Two workers in Vietnam and one in Brazil have died recently in explosions of refrigerated containers. Faulty coolant is believed to have caused the explosions. The containers were among an estimated 8,000 reefer boxes serviced in 2011 in Vietnam. The explosions have caused worldwide concern and have disrupted cargo operations on the US West coast. Longshoremen at Seattle, WA’s Harbor Island terminal are refusing to handle reefer containers. Likewise, longshoremen at the port of Oakland, CA have refused to work on vessels calling at the TraPac and SSA Marine terminals after concerns that refrigerated containers could explode. So far no explosions or injuries have been reported at US ports. The concern with the reefer containers serviced in Vietnam is that local workers used adulterated coolant in recharging the containers. Thanks to Irwin Bryan for passing the story along.
Explosive container danger halts Port of Oakland
The fear of exploding containers may be the least of the Port of Oakland’s problems. Yesterday Occupy Wall Street protesters shut down the port, the fifth-busiest port in the nation.
The Porthkerry Leisure Park, a caravan park in the Vale of Glamorgan in Wales, (what would be called a trailer park in the United States), must have had lovely ocean views even before 40 feet of cliff fell into the ocean near the mouth of the Severin River, leaving 13 caravans hanging over the edge of the cliff. Fortunately none of the caravans fell off the cliff and no one was reported injured. Thanks to 
On Saturday morning, the 39′ sailboat, Sanctuary, in heavy weather 256 miles northeast of Bermuda, was hit by several breaking waves, lost power and began slowly taking on water. The crew of five, four men and one woman, called for help. 
British Prime Minister 
Attempts to pump out the residual fuel of from the 
Today is the 125th anniversary of the dedication of the 
The 
Who needs a haunted house if you can have a haunted ship? Around this time of year, historic and modern ships suddenly become haunted and ghostly. (To be fair, some are reported to be haunted all year round.) Here is a round-up of a lucky thirteen haunted or ghostly ships open to the public around Halloween. Check the links for dates, times and locations.