Suez OuterHarbour awaiting owners’ instructions,was released from arrest two monthsago after a long-term period of beingunder arrest. — Lloyd’s Sub-agents.(Note — Ezz-Eldin Refaat arrived SuezSep 1, 2003.)

FAIAL (Mongolia)Limassol, Sep 30 — General cargo

Faial (2417 gt, built 1977), whichreported to have arrived at Limassol onSep 27, from Novorossiysk and sailedon Sep 28, for Beirut, is still atLimassol Roads under arrest. Date ofarrest was Sep 28. — Lloyd’s Agents.

HIGHLANDERLondon, Sep 28 — On Sep 6 the Cape

of Good Hope Provincial Division of theHigh Court of South Africa ordered thatMr Steven Wallace of Garlicke &Bousfield Inc be appointed as referee toreceive, examine, consider and report tothe court on the validity and ranking ofall claims against the fund created bythe sale of fishing Highlander.

INDIAN FISHING VESSELS SEIZEDBY PAKISTAN

Karachi, Sep 29 — A PakistanMaritime Security Agency vesselapprehended seven Indian Fishingboats along with 45 crew menbers onboard on Sep 27 for fishing illegally inPakistani water. The ship was onroutine partrol in the EasternMaritime Region when it found theboats illegally fishing about 45 kminside Pakistan’s EEZ. Indianfishermen have been warned time andagain not to indulge in illegal fishingbut they repeatedly come into the zoneto explore/benefit from swatch near theIndus Delta. The apprehendedfishermen have been handed over toDocks Police for further legal action,according to a press release of MSA. —Lloyd’s List Correspondent.

KAWKAB (Egypt)Venice, Sep 24 — General cargo

Kawkab sailed Venice Sep 24 in towbound for Rijeka. — Lloyd’s Agents.

NEPTUNE PIONEER (Egypt)Port Said, Sep 27 — General cargo

Neptune Pioneer is still under arrest atSuez port. — Lloyd’s Agents.

OCEAN ALERT (Bahamas)London, Sep 30 — Panama research

Ocean Alert arrived Limassol Sep 22,from Valletta, and sailed Sep 28 forAlexandria.

PONGSU (North Korea)Sydney, Sep 27 — General cargo

Pongsu was confiscated by the FederalPolice. It is still in Sydney because ofthe court case and its role in drugdistribution. It is understood a decisionon its future is close. — Lloyd’s Agents.

RESHID BEHBUDOV (Azerbaijan)See under “Marine.”

SAEHAN GALAXY (South Korea)See under “Marine.”

SAINT RAPHAEL II (Greece)Piraeus, Sep 29 — The auction (on Sep

9) of non specific tanker Saint RaphaelII was successful and the vessel wassold. The new owners are:Mediterranean Ships Breaking, Liberiaand the new managers are: DidoShipping Co. S.A., of Piraeus. Thevessel still remains in Perama port,Piraeus. — Lloyd’s Agents.

SEA LANTERN (Panama)Matadi, Sep 24 — Bulk Sea Lantern

(16057 gt, built 1976), under Panamaflag, called at Matadi, from Luanda, onSep 4, and was arrested on the samedate by the Court of Justice, due to badtreatment to stowaways. Five Congolesestowaways were found (to have been) onboard. One was killed and thrown atsea and four were thrown, alive,overboard by the crew; three of themwere rescued, but one died. The vesselwas released on Sep 13 and sailed fromMatadi, for orders, on Sep 21, afterdischarge operations. — Lloyd’s Agents.

SEA SERENADE (Cyprus)Koper, Sep 29 — Ro/ro Sea Serenade is

still in drydock (at Izola) with“unknown prospect”. — Lloyd’s Agents.

SEAGREEN (Cyprus)London, Sep 28 — C.c. Seagreen is

today reported still at South EastLamma Anchorage, Hong Kong, underarrest.

SPIRIT OF ONTARIO I (U.S.A.)London, Sep 29 — A press report,

dated Sep 28, states: A US federal judgeimpounded passenger ro/ro Spirit ofOntario I (8500 gt, built 2004) today,the same day a fuel supplier sued thevessel’s owner, claiming it was owedmore than $370,000 in unpaid bills. Thelockdown was ordered by US DistrictJudge Michael Telesca until thelitigation is resolved. The vesselremains docked at the Port of Rochesterunder the watch of the US MarshalsService. The private ferry operator,Canadian American TransportationSystems, said it was unaware of thejudge’s decision. In the lawsuit, the fuelsupplier, New York City-based AmeradaHess Corp, alleged the ferry operatorowed $372,868 in unpaid fuel bills andsaid it had a maritime lien against thevessel. Service on board the catamaranwas abruptly suspended three weeksago due to financial problems.

HOLDENVILLE AREA, OKLAHOMA,UNITED STATES

London, Sep 29 — A press report,dated Sep 28, states: A Tulsa company

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Seizures & Arrests/Pipeline Accidents

today suspended service on its Houstonto Glenpool pipeline after diesel fuelspilled onto the ground in HughesCounty, Oklahoma. Explorer Pipelinesays none of the diesel fuel has comeinto contact with surface water andcrews were working to contain the spillnear Holdenville. There were noinjuries.Explorer shut down thepipeline after its computer monitoringsystem noticed a decrease in pressurein the 28-inch diameter pipeline.Explorer said the pipeline could be backin service within two days. The spilloccurred in a rural area about six milesnortheast of Holdenville, insoutheastern Oklahoma.

HOUSTON AREA, TEXAS, UNITED STATES

London, Sep 27 — A press report,dated Sep 26, states: A pipelineexploded before dawn today, sendingplumes of dark smoke billowing formiles and forcing 250 people toevacuate, authorities said. No injurieswere reported and no homes weredamaged in the blast, about 30 milesnortheast of Houston. The fire burneditself out and residents were allowed toreturn to their homes around noon.Authorities believe someone caused theexplosion by puncturing the pipelinewith a trackhoe, which is used fordigging, said Montgomery County FireMarshal Jimmy Williams. He did notknow whether the damage wasintentional. He also said someone drovea boom truck, the type with an arm thatextends to reach power lines, into thenearby woods, raised it as high aspossible and left it there. Residentsreported hearing a small explosionfollowed by a larger one along the six-inch diameter propylene pipeline.

IPSWICH, SUFFOLK, UNITED KINGDOM

London, Sep 27 — A press report,dated Sep 25, states: Swans are todaybeing cleaned, and the last of the oilbeing mopped up, in the clean-upoperation after a major oil spill in theport of Ipswich. Mopping sheets werebeing put down on the surface of thewater to soak up the remaining oilresidue. While RSPCA officers, whichby the end of yesterday had collected 28swans, were today working to catch therest of the swans that had been coatedin oil. The spill happened when two-and-a-half tonnes of diesel leaked intothe water on the Cliff Quay terminalearly yesterday. The incident wasclassed as a Tier Two spill, the second ofthree levels of seriousness, and teams ofexperts worked to contain the oil byerecting booms. Most of the heavyresidue was removed from the RiverOrwell by yesterday evening. RobertSmith, Ipswich port manager, said:“People were working until around 1800

last night and started again at 0600this morning. “By the close of playyesterday, most of the heavy oil hadbeen pumped out and we stood HavenHornbill , from Harwich HavenAuthority, down.” Mr Smith said thatthe booms would remain at least untilthe end of the day and that the clean upwas now mainly a “mopping operation”.Mr Smith added that the clean-upoperation is likely to soon bedowngraded from a Tier Two spill. Hesaid: “The spill will probably be classedas Tier One during the course of theday. That means that the other agenciesand contractors involved will be takenoff and we will look at it with our ownforces on a continuing light monitoringservice.” The RSPCA is todaycontinuing to help swans that werecoated with oil . Ann Grain,spokeswoman for the RSPCA, said allthe swans plucked from the wateryesterday were still alive and werebeing treated at the Norfolk WildlifeCentre. She said: “We collected 28swans by the end of yesterday but thereare still swans out on the water. Aninvestigation, including interviewingthe master of the suspected vessel andcomparing the leaked oil with that ofthe suspected vessel, is also due to takeplace.

AUSTRALIALondon, Sep 24 — A press report,

dated today, states: The WA FarmersFederation says the widespread frostdamage in the central and southernwheatbelt highlights the need forFederal Government-backed cropinsurance. Agriculture Minister KimChance says the damage bill from thefrosts could be as much as $300 million,while CBH has revised its crop estimatedown from 11 million to 10.4 milliontonnes. WA farmers’ president TrevorDe Langrafft says multi-peril cropinsurance is available in othercountries, but not in Australia. He saysit has argued for many years for theFederal Government to help establishan insurance scheme in Australia, butthe Government has ruled out theproposal. “Seeing as how they pay outat least $100 million a year inExceptional Circumstances acrossAustralia, they could afford to placethat amount of money into a multi-perilcrop insurance fund for a short period oftime,” he said. “However, we haven’tbeen able to convince governments to dothat to this point in time.”

BANGLADESHLondon, Sep 27 — A press report,

dated Sep 26, states: The World Bankand Asian Development Bank saidrecent floods in Bangladesh had caused2.2 billion dollars worth of damage. Thetwo donor banks announced the findingafter they sent a joint mission to theflood-ravaged ountry earlier this month

to carry out a damage and needsassessment. “The 2004 floods are likelyto be as devastating as the 1998 floodsin many ways and the mission’spreliminary estimates show that totaldamage and output losses is about 2.2billion dollars,” said Christine Wallich,World Bank country representative inBangladesh. The Bangladeshigovernment had said earlier the latestflooding caused 6.6 billion dollars indamage to property and infrastructure.Finance and Planning Minister SaifurRahman described the report as“incomplete” as it did not include theoverall damage caused by the recentflood and the countrywide downpour,official news agency BSS reports. Thejoint mission, however, admitted theassessment was partial since it hasvisited only 10 districts to assess thedamage. The multilateral lendingagencies also put forward a proposal forrehabilitation schemes consisting threephases including short- to long-termprogrammes. At least 700 people diedduring the flooding in July and Augustand millions were left stranded orforced to flee their homes. More heavyrain two weeks ago caused moreflooding and claimed at least 18 morelives. Experts say the post-flood periodcan be more dangerous than the floodsdue to threat of disease and lack of foodwhere crops have been ruined.

HURRICANE “FRANCES”London, Sep 26 — A press report,

dated Sep 25, states: Homeowners andbusinesses were expected to fileinsurance claims worth an estimated$4.4 billion for property damage causedby this month’s Hurricane “Frances”,according to an actuarial firm’spreliminary estimate. Florida accountedfor $4.1 billion of the insured propertylosses from the storm that hit thestate’s Treasure Coast on Sep 5,according to New Jersey-based ISO.The estimate released Thursday (Sep23) does not include flood anduninsured damage. Total damage istypically double the insured figure. USinsurers are expected to process morethan 552,000 claims for “Frances”, withmore than 500,000 in Florida, ISO said.This season’s powerful storms areexpected to be more costly than themost expensive hurricane ever, 1992’s“Andrew”. Hurricane “Charley” causedan estimated $6.8 billion in insureddamages. Early estimates put insureddamages for Hurricane “Ivan” at $3billion to $10 billion.

HURRICANE “IVAN”London, Sep 24 — A press report,

dated today, states: Reborn TropicalDepression “Ivan”, packing five to 10inches of rain, made its way inland lateyesterday near the Texas-Louisianaborder. As of 2300 hrs, the storm’smaximum sustained winds were 35mph and “Ivan” was moving northwestat about eight mph, said the NationalHurricane Centre. The storm wasexpected to weaken as it moved fartherinto Texas. On the eastern side of thestorm, tornadoes are possible insouthern Louisiana, the centre said.“Ivan” will probably make a westerly

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Pipeline Accidents/Pollution/Weather & Navigation

turn in the next 24 hours. “Ivan”regained strength Wednesday (Sep 22)as a tropical storm over the warmwaters of the Gulf of Mexico. “It’s justkind of like a cold front,” FreddieRichard Jr., emergency preparednessdirector in Louisiana’s Cameron Parish,said. “We’re just getting some rain anda little bit of wind.”

London, Sep 24 — A press report,dated Sep 22, states: Jamaica’s vitalsugar industry could lose some US$25million in revenue - a quarter of totalearnings - because of severe cropdamage from Hurricane “Ivan”, officialssaid today. About 35 percent of theCaribbean island’s sugarcane crop wasdamaged by torrential rains and strongwind brought by Ivan nearly two weeksago, said Allan Rickards, head of theJamaica All-Island Cane FarmersAssociation. Though much of the cropwill grow back, decreased sugarcanequality caused by flooding will likelylead to a 15-percent drop in productionthis year, from 200,000 tons to 170,000tons, near the island’s all-time low. “Wewill have a sugar crop, but it’s going tobe a serious reduction in income,” saidRickards, whose group represents12,000 cane farmers. “A lot of people aregoing to be hurt.” Sugar is Jamaica’sthird-largest industry, employing some40,000 workers and earning aboutUS$100 million in foreign income. Ivanbrushed Jamaica’s southern coast Sep11, destroying homes, knocking outpower to most of the island and killingat least 17 people. The damage comes atan especially bad time for Jamaicansugar growers, who are already facing amassive cut in subsidies from Europeancountries. The storm also wiped outmuch of Jamaica’s banana crop, forcinggrowers to abandon exports for up tonine months. Rickards said sugarcanegrowers are trying to acquire fertilizerto re-enrich the soil and salvage nextyear’s crop. Meanwhile, the governmentsaid today it isn’t planning majorspending cuts to help financereconstruction efforts after “Ivan”.

London, Sep 24 — Following receivedfrom Coast Guard New Orleans, datedSep 22: The Coast Guard continues towork with the U.S. Army Corps ofEngineers and NOAA surveying andassessing damaged ports andwaterways today in Mississippi,Alabama and Florida to determinewhen they may be reopened. While aidsto navigation repair, and dredgingoperations in hurricane-affected areascontinue, mariners are asked to stay offthe waterways that are closed andexercise caution when transiting due toaids to navigation discrepancies, debris,and possible shoaling and shifting ofbottom topography. No significantchange to port status has been made.The Lower Mississippi River is open tovessel traffic with draught restrictionsof 35 feet for outbound traffic at night.The Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet isclosed. The ports of Gulfport,Pascagoula and Mobile are open to allmaritime traffic with draughtrestrictions: 33-feet in Gulfport; 40-feetin Pascagoula with pilot imposeddaylight transit only, 25,000 ton limitand and 30 feet draught restriction

until ranges repaired; 43-feet in Mobilewith pilot imposed daylight transit only.Draught restrictions are two feet lessthan normal depths. The GulfIntracoastal Waterway is open to alltraffic from mile marker 0 at HarveyLocks, in New Orleans, to mile marker135 in Mobile. The waterway is closedfrom mile marker 135 to mile marker350 in Apalachicola, Fla, pending asurvey of the channel and navigationalaids. The Panama City EntranceChannel, Fla, is open to all vessels witha 38-foot project depth. St. AndrewsBay, Fla., is open to vessels with a 36-foot project depth. All vessels areprohibited from entering, departing ormoving within these areas unlessspecifically authorized by the Captain ofthe Port Mobile or his designatedrepresentative. The status of the portsand waterways affected by Hurricane“Ivan” are changing. Mariners areurged to listen to their marine radio orcontact authorities to find out ifwaterways are open before entering.

London, Sep 24 — Following receivedfrom the Meteorological Office, datedtoday: Tropical depression “Ivan” centrelocated near lat 30.2N, long 94.4W at0900, UTC, today. Position accuratewithin 20 nautical miles. Presentmovement toward the north-west or 305degrees at 7 knots. Estimated minimumcentral pressure 1009 mb. Maximumsustained winds 25 knots with gusts to35 knots. Winds and seas vary greatlyin each quadrant. Forecast position lat30.4N, long 95.1W at 1800, UTC, today.Maximum winds 20 knots, gusts 25knots. Forecast poasition lat 30.1N ,long 96.0W at 0600, UTC, Sep 25.Maximum winds 20 knots, gusts 25knots. Request for three hourly vesselreports within 300 miles of lat 30.2N,long 94.4W.

London, Sep 25 — A press release fromHelmerich & Payne Inc, dated TulsaSep 24, states: Helmerich & Payne Inctoday announced its assessment ofdamage incurred by Hurricane “Ivan” toits operations in the Gulf of Mexico.Although the Company reported nosignificant damage to 5 of its 6 activeplatform rigs, H&P Rig 205 sustainedmoderate damage from the hurricane.All employees were safely evacuatedfrom all the Company’s active rigs inadvance of the storm and no personalinjury occurred. No storm-relateddamage was reported to the company’ssix stacked platform rigs. Rig 205 iscurrently shut down while H&Ppersonnel complete a more thoroughevaluation of the damage. Initialestimates to repair the rig, plus theestimated reduction in earnings duringthat time, will have minimal impact onnet income. It is anticipated that the rigwill be ready to resume operations inabout one month. (See issue of Sep 27.)

London, Sep 28 — Following receivedfrom Coast Guard New Orleans, datedSep 27: Coast Guard crews, along withthe Army Corps of Engineers, continuetheir work today to fix aids tonavigation and assess shoaling in thewaterways impacted by Hurricane“Ivan”. Currently, all ports and theLower Mississippi River are open. TheMississippi River Gulf Outlet is closed

from mile marker negative 8 to milemarker 59. The Gulf IntracoastalWaterway from New Orleans toCarabelle, Fla., is open. However, fromMobile, Ala., to Carabelle there is a 10-foot draught restriction and an 800-footlength and 70-foot width restriction.

HURRICANE “JEANNE”London, Sep 23 — Following received

from the National Hurricane Centre,Miami, dated today: Hurricane“Jeanne”: At 0900, UTC, today, atropical storm watch is in effect for thecentral Bahamas, including Cat Island,the Exumas, Long Island, Rum Cay andSan Salvador. The centre of hurricane“Jeanne” was located near lat 25.5N,long 69.5W. The position is accurate towithin 10 nautical miles. The presentmovement is toward the west or 260degs at three knots. The estimatedminimum central pressure is 966 mband the eye diameter is 25 nauticalmiles. The maximum sustained windsare 85 knots with gusts to 105 knots.The radius of 64 knot winds is 30nautical miles in the north-east, south-east and south-west quadrants and 40nautical miles in the north-westquadrant. Radius of 50-knot winds is 70nautical miles in the north-westquadrant and 60 nautical mileselsewhere. Radius of 34-knot winds is120 nautical miles in the north-westquadrant and 100 nautical mileselsewhere. Forecast for 1800, UTC, Sep23: Position near lat 25.4N, long 70.5W.Maximum sustained winds are 85 knotswith gusts to 105 knots. Radius of 64knot winds 40 nautical miles in thenorth-west quadrant and 30 nauticalmiles elsewhere. Radius of 50-knotwinds is 70 nautical miles in the north-west quadrant and 60 nautical mileselsewhere. Radius of 34-knot winds is120 nautical miles in the north-westquadrant and 100 nautical mileselsewhere. Forecast for 0600, UTC, Sep24: Position near lat 25.4N, long 72.1W.Maximum sustained winds are 90 knotswith gusts to 110 knots. Radius of 64knot winds 40 nautical miles in thenorth-west quadrant and 30 nauticalmiles elsewhere. Radius of 50-knotwinds is 70 nautical miles in the north-west quadrant and 60 nautical mileselsewhere. Radius of 34-knot winds is120 nautical miles in the north-westquadrant and 100 nautical mileselsewhere.

Port-au-Prince, Sep 23 - U.N.peacekeepers increased security todayin the Haitian city of Gonaives wheremore than 1,000 people died in floods,after desperate survivors fought eachother to get at emergency food supplies.Toussaint Kongo-Doudou, spokesmanfor a Brazilian-led U.N. force patrollingthe country, said additional U.N. troopswould also guard food convoys headingto Gonaives. The decision to boostsecurity around relief operations wasmade after U.N. troops had to fire intothe air yesterday to prevent lootingwhen the first beans, rice and othersupplies were handed out to anestimated 20,000 flood victims. “I thinkit’s fair to say that the situation is tensebecause people are desperate. Manyhave not eaten since Saturday (Sep 18)

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Weather & Navigation

night or Sunday (Sep 19) morning,” saidAnne Poulsen, spokeswoman for theU.N. World Food Programme. Thenational civil defense agency said 1,150bodies had been recovered by thismorning, mainly from Gonaives.Another 1,200 people were still missingand the United Nations warned thebody count could rise dramatically inthe coming days because two areas ofGonaives remained under water andinaccessible. Representatives fromdonor countries met in Port-au-Princetoday and pledged to quickly pump $84million into Haiti. Some of that wasnew money earmarked for disasterrelief, and some was to be drawn fromgifts and loans already pledged to helpthe nation bring an end to chronicpolitical instability and poverty. Thebiggest amount was to come from theWorld Bank, which pledged $6 millionin the next two weeks and $61 millionin December. “Jeanne”, with winds of105 mph, was currently 425 miles eastof Great Abaco island in the Bahamas.It was expected to hit the northernBahamas on Saturday (Sep 25) andFlorida on Sunday (Sep 26). — Reuters.

London, Sep 24 — Following receivedfrom the Meteorological Office, datedtoday: Hurricane “Jeanne” centrelocated near lat 26.1N, long 71.6W at0900, UTC, today. Position accuratewithin 20 nautical miles. Presentmovement towards the west or 270degrees at seven knots. Estimatedminimum central pressure 969 mb. Eyediameter 30 nautical miles. Maximumsustained winds 85 knots with gusts to105 knots. Radius of 64 knot winds 35nautical miles north-east and south-west quadrants, 30 nautical milessouth-east qudrant and 40 nauticalmiles north-west quadrant. Winds andseas vary greatly in each quadrant.Forecast position lat 26.1N long 73.1Wat 1800, UTC, today. Maximum winds85 knots, gusts 105 knots. Forecastposition lat 26.2N, long 75.4W at 0600,UTC, Sep 25. Maximum winds 90 knots,gusts 110 knots. Request for threehourly vessel reports within 300 milesof lat 26.1N, long 71.6W.

London, Sep 25 — A press report,dated Sep 24, states: More than half amillion residents of Florida’s east coastwere urged to evacuate, again, asHurricane “Jeanne” churned westwardtoday and threatened to become thefourth hurricane to pound the state inthe last six weeks. The 100-mph stormcould come ashore somewhere on thestate’s east coast by Sunday (Sep 26),targeting some of the same areas hit byprevious storms and potentially turningpiles of still-uncleared debris intodeadly missiles.

London, Sep 25 — A press report,dated today, states:Hurricane “Jeanne”is battering the Bahamas with violentwinds and torrential rains - the secondstorm to hit the islands in under amonth. The hurricane is roaring overthe island of Great Abaco withsustained winds of about 105 mph.Hundreds of people there and on GrandBahama were in emergency shelters.“Jeanne” is set to hit Florida latertonight or early tomorrow. People livingalong the densely populated east coast

have been urged to leave. The eye of thehurricane hit Marsh Harbour on Abacoisland, which has a population of20,000, this morning. “Jeanne” is set tomove on to Grand Bahama island,which was badly hit by Hurricane“Frances” three weeks ago. Manyhouses had roofs ripped off and somehomeless people were still living withrelatives or neighbours. Half of GrandBahama’s 70,000 people were stillwithout electricity. The NationalHurricane Centre has issued ahurricane warning along Florida’s eastcoast from Florida City in the south upto St Augustine. At 1200, UTC,“Jeanne” was some 190 miles fromFlorida. Up to one million people havebeen urged to leave for safer areas.“Jeanne” is forecast to slam into some ofthe same areas hit by the previoushurricanes, including Fort Pierce.

London, Sep 25 — A press report,dated today, states: Haiti’s governmenthas drawn up plans to evacuate parts ofthe city of Gonaives, amid fears ofdisease in the wake of tropical storm“Jeanne.” Interim Prime MinisterGerard Latortue said that a decisionwould be made shortly on whether toimplement the plans. Latortue said thenumber of people killed had risen tomore than 1,500. Aid workers havewarned of the dangers of poorsanitation after the sewage system wastorn apart in the flooding. Waters haveslowly begun to recede in Gonaives, thecountry’s third largest city. The UnitedNations says that it expects severalhundred more bodies to be found oncethe full impact of the floods andlandslides has been measured. Manyhomes have been ripped apart, forcingthe owners to live on the streets or onthe rooftops of houses that are stillintact.The authorities are continuing tobury victims of the floods in massgraves. Corpses have been dumped in apit near Gonaives in an attempt toprevent the spread of disease, whileunclaimed bodies continue to litter thecity. The roads are covered in a thickcoat of mud and there is a smell of rawsewage in the air. Survivors have todrink and cook with water from ditchescontaining rotting bodies and sewage.Aid was reported to be slowly gettingthrough to Gonaives, but there havebeen angry scenes at some relief centresas large crowds have gathered,desperate to get hold of food and water.

London, Sep 26 — Following receivedfrom the Meteorological Office, datedtoday: Hurricane “Jeanne”,forecast/advisory at 0900, UTC, today:At 0500, EDT, 0900, UTC, a hurricanewarning has been issued along the westcoast of Florida from Englewood to theSuwanee River. A hurricane warningcontinues in effect for the Florida eastcoast from Hallandale northward to St.Augustine, including Lake Keechobee.At 0500, EDT, all watches and warningsare discontinued along the Florida eastcoast south of Hallandale and along theFlorida west coast south of Chokoloskeeincluding the Florida Keys. A tropicalstorm warning and a hurricane watchremain in effect from north of St.Augustine northward to AltamahaSound, Georgia. At 0500, EDT, the

tropical storm warning is extendedwestward along the Florida gulf coast toDestin. A tropical storm warning is nowin effect along the Florida Gulf Coastsouth of Englewood to Chokoloskee andnorth and west of the Suwanne River toDestin. A tropical storm warning is alsonow in effect north of the AltamahaSound to the Savannah River. At 0500,EDT, the government of the Bahamashas discontinued all warnings for theBahamas. Hurricane centre was locatednear lat 27.4N, long 81.1W at 0900,UTC. Position accurate within 20nautical miles. Present movementtoward the west or 280 degrees at 11knots. Maximum sustained winds 95knots with gusts to 115 knots. Forecastvalid 0600, UTC, Feb 27 lat 29.7N, long83.6W, over water maximum wind 55knots, gusts 65 knots.

Fort Pierce, Fla, Sep 26 — Hurricane“Jeanne” peeled roofs off houses, ahospital and an emergency shelter andleft almost 2 million people withoutpower today as it plowed through partsof Florida already scarred by Hurricane“Frances” three weeks ago. “Jeanne”weakened slowly as it moved inlandafter pounding the Atlantic coast withtowering waves and ferocious winds,killing at least one person anduprooting trees. Dawn broke over townslittered with tree limbs, scraps ofaluminum, strips of roof and otherdebris. In some areas, cars stood infender-deep floodwaters. At 0800, EDT,the storm was hammering centralFlorida with 100-mph winds anddriving rain as it slowly unravelled 65miles east-south-east of Tampa. Thestorm’s eye made landfall just beforemidnight near the southern end ofHutchinson Island just off Stuart withwinds of 120 mph. Stuart Mayor JeffKrauskopf said a hospital lost half itsroof but the 50 patients inside weresafe. — Reuters.

London, Sep 26 — A press report,dated Sep 25, states: DesperateHaitians in flood-ravaged Gonaives aremobbing relief workers to steal food aid,prompting the United Nations to rushmore peacekeepers in to stem thelooting. General Augusto HelenoRibeiro Pereira, the Brazilian Armycommander in charge of the UNpeacekeeping force in Haiti, criticisedthe slow pace of relief reachingresidents. He said many people weresuffering from diarrhoea and thatpeople were contracting gangrene.Interim Prime Minister GerardLatortue said yesterday that the stormhad killed at least 1,500 people. He saidthe government was drawing up plansto evacuate some of the 300,000homeless victims to a tent camp. Somevictims, fearing the spread of disease,said they would abandon the city. Thedirector of the World Food Program’sHaiti operation said aid groups hadbeen able to get food to only about25,000 people last week — one-tenth ofthe city’s population. Planeloads of aidhave arrived in Port au Prince, thecapital, but getting it to Gonaives is anine-hour drive with the final leg of theroute covered by a lake of mud litteredwith mired aid trucks. A truck thatmanaged to get through this morning

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was looted by desperate residents. Theythrew out packets of water, sendingchildren in the streets dodging otheraid trucks to grab the precious loot.Argentine soldiers finally pushedpeople back from the truck. Some 140Uruguayan soldiers were on their wayto reinforce about 600 UN peacekeepersalready in Gonaives, said a spokesmanfor the UN mission.

Port au Prince, Sep 26 — The deathtoll in disastrous flooding in Haiti hasrisen to some 1,650, with about 800people still missing, a governmentofficial said today. Hurricane “Jeanne”lashed Haiti with torrential rains as atropical storm a week ago. Floodwatersand mud cascaded into the northerncity of Gonaives and other parts of thenorth and north-west, leaving tens ofthousands of people with nothing in thepoorest country in the Americas. CarlMurat Cantave, a Haitian governmentofficial, said the toll was now 1,650. —Reuters.

London, Sep 27 — A press report,dated Sep 26, states: Cement Contrader(2233 gt, built 1965) is today reportedlying on its side, partially submerged,spilling oil, after tipping over against apier during hurricane “Jeanne” on thesouth coastline of New Providenceisland in the Bahamas. The vessel wasundergoing repairs before the stormsarrival and was unable to betransferred to a secure location.

London, Sep 27 — A press report,dated Sep 26, states: Neighbourhoods ofroofless houses were swamped undersix feet of water in Freeport today, aday after Hurricane “Jeanne” blewthrough the Bahamas. There were noreports of deaths or serious injuries inthe Bahamas from the Category 3storm.Some areas of Freeport werewithout electricity and water earlytoday, although those services wereexpected to be restored by day’s end.The city’s airport on Grand Bahamaisland, which was submerged yesterday,reopened today, officials said. It wasimpossible to get news from Abacoisland, where Jeanne made a direct hityesterday, lashing the island with 115mph winds and torrential rains.Telephone lines were down andBahamian officials were unable toreach the low-lying island. Central andnorthern parts of the island - includingMarsh Harbor, Cooper ’s Town andGrand Cay - suffered the most damage,said David Cates, spokesman for theNational Emergency ManagementAgency. An emergency flight byassessment teams was planned forearly tomorrow, Cates said. About 700people had taken refuge at anemergency shelter in a school in MarshHarbor, the main town on Abaco, anisland of 10,000 people, officials said.After hitting Abaco, “Jeanne” whirledalong the north coast of Grand Bahamaisland, where thousands of people tookrefuge in shelters and homes withwindows boarded up. “We have hadmany reports of roofs blown off, cavingin and flooding in low-lying areas fromtidal surges,” said Alexander E.Williams, the chief emergency officialon Grand Bahama island. The damageto more than 100 homes was limited

mostly to roofs, Williams said.Emergency workers ventured intostorm-struck neighbourhoods today toassess the damage. In some Freeportneighbourhoods, floodwaters were sixfeet deep, said Matt Maura, spokesmanfor the Bahamas emergency agency, butfloodwaters were receding quickly inmost areas of Grand Bahama, Williamssaid.

London, Sep 27 — Following receivedfrom the Meteorological Office, datedtoday: Hurricane “Jeanne”: At 0900,UTC, today, the tropical storm warningon the atlantic coast had beendiscontinued south of Flagler Beach,Florida and extended northward toSouth Santee River, South Carolina. Atropical storm warning is now in effectfrom Flagler Beach to South SanteeRiver. A tropical storm warningremains in effect on the Gulf Coastfrom Anclote Key to Apalachicola,Florida. At 0900, UTC, today, the centrewas located near lat 30.5N, long 83.6W.The position is accurate to within 20nautical miles. The present movementis towards the north-north-west or 335degs at 10 knots. The estimatedminimum central pressure 982 mb.Maximum sustained winds: 45 knotswith gusts to 55 knots. Radius of 34knot winds: 175 nautical miles in thenorth-east and south-east quadrants,90 nautical miles in the south-westquadrant and 60 nautical miles in thenorth-west quadrant. At 0600, UTC,Sep 28, the centre is predicted to benear lat 33.7N, long 82.9W, withmaximum winds of 30 knots and guststo 40 knots.

London, Sep 27 — The Coast Guardre-opened Port Everglades at 1045, Sep26, and the†Port of Miami at 1600 afterconsulting with port officials and themaritime community and conducting acareful assessment of the condition ofthe ports, which included aerialoverflights, to†ensure there are nohazards to navigation within thechannel and along the piers. The portswere closed to shipping on Fridaynight†(Sep 24) as Hurricane “Jeanne”approached to minimize the chances ofdamage to port infrastructure and themarine environment and to allow forthe quickest return to normaloperations possible.

Gonaives, Haiti, Sep 27 — More thana week after devastating floods hitnorthern Haiti the death count rosesharply as reports came in from remoteareas today and aid workers struggledto feed thousands of desperate people.The estimated toll from the floodstriggered by hurricane “Jeanne”climbed to about 2,400 after a parishpriest reported “a total disaster” insmall towns in Poteau, a region outsideGonaives. In Gonaives, young mengrabbed food from an aid convoy andothers robbed women for bags of rice.Aid workers, backed by armed UNpeacekeeping forces, increased thenumber of distribution points foremergency supplies to four but stillfaced tense crowds of destitute peopleclamoring for help. Torrential rainengulfed much of the port city of200,000 people last week. Governmentestimates had put the death toll at

1,650, with about 800 missing.However, Toussaint Chery, who asparish priest is Poteau’s top authority,said about 1,000 people had died in 18rural communities in his region. Atleast 750 of those deaths had not beenpreviously reported, taking thenationwide toll from “Jeanne” to about2,400. Carl Murat Cantave, agovernment official in Gonaives, alsosaid the official toll would rise. “Giventhe number of missing, when wedeclare the final death toll in thecoming days, it will be at least 2,337just for the Gonaives region,” he said.Relief agencies were working to set upmore food distribution centres as soonas they could establish secure sites,said Rick Perera, a spokesman for reliefagency CARE. — Reuters.

Atlanta, Sep 28 — The remnants ofHurricane “Jeanne” veered northwardinto Virginia today after peltingGeorgia and the Carolinas with heavyrains and leaving thousands in thesestates without electricity. “Jeanne”,which cut a swath of destructionthrough Florida last weekend, sweptinto Georgia and the Carolinasyesterday after being downgraded to atropical depression. It dumped as muchas 12 inches of rain in some parts of thestates. The weakened weather systemcaused one death and a handful ofminor injuries in South Carolina,according to John Legare, a spokesmanfor the state’s emergency managementdivision. Officials in Georgia and NorthCarolina reported no deaths. Damage tobuildings and power lines in thesestates paled in comparison to that seenin Florida, where thousands of homeswere damaged and some five millionpeople left without electricity. —Reuters.

London, Sep 29 — A press report,dated today, states: Public safetyofficials are estimating roughly $13.5million in damages to area homes andbusinesses caused by Hurricane“Jeanne” as she muscled her way acrossthe state Sunday (Sep 26). Aftercanvassing the county Monday andyesterday, damage assessors concludedthat more than 200 homes and 20businesses were damaged during thestorm that weakened after makinglandfall on Florida’s east coast. Publicsafety officials sent out a request toFEMA for assistance and are expectingword from the federal agency sometimetoday. Manatee County was included inthe presidential declaration for publicassistance - for expenses and losses ofpublic agencies. It has not yet beenincluded for individual assistance forhomeowners and businesses.Before theManatee County Emergency OperationsCentre shut down its operationsyesterday, officials spoke withemergency operations staff in harderhit areas, like Polk County, to askwhether mutual aid from ManateeCounty law enforcement and publicsafety officers would be necessary. TheManatee County GovernmentAdministrative Centre, 1112 ManateeAve. W., returned to commercial poweryesterday morning after running ongenerator power since Sunday. Thestate of local emergency declared by

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commissioners on Saturday will expirethis coming Saturday. The Peace RiverElectric Co-operative incurred damageto some of their substations during“Jeanne,” with their Ellenton branchsuffering the hardest hit, according tothe Manatee County Web site. As aresult, east Manatee customers may bewithout power up to seven days.

Freeport, Bahamas, Sep 29 — Existingmajor structural damages fromHurricane “Frances” were aggravatedsignificantly. BORCO appears to bepartially back in business butunderstand that South Riding Point oiljetty will be knocked out for some time.Passenger Red Boat (32753 gt, built1966) broke adrift again in the stormbut seems to have done little thirdparty damages, other than sitting ontop of a 90’ landing craft which sank inthe last storm. Passenger Jubilee(47262 gt, built 1986) broke adrift inthe storm and collided with three Smitharbour tugs, crushing them againstthe dock wall. It is not known whetherthe tugs were assisting the vessel or notat the time of the incident. CementContrader capsized and sank whilealongside the dock at Clifton Pier,Nassau. — Lloyd’s Agents.

Gonaives, Haiti, Sep 29 — The UnitedNations will launch a global appeal for$30 million in emergency aid to helpHaiti recover from floods that killedhundreds of people, the executivedirector of UNICEF said today on avisit to the impoverished Caribbeannation. “The situation is quitedevastating here,” said Carol Bellamy,who toured the port city of Gonaives,hard hit by f loods triggered byhurricane “Jeanne” nearly two weeksago. Up to 2,400 people have died inthe floods, according to local officials.Aid workers are still trying to feedunruly crowds of hungry people. “Thehospitals can’t function. They are fullof mud,” Bellamy said. “The schoolsare being used for shelters. There isfood distribution, but not sufficientyet.” She said the United Nationswould make its appeal on Friday (Oct1) for $30 million, the amount Haitianofficials said was urgently needed toprovide food and water and other relieffor the next three months. UNpeacekeeping troops have set up amakeshift medical centre in a schooland doctors have treated 2,000 peoplein 10 days, many for illnesses fromdrinking unclean water. Startingtomorrow, relief workers planned tofan out into neighbourhoods todistribute supplies, to discourage largeunruly crowds from gathering at theaid centres, said Carl Murat Cantave,a government official in Gonaives.Agriculture Minister Philippe Mathiewestimated damages in the Gonaivesarea at $21 million. Officials saidinternational donors have promised$84 million, including $10 million theInter-American Development Bankwill disburse from an existing loan assoon as Haiti’s government identifieswhat it wants to spend the money on.The United States and Canada havepledged $2 million each, Venezuela $1and the European Union $1.5 million.— Reuters.

HURRICANE “KARL”London, Sep 23 — Following received

from the National Hurricane Centre,Miami, dated today: Hurricane “Karl”:At 0900, UTC, the centre of hurricane“Karl” was located near lat 31.7N, long45.8W. The position is accurate towithin 20 nautical miles. The presentmovement is toward the north-north-east or 30 degs at 20 knots. Theestimated minimum central pressure is948 mb and the eye diameter is 15nautical miles. The maximum sustainedwinds are 110 knots with gusts to 135knots. The radius of 64 knot winds is 75nautical miles in the east semicircle, 45nautical miles in the south-westquadrant and 60 nautical miles in thenorth-west quadrant. Radius of 50-knotwinds is 125 nautical miles in the eastsemicircle, 75 nautical miles in thesouth-west quadrant and 100 nauticalmiles in the north-west quadrant.Radius of 34-knot winds is 300 nauticalmiles in the north-east quadrant, 275nautical miles in the south-eastquadrant and 200 nautical miles in thewest semicircle. Forecast for 1800,UTC, Sep 23: Position near lat 34.5N,long 44.0W. Maximum sustained windsare 95 knots with gusts to 115 knots.Radius of 64 knot winds 75 nauticalmiles in the east semicircle, 45 nauticalmiles in the south-west quadrant and60 nautical miles in the north-westquadrant. Radius of 50-knot winds is125 nautical miles in the eastsemicircle, 75 nautical miles in thesouth-west quadrant and 100 nauticalmiles in the north-west quadrant.Radius of 34-knot winds is 300 nauticalmiles in the north-east quadrant, 275nautical miles in the south-eastquadrant and 200 nautical mileselsewhere. Forecast for 0600, UTC, Sep24: Position near lat 39.5N, long 42.5W.Maximum sustained winds are 75 knotswith gusts to 90 knots. Radius of 64knot winds 90 nautical miles in the eastsemicircle and 45 nautical mileselsewhere. Radius of 50-knot winds is175 nautical miles in the east semicircleand 100 nautical miles elsewhere.Radius of 34-knot winds is 300 nauticalmiles in the east semicircle and 175nautical miles elsewhere.

London, Sep 24 — Following receivedfrom the Meteorological Office, datedtoday: Hurricane “Karl” centre locatednear lat 40.8N, long 41.0W at 0900,UTC, today. Position accurate within 50nautical miles. Present movementtoward the north or 5 degrees at 26knots. Estimated minimum centralpressure 965 mb. Maximum sustainedwinds 75 knots with gusts to 90 knots.Radius of 64 knot winds 75 nauticalmiles north-east and south-eastquadrants, 50 nautical miles south-westand north-west quadrants. Forecastposition lat 44.5N, long 40.4W at 1800,UTC, today. Maximum winds 70 knots,gusts 85 knots. Forecast postion lat49.4N, long 37.7W at 0600, UTC, Sep25. Maximum winds 65 knots, gusts 80knots.

INDIALondon, Sep 26 — A press report,

dated Sep 25, states: Six coaches ofErnakulam-Okha Express derailed

following soil slippage due to heavyrains between Karanjwadi andDiwankhavti stations of KonkanRailway this evening. However, nocasualties were reported, officialsources said. The train bound for Okhaderailed at around 1926, sources said.

FIJILondon, Sep 24 — A report, dated Sep

22, states: A moderate earthquakeoccurred at 1008, UTC, today. Themagnitude 5.9 event has been located inthe Fiji region in lat 15.543S, long177.284W, depth 15 km.

MEXICOLondon, Sep 26 — A press report,

dated Sep 25, states: North-westMexican towns were rattled by a strongearthquake along the coast of the Gulfof California yesterday, but there wereno immediate reports of injuries ordamages. The 5.8-magnitude quake hitearly yesterday and was centred in theGulf, the body of water that separatesthe Mexican mainland and the BajaCalifornia peninsula, according to Dr.Luis Mungia, a seismologist with theCentre for Scientific Studies and HigherEducation in Ensenada.

PERU COASTLondon, Sep 29 — A report, dated

today, states: A moderate earthquakeoccurred at 2132, UTC, Sep 28. Themagnitude 5.6 event has been locatednear the coast of Peru in lat 15.654S,long 74.394W.The hypocentral depthwas estimated to be 36 km.

SOUTH SANDWICH ISLANDSLondon, Sep 24 — A report, dated Sep

22, states: A moderate earthquakeoccurred at 2050, UTC, today. Themagnitude 5.5 event has been located inthe South Sandwich Islands region inlat 55.070S, long 28.351W, depth 10 km.

SOUTHERN OCEANLondon, Sep 28 — A report, dated

today, states: A strong earthquakeoccurred at 1529, UTC, today. Themagnitude 6.3 event has been locatedsouth of Africa in lat 52.40S, long28.01E, depth 10 km.

UNITED STATESLondon, Sep 28 — A report, dated

today, states: A strong earthquakeoccurred at 1715, UTC, today. Themagnitude 6.0 event has been located incentral California in lat 35.82N, long120.37W. The hypocentral depth wasestimated to be 8 km.

Los Angeles, Sep 28 — A strongearthquake and over 200 aftershocksstruck central California today, rattlinga large chunk of the state along the SanAndreas Fault but causing littlesignificant damage. The quake,registering magnitude 6.0, was centerednear Parkfield, a tiny town of about

18


Weather & Navigation/Earthquakes

three dozen people known to geologistsas the earthquake capital of California.The quake was felt across much of thestate, from San Francisco to LosAngeles. The temblor was the largest tohit California in 10 months, promptingschool evacuations, though there wereno reports of injuries or significantdamage. The US Geological Surveyrecorded about 220 aftershocks and saidthere was a 5-10% chance of anotherlarge quake in the next two days.Parkfield has been shaken regularly forcenturies and intensely studied byscientists for the past several decades.The quake did not disrupt operations atoil refineries or the Diablo Canyonnuclear plant, which is about 50 milesfrom the epicentre. Kinder MorganEnergy Partners LP said it briefly shutdown two pipelines as a precaution. —Reuters.

MOUNT ASAMA, JAPANLondon, Sep 23 — A press report,

dated today, states: A Japanese volcanowhich burst into life earlier this monthwith its biggest eruption in 21 years,erupted again today, the MeteorologicalAgency said. An eruption, measuringthree on a scale of zero to five, wasobserved at 1944, local time, from the2568-metre high Mount Asama, theagency said. Tremors related to the mid-scale eruption continued, urging localresidents to monitor volcano activity onthe mountain which lies 150kmnorthwest of Tokyo. But localauthorities did not issue an evacuationwarning and there were no reports ofinjuries. “We observed some sticky raincontaining volcanic ashes but there wasno real damage from the latesteruption,” a local police official said.Mount Asama last went up on Sep 1,the volcano’s most violent activity sinceApril 1983. The eruption threw rocksover a wide area and caused a forestfire. Prior to this month, Mt Asama lasterupted in April last year.

AFGHANISTANLondon, Sep 26 — A press report,

dated Sep 25, states: Suspected Talibanmilitants have launched a string ofattacks on security posts in southernAfghanistan, killing nine soldiers, anofficial said. The attacks came twoweeks before a landmark presidentialelection Islamic militants have vowed todisrupt. Haji Mohammad Wali,spokesman for the governor of Helmandprovince, said an unspecified number ofgunmen launched raids on three

security posts. Three soldiers werekilled in the first attack, six in thesecond and there were no casualties inthe third. Mr Wali blamed the “enemiesof Afghanistan”, a phrase often used todescribe remnants of the ousted Talibanmilitia.

BURUNDILondon, Sep 28 — A press report,

dated Sep 27, states: At least 37 rebelshave been killed in fighting betweenpro-government forces and rebels inBurundi, the army says. A joint force ofthe army and former rebel fightersattacked the National Liberation Forces(FNL) north of the capital, Bujumbura,a spokesman said. The FNL is the onlyrebel group to remain outside the peaceprocess, which has led to a power-sharing government, including formerrebels. The Forces for the Defence ofDemocracy (FDD) says that 40 FNLrebels were killed over the weekend.Meanwhile, the body of a UN officialfrom Senegal has been found near theUniversity of Burundi in Bujumbra. Itis not clear how he died.

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OFCONGO

London, Sep 24 — A press report,dated Sep 23, states: Aid agencies areattempting to provide assistance tothousands of people displaced by unrestin the east of the Democratic Republicof Congo. United Nations officialsestimate at least 20,000 people havefled to North Kivu province from nearbySouth Kivu. Local authorities put thenumber at up to 150,000. The civilianswere fleeing a recent advance bygovernment troops on dissident soldiers,who broke away from the national armyearlier this year. Meanwhile, DR Congoand Rwanda have agreed to set up aUN-backed body to help resolve long-standing security issues on their border,UN officials say. The agreement wasreached in talks at the UN betweenSecretary General Kofi Annan,Congolese President Joseph Kabila, andRwandan Prime Minister BernardMakuza. The joint verificationmechanism will be composed of UN andAfrican Union officials, along withtechnical experts from bothgovernments.

INDIASrinagar, Sep 24 — Indian troops

killed five guerrillas trying to sneakinto Indian Kashmir from the Pakistaniside and were locked in a fiercegunbattle with more rebels trying toinfiltrate, an army spokesman saidtoday. The fighting erupted hoursbefore Indian Prime MinisterManmohan Singh and PakistaniPresident Pervez Musharraf are due tohold talks in New York to push forwarda sluggish peace process between thetwo countries. “The army intercepted agroup of heavily armed infiltrators inMachil sector on Thursday morning,leading to a fierce gun battle,” thespokesman said. “Five terrorists havebeen killed so far,” he said and addedthat troops were still battling rebels inthe group that was trying to infiltrate.— Reuters.

IRAQBaghdad, Sep 24 — Gunmen

kidnapped two Egyptians during thenight in Baghdad, police said today, asrelatives of seized Briton KennethBigley waited for news on his fate. TheEgyptians were snatched in their officelate yesterday by gunmen who hadoverpowered and tied up their guards.They worked for the firm that runs theBaghdad mobile phone network. U.S.President George W. Bush saidyesterday that he and Iraqi PrimeMinister Iyad Allawi would “stay thecourse” in Iraq and insisted electionswill be held in January despite theviolence. In a joint news conference atthe White House, both men said violenceshould not stop the polls fromproceeding.Defense Secretary DonaldRumsfeld conceded that some areas thatare guerrilla strongholds may have to beexcluded, with polls going ahead in“three-quarters or four-fifths” of Iraq.Allawi said: “They may not be the bestelections that Iraq will ever hold ... Butthey will take place and they will be freeand fair.” In a speech to Congress inWashington, Allawi said Iraq’s fledglingsecurity forces would prevail against theinsurgents. “In Iraq, we confront both aninsurgency and the global war on terror,with their destructive forces sometimesoverlapping,” he said. “I can tell youtoday they will not succeed.” — Reuters.

Falluja, Iraq, Sep 26 — U.S. aircraftblasted the rebel stronghold of Fallujafor a third time in 24 hours in aconcerted effort to hit militants loyal toguerrilla chief Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.Last night’s strike was aimed at about10 suspected militants meeting in thecity center to plan operations, the U.S.military said. Eight people were killedand 17 wounded, Anas Ahmed, a doctorat a nearby hospital, said. The latest inwhat the military calls “precisionstrikes” raised the death toll for theseries to 15 killed and 30 wounded,among them women and children,doctors said. Zarqawi’s group, Tawhidand Jihad, has claimed many of the carbombings and attacks in Iraq over thepast year, including kidnappings inwhich several of the hostages have beenbeheaded. In the nearby town of Karma,two suicide car bombers blew up theirvehicles outside a U.S. and Iraqi basetoday, wounding a number of U.S. andIraqi soldiers, the American militarysaid. — Reuters.

Baghdad, Sep 27 — A car bomb killedthree members of the Iraqi NationalGuard in the northern city of Mosul andinsurgents fired mortar bombs at apolice academy in eastern Baghdadtoday. Doctors in Mosul said five otherIraqis were wounded by the bomb,which was not a suicide attack. TheInterior Ministry said there were nocasualties in the mortar attack inBaghdad. Spokesman Col. AdnanAbdul-Rahman said five mortar shellslanded near the academy, causing nodamage to the building. Earlier today,U.S. planes fired at rebel positions inthe eastern Baghdad Shi’ite slum ofSadr City, residents and doctors said. Adoctor at one Sadr City hospital said thestrike had killed one woman and twomen. — Reuters.

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Earthquakes/Volcanic Activity/Political & Civil Unrest

London, Sep 27 — A press report,dated today, states: US jets poundedsuspected Shiite militant positions inthe Baghdad slum of Sadr City today,killing at least five people andwounding 40. Elsewhere, insurgentsdetonated two car bombs, killing sevenmembers of the National Guard in thelatest attacks targeting Iraq’sbeleaguered security forces. Theairstrikes in Sadr City, a hotbed ofinsurgents loyal to renegade Shiitecleric Muqtada al-Sadr, struck several“positively identified’’ militant hideouts,the US military said. Residents saidexplosions lit up the sky for hoursbefore dawn. Mangled vehicles, debrisand shards of glass littered the streets.Five people were killed and 40 werewounded, including 15 women and ninechildren, said Dr. Qassem Saddam ofthe Imam Ali hospital. Insurgents alsofired three mortar rounds at a nearbyUS Army base, but the shells fell shortand exploded in a civilianneighborhood, said US Armyspokesman Lt. Col. Jim Hutton. It wasnot immediately known if there anycasualties. In Mosul, insurgents set offa car bomb as a seven-vehicle IraqiNational Guard patrol was passing by,killing at least four guardsmen andwounding three others, Police Capt.Mushtaq Abdul Karim said Gunmenfollowed up the blast with a burst ofautomatic weapons fire before fleeingthe scene, said Lt. Col. Saleh Jamer, thepatrol’s commander. Near the insurgentstronghold of Fallujah, a suicideattacker exploded a car bomb at anIraqi National Guard checkpoint,killing guard members, police Lt.Zeidan Mustafa said. The attack atSaqlawiya, 12 miles north-west ofFallujah, also injured a number ofpeople, said Ahmed Saleh Sarhan, awitness. In a separate attack,insurgents fired several mortar roundsthat struck a police academy onPalestine street in east Baghdad earlytoday, said Interior Ministry spokesmanCol. Najah Shakre. There were noimmediate reports of injuries.

Baghdad, Sep 28 — The sound ofheavy bombardments echoed acrossBaghdad from the poor Shi’ite districtof Sadr City this morning, following anight of sustained US aerial attacks,residents said. Residents of Sadr Citysaid US fighter aircraft struck parts ofthe huge slum area throughout thenight and dozens of tanks patrolled thestreets. Al Jazeera television said theovernight aerial strikes had caused apower outage throughout the district,on Baghdad’s north-east side. —Reuters.

Balad, Sep 28 — Militants set fire tofour shops selling alcohol north ofBaghdad, witnesses and police saidtoday. The shops, in the town of Balad,80 km north of Baghdad, werecompletely burned out by the attacklate yesterday. There were nocasualties. Islamic militants havetargeted alcohol vendors, who areusually Christian, across the countrysince the fall of Saddam Hussein lastyear. — Reuters.

Baghdad, Sep 28 — An Iraniandiplomat taken hostage in Iraq last

month has been released by his captorsbut the fate of at least 11 otherforeigners, including Briton KennethBigley, remained unclear today. AlJazeera television said late yesterdayan Egyptian and two Iraqis kidnappeda few days ago had been freed, andquoted Egyptian diplomatic sources inBaghdad as saying the remaining fiveEgyptian telecoms workers would alsobe released. It was not immediatelypossible to verify the report. — Reuters.

Baghdad, Sep 28 — U.S. forces havecaptured the leader of a suspectedmilitant cell during a raid in thenorthern Iraqi town of Kirkuk, the U.S.military said today. A statement saidU.S. troops captured Hussein SalmanMohammad al-Jabburi during a raidyesterday afternoon. It said Jabburiwas believed to have led a Kirkuk-basedmilitant group with links to Ansar AlSunna, another militant group which isitself believed to be linked to Ansar alIslam, a northern Iraqi Islamic militantnetwork. The U.S. military said Jabburiwas being held for questioning. Noinjuries were reported in the raid, itadded. — Reuters.

London, Sep 28 — A press report,dated today, states: Two British soldiershave been killed in an ambush nearBasra in southern Iraq, the Ministry ofDefence has said. Soldiers came underfire as they tried to rescue others froman armoured Land Rover that had beenhit by a rocket propelled grenade. Thevehicle was part of a convoy ambushedat 0615, BST. Two soldiers later died atthe British military hospital inShaibah. At least two Iraqi bystanderswere also injured in the ambush,officials said. The convoy of twoarmoured Land Rovers and a truck hadbeen travelling south-west of Basra.The deaths bring the tally of Britishsoldiers killed in combat in Iraq to 24. Afurther 44 service personnel in thecountry have died as a result of otherincidents including friendly fire androad traffic accidents.

Dubai, Sep 28 — The last twoEgyptian employees of OrascomTelecom (OT) held hostage in Iraq havebeen released, Al Arabiya televisionsaid today. The Arab satellite channelwas quoting its correspondent but gaveno further details. In Egypt, an OTspokesman said he could not confirmthe report. Of six kidnapped OTemployees, three were released earlierin the day and another separately. Allsix have now been freed. — Reuters.

Rome, Sep 29 — Two Italian womenaid workers held hostage in Iraq forthree weeks returned home to Italyyesterday, with Prime Minister SilvioBerlusconi leading the welcome party atRome’s Ciampino airport. Simona Pariand Simona Torretta were freed bytheir Iraqi captors earlier in the dayand were immediately flown back toItaly. Pari and Torretta, both aged 29,were abducted from their Baghdadoffice on Sep 7 along with two Iraqicolleagues. Nothing was heard of themuntil early yesterday evening whennews broke that all four were safe andsound. A Kuwaiti daily said earlieryesterday the women’s captors hadagreed to free them for a $1 million

ransom. An Italian political source toldReuters a ransom was paid but it wasless than $1 million. Berlusconi himselfmade no mention of a ransom when heannounced the release of the two womento parliament. He said the secretservices had located their whereaboutsearlier this week, but rather than riskusing violence to secure their release,the Italian government had preferred tonegotiate. He said the breakthroughcame early yesterday “after a nightwhich led us to a very difficult choicewith two lines of pursuit which couldhave been mutually conflictual.” Hegave no further details. — Reuters.

Dubai, Sep 29 — A man Al Arabiyatelevision said was negotiating therelease of two French journalists heldhostage in Iraq said yesterday he metthe two Frenchmen and that anagreement had been reached to freethem soon. “They are in good health,psychologically and emotionally. Aftermeeting them, we reached anagreement to free Christian (Chesnot)and Georges (Malbrunot) and get anaudio tape from them announcing theywould be freed soon,” Philippe Bretttold Al Arabiya television. “We wereable to reach this agreement withoutpaying any money,” he added. In Paris,a Foreign Ministry spokesman saidFrench authorities had no comment tomake on the latest report. Didier Pillet,editor of the Ouest France regionalnewspaper that employs Malbrunot,said staff remained cautious. Dubai-based satellite channel Al Arabiya saidthat according to unidentified sources,Chesnot and Malbrunot could bereleased within 48 hours. — Reuters.

Baghdad, Sep 30 — A car bombexploded today outside a police stationin the Abu Ghraib area west ofBaghdad and at least nine people werewounded, police said. Officials said itwas not yet clear whether the bomb wasa suicide attack. Residents said theblast had shattered windows in a widearea and that they heard shooting afterthe explosion. — Reuters.

ISRAELLondon, Sep 27 — A press report,

dated today, states: An Israeli securitysource has said that Israel was involvedin the killing of a Hamas activist inSyria yesterday. Officially Israel hasneither confirmed nor denied beingbehind the attack on Izz El-DeenSheikh Khalil, whose car was destroyedby a bomb in Damascus. Israeldescribed him as a point man for thePalestinian Islamist movement’smilitary actions in Gaza Strip. TheIsraelis had vowed to hit Hamas leaders“wherever they are” after suicide bombattacks in August in Beersheba left 16people dead. Mr Khalil, 39, was a seniorfigure in Hamas’ military wing and amember of the generation that set thegroup up. He was based in Damascusalong with other senior Hamas figures,including the overall leader, KhaledMeshaal. Analysts say this latestIsraeli assassination is intended to senda message to Syria’s government that itwill pay a high price for supportingPalestinian militant groups in theoccupied territories.

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Political & Civil Unrest

Gaza, Sep 28 — Palestinian securityforces were today searching for anIsraeli Arab producer for CNNtelevision who was kidnapped bygunmen in the Gaza Strip. “We arefollowing this with all the Palestinianpolice and with all the intelligenceservices,” Palestinian Prime MinisterAhmed Qurie told reporters in the WestBank. He said the abduction of Riad Alion Monday was “against the interest ofour people and we can’t accept it.”Police stopped cars in Gaza City,checking for anything suspicious andarmed security men stood guard aroundCNN’s office in Gaza. There has been noclaim of responsibility for the abductionof Ali from his car by kidnappers whoasked for him by name. The mainmilitant factions deny holding him andthe Palestinian Authority has pledgedto do all it can to find him. Aspokesman for the Hamas Islamicgroup condemned the kidnapping as a“violation of the rights of journalistsand freedom of expression and goesagainst the true morals of our people.”— Reuters.

Gaza, Sep 29 — Israeli soldiers shotdead two Palestinian militants earlytoday in separate raids in the WestBank and Gaza Strip, Palestinianmedics and witnesses said. Israelmassed ground troops backed byhelicopters and 100 armoured vehiclesin the northern Gaza Strip in its latestraid aimed at quelling mounting rocketand mortar attacks by militants onIsraeli towns and settlements. Israelihelicopters opened fire on two militantstrongholds including Jabalya refugeecamp after dark yesterday, and senttroops and tanks into the areas of BeitLahiya and Beit Hanoun, witnessessaid. One gunman of the Hamasmilitant group was killed and onewounded in an ensuing exchange of fireat the eastern edges of Jabalya, whiletwo other gunmen were wounded inseparate incidents, medics andwitnesses said. An Israeli militarysource said soldiers had opened fire ontwo Palestinians spotted planting abomb near Jabalya. Lately Hammasgunmen have stepped up launchings ofcrudely built Qassam rockets at Israelitowns and settlements in a show offorce before Israel’s planned withdrawalfrom the Gaza Strip in 2005. Earliertoday five rockets crashed in and nearthe southern Israeli town of Sderot,creating panic as Israelis prepared forthe week-long Sukkoth holiday, whichbegins this evening. A military sourcesaid yesterday forces had enterednorthern Gaza “in an operation toprevent the firing of Qassam rocketsand mortars against Israeli towns andsettlements”.Israel Radio said thesoldiers planned to take control of areasfrom which the rockets were fired. TheIsraeli army declined comment on thatreport too. In a separate incident,Israeli soldiers raiding the West Bankcity of Nablus shot and killed a wantedmilitant of the al-Aqsa MartyrsBrigades, which is an armed wing ofPalestinian President Yasser Arafat’sFatah movement, medics said.Palestinian medics said the militant’sbody was found near a mosque with

multiple bullet wounds. An Israelimilitary source said soldiers had openedfire on a wanted man after he tried toflee arrest and refused repeated ordersto stop. In the West Bank town of Jenin,the home of a leading wanted militant,Zakariya al-Zubaidi of the Al-AqsaMartyrs Brigades, was blown up earlytoday, but he was apparently not thereat the time, witnesses said. — Reuters.

Gaza, Sep 29 — Palestinian gunmenfreed an Israeli Arab producer for CNNtelevision unharmed yesterday a dayafter kidnapping him in the Gaza Strip.Riad Ali said his captors told him theywere members of the al-Aqsa MartyrsBrigades, a militant group inPalestinian President Yasser Arafat’sFatah movement, but the Brigadesissued a statement saying they had noconnection to the abduction, andcondemning it as an act of chaos thathurt the Palestinian cause. Israel’sChannel 2 quoted Ali, who was seizedwhile on assignment in Gaza with aCNN International correspondent, assaying the abductors had determined hehad no links with Druze units inIsrael’s army and border police. CNN’sWeb site said that in a videotaperecorded while he was in captivity, Alicalled on the Druze, an Arabic-speaking minority in Israel, not to servein Israel’s military, saying the cause ofthe Druze was the same as that of thePalestinians. The kidnappers did notidentify themselves or make any publicdemands. Spokesmen for the mainPalestinian militant groups denied anyrole in the abduction and called for Ali’srelease. He was freed shortly afterPalestinian officials said security forceshad tracked down the kidnappers. —Reuters.

Sderot, Israel, Sep 29 — Palestinianmilitants eluding an army crackdownkilled two Israeli children in a rocketattack from Gaza today and troopskilled nine Palestinians in raids in thecoastal strip and the West Bank. Therenewed rocket fire despite an Israeliincursion aimed at snuffing out suchattacks was a blow to the Jewish stateas it seeks to prevent militantsportraying its planned pullout ofsettlers from Gaza next year as avictory. Two makeshift Qassam rocketshit a residential block in the town ofSderot close to Israel’s fenced borderwith Gaza, killing a girl aged two and aboy aged four as they played on the eveof the Jewish festival of Sukkot.Thirteen other residents were injuredin the town that has borne the brunt ofQassam attacks, emergency servicessaid. Prime Minister Ariel Sharonthreatened that Israel “would respondwith severity and use all measures torespond and stop the firing of Qassam,”an aide said. A rocket killed two Israelisin the town three months ago buthundreds of missile volleys from theGaza Strip have done more to spreadterror than inflict casualties during thepast four years of conflict. Earlier today,Israeli forces shot dead a Palestiniangunman and youths aged 17 and 14 in acrowd of stone throwers. A 13-year-oldboy was killed in another Gazaincident. Two Palestinian militantswere killed in raids in the West Bank.

Shortly after the Sderot attack, Israelihelicopters launched three air strikes inGaza’s Jabalya refugee camp, astronghold of Islamist militants behindrocket attacks. An Israeli militarysource said the helicopters had targetedPalestinians as they were preparing tofire a Qassam rocket. ThreePalestinians, including a policeman,were killed and at least eight otherswounded. In yet another air strike,Israel destroyed an Islamic charityoffice in a caravan in Gaza City. TheIsraeli army said the office fundedattacks on Israelis. — Reuters.

Gaza, Sep 30 — Two Palestiniangunmen fired on an Israeli armyoutpost in the northern Gaza Striptoday, killing a soldier before being shotdead, a military spokeswoman said. Thepredawn gunbattle occurred outside theJabalya refugee camp. The militaryspokeswoman said the two gunmenapproached the outpost unnoticed andopened fire with assault rifles andgrenade launchers at troops inside. Onesoldier was killed and two otherswounded before the two gunmen werekilled by return fire moments later, shesaid. The militant Islamic group Hamasclaimed the attack which was launchedunder cover of heavy fog in the GazaStrip. — Reuters.

NEPALKathmandu, Sep 28 — A strike by

rebels shut down more than a third ofNepal today, including Kathmandu, thelatest stoppage in their campaign for acommunist republic after last month’scrippling road blockade of the hill-ringed capital. Most buses and taxisstayed off the streets in Kathmandu inresponse to the two-day strike called bythe Maoist rebels in the east of thekingdom to protest the killing of twoleaders by government troops early thismonth. Soldiers carrying automaticweapons patrolled the streets of thecapital and stood guard at governmentbuildings. There were no reports ofviolence, an official said. Few ofKathmandu’s 1.5 million people daredto defy the strike, fearing attacks fromrebels. Thousands of children stayedhome as schools and colleges closed.Businesses were also expected toremain shut. Residents said the templetown of Janakpur and the businesscentre of Biratnagar in east Nepal wereclosed. Last week, the governmentcalled on the Maoists to attend freshpeace talks, but they refused saying theadministration was simultaneouslyplanning a military offensive againstthem. — Reuters.

London, Sep 28 — A press report,dated today, states: Nine suspectedMaoist rebels were gunned down and abomb ripped through a bank in theNepalese capital Kathmandu as aguerrilla strike shut shops andtransport in much of the Himalayankingdom. Eight rebels died in fourgunbattles with troops, police saidtoday. Another Maoist was gunneddown as he threatened shopkeepers toenforce the strike in the southeasternIlam district, police official KrishnaBasnet said. A blast shattered windowsof the Nepal-Bangladesh Bank and

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several houses at Lalitpur on thecapital ’s outskirts but caused nocasualties, police said. They describedthe bombing as a scare tactic to enforcethe two-day stoppage called by theMaoists, who are fighting to overthrowthe monarchy. “Two Maoists in a taxistopped at an engineering collegeoutside the bank and left a bag ofexplosives, which the driver threw outcausing the blast. We think the goalwas to blow up the taxi,” Lalitpur ChiefDistrict Officer Thaneswore Devkotasaid. “This was an attempt by theMaoists to scare people into observingtheir strike,” Devkota told AFP.Suspected rebels stopped and set ablaze10 vehicles in the central Dhadingdistrict. They were headed toKathmandu as part of a month-longtour of Asia by activists lobbying forland rights for peasants. Police said theattackers did not harm the 19 activistsand five journalists on the People’sCaravan for Food Sovereignty, whowere mostly from other Asian countries.Most stores remained closed inKathmandu and other cities in easternNepal and long-distance bus serviceswere halted. But police said there wasmore traffic on the roads of the capitalthan during past Maoist strikes, whichsaw a complete shutdown. Thegovernment had threatened towithdraw official cars from publicemployees who observed the stoppage.The rebels in past strikes havedestroyed cars whose drivers defiedtheir orders. The home ministry haspromised to compensate 90 percent ofany damages inflicted during theshutdown. Streetside vendors alsodefied the strike today, which fell on thesecond day of the Kumari harvestfestival. The Maoists have pledged notto interfere with the five-day pageantwhich is a major tourist attraction. TheMaoists called the strike today andtomorrow to protest at the allegedkilling of two senior rebels by troops onSep 3. An army spokesman deniedtroops killed the pair.

London, Sep 29 — A press report,dated today, states: A strike called byMaoist rebels shut down much of Nepalfor the second day as the governmentconsidered calling a ceasefire tojumpstart talks to end the bloodyconflict. Most shops were closed in thecapital Kathmandu and other parts ofeastern Nepal and traffic was half thenormal volume on the final day of thestrike called to protest troops’ allegedkilling of two senior Maoists. The strikecame after Prime Minister SherBahadur Deuba invited the Maoists toresume negotiations to end the civilwar. Maoist chief Prachanda last weeksaid he would only sit down for talks ifthe rebels, who are fighting tooverthrow the monarchy, were certainthat King Gyanendra backed Deuba’speace initiative. Deuba, who wasappointed by the king in June and leadsNepal’s broadest coalition in two years,held new meetings with his allies todayto draft a response to Prachanda’sstatement. The mainstreamcommunists, who are Deuba’s largestcoalition partner, pushed for animmediate ceasefire. An official close to

Deuba who requested anonymity saidthe prime minister was leaning towardscalling a unilateral ceasefire largely toensure the backing of Madhav KumarNepal, without which his governmentcould collapse. Nine Maoists were killedin clashes across Nepal yesterday. Therebels have frequently attackedmotorists and shopkeepers whodisobeyed previous strikes. Long-distance bus operators said they werenot reassured by government promisesof compensation if the Maoists damagedtheir vehicles in the latest shutdown.“If we run buses during the strike theMaoists will take revenge, be it days orweeks later. We prefer to suffer lossesfor 48 hours,” said P.B. Adhikari of theNepal National Transport CommutersAssociation.

Kathmandu, Sep 29 — Nepali troopsshot dead 11 Maoist rebels today as thegovernment prepared a response to thelatest terms for fresh talks by theguerrillas who shut down nearly half ofthe kingdom on the second day of astrike. A police spokesman said sevenMaoist rebels were killed after afirefight with a police patrol atKhaskusma, 280 miles west of thecapital Kathmandu. “The firefight tookplace after the police, acting on a tipfrom villagers, patrolled the area andencountered the rebels,” policespokesman Rabi Thapa Chhetri said.Elsewhere, soldiers shot dead fourMaoists in separate gunbattles. Therehas been no major fighting in theimpoverished nation since March buteight people die each day on an averagein unabated violence after talksbetween the government and Maoists,who want to topple the constitutionalmonarchy, failed last year. Maoist chiefPrachanda, responding to PrimeMinister Sher Bahadur Deuba’s latestoffer last week to resume the dialogue,was seeking assurances the primeminister had the backing of warringpolitical parties and King Gyanendra tonegotiate. Information andCommunication Minister MohammedMohsin said a peace panel of topleaders of the four-party ruling coalitionwas meeting today to craft a response tothe rebels. “We are trying to formulatea consensus approach for the dialogueto restore peace,” Mohsin said. Thefresh bid for peace came as schools,colleges, businesses and most publictransport in Kathmandu and eastNepal were shut for the second day inresponse to the strike called by therebels to protest the killing of twoguerrilla leaders this month. —Reuters.

NIGERIALondon, Sep 24 — A press report,

dated today, states: Gunbattle betweensecurity forces and Islamic militantsfighting to create a Taliban-style statein Nigeria left 29 people dead, most ofthem Islamic militants, police saidtoday. Ade Ajakaiye, policecommissioner for Borno state, said 27militants and two police were killed inthe fighting yesterday in the Gworzahills, near the border with Cameroon.Police and army troops had beenpursuing the militants since Monday,

when they attacked two police stationsin Bama and Gworza - towns 40kilometres apart in Borno state - killingfour police officers and two civilians.The attack was the first reported sincetheir initial uprising was put down inJanuary. Security forces said theyrecovered 22 assault rifles and largequantities of ammunition in theoperation. Five militants who fledacross the border into Cameroon werearrested by authorities there and willbe returned to Nigeria, Ajakaiye said.Authorities did not know the identitiesof the 27 militants who were killed, “butwe know they belong to the Talibangroup,” Ajakaiye said. Nigerian armyspokesman Colonel Mohammed Yusufconfirmed that troops of the army’s 21Armoured Brigade had been involved inthe operation with the police to flushout the militants.

Lagos, Sep 28 — Nigerian rebelsfighting for sovereignty of the oil-producing Niger delta told oilcompanies in the world’s seventhlargest exporter to shut productionbefore they begin an “all-out war” onOct 1. The Niger Delta People’sVolunteer Force, in a communiqueissued late yesterday after a meeting ofits central command, also advised allforeigners to leave the delta, accordingto the group’s leader Mujahid Dokubo-Asari. The delta pumps all of Nigeria’s2.3 million barrels per day output. Thecommunique accused Royal Dutch ShellGroup, Nigeria’s largest oil producer,and Italy’s Agip, a unit of ENI, of“collaboration with the Nigerian statein acts of genocide against our people.”Asari told Reuters after the meeting hisgroup would not attack oil pipelinesbecause it did not want to pollute thedelta environment, but foreign oilworkers would be targeted from Oct 1.The violence has so far had a minimaleffect on oil supply, but companies feara repeat of last year ’s Ijaw rebellionwhich forced them briefly to shut 40percent of production. Shell has alreadyevacuated more than 200 staff from thefighting. Nigerian oil is produced byfive multinational oil companiescomprising Shell, ExxonMobil, Total,ChevronTexaco and Agip. The countryis the fifth largest supplier to theUnited States. “Anyone who assists theNigerian state to make money inIjawland (the delta) will be seen as acollaborator and an enemy and will betargeted,” Asari said. He also saidyesterday’s meeting established thatmembership of the loosely knitvolunteer force now numbered over200,000 and his arsenal includesmachine guns, assault rifles and rocketlaunchers. — Reuters.

London, Sep 29 — A press report,dated today, states: Youths in Ofagbe,Isoko North Local Government Area ofthe Delta State, have imposed a curfewon the town after last weekend’sviolence that left five people dead andmany others injured. Also thetraditional ruler of the town, OdiologboIkpoku Ovie 11, had fled into self exilein Port Harcourt. The traditional rulerwho spoke from hiding yesterday saidhis elder sister, and two other youngerones, were burnt alive when his palace

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was set ablaze by rampaging youths onSaturday (Sep 25). The StateCommissioner of Police, Mr. CharlesAkaya, yesterday, however, warned thatthose fomenting trouble in Ofagbe andother parts of Idokoland “would face thefull wrath of the law”.

Abuja, Sep 29 — The Nigeriangovernment and rebel militia fightingin the oil-producing Niger Delta agreeda truce today while talks took place onrebel demands for autonomy, a rebelleader said. Warlord Mujahid Dokubo-Asari, speaking during a break in thetalks with President OlusegunObasanjo, repeated his warning toforeign oil workers to leave the region,which pumps almost all of Nigeria’s 2.3million barrels per day output, until afinal deal was achieved. “We havefinished the first round of talks withthe president. There should be acessation of hostilities on both sides.Apart from that, we have not agreedanything else for the time being,” Asarisaid. Talks were set to resume aroundmidnight, local time, he added. Asari’smilitia, called the Niger Delta People’sVolunteer Force, had threatened tolaunch an offensive codenamedOperation Locust Feast on Friday (Oct1) unless a deal was reached onautonomy and oil revenues for theimpoverished Ijaw people of the delta.“The cease-fire is just for the durationof the talks. Operation Locust Feast isstill dependent on the outcome of thetalks. Foreign nationals are stilladvised to leave the delta because theyare part of the overall situation,” Asarisaid. The rebels, who have been fightingsporadic battles with troops since lastyear, issued a communique on Mondaytelling foreign nationals to leave thedelta ahead of what Asari described asan “all-out war on the Nigerian state.”He advised oil companies in the world’sseventh largest exporter to shut downtheir oil wells. Oil prices broke above$50 per barrel for the first time onMonday after Asari issued thecommunique, as dealers saw a furthertightening of already precarious globaloil supply. US futures closed down 40cents at $49.50 per barrel today onword of the cease-fire and after the USgovernment reported a surpriseincrease in crude stocks. Multinationalshave largely ignored the warning butthey have stepped up security in thevast area of mangrove swamps andcreeks which produces almost all of theOPEC nation’s oil . Nigeria’s topproducer, Royal Dutch Shell Group, saidit evacuated more than 200 workersfrom two oilfields located near fighting,but so far only small amounts of oiloutput have been affected. — Reuters.

PAKISTANLondon, Sep 26 — A press report,

dated today, states: At least threepolicemen were killed in a suspectedsectarian attack by unidentifiedgunmen on a senior police official insouthwestern Pakistan yesterday. NisarKazmi, a deputy superintendent ofpolice and a Shi’ite Muslim, was on hisway to his office when three gunmenopened fire on his vehicle in Quetta,capital of southwestern Baluchistan

province. Mohammad Riaz, a deputyinspector-general of police, said threepolicemen were killed on the spot whileKazmi and two other policemen werewounded. “Kazmi was apparently thetarget of the attack because he wasinvolved in the investigations of severalsectarian cases,” he said. One of thegunmen was shot during the attack andlater died. Police said a Klashnikov rifletaken from the dead gunman wasmarked with the words Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ), an outlawed SunniMuslim militant group blamed for mostof the sectarian bloodletting in Pakistanin recent years. Dawood Badini, an LeJactivist who was arrested this year, lastweek told a court that he had organisedat least three major attacks on Shi’iteMuslims in Quetta in recent months inwhich more than 100 people werekilled. In a separate incident, thesecurity forces arrested MohammadSadiq, an activist of LeJ, in the easterncity of Lahore in connection with anassassination attempt of PresidentPervez Musharraf in December. (Seeissue of Sep 15.)

London, Sep 27 — A press report,dated today, states: Pakistani officialssay police have killed one of the mostwanted militants in the country, a mansuspected of being a top al Qaedaoperative. Amjad Hussain Farooqi waskilled in an early morning raid in thesmall city of Nawab Shah, southernPakistan, Information Minister SheikhRashid Ahmed said today. Farooqi, whohad a price of two million rupees($34,000) on his head, has been accusedof being involved in a spate of attacks.Identified as a member of the Islamicmilitant group Harkat-ul-Jihad-e-Islami (Movement of Islam’s Holy War),Farooqi was a suspect in twoassassination attempts againstPakistani President Gen. PervezMusharraf last year. Farooqi is also asuspect in the kidnapping andbeheading of Wall Street Journalreporter Daniel Pearl two years ago,Ahmed said. Yesterday’s raid waslaunched after police received a tip thatFarooqi was hiding there, officials said.Several other people were arrested inthe four-hour shootout yesterday, butAhmed declined to identify them.

RUSSIALondon, Sep 24 — A press report,

dated today, states: At least five rebelswere killed in a latest crackdownoperation by the Russian federal troopsin Chechnya’s Kurchaloi district,Interfax news agency quoted a seniorlocal official as saying today. The bodiesof five rebels had been found and thelatest report suggested that the numbercould be much higher, the agencyquoted Chechnya’s First Deputy PrimeMinister Ramzan Kadyrov as saying.Kadyrov, who is also head of Chechnya’ssecurity service, said no Russian soldierwas killed or injured in the operation.The Russian government is intensifyingcrackdown operations in its breakawayrepublic of Chechnya after a series ofdeadly terrorist attacks.

London, Sep 27 — A press report,dated today, states: The Russian armysays it has killed five Chechen rebels

including a Turkish “mercenary” duringclashes south-east of the republic’scapital, Grozny. The fighting took placelate yesterday near the village ofSerzhen-Yurt, army spokesman IlyaShabalkin said. The Turkish fighterwas named as Hasan Umac and hispassport was shown on Russiantelevision. In Grozny yesterday rebelskilled four Russian servicemen, thearmy said.

SAUDI ARABIARiyadh, Sep 26 — Saudi security

forces, battling a wave of al-Qaedaattacks in the world’s biggest oilexporter, clashed with suspectedmilitants in the capital Riyadh today.Police arrested one suspect after theshootout in the southern Shifa district,which broke out with the occupants of acar after it tried to speed away from apatrol, an Interior Ministry securityspokesman told the Saudi Press Agency.No policemen or bystanders were hurt,the spokesman said. The shootout inRiyadh came hours after a Frenchmanwho worked for French defenseelectronics firm Thales was shot dead inJeddah. It was the second such killingthis month by suspected al-Qaedamilitants. — Reuters.

SOMALIALondon, Sep 24 — A press report,

dated Sep 23, states: Fighting haserupted between the forces of the self-declared Somaliland Republic and thoseof Puntland, an autonomous region ofSomalia. The clashes broke outyesterday near the town of Las Anod inSool, one of two areas claimed by bothregions. It is the first time forces fromthe neighbouring regions have foughteach other. Meanwhile, the UN haswarned of a possible famine if fightingcontinues in southern Somalia. Rivalwarlords have been fighting near theport of Kismayo, disrupting efforts tohelp those affected by the region’sdrought. “Unless the conflict can bestopped very soon, we could be witnessto the kind of famine conditionsexperienced in 1992,” said UnitedNations Humanitarian CoordinatorMaxwell Gaylard in a statement issuedin the Kenyan capital, Nairobi. BothPuntland and Somaliland blame theother for starting the hostilities in Sool.Puntland says it lost one soldier in thebattle. Somaliland claims to havecaptured three Puntland militiamen.Up to eight armoured vehiclesbelonging to Somaliland were involvedin the clashes, our correspondent says.Somaliland’s Foreign Minister EdnaAdan Ismael said the fighting startedwhen food aid was being distributed.“It’s not a war, it was a chasing away ofbandits who were trying to disrupt andcause enough confusion to loot rations,”she said.

London, Sep 27 — A press report,dated today, states: Mediators havewelcomed the return of a Somaliwarlord to the peace process inneighbouring Kenya. General Morganwas the only major faction leader nottaking part in the election of a newpresident. He returned to Nairobi onSaturday (Sep 25) after his forces had

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been battling those of a rival factionaround the key southern port town ofKismayo. However, some rival warlordsare questioning whether he should beallowed to sit in the new parliament.Some also want him to be prosecuted forhis part in the fighting. The parliament,selected last month by rival clans andwarlords, is due to elect a president onOct 10, but Gen Morgan was notnominated to be an MP. Mediators,however, feel that the peace processwould be stronger if Gen Morgan wereinside, rather than outside.

SUDANLondon, Sep 24 — A press report,

dated today, states: Darfur rebels havelaunched an attack outside the westernSudanese region of Darfur for the firsttime, the interior ministry says. Eightpeople were killed in neighbouring WestKordofan state when rebels raided apolice station and market in Ghubaysh,a statement said. Nigeria’s PresidentOlusegun Obasanjo has said the AfricanUnion (AU) can rapidly deploy 5,000troops to the region, if funding isprovided. The UN has threatened oilsanctions if Khartoum does not stop theviolence. North Darfur GovernorOsman Yusif Kibir said the rebelsseized four government vehicles in theraid on the village. He said rebels alsokilled two students and injured anumber of policemen in another attackon Wednesday (Sep 22) 20km from El-Fashir, the capital of North Darfur.

THAILANDLondon, Sep 28 — A press report,

dated today, states: Violence inThailand’s restive southern provinceshas taken a turn for the worse even asthe authorities scramble to hand outbulletproof vests to officials prosecutingmilitants and consider requests fortransfers from judges. In the latestincident of violence — which hasclaimed 350 lives so far this year — agunman on a motorcycle killed apoliceman yesterday. This comes just aday after a state official was fatally shotand a grenade attack wounded nineguards in the Muslim insurgency-wracked region, officials said. SergeantBanjob Boontho, 52, was shot whiledriving to work in Pattani provincewhen a motorcycle pulled alongside hiscar and a pillion rider opened fire, saidpolice Lieutenant-Colonel KovitRatanachote. The same method hasbeen used in most attacks by insurgentsfighting for independence in Pattani,Yala and Narathiwat provinces. Theseare the only Muslim-majority area inmostly Buddhist Thailand. LastSunday, a suspected Muslim guerilla ona motorcycle shot to death an IrrigationDepartment official. On the same day, aman on a motorcycle hurled a grenadeat security guards at a Yala fairground,injuring two soldiers and seven villagevolunteer defence personnel.Government leaders have described thebloody rebellion as Thailand’s worstunrest in 50 years, while PrimeMinister Thaksin Shinawatra admits itis the biggest crisis of his politicalcareer. Yesterday, officials said 60 vestswill be handed out to court officials

responsible for prosecuting militants inthe southern courts. Their two-yearcontracts to work in the region will alsobe cut down to one. It will help reducethe number of deaths of officials in thesouth, said Mr Rewat Chamchalerm, asenior prosecutor in Bangkok.

BRAZILLondon, Sep 24 — A press report,

dated yesterday, states: The bankworker strike which began eight daysago looks like it will continue. It isestimated that 200,000 bank employeesare striking in around 130 citiesthroughout the country. Yesterday anattempt to resolve the impasse failedwhen management presented the sameproposal the workers rejected at thebeginning of the strike and the workersrejected it again. At the moment, nonew round of negotiations is scheduledto take place. On Sep 19, bank workersin BrasÌlia met in a general assemblyand voted to continue their strike whichbegan on last Wednesday (Sep 15). Thestriking bank workers decided that theywould have more pickets in front of themain offices of the countries biggestbank, the state-run Banco do Brasil, aswell as the private-sector giants,Bradesco and Itau. They have alsoscheduled marches at various locations.The president of the bank workersunion in Brasilia, Jacy Afonso, made itclear at the general assembly that thepickets must not interfere with clientaccess to the banks. Court injunctionshave already been issued ordering theunion to allow clients to enter thebanks. It is reported that in BrasÌlia95% of the branches of the CaixaEconÙmica Federal (also state-run) andBanco do Brasil only have ATMsworking for clients. The striking bankworkers are demanding salaryadjustments to cover losses due toinflation, plus a real increase of 17.68%,along with a share of bank profits.

CANADAVancouver, Sep 24 — Members of the

Public Service Alliance of Canada(grain inspectors employed by theFederal Government) today took actionagainst their employers and, as a reult,loading procedures for five vessels atthe port of Vancouver werediscontinued. It is understood that thejob action will cease at 2300 today,however, the union has advised thatthey may have further rotating strikesuntil their contract is resolved. —Lloyd’s Agents.

Vancouver, Sep 25 — Canadian GrainCommission workers who weigh andinspect grain exports staged strikesyesterday at the ports of Vancouver,Montreal and Thunder Bay, officialssaid. The workers at Vancouver plannedto return to the job today, but a unionofficial warned of more job action ifnegotiations with the federal agency did

not make progress. A Public ServiceAlliance of Canada official refused tosay how long the walkouts in ThunderBay and Montreal would last, but calledit a “strategic action that was likely tobe repeated in the future.” TheVancouver picket line set up by grainweighers was honoured by graininspectors and other longshore unions,stopping the loading of four ships at theport’s five grain terminals, officialssaid. The weighers did not set up apicket line in Thunder Bay and the oneship at the facility was being loadedusing management personnel. No shipsare currently receiving grain inMontreal. The commission’s unionizedemployees bargain in three separategroups. The weighers are in a legalstrike position, but the inspectors andoffice personnel will not be legally ableto set up picket lines until next month.The union says commission employeesare underpaid compared to similarworkers in the private sector, but thefederal agency has proposed a contractthat would reduce their wages. Theunion also is involved in contractdisputes with several other federaldepartments, such as Revenue Canadaand Parks Canada, and has beenstaging rotating strikes across thecountry. Grain commission spokesmanPaul Graham said the agency would nottake any legal steps to end thewalkouts. “It’s still very early in theprocess,” he said. — Reuters.

London, Sep 29 — A press report,dated today, states: After 12 weeks astrike at Iron Ore Co. of Canada hasended with employees voting in favourof a new collective agreement. The 1,400workers will return to their jobsTuesday (Oct 5). The new deal expiresFeb 28, 2007. Key to the agreement wasthe signing of temporary employees topermanent status. The contract includesmodest increases in wages and benefits.

INDIALondon, Sep 29 — A press report,

dated today, states: Tea productionground to a halt in the northeasternIndian state of Assam in a strike byworkers seeking better conditions fromthe struggling industry after a deadlyoutbreak of disease. The one-day strikeat Assam’s 800 plantations wasexpected to cause the loss of two millionkilograms of tea, said Dhiraj Kakoty,secretary of the Assam chapter of theIndian Tea Association industry body. Aunion, the Assam Tea Tribes StudentsAssociation, called the strike seekingbetter health care for workers andbonuses ahead of a Hindu festival. “Insome areas, tea garden managers andofficials tried to break the strike butour alert volunteers prevented themfrom doing so,” the union’s presidentDurga Bhumij said today. The unionsays 600 tea workers and their relativeshave died over the past three monthsdue to malaria and waterborne diseasessuch as gastroenteritis and diarrhoea.Industry officials admit the dilapidatedplantations need better water andhealth facilities but have not provided afigure on casualties. The stategovernment says improvements are theresponsibility of the industry. “The

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Political & Civil Unrest/Labour Disputes

state government failed to come to anysettlement with the protestors to breakthe deadlock and the result is a totalshutdown in all the tea gardens,” saidMadhusduan Khandait, secretary of theAssam Chah Mazdoor Sangha, the mainunion representing Assam’s nearly onemillion tea workers.

NEPALSee under “Political & Civil Unrest.”

NETHERLANDSLondon, Sep 27 — A press report,

dated today, states: A Dutch publictransport-worker strike in the provinceof North Holland stopped buses, trams,subways and ferries in Amsterdam andsurrounding areas. The 66 bus lines, 16tram lines, four subway lines and fourferry routes in Amsterdam, take some160,000 fares daily, according to theWeb site of GVB, the city’s 104-year-oldmunicipal transport service. Publictransport is cancelled from 0300 hrs,today, until midnight. Driversresponded to a call by the FNVBondgenoten labour union to strike as aprotest against plans by the cabinetthat include lengthening the work weekto 40 hours from 36 hours.

PAKISTANKarachi, Sep 24 — Over 750 rice mills

remained closed in Sindh andBalochistan Provinces of Pakistan for thelast three days on a strike called by theSindh Balochistan Rice Mills Associationto lodge protest against a lack of interestshown by the private sector andgovernment in purchasing 100,000tonnes of rice worth Rs2 billion. Ricedealers in Sindh and Balochistan alsoclosed their business to express solidaritywith the rice millers. As a result, it isfeared that around 25,000 labourers havebeen rendered jobless due to the strike ofrice mills. Today, an important meeting ofthe rice mills association would be heldto discuss further strategy. — Lloyd’s ListCorrespondent.

Karachi, Sep 25 — The SindhBalochistan Rice Millers and TradersAssociation (SBRMTA) has ended theirstrike after lodging a protest for the lastthree days on the intervention offederal state Minister for AgricultureMuhammad Ali Malkani, who contactedPresident SBRMTA Gada HussainMahessar and promised to discuss theirproblems with Federal Minister forAgriculture Sikandar Bosan andFederal Commerce Minister HumayoonAkhtar Khan. Senator Dr MuhammadAli Brohi also contacted the rice millersand assured them of an early resolutionof their problems. The strike badly hitthe daily wagers and the cultivators ofrice due to closure of rice mills andmarkets in interior of Sindh. — Lloyd’sList Correspondent.

SOUTH AFRICALondon, Sep 30 — A press report,

dated Sep 29, states: A final agreementon pay has been reached betweenunions and government following one ofthe biggest strikes in South Africa’shistory. Five of the eight public sectorunions, representing more than 75% ofpublic servants, accepted the three-year

deal. The agreement allows for a 6.2%wage increase, with one per cent more for“satisfactory work”. The deal came afterthe government increased its previousoffer by a further 0.2%. Pay increases for2005 and 2006 will be 0.4 percent abovethe projected inflation increase for therelevant financial year. The Treasuryinitially argued that it could not afford toincrease wages by that much but it hasdelayed proposed benefit increases inorder to offset the impact of the pay rises.However, not all unions were happy withthe agreement. The South African PoliceUnion (Sapu) refused to sign as didnurses union Denosa. The police labelledit a “slavery agreement”. “The agreementis pathetic and does not serve the needsof our members,” said Sapu generalsecretary Les Mafenya.

UNITED KINGDOMLondon, Sep 24 — Air refuellers at

London’s Heathrow Airport were due tobegin a 48-hour strike today after last-ditch pay talks collapsed. The Transport& General Workers Union (TGWU) saidthe strike at Heathrow today andtomorrow was inevitable after staffrejected the latest pay offer from airrefuelling firm AFS. About 40 workerswere planning to strike from 0430 hrs.The walkout would cause flightdisruptions as the company owned 40percent of Heathrow’s refuellingbusiness, the union said in a statement.About 40 airlines are expected to beaffected, including British Airways,Virgin Atlantic, American Airlines,Qantas Airways Ltd, United Airlinesand Air Canada. British Airways saidthe airline had contingency plans toavoid flight disruptions. Meanwhile,talks resumed yesterday to avert aplanned strike by almost 600 baggagehandlers and maintenance staffworking for air services providerServisair at Gatwick. Servisair staff arethreatening a walkout over workingconditions and the suspension of asenior union steward tomorrow and onThursday next week. — Reuters.

London, Sep 25 — A press report,dated today, states: Hundreds ofbaggage handlers at Gatwick airportstaged a 24-hour walkout on Saturdayin a dispute over workloads. At least300 Servisair staff failed to turn up forwork, the Transport and GeneralWorkers Union (TGWU) said. Flightswere reported to be leaving on time,and a Servisair spokesman saidcontingency plans meant no disruptionto the public had occurred. In aseparate dispute, a two-day strike byrefuelling staff at Heathrow has beenhalted after a deal was agreed. Gatwickairport said managers had been draftedin to handle passengers’ luggage andscheduled flights were continuing asnormal. The Transport and GeneralWorkers’ Union (TGWU) said theGatwick strike had been “solidlysupported”. Andy Dodgson, TGWUspokesman, said the strike had been asuccess and insisted the workers werenot trying to disrupt flights. He said thedispute involved around 600 Servisairworkers, of which at least 300 had beendue in at Gatwick on Saturday morning- but none had turned up. He confirmed

that Gatwick staff will stage another24-hour walkout on Sep 30 if thedispute continues. Servisair is one offour baggage handling companies atGatwick, covering more than 20 airlinesincluding Ryanair, Air Malta,Britannia, Thomas Cook, Easyjet, ExcelAirways, Mytravel, Continental andDelta. The row centres on new workingpractices introduced earlier this year,which the TGWU said presented healthand safety issues for its members. Thedispute is said to have worsened after ashop steward was suspended, leadingthe union to claim he had been“victimised”. At Heathrow, about 40members of the TGWU walked out at0430, BST, yesterday and had been dueto stay on strike for 48 hours. Thatdispute was suspended last night aftera new pay offer from refuellingcompany AFS was made. After ameeting this morning, the decision wasratified and all future strike action wascalled off. The TGWU said the deal wasworth 11.1% in the first year.

London, Sep 30 — A press report,dated today, states: Baggage handlersat Gatwick airport are staging a second24-hour walkout in a dispute overworkloads which they say are too heavy.Hundreds of Transport and GeneralWorkers Union (TGWU) membersemployed by ground services companyServisair walked out at 0300, BST,today. A strike on Saturday (Sep 25)failed to disrupt flights as travelcompanies drafted in extra staff tohandle baggage. The TGWU announcedon Tuesday (Sep 28) two more 12-hourwalkouts on Oct 6 and 8. MadeleineRichards, TGWU regional industrialorganiser, said while the action is beingescalated, the union is keen to discuss aresolution to the dispute with Servisair,saying: “Servisair was faced by amassive walkout on Saturday, which itdidn’t expect, and a massive cost tobring in three times the number ofmanagers to do the work of the baggagehandlers. It makes little sense to bearthose costs again when it could andshould return to the negotiating tableand resolve this dispute.” Airlinesincluding British Airways and VirginAtlantic use different baggage handlingcompanies and are not affected by thestrike. Servisair is one of four baggagehandling companies at Gatwick,covering more than 20 airlinesincluding Ryanair, Air Malta,Britannia, Thomas Cook, Easyjet, ExcelAirways, Mytravel, Continental andDelta. The company said contingencyplans were in place to minimisedisruption today and customers wouldbe informed of developments.

DRUNK-DRIVING ACCIDENT, NEW HAMPSHIRE, UNITED STATES

London, Sep 27 — A press report,dated today, states: An Essex SuperiorCourt jury has awarded two

25


Labour Disputes/Awards & Settlements

Newburyport families $8.6 million indamages for a drunk-driving accidentthat killed a 16-year-old girl andpermanently injured her boyfriend. Thejury found that the driver, WilliamWhite, who was convicted of vehicularhomicide in April, and Gateway CountryStore of Seabrook, N.H., which sold hisunderage friend beer the day of theaccident, were liable. David and MaryZinck were awarded more than $7million in damages for the death of theirdaughter Trista. Her boyfriend, NeilBornstein, suffered a fractured leg,fractured skull, and brain contusions,and received $1.4 million. An additional$200,000 was awarded to his parentsGateway’s attorney, Stephen Colella,said his clients would appeal the verdict,which was announced Friday (Sep 24).

ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENT, UNITED STATES

London, Sep 26 — A press report,dated Sep 25, states: A NorfolkSuperior Court jury has awarded aMilford driver, paralyzed after her carwas rear-ended by a 78,000-poundtanker truck, a record $9.5 million, thelargest in the state for such an injury.Rhodes, 46, an antiques dealer andpart-time accounting instructor at RegisCollege, was on her way to a Hollistonantique shop on Jan 9, 2002, when aMedway police officer stopped trafficbecause of some work being done alongthe side of Rte. 109. Rhodes’ was theonly car stopped by the officer when a78,000-pound tanker truck loaded withliquid asphalt crested a hill behind her.Rhodes, who is paralyzed from thewaist down, sued the truck driver, CarloZalewski of New Jersey, and thecompany who owned the asphalt, GAFMaterials Corp. The jury made theaward last week. Zalewski’s lawyer,Lawrence Boyle of Boston, said hisclient, who was covered by an insurancepolicy held by GAF, admitted being atfault in the accident. But Boyle saidpolice should have warned driversbetter about the temporary stop.

SUBWAY ACCIDENT, UNITED STATES

London, Sep 24 — A press report,dated yesterday, states: A jury awarded$28.5 million to a former graphic designstudent whose hip was crushed by asubway train when she leaned over topick up a Bible she had dropped ontothe station platform. The jurydeliberated about 2.5 hours lateyesterday before awarding the money toAlice Huang, 21. The verdict included$14.25 million for pain and suffering,and $14.25 million for future medicalcosts and future lost earnings. Transitlawyers had argued Huang caused herown injuries because she put her headin the path of a moving train. Thedefense countered the subwayconductor was supposed to make sureno one was in a position to get hurt.Wallace Gossett, a lawyer for NYCTransit, said the agency will appeal.The accident occurred Dec. 10, 2001, asHuang, then an 18-year-old student atthe School of Visual Arts, dropped herbook as she was leaving a subway trainin Manhattan. When she bent over to

retrieve it, a train began to move out ofthe station, striking Huang in the headand spinning her around. Huang’s leggot caught between a subway car andthe platform, crushing her hip. Huangwas hospitalised for four months andunderwent 16 surgical procedures, saidher lawyer, David J. Dean.

BENALLA, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIASydney, Sep 28 — Investigators are

continuing to search for the cause of thefreight train derailment in Victoria lastweek that forced the closure of the mainSydney-Melbourne line for almost a day.The Pacific National train, which was onits way to Melbourne, derailed about0445, Sep 23, about five kilometres northof Benalla. Four of the rear wagons,which contained cement, came off thetrack but did not spill their contents, aPacific National spokesman said.However, there was a significant amountof damage to the track and ballast.Australian Rail Track Corporation(ARTC) crews worked around the clockto repair the track and services wererestored about 0300, Sep 24. TheAustralian Transport Safety Bureau isinvestigating the incident. There is somespeculation that train derailed when therear wagon hit a soft spot in the trackcaused by recent wet weather. —“Lloyd’s List Daily Commercial News.”

KARANJWADI AREA, INDIASee “India” under “Weather &

Navigation.”

NEWMAN AREA, WESTERNAUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIA

London, Sep 27 — A press report, datedtoday, states: A triple road train carrying90 tonnes of the explosive chemicalammonia nitrate has lost a trailer on theGreat Northern Highway near Newmanin the north of Western Australia. About25 tonnes of the chemical has beenstrewn across the road, blocking traffic.The truck was transporting the chemicalto a mining explosives company when itappears a trailer connection came loosecausing the last car to tip over. KelvinPortland from the Newman VolunteerFire Brigade says steps are being takento ensure the chemical does not ignite.“At the moment we’ve got a localcontractor here who does all the rubbishand he’s gonna have a go with the roadsweeper,” he said.

SAN ANTONIO AREA, TEXAS,UNITED STATES

London, Sep 26 — A press report,dated Sep 25, states: The rear 50 cars ofa freight train detached and rolledbackward for two miles near SanAntonio, smashing into another train, aUnion Pacific spokesman said. TheBurlington Northern Sante Fe andUnion Pacific trains collided about2300, Friday, derailing about 25 carsfrom both trains and spilling magnesium

chloride from one car. There were noreported injuries and no one wasevacuated from their homes. UnionPacific spokesman John Bromley saidunlawful riders on the eastboundBurlington Northern Sante Fe train mayhave pulled a brake lever, detaching thecars that hit the Union Pacific train.Magnesium chloride is neitherflammable nor toxic, said Randy Jenkins,district chief of the San Antonio FireDepartment. Trespassers are common ontrains, Bromley said, and regular ridersknow how to stop a train. “It’s rarethey’re looking to harm anyone oranything,” Bromley said. “I think theyjust wanted to get off.” It’s the city’s thirdtrain derailment this year. This is thesecond time this year Union Pacific andBurlington Northern Santa Fe trainshave collided in the area. Previously, aUnion Pacific train derailed near thelocation of Friday night’s derailment.

SHELBY AREA, MONTANA, UNITED STATES

London, Sep 28 — A press report,dated Sep 27, states: Forty-two cars of a109-car grain train derailed today aboutsix miles south of Shelby, spilling tonsof wheat along the tracks but injuringno one. Burlington Northern Santa Fespokesman Gus Melonas said thederailment just north of the MariasRiver may have spilled as much as5,000 tons of grain. He said each carwas loaded with 120 tons of wheat. Thebattered cars lay scattered upside downor on their sides, some of them restingin an accordion pattern. He saidrailroad investigators have notdetermined cause. Clean-up crewstotalling about 60 workers, fromBillings, Havre and Gillette, Wyo., wereusing special equipment and vacuummachines to clean up the grain, whilehuge tractors with side booms movedthe cars off the tracks for salvage.Melonas said the line, from Laurel toShelby and on to Sweet Grass, might becleared and reopened by this afternoon.‘’We expect the majority of the cars willbe cut up and scrapped on site over thenext few weeks,’’ he said. The railroadhopes to salvage as much of the grainas possible for milling, although spilledgrain sometimes has to be downgradedand sold as feed. The train wastravelling from Selby to Kalama, Wash.

DIAMONDS, PARIS, FRANCELondon, Sep 28 — A press report,

dated today, states: Thieves stole twodiamonds worth more than $14.2million from a display case at a Parisantique show near the Louvreyesterday, police said. The mid-afternoon theft occurred at the 22nd“Antiquary’s Biennial” trade show atthe Carrousel du Louvre after a workerstepped away for a break, police said.The stand was operated by Swiss

26


Awards & Settlements/Railway Accidents/Robberies & Thefts

watchmaker and jeweller Chopard,show organisers said. The suspectsmade off with a 47-carat white diamondworth $7.4 million and a 15.74-caratblue diamond valued at $6.8 million,police said. An initial policeinvestigation found no alarm system orsurveillance cameras at the displaywindow. There was no sign of a break-in, police said. “It happened in a fewseconds, surely. The two stonesdisappeared,” show president ChristianDeydier told reporters. “Everything isin the hands of the police.”

AIRLINE CHECK-IN FAULTFrankfurt, Sep 23 — Lufthansa had to

cancel about 60 European flights, andits services around the world weredelayed following a computer fault inits check-in system today, the Germanairline said. The company’s Staralliance partners — Britain’s bmi,Poland’s LOT and Austrian Airlines —were also affected by the problem withthe Unisys computer system, Star said.The flight cancellations affected about6,000 passengers, while short-haul andlong-haul departures were delayed byup to two hours, Lufthansa said. Somefreight normally carried by plane had tobe moved by truck. Lufthansa said thecheck-in system was up and runningagain by 1030, UTC, but added thatdelays were continuing. The airline saidit hoped services would return tonormal towards the end of the day. AtBerlin’s Tegel airport there were longqueues as clerks had to handwritetickets and tell passengers there was noassigned seating. A Lufthansa clerksaid the problem was not caused by avirus but by the launch of a newcomputer programme overnight, whichbrought the system down. Aspokeswoman for bmi, which uses thesame check-in computer system, saidthe airline’s network also suffereddelays, though bmi had not cancelledany flights. An Austrian Airlinesspokesman said it too had nocancellations, although there were somedelays. The problem also affectedLufthansa’s regional airlines, includingEurowings and Air Dolomiti. Unisys’sGerman subsidiary confirmed thatLufthansa uses its computer system forcheck-in operations but declined tocomment further. — Reuters.

COLLAPSE OF BUILDING UNDERCONSTRUCTION, DUBAI AIRPORT,UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

London, Sep 27 — A press report,dated today, states: A wall on a huge

construction site at Dubai airport hascollapsed causing many casualties, theofficial United Arab Emirates newsagency says. Officials said at least 10people have been taken to hospital andrescue teams were searching for morevictims. Dubai is currently undergoing a$4.1 expansion programme. The accidentoccurred in the new third terminalwhich is due to open for passengers in2005. It happened at 1100 hrs (0700,UTC) according to building workers atthe airport. The reason for the collapsewas not immediately known.

OUTBREAK OF “BIRD FLU”London, Sep 27 — A press report, dated

today, states: Thailand has confirmed acase of human “bird flu” which hassparked fears of possible human tohuman transmission. The victim’s sisterand niece died from suspected “bird flu”earlier this month, but the Thaigovernment said the 32-year-old womanhad been in contact with dead birds, andthere was no evidence she caught thedisease from relatives. At least ninepeople have died from bird flu inThailand so far this year, but all arethought to have contracted the diseasefrom poultry. The latest victim, namedas Pranom Thongchan, is the secondconfirmed case since the latest outbreakbegan in July. She is reported to berecovering in hospital. Six nations in theAsian region have reported outbreaks ofbird flu in their poultry population sinceJuly, and more than 100 million birdshave been culled this year in an attemptto stem the disease.

London, Sep 30 — A press report,dated today, states: Thailand’s PrimeMinister Thaksin Shinawatra yesterdaydeclared war on bird flu with a one-month deadline for authorities to wipeout the epidemic. Mr Thaksindemanded joint efforts from provincialgovernors and the Public Health andAgriculture and Cooperatives ministriesto put an end to the second outbreak ofavian influenza by the end of nextmonth. “I have 31 days (for you) tostamp out bird flu, from Oct 1 to Oct31,’’ he told a meeting of provincialgovernors in Bangkok. “Bird flu is ourcommon enemy and needs to bedestroyed.’’ Provincial officials wouldcheck every household in their areas forsigns of the virus. If they found sickchickens, they could destroy themimmediately without waiting for testresults. Existing disease controlmeasures would be strengthenedbecause governors could ask for helpfrom every unit in their areas, saidYukol Limlamthong, chief of theLivestock Development Department. MrYukol denied that existing diseasecontrol measures in which an increasein unusual chicken deaths is used as anindex to detect the virus had failed tocontrol the disease. However, he saidsmall chicken-raising ventures mayhave eluded the system, adding morecooperation was needed to improvesurveillance. Concerns about thedisease overshadowed the meetingaimed at improving the efficiency ofprovincial governors, after reports thatthe virus may have jumped from onehuman to another. Pranee Thongchan

died of bird flu on Sep 20, after caringfor her ill daughter, SakuntalaPrempasee, suspected of having caughtthe same disease after staying in birdflu-stricken areas in Kamphaeng Phet.Pranee and her daughter are now dead.The health ministry confirms bothcaught the virus that re-emerged inJuly. A third person confirmed ashaving the virus is Mrs Pranom,Pranee’s elder sister. Mrs Pranom’scondition was improving at KamphaengPhet Hospital yesterday. Her four-year-old son, Kittipong, also suspected ofhaving bird flu, was dischargedyesterday. At a meeting of the nationalcommittee taking on bird flu at thePublic Health Ministry, Deputy PrimeMinister Chaturon Chaisaeng criticisedthe host ministry and the Agricultureand Cooperatives Ministry for theirinability to curb the problem. However,officials from the LivestockDevelopment Department saidbureaucratic reform was the realculprit, as it had left the agencyunderstaffed with only 4,000 officialsworking across the country. A plan torelaunch a chicken-eating campaignwas proposed during the meeting toboost consumer confidence but MrChaturon turned down the idea, sayingthe timing was not right.

COTTON MILL, SINDH PROVINCE,PAKISTAN

Karachi, Sep 27 — About 30,000maunds of cotton were destroyed whenthe huge fire broke out in a privatelyowned Cotton mills-Sakhi Jam Dattarginning factory on the Nawabshah-SixtyMiles road in Sindh Province of Pakistanon Saturday (Sep 25). Dr Dayaram, thenephew of the factory owner informedlocal media that the cotton stock valuedat Rs20 million. The fire brigades ofdifferent stations of Sindh took eighthours to extinguish the fire. The cause ofthe fire could not be ascertained. —Lloyd’s List Correspondent

DAIRY, FORT WAYNE AREA,INDIANA, UNITED STATES

London, Sep 28 — A press report,dated Sep 25, states: A fire at a family-owned dairy farm in northeasternIndiana killed 27 cows and caused $1.5million damage. The fire, yesterday,destroyed an 11,500-square-foot barnand milking operation at Herr DairyFarm about 30 miles north of FortWayne. Ten other cows were badlyinjured, said Dennis Herr, who co-ownsthe farm of about 430 cows. KendallvilleFire Chief Mike Riehm said the causehad not been determined as ofyesterday evening.

FACTORY, GORT, COUNTYGALWAY, REPUBLIC OF IRELAND

London, Sep 27 — A press report,dated today, states: Managers at a meat

Miscellaneous

Computer Systems

27


Robberies & Thefts/Computer Systems/Miscellaneous/Fires & Explosions

plant in Gort in County Galway saythere may be some temporary lay-offsafter fire destroyed a pork boning halland some offices. Firefighters fromGalway and Clare fought for threehours to bring the blaze at Duffy’s MeatPlant under control and managed tosave the main killing and boningsection. The plant employs 140 people.The blaze broke out at 0700 hrs thismorning and the alarm was raised byworkers who escaped unharmed. Thecause of the fire is as yet unknown.

FACTORY, LAVAL, QUEBEC,CANADA

London, Sep 27 — A report fromLaSalle, PQ, states: A press report,dated Sep 26, states: It took firefightersalmost 12 hours yesterday to control amajor fire that broke out in a Lavalindustrial park in the early morning.The five-alarm blaze in the Chomedeydistrict ignited at 0406 hrs when a pieceof machinery malfunctioned at theDynapak plant. The companymanufactures styrofoam meat trays.Four employees managed to escapewithout injury, said Laval policespokesperson Constable GuyLajeunesse. Plumes of thick blacksmoke filled the air for hours butLajeunesse said frequent monitoring ofthe air quality showed it was not ahealth hazard. The blaze has been ruledaccidental and there are no estimatesyet about damage.

FARM, PLEASANT HILL, MIAMICOUNTY, UNITED STATES

London, Sep 24 — A press report,dated Sep 23, states: A fire in MiamiCounty near Pleasant Hill destroyedthree buildings on a farm and heavilydamaged a garage on the property. Thefire broke out in the 9100 block ofHorseshoe Bend Road late thisafternoon. Two large barns, and a horsestable were destroyed, a fourthbuilding, a garage was also damaged.Firefighters from about a half dozendepartments from Miami and Darkecounties, along with the northernMiami Valley Chapter of the AmericanRed Cross responded to the blaze. Fireinvestigators said farm equipment andfreshly bailed hay were destroyed andseveral horses are escaped the firewithout injury. The cause of the fireremains under investigation.

FOREST, INDONESIALondon, Sep 26 — A press report,

dated today, states: Choking haze fromforest and ground fires blanketed SouthKalimantan yesterday, forcing residentsto wear face masks and causing flightdelays, an official said. Since Monday(Sep 20), residents in the town ofBanjarmasin in South Kalimantanprovince have been urged to wear facemasks while going out, said Hari Yudo,an airport spokesman. “The haze beganto thicken this week. The localgovernment distributed masks but dueto limited availability, not all residentshave received them. Therefore, they areurged to stay home and not to go outunless necessary.” Close to noon,visibility was reduced to a mere 700metres, Yudo said. The haze, believed to

have been caused by residents whocleared land by setting fire, had forcedthe daily delays of two morning flightssince Monday, he said. “This is aproblem because it is a tradition that ishard to eradicate,” Yudo said, addingsome residents had complained ofbreathing and eye problems. Sumatraand Kalimantan are the areas usuallyhardest hit by the haze, an annual dry-season hazard in parts of SoutheastAsia. Officials have blamed the haze onillegal land clearing by small farmersand large plantation firms ahead of theplanting season. Air pollution is costingIndonesia 400 million dollars a year, afigure which could increase tenfold by2010 unless remedial steps are taken,the Asian Development Bank said thismonth.

FOREST, SPAINLondon, Sep 27 — A press report,

dated Sep 26, states: Firefighters had toevacuate some 400 people, including 40trapped in a church while attendingSunday mass, as they battled a forestfire near the eastern Spanish city ofGerona, local government officials said.Firefighters had still to bring the fireunder control this evening after helpingto safety people worshipping at theSanta Caterina chapel near the villageof Montgri. Residents of several villagesaround the small municipality ofBellcaire were also evacuated as aprecaution, their homes near to themountainside at Sobrestany, where theblaze broke out.

LUXURY HOMES, CROOKSTON,GLASGOW, SCOTLAND

London, Sep 28 — A press report,dated Sep 26, states: Eight luxurymansions worth over £2million wereburned to the ground in a mystery blazelast night. The unoccupied homes,which cost up to £300,000 each, wereunder construction in a PersimmonHomes development in Crookston,Glasgow. Most of the houses hadalready been sold. The exclusiveLaurels estate area was gutted by theblaze before firefighters were able tostop it spreading further. Police and fireinvestigators will today examine thedebris. A Strathclyde Fire Brigadespokesman said it was too early tocomment on the cause.

MOTORWAY SERVICE STATION,GREATER MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM

London, Sep 29 — A press report,dated Sep 28, states: A man started amajor fire at a service station afterlosing £200 on a slot machine, a courthas heard. The fire at the Moto Birchservices on the M62 in GreaterManchester caused damage costingabout £7m. Jason New, 31, of FoxdaleAvenue, Blackpool, admitted startingthe blaze in October last year. MinshullStreet Crown Court was told that Newset fire to the one-armed bandit with adisposable lighter. He will be sentencedon Nov 16. Andrew O’Byrne,prosecuting, told the court that New, ofFoxdale Avenue, Blackpool, had lost£200 on the machine and became“angry and aggrieved” . He was seen

going to the shop to buy a lighter andhead back to the area where the gamesmachine was. He then set fire to it. Thefire destroyed the services’ shoppingand restaurant areas and took 74firefighters from 13 stations acrossGreater Manchester to get it undercontrol. Temporary facilities are stillbeing used at the services following thefire, although a new complex isplanned.

POWER PLANT, WU’AN CITY,CHINA

London, Sep 24 — A press report,dated today, states: Thirteen peoplewere killed in an explosion at a powerplant in Wu’an city, in northern China’sHebei Province, when the facilitystarted trial operation. The blastyesterday afternoon also injured anumber of people, Xinhua news agencyreported, citing sources from the Hebeiprovincial safety authority. The reportdid not specify the type of power plantaffected. The cause of the accident isunder investigation.

PREMISES, QUEANBEYAN, NEW SOUTH WALES, AUSTRALIA

London, Sep 28 — A press report,dated today, states: A man sufferedcritical burns to his entire body andtwo people remain unaccounted forafter a possible gas explosion in theNew South Wales/Australian CapitalTerritory border town of Queanbeyan.ACT emergency services commissionerPeter Dunn said the explosion occurredat 0845, AEST, today in a doublestorey block of 16 f lats, severelydamaging two units. He said a manreceived horrific burns to his bodywhile two residents were yet to beaccounted for but it was possible theyhad not been at home. Mr Dunn saidanother four people received minorinjuries and were treated at the scene,in Carter Street. “We think it ’s avapour explosion, possibly gas,” he toldthe John Laws radio show. NSWAmbulance commander Denis Bevansaid the injured man had receivedburns to 100% of his body and wouldbe transferred to Sydney. “The wholefront of the building is missing,” headded. An ACT emergency servicesspokesman said the Australian FederalPolice bomb squad had been called tothe scene but a NSW police spokesmansaid there was no suggestion the blasthad been a terrorist attack. Emergencyservices have sealed off the blastscene. Mr Dunn said ACT emergencyservices had worked in cooperationwith NSW at the request of NSWauthorities.

SCHOOL, CAMBRIDGE,CAMBRIDGESHIRE, UNITED KINGDOM

London, Sep 27 — A press report,dated today, states: A primary schoolhas suffered damage during anovernight fire. More than 100firefighters took eight hours to bringthe flames under control at MayfieldPrimary School in Warwick Road,Cambridge, yesterday. Surroundingroads were cordoned off and residentswarned to stay indoors after the fire

28


Fires & Explosions

started just before 2030, BST. Most ofthe school building was saved. Thecause of the fire is now beinginvestigated, and forensic officers arecarrying out an examination. LawrieBooth, deputy chief fire officer ofCambridgeshire said: “Firefightersmanaged to contain the spread of thefire at the school hall, which preventedthe whole of the school beingdestroyed”.

SCHOOL, HARUNDALE,MARYLAND, UNITED STATES

London, Sep 30 — A press report,dated Sep 28, states: Anne ArundelCounty firefighters said flames wereshooting through the roof when they gotto the scene of a two-alarm fire at anelementary school on Marley StationRoad early this morning. Firefighterswere called to Marley ElementarySchool shortly before 0300 hrs, today.Fire investigators said the fire wasdeliberately set and police have thepeople in custody. The school’s kitchenand roof suffered the most damage, butfire officials said up to nine separatefires set around the building causedextensive smoke damage. It took nearly60 firefighters about an hour to controlthe flames. Damage is expected toexceed $1Ω million. One firefighter wasinjured. Before a motorist reported thefire, police were already investigating acomplaint about people throwingflammable liquid at cars. Officersarrested two 17-year-olds. They werecharged with second-degree arson anddestruction of property, breaking andentering and making false statement toa police officer.

WILDFIRE, UNITED STATESLondon, Sep 24 — A press report,

dated Sep 23, states: Californiafirefighters are making progress on a400-plus acre fire in the Los PadresNational Forest, in South MontereyCounty. Officials say the fire is notthreatening any homes at this time.But it has charred some trees andbrush along a road about 20 miles westof King City. The fire started last nightand is about 25 per cent contained.

ACCIDENT, ELIZOVO AIRPORT,RUSSIA

London, Sep 23 — A press report,dated today, states: A Tu-154 aircraftbound for Vladivistok damaged its wingas it was taxing for takeoff at Elizovoairport, in Kamchatka, Sep 19.According to the Emergency SituationsMinistry’s Far East region branch, aleakage of kerosene occurred because ofthe damaged fuel tank, but ignition wasavoided. There were 94 passengersaboard the Sibir company’s airplaneheading for Novosibirsk No one wasinjured. The cause of the incident isbeing investigated.

CANCELLATION OF FLIGHTSSee “Airline Check-in Fault” under

“Computer Systems.”

CRASH, AUSTIN AREA, TEXAS,UNITED STATES

London, Sep 24 — A press report,dated yesterday, states: Two people diedtoday when a twin-engine aircraftcrashed and burned about ten mileswest of Austin, Texas. Emergencyofficials say one person survived, butwas critically injured. He has beentaken to an Austin hospital. Officialsare not sure if that person was the pilotor one of the passengers. The FederalAviation Administration reports theaircraft was bound for LakewayAirpark. FAA spokesman John Clabessays the pilot had radioed about havingengine problems. Clabes says theCessna 421C was owned by a companybased in Ingram, which is about 90miles south-west of Austin. Clabes saysthe aircraft was inbound from AngelFire, New Mexico.

CRASH, HANOVER AREA,INDIANA, UNITED STATES

London, Sep 27 — A press report,dated Sep 26, states: Two people wereinjured after a small plane crashed lastnight in southern Indiana south ofHanover. The Jefferson County, IndianaSheriff ’s Department says the crashoccurred just after the plane took offfrom a private air field. It lost altitudefor an unknown reason, and crashednear the 7000 block of South RiverBottom Road. The two injured peoplewere removed from the plane and takento University of Louisville Hospitalwith injuries. Their names were notreleased. Officials with the FederalAviation Administration and theNational Transportation Safety Boardwere investigating the scene.

CRASH, PETER PRINCE AIRPORT,MILTON, FLORIDA, UNITED STATES

London, Sep 24 — A Cessna 182(Skylane), while on a flight from PeterPrince Airport, with four persons onboard, crashed about a quarter of a milewest of the airport, at 1512, UTC, Sep23. The aircraft caught fire. All fourpersons on board were killed.

CRASH, PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA

London, Sep 29 — A press report,dated Sep 28, states: A report fromPretoria states: An aviation student atthe airforce’s central flying school, whowas earlier allowed to continue histraining despite failing numerousexams, damaged a training aircraft inan accident at the school today. Thestudent is unscathed, but apparentlythe Astra training aircraft ’sundercarriage and nose-wheel havebeen ripped off, the propeller is stuck inthe ground, and one wing is damaged.Beeld has learnt the student was one ofthose who was involved in a high-levelinvestigation into racism earlier thisyear after instructors said he wouldnever be able to qualify as a pilot. Thepolicy is that during training, if astudent fails an exam as well as a

supplementary exam, he or she is takenoff the course automatically. In the caseof this student, he failed both exams,but higher authorities felt he wouldbenefit from 40 additional hours oftraining. After completing the 40 hours,he attained 46%, but needed 60% topass. Higher authorities did not acceptthe results, and the student wasallowed to continue. This morning, thestudent apparently made exactly thesame landing mistake as before. Hepulled up the air brake while he wassupposed to take off again directly afterlanding. A crosswind aggravated theproblem, and the aircraft ended upmaking a crash landing. Experts saidtoday that it is only a question of timebefore people died because ofincompetence. Lieutenant RonaldMaseko, an air force spokesperson, saidthis afternoon a board of investigatorshad been set up after the accident.According to him the aircraft had only“light” damage.

EMERGENCY LANDING,BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA

London, Sep 24 — A press report,dated today, states: Fatigue crackinghad caused engine failure in an AirNew Zealand aircraft which was forcedto make an emergency landing atBrisbane airport December 8 2002, aninvestigation has found. The Boeing 767had taken off from Brisbane forAuckland with about 200 people aboardwhen the pilot reported the failure ofone of its two engines. The pilotreturned to Brisbane and landed safelyon one engine, although one of theaircraft’s wings had been damaged bydebris from the damaged engine. TheAustralian Transport Safety Bureau(ATSB) said fatigue cracking in theblade slots of a high-pressure turbinedisk led directly to the uncontainedfailure of the left engine of the aircraft.Its report said a large segment of theturbine disk punctured the enginecasing and nacelle, before striking theengine pylon and an adjacent panel onthe leading edge of the wing. The ATSBsaid while the reasons for the diskcracking were not conclusivelyestablished, the engine manufacturer,General Electric, had implementedchanges to the disk manufacturing andrepair processes and had revised theinspection requirements for the disksfitted to the affected engine model. Thechanges had since been mandated byboth the US Federal AviationAdministration and the AustralianCivil Aviation Safety Authority, theATSB said.

EMERGENCY LANDING, INDIRA GANDHI INTERNATIONALAIRPORT, INDIA

London, Sep 24 — A press report,dated yesterday, states: A Thai Airwaysflight made an emergency landing atthe Indira Gandhi International airporthere after it developed a technical fault,airport officials said today. The Delhi-Bangkok fight, with 324 peopleincluding crew members on board,made an emergency landing aroundmidnight after its nose-wheel becameloose. The aircraft developed another

29

© Lloyd’s Marine Intelligence Unit 2004 These reports may not be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photographic, recorded or otherise without the prior written permission of the publisher.

Fires & Explosions/Aviation

technical snag later, forcing it to abortits return flight to Bangkok early today,the officials said. Airport authoritiesreceived a wireless message from thepilot regarding the failure of the nose-wheel and declared an emergency at2226, yesterday. For over two hours, thetake off and landing of other aircraftwas suspended. The aircraft landedsafely at the international airport’smain runaway and all its passengerswere taken away from the aircraft. Itwas then taken to an isolated bay forrepairs. The officials said the airlinerdeveloped another technical snag whenit was taxiing for its return flight toBangkok early today.

EMERGENCY LANDING, LONDON (STANSTED) AIRPORT,UNITED KINGDOM

London, Sep 27 — A press report,dated today, states: A search of anOlympic Airways passenger aircraftthat made an emergency landing inLondon after a bomb scare has turnedup no evidence of a threat, police saidlate yesterday. The search wouldpossibly continue through the night,police added. The 293 passengers onboard the New York-bound aircraft werebeing put up in hotels and couldprobably continue on their way to theUnited States today. Questioning ofpassengers and eight crew membershad revealed no details about thebackground of the bomb threat, whichwas apparently transmitted through anAthens-based newspaper. The flight leftAthens bound for New York but madean emergency landing at Stanstedairport yesterday, escorted by Britishmilitary aircraft after the pilot calledfor assistance. The Greek TransportMinistry in Athens said the bombthreat was sent to the Athens dailynewspaper “Ethnos,” just as the Airbuswas in French airspace and headingover the English Channel. The Olympicpilot was informed at that point of thethreat.

EMERGENCY LANDING, SHANNONAIRPORT, REPUBLIC OF IRELAND

London, Sep 29 — A New York-boundOlympic Airways flight diverted toIreland because of a bomb alert hasresumed its journey. The Airbus A340,with 295 passengers on board, took offfrom Shannon Airport after a policesearch found nothing suspicious onboard. The passengers had been takenoff the aircraft and subjected to securitychecks by Irish police. An Athensnewspaper received warning of a bombon board, the airline said — the secondsuch incident in three days. Greekofficials have said the incident is an“absolute carbon copy” of an incident onSunday (Sep 26). Then, Olympic AirlinesFlight 411 landed at Stansted in the UKafter a bomb alert. The second aircraft,with a crew of 12, took off from Athensat 1013, UTC, Olympic Airlines’ MelinaPitta said. “There was a call to a localnewspaper around 1245, UTC, saying abomb on the aircraft would explode in anhour,” she added. The airlinespokeswoman said US authorities hadrefused permission for the aircraft toland at New York’s JFK airport.

FLIGHTS DIVERTED/DELAYED,MELBOURNE AIRPORT,AUSTRALIA

London, Sep 29 — A press report,dated today, states: Flights have beendiverted from Melbourne Airport for thesecond day in a row because of thick fogblanketing the runway. An airportspokeswoman said so far twointernational flights had been divertedbecause of the lack of visibility. “Fog isimpacting on operations, but it’s not asthick as yesterday,” she said. “Therehave been two international diversions,yesterday there were seven, and we arehoping it will clear up soon.” An AirChina flight due in at 0635, AEST, anda Qantas flight from Los Angeles due inat 0800, AEST, were both diverted toSydney. The spokeswoman said thedecision on whether or not to divert wasleft to the pilot of the aircraft.

N16849London, Sep 27 — A press report,

dated today, states: Wind up to 60 mphprevented helicopters from loweringrescue workers to the wreckage of atour helicopter that crashed in aremote mountainous area of Kauai.County officials said the military wasasked for a more powerful helicopter sothat another attempt could be madetoday to reach the Bell 206B helicopterthat crashed Friday (Sep 24) with fivepeople on board. “This wreckage islocated at about 2,700 feet on about a60-degree slope,” f ire departmentbattalion chief Bob Kaden saidyesterday. Officials said they did notknow whether there were survivors,but said the aircraft burst into flamesafter crashing into a ridge. On boardwere the pilot, a 36-year-old man, a 30-year-old woman and a German couple,officials said. Their names have notbeen released. The helicopter, whichbelonged to Bali Hai Helicopter Tours,was reported missing Friday afterfailing to return from a tour on time,officials said. A crew on a Coast Guardhelicopter spotted the crash siteSaturday. The pilot formerly flew withIndia’s air force and had flown tours fortwo months, said Coast Guard Lt.Danny Shaw. The helicopter was about26 years old, according to the NationalTransportation Safety Board.

London, Sep 27 — Bell 206B, N16849,operated by Bali Hai Helicopter ToursInc., crashed into mountainous terrainand was destroyed 8 miles west ofLihue, Port Allen, Hawaii, Sep 24. Fivepersons on board were fatally injured.


dated Sep 26, states: Two peoplesuffered minor injuries after their planecrashed into a fence along Interstate 85last night. The single-engine Cessnacame down shortly after 2230 hrs, nearexit 40. It came to rest on top of a fencebetween the interstate and a frontageroad. Fire Chief J.T. Tingen said thepilot told him the plane ran out of fuel.Officials said the plane belonged to anUpstate church, but could notimmediately confirm which church. Thepilot and a passenger were treated forminor injuries. The Federal Aviation

Administration and the NationalTransportation Safety Board areinvestigating the crash.

London, Sep 27 — Cessna 177,N29650, privately operated, reportedlow fuel and landed on a road atGreenville, South Carolina at 0053, Sep25. Damage was substantial.

N497AELondon, Sep 29 — Eurocopter AS 350

B3, N497AE, operated by EnchantmentAviation Inc., while repositioning onhelipad at the medical centre, lost tailrotor capability, spun and landed on it’sside at Las Cruces, New Mexico, at0543, Sep 28. The aircraft wasdestroyed and the one person on boardreceived minor injuries.

N57003London, Sep 23 — Boeing A75N1,

N57003, operated by F. & F. AviationServices Inc, with two persons on board,crashed into a house at 495 BayportAvenue, Bayport, New York, just southof Bayport Aerodrome, at 2040, UTC,Sep 22. The aircraft sustainedsubstantial damage, unknown ifpersons on board were injured. Damageto the house unknown and no groundinjuries reported.

N6522TLondon, Sep 23 — A press report,

dated today, states: An aircraft withseven people on board crashed thismorning at Hallo Bay, on the mainlandwest of Afognak Island, the CoastGuard reported. Spokesman RogerWetherell said four people were knownto be injured. The condition of the threeothers was not immediately known, hesaid. A Coast Guard helicopter was enroute and expected on scene at noon.Hallo Bay is 75 miles northwest of thecity of Kodiak. The aircraft may havebeen a float plane, Wetherell said. Itwas reported to be partially on land andpartially in water. A witness used amaritime distress channel to report thecrash.

London, Sep 24 — Britten-NormanBN-2A (Islander), N6522T, operated byHomer Air Inc, while on a taxi flightfrom Homer, Alaska, to Hallo Bay,Alaska, with seven persons on board,crashed on a beach in the vicinity ofHallo Bay, at 1905, UTC, Sep 23. One ofthe passengers suffered serious injuriesand three others suffered minorinjuries.


dated today, states: A pilot walked awayuninjured after crashing his single-engine plane in an open field in westernOhio, the State Highway Patrol said.Ryan Bailey, 22, of Richmond, Ind., washeading to Moraine Airpark just southof Dayton when he began experiencingengine trouble and crashed in the fieldyesterday, Trooper Bryan Cooksaid.Bailey attempted to land at WrightBrothers Airport but crashed about onehalf mile from Springboro, which isabout 15 miles south of Dayton. Baileywas the only person on board. Baileytold police that he had spent the daypracticing how to land the plane, said

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Aviation

Sgt. Lisa Walsh of the Springboro PoliceDepartment. The Federal AviationAdministration and the patrol areinvestigating.

London, Sep 27 — Cessna C152,N67520, privarely operated, landed in afield and became inverted atSpringboro, Ohio, at 2228, Sep 26.Minor damage.

N70953London, Sep 28 — Cessna U206,

N70953, departed Crooked Lake,Ontario, for a five-minute flight toEntwine Lake. During the initial climb,at approximately 800 feet, the enginebegan to lose power and the aircraftwould not maintain altitude. The pilotelected to force-land the aircraft in anearby unnamed lake. The lake was toosmall for a normal landing and the pilotditched the aircraft into the water at0914, Sep 26. The pilot and and twopassengers deplaned with minorinjuries and swam ashore shortly beforethe aircraft sank. The three occupantswalked through the bush back to thecampsite at Crooked lake, where theywere picked up the next day and takento a hospital.

N750RWLondon, Sep 27 — A press report,

dated today, states: Two men aboard asmall plane that crashed during an airfestival in Fullerton, California, overthe weekend remain in criticalcondition. Authorities say JayYoshinaga and Anthony Albanese arebeing treated at the U-C Irvine MedicalCentre. Their plane crashed almostimmediately after taking off from theFullerton Municipal Airport onSaturday (Sep 25). It missed the control

tower and slammed into a parked car inwhich two women were sitting. Theplane broke apart on impact anderupted in flames. The women were notseriously hurt.

London, Sep 27 — Bushmaster 2000,N750RW, departed runway 24 west oftaxiway charlie, pulled up to climb toavoid ramp personnel, and crashed intoa vehicle south of tower onto avenue atFullerton, California, at 2018, Sep 25.,The aircraft was destroyed.

CANADASee under “Labour Disputes.”

INDIAKochi, Sep 30 — Container movement

at Kochi Port will be paralysed for twodays due to the mechanical breakdownof the port’s equipment/crane. It isreported that repairs to the cranes andother equipment are being carried outand operations are expected to return tonormal by the weekend. — Lloyd’sAgents.

SYRIALattakia, Sep 25 — Waiting time is

presently 24 hours at Lattakia and fivedays at Tartous. — Lloyd’s Sub-agents.

UNITED STATESLondon, Sep 23 — A press report,

dated today, states: Transpacificcontainer lines said port congestion and

the inland gridlock in America arehurting their costs and transit times, asthe Transpacific StabilizationAgreement said today it will extend its$400-per-40-foot-box peak seasonsurcharge by a month for all-waterservices from Asia to the U.S. EastCoast. The peak season surcharge,applied on a voluntary basis by TSAcarriers, will be extended until Nov 30,TSA said. After a meeting of carrierchief executive officers to assessmarket, operational and infrastructureconditions in the Asia/U.S. freightmarket, the TSA group noted concernsover the rising cost of maintainingservice levels and schedule reliability inlight of port and inland supply chaincongestion. The TSA estimates carriers’costs will increase “10 percent or more”in 2005 when compared to this year.“Member lines and their customers aregrappling with transit time delays ofeight to nine days that are largelybeyond their control, and infrastructuregridlock that will easily take more thana year to fix,” said Brian M. Conrad,deputy executive director of TSA.“Carriers are forced to skip port calls,shift priority cargo to other sailings,burn more fuel to make up scheduletime and incur added trucking costs byusing alternative U.S. gateways,among other strategies,” he added.These extra costs are combined withthe long-term increases in equipment,charter, feeder service, rail, truck,cargo handling, information systems,administrative and capital costs, TSAsaid. “This is a critical problem for ourindustry and one that carriers will beevaluating in coming months,” Conradsaid. TSA carriers plan to meet in lateOctober to further review the situation.

t

31


Aviation/Port Conditions

Port Delays

Country/Port Date of report No.of vessels waiting and/or days delay

Australia Abbot Point 27-Sep-2004 Coal: 1 vessel berthed; 6 vessels due by 20/10; no delays expected. There will be a

maintenance shutdown from 07.00 hrs. 4/10 to 07.00 hrs. 10/10.Brisbane 27-Sep-2004 Coal: Fisherman Island coal berth: 3 vessels due by 1/11; no delays expected.Dalrymple Bay 27-Sep-2004 Coal: 3 vessels berthed, 21 anchored; 42 vessels due by 26/12; vessels berthing in order of

cargo availability; 1-15 days delay subject to cargo availability and berth congestion can be expected, although vessels with other stems are experiencing longer berthing delays.

Dampier 27-Sep-2004 Iron ore: Parker Point: 1 vessel berthed and loading, 4 anchored; 9 vessels due by 26/10; up to 9 days delay expected due to berth congestion and cargo availability; East Intercourse Island: 1 vessel berthed and loading, 6 anchored; 8 vessels due by 12/10; up to 10 days delay expected due to berth congestion and cargo availability; shippers will always consider a shift to a lay-by berth for loaded vessels awaiting HW; cargo shortages are evident, delays are anticipated and vessels may berth out of turn.

Gladstone 27-Sep-2004 Coal: R.G. Tanna coal terminal: 2 vessels berthed, 1 anchored; 37 vessels due by 18/10; up to 9 days delay expected subject to port congestion and cargo availability; Barney Point: 4 vessels due by 4/11; up to 1 day’s berthing delay expected subject to cargo availability and berth congestion. There will be a maintenance shutdown from 06.00 hrs. 19/10 to 18.00 hrs.

Hay Point 27-Sep-2004 Coal: 2 vessels berthed, 10 anchored; 11 vessels due by 7/10; 1-9 days berthing delay expected subject to cargo availability and berth congestion.

Newcastle 27-Sep-2004 Coal: Kooragang 4, 5 and 6: 33 vessels due by 15/10; Dykes 4+5: 21 vessels due by 13/10; 3 unallocated vessels due by 11/10; 1-6 days delay expected prior to berthing due to planned maintenance at Kooragang terminal and cargo receival.

Port Hedland 27-Sep-2004 Iron ore: BHP Iron Ore Pty. Ltd., Mt. Newman (Nelson Point), “A” berth: 1 vessel berthed and loading; 7 vessels due by 6/10; 2-11 days delay expected due to berth congestion and

cargo availability; shiploader No. 2 will undergo maintenance from ca. 30/9 to 23.59 hrs. 1/10 “B” berth: 1 vessel berthed and loading, 6 vessels anchored; 3 vessels due by 6/10; up to 11 days delay expected due to berth congestion and cargo availability; BHP Iron Ore Pty. Ltd., Goldsworthy (Finucane Island) “C” berth: 3 vessels due by 12/10; up to 3 days delay expected due to berth congestion and cargo availability; Westyard “D” berth: 1 vessel berthed and loading, 4 anchored; 3 vessels due by 6/10; 2-7 days delay expected due to berth congestion, maintenance shutdown and cargo availability. Due to heavy demand for product, acute cargo shortages are being experienced at wharf stockpiles. Vessels will continue to berth as product becomes available.

Port Kembla 27-Sep-2004 Coal: 15 vessels due by 28/10; CB1: 1 vessel due 25/9; up to 4 days delay expected due to berth congestion and cargo availability.

Port Walcott 27-Sep-2004 Iron ore: 2 vessels berthed and loading, 5 anchored; 14 vessels due by 22/10; 1-4 days delay expected due to berth congestion and cargo availability; as a result of a heavy schedule for July and maintenance requirements, it is extremely likely that vessels will berth out of order. In the next few days there will only be one lump re-screening plant available, which will mean not being able to load two lump vessels at the same time. Shippers advise that stores, air freight and crew baggage can no longer be delivered to vessels or taken off at berth. With immediate effect, all stores, airfreight and bags must be delivered/removed by launch.

Brazil Paranagua 28-Sep-2004 Eleven vessels berthed of which 3 fertiliser dischargers, 2 reefer loaders, 1 pellets loader, 2

container loaders/dischargers, 3 other loaders; 11vessels waiting in roads of which 8 to load(2 pellets, 3 sugar, 1 reefer, 2 others), 3 fertiliser vessels to discharge; 40 vessels due over the next 7 days.

Rio Grande 28-Sep-2004 Seven vessels berthed of which 1 fertiliser discharger, 3 potassium chloride dischargers, 1 urea discharger, 1 soya meal loader, 1 sawn timber loader; 4 vessels waiting in roads; 23 vessels due over the next 10 days.

Santos 28-Sep-2004 Twenty-four vessels berthed of which 4 bulk fertiliser dischargers, 1bulk LPG dischargers, 1 bulk citrus juice loader, 1 frozen juice loader, 1bulk salt discharger, 2 full container loader/discharger, 12 sugar loaders,1 bulk pellets loader, 1 other loader; 16 vessels waiting in roads; 103 vessels due over the next 7 days.

Sao Sebastiao 28-Sep-2004 Six vessels berthed, 2 waiting in roads; 3 vessels due over the next 10 days.Vitoira 28-Sep-2004 Two vessels berthed of which 1 malt discharger, 1 cellulose loader; Terminal Vila Velha: 1

cellulose loader, 1 fertiliser discharger, 1 full container loader/discharger, 1 pig-iron loader; Tubarao 28-Sep-2004 3 iron ore loaders; Praia Mole: 1 coal discharger, 3 steel products loaders; Portocel: 1 cellu

lose loader; Ubu: 1 iron ore loader; 27 vessels waiting in roads; 13 vessels due over the next7 days.

Bulgaria Bourgas 27-Sep-2004 Eleven vessels in port operating, of which 8 loading (1 profiles, 1 billets, 1 general cargo, 1

scrap, 2 coils, 1 copper anodes, 1 wheat), 3 discharging (1 profiled iron, 1 iron/concrete, 1 zinc concentrate); 4 vessels waiting in roads of which 3 to load (1 billets, 1 equipment, 1 empty), 1 for bunkers; 13 vessels due of which 7 to load (3 steel sheets, 1 equipment, 1 coils,1 profiles, 1 LAB), 6 to discharge (1 concrete/iron, 1 iron ore, 1 zinc ash, 1 lead concentrate, 1 coal, 1 equipment).

Chile Valparaiso 27-Sep-2004 Four vessels berthed, 4 berths vacant; 2 vessels anchored; 12 vessels due this week.

Egypt Alexandria 27-Sep-2004 Thirty-three vessels berthed (loading/discharging) of which 29 generalcargo, 1 containers, 2

tankers, 1 bulker; 5 vessels at inner anchorage, 7 at outer anchorage. Damietta 27-Sep-2004 Twenty vessels berthed (loading/discharging) of which 13 general cargo, 4 bulker carriers, 3

containers; 6 vessels at outer anchorage, 1 at inner anchorage. Dekheila 27-Sep-2004 Thirteen vessels berthed (loading/discharging) of which 5 general cargo, 1 tanker, 7 bulk

carriers.Suez Canal 27-Sep-2004 Nineteen vessels transiting Northbound, 22 Southbound.

Israel Ashdod 28-Sep-2004 No labour problems. Three general cargo vessels loading at berth, 13 vessels discharging at

berth (12 general cargo, 1 bulker), 6 vessels loading/discharging at berth (4 containers, 1 car carrier, 1 tanker); 12 vessels waiting at anchor to discharge (10 general cargo, 2 bulkers), 5 vessels waiting at anchor to load/discharge (4 containers, 1 car carrier); 2 vessels awaiting orders; 7 vessels due, with 2-3 days delay expected.

Haifa 28-Sep-2004 No labour problems. Four vessels loading at berth (2 general cargo, 2 bulkers), 10 vessels discharging at berth (7 general cargo, 3 bulkers), 6 vessels loading/discharging at berth (5 containers, 1 tanker); 4 vessels waiting at anchor to discharge (2 general cargo, 2 bulkers), 8 vessels waiting at anchor to load/discharge containers; 2 vessels under repairs/dry-docked, 1 awaiting orders; 17 vessels due, with 2-3 days delay expected.

32


Port Conditions

Mozambique Maputo 24-Sep-2004 Twenty-four hour berthing/sailing. Some restrictions to berthing at certain badly-lit

wharves. Vessels have to be geared for general cargo berths as no shore cranes available. The Port is working normally and is expected to remain so, hence vessels should berth on arrival, daylight, draft and weather permitting. No berthing delays envisaged. A shortage of equipment is being experienced (except at the Container terminal). Shed space is currently available. Safe draft for transiting the channel is 9.1 metres plus the tide of the day. Density of water varies from 1.018 to 1.023. Vessels with ramps on starboard side can berthwith the ebbing tide. Should ramps be portside, vessels to berth with the flowing tide. Pilot launch is operational. Both tugs are operational. Leading lights are lit. Both container gantries are operational.

Matola 24-Sep-2004 coal terminal is operational. Ressano Garcia, Goba and Limpopo railway lines are all operational. Eight vessels are currently in port berthed, of which 4 loading (1 timber, 2 chrome, 1gas), 4 discharging (2 rice, 1 bulk wheat, 1 containers/general cargo); 19 vessels due by 16/10 of which 6 to load (1 ferro chrome, 2 aluminium, 1 magnetite, 1 bagged sugar, 1 bulk sugar), 9 to discharge (2 aluminium, 2 petcoke, 1 frozen fish, 1 iron/ vehicles, 1 cooking oil, 1 pitch, 1 clinker), 4 to discharge/load containers.

Pakistan Karachi 27-Sep-2004 Six vessels loading at berth (1 MOL, 1 chemicals, 1 clinker, 2 cement, 1 rice), 3 discharging

at berth (1 crude oil, 1 general cargo, 1 phosphate), 2 container vessels loading/discharging at berth; 3 vessels waiting at anchorage to load (2 containers, 1 cement), 2 container vessels waiting at anchorage to discharge; no vessels bunkering, none under repairs/dry-docked, none awaiting orders; 7 vessels due (3 containers, 1 crude oil, 1 chemicals, 1 palm oil, 1 lube oil), with no berthing delays expected.

Port Qasim 27-Sep-2004 Three vessels discharging at berth (1 rape seeds, 1 iron ore, 1 other), 1container vessel loading/discharging at QICT berth; 2 vessels waiting at anchorage to load (1 containers, 1 project cargo), 5 vessels waiting at anchorage to discharge (1 containers, 1 project cargo, 1 palm oil, 1 yellow peas, 1 other vessel).

Russia Makhachkala 29-Sep-2004 Oil products: 2 vessels berthed; 1 vessel due 27/9.Novorossiysk 29-Sep-2004 Ten vessels in port operating, all loading, of which 1 scrap, 1 steel billets/coils, 1 copper, 2

wheat, 1 bulk ammonium nitrate, 2 bulk NPK, 1UAN solution, 1 aluminium; no vessels waiting in roads; 53 vessels due, of which 49 to load (2 bulk cement, 1 steel billets, 2 pig-iron, 5 coils, 5 copper, 7 aluminium, 5 bulk ammonium nitrate, 1 wheat, 1 tin plate/steel sheets, 2 steel billets/coils, 1 pipes/steel sheets, 1 bulk urea, 1 zinc, 5 bulk NPK, 1 coils/steelsheets, 1 lead/aluminium, 2 ammonium sulphate, 1 beetroot, 1 lead, 1 UAN solution, 1 HBI, 1 WRIC, 1 other vessel), 4 to discharge/load containers. Oil terminal: 1 tanker berthedloading crude oil; 3 tankers in roads, all to load crude oil; 9 tankers due, all to load, of which 7 crude oil, 2 fuel oil.

Tuapse 29-Sep-2004 Oil products: 3 vessels berthed, all loading, of which 1 crude oil, 1 fuel oil, 1 gasoil; 1 naphtha vessel in roads; 8 vessels due by 29/9, of which 6 gasoil, 1 crude oil, 1 fuel oil.

Slovenia Koper 27-Sep-2004 Port working normally; no berthing delays. Eleven vessels berthed of which 2 harging/load

ing containers, 4 bulk carriers discharging ore/minerals/solid chemicals, 1 vessel discharging aluminium products, 2 vessels loading general cargo, 1 car carrier discharging/loading vehicles, 1 tanker discharging mineral oils; 16 vessels due over the next 2 days of which 3 to discharge/load containers, 2 bulk carriers to discharge coal/minerals, 3 bulk carriers to load coal, 1 barge to load coal, 3 vessels to load sawn timber/general cargo, 2 car carriers to discharge/load vehicles, 1 reefer to discharge refrigerated goods, 1 tanker to discharge mineral oils.

Spain Cadiz 27-28-Sep-2004 Nine vessels in port of which 5 operating (3 Ro/Ros, 1 containers, 1wheat), 4 vessels under

repair; no delays.Sagunto 27-28-Sep-2004 Twenty-three vessels in port operating of which 14 discharging (13 steel products, 1 vehi

cles), 3 loading (1 steel products, 1 cement, 1 baled scrap), 6 Ro/Ros discharging/loading general cargo; no vessels outside commercial wharf; no berthing delays.

Sri Lanka Colombo 27-Sep-2004 Berthing/unberthing (pilotage) delays being experienced on breakbulk/conventional

vessels. Delays to conventional vessels are due to the fact that container/feeder vessels are given priority at breakbulk berths if there is container congestion. Conventional cargo vessels at BQ 1 and 2 are facing navigation delays. Ten vessels loading at berth (9 containers/feeders, 1 Ro/Ro), 16 vessels discharging at berth (12 containers/feeders, 1 bulk cement, 1 general cargo); no vessels waiting at anchorage to load, 1 bulk cement vessel waiting at anchorage to discharge; 2 vessels under repairs, 6 dry-docked, 1 under arrest, 1 at new tanker berth; 9 vessels due (7 containers/feeders, 1 bagged fertiliser, 1 bulk cement),with no delays expected.

33


Port Conditions

Ukraine Ilichevsk 27-Sep-2004 Thirteen vessels in port operating, of which 11 loading (7 steel products, 2 ore, 1 wheat, 1

ore), 2 discharging/loading containers; 2 vessels in roads of which 1 to load steel products, 1to discharge/load containers; 10 vessels due, of which 7 to load (6 steel products, 1 equipment), 2 to discharge ore, 1 to load/discharge containers.

Mariupol 27-Sep-2004 Fifteen vessels in port operating, all loading, of which 7 steel, 1 pig-iron, 2 fire-clay, 2 coal, 1 ammonium saltpetre, 2 barley; 10 vessels in roads, all to load, of which 5 steel, 2 coal, 3 fire-clay; 56 vessels due, of which49 to load (24 steel, 2 pig-iron, 10 coal, 1 coke, 7 fire-clay, 1 fire-clay/containers, 1 barley, 2 ammonium saltpetre, 1 sunflower beans), 4 to discharge (1 containers, 2 equipment, 1 equipment/containers), 3 to discharge/load (1 equipment/slabs, 1 containers/fire clay, 1 containers).

Odessa 27-Sep-2004 Seventeen vessels in port operating, of which 10 loading (4 metal, 1wheat, 1 cars, 1 oil, 1 barley, 1 vegetable oil, 1 general cargo), 4 discharging (1 baggage, 1 bananas, 1 citrus, 1 vegetable oil) 2 loading/discharging containers, 1 passenger vessel; 3 vessels in roads, all to load, of which 1 fuel oil, 1 oil, 1 gas; 58 vessels due, of which 36 to load (26 metal, 2 wheat, 1 wood, 2 ferro alloy, 5 fuel oil), 3 to discharge (1 wheat, 1 sugar, 1 vegetable oil), 19 to discharge/load containers. Oil products: 1 vessel berthed loading crude oil; 3 vessels in roads, all to load, of which 1 fuel/crude oil, 1 LPG, 1 crude oil; 5 vessels due by 1/10, all to load, of which 3 gasoil, 1 fuel oil, 1 LPG.

United States Houston 28-Sep-2004 Channel open under normal traffic. Pilots report normal 40 ft. 0 ins. max. draft in Houston

ship channel; Cargill terminal: 2 days delay at berth No. 1; Berth No. 2 blocked by Berth No. 3; LDC Dreyfus terminal: 1-2 days delay.

Kalama 28-Sep-2004 Kalama export terminal: 3 days delay; United Harvest terminal: no delays.New Orleans 28-Sep-2004 Mississippi River terminal berthing delays: Cenex-Harstates/Myrtle Grove: 3-4 days delay

expected; Cargill-Westwego: 2-3 days delay expected; ADM/Ama: 2-3 days delay expected; Bunge/Destrehan: 4 days delay expected; ADM/Destrehan: 2-3 days delay expected; ADM/Reserve: 2-3 days delay expected; Cargill/Reserve: 1 day’s delay expected; Peavey/Paulina: 2 days delay expected; Zen-Noh/Convent: 2 days delay expected; Cargill/Baton Rouge: no delays; Mississippi River mid-stream buoys - estimated berthing delays based on new vessel presented as load-ready and weather permitting: Mile 121.5 ADM (Gemini) - Destrehan: 2 days delay expected; Mile 158.0 Cargill (K2) - Convent: 1 day’s delay expected; Mile 180.0 Cooper (America) - Darrow: 2 days delay expected. Nine-day forecast for Carrolton Gauge/New Orleans: expected to increase to 5.4 by 7/10. Mississippi River recommended draft restrictions: SW Pass to New Orleans (Mile 090.0) - 47 ft. for all vessels; New Orleans(Mile 090) to Baton Rouge (Mile 233.5) - 45 ft. for all vessels; Mississippi River Gulf outlet: 36 ft. bw.; vessels with drafts up to 47 ft. have been handled up to Mile 180 in the past, but are approved by pilots on a case by case basis, based on current river conditions.

Portland 28-Sep-2004 Columbia Grain terminal: 3 days delay; CLD Irving terminal: 4 days delay; CLD, O Dock terminals: no delays.

Tacoma 28-Sep-2004 Temco terminal: 1 day’s delay.

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Port Conditions

Published by Lloyd’s Marine Intelligence Unit, part of T&F Informa plc, Sheepen Place, Colchester, Essex CO3 3LP.

Lloyd’s Marine Intelligence Unit does not guarantee the accuracy of the information contained in this publication, nor acceptresponsibility for errors or omissions or their consequences.

Copyright © Lloyd’s Marine Intelligence Unit, part of T&F Informa plc 2004. This casualty information is copyright. Unauthorisedcopying prohibited by law.

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