Update: Sinking of the Cemfjord — Should the Ship Have Been Allowed to Sail?

As we posted on Sunday, the passengers on the NorthLink ferry Hrossey, crossing Pentland Firth, off Scotland, saw a grim sight out the ferry windows — the bow of the cement carrier Cemfjord floating vertically in the water. The ship was loaded … Continue reading →

Update: Höegh Osaka Grounded Deliberately, Salvage Planning Underway

The answer to the question as to whether the Höegh Osaka ran aground due to steering failure or pilot error, is neither. The car carrier was deliberately grounded on Bramble Bank when the ship developed an unexplained list after leaving Southhampton.  Ingar … Continue reading →

Watching the Ball Drop — the Nautical Origins of a New Year’s Tradition

Last night in New York City, up to one million people watched a jeweled ball drop in Time Square at exactly midnight to mark the arrival of the New Year. Over a billion people are believed to have watched the festivities … Continue reading →

Blue Sky M — Abandoned Migrant Ship on Autopilot

Straight from rescue operations on the ro/ro ferry Norman Atlantic, the Italian navy and coast guard rushed to intercept the Blue Sky M, a 3,500 DWT Moldavian freighter, which was reported to be carrying 700–1,000 migrants.  A distress call had been received … Continue reading →