Associated Press News
Baltimore's Key Bridge Collapses After Ship Crash
The 1.6-mile (2.57 km) long Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, collapsed in the early hours of Tuesday after a container ship hit it, and as many as seven people may be in the water, officials said.A live video posted on YouTube showed a ship hitting the bridge, after which several of its spans collapsed into the Patapsco River. Unverified videos posted on social media X also showed the impact and collapse. Reuters could not immediately verify the videos.The Baltimore City Fire Department described the collapse as a mass-casualty incident…
US Navy Sends a USV Through the Strait of Hormuz
The U.S. Navy on Wednesday sent an uncrewed surface vessel (USV) through the Strait of Hormuz as it ramps up its use of high-tech unmanned assets for patrols and monitoring at sea.The transit was reportedly the Navy's fist for a USV through the busy and strategically important strait, demonstrating the continued operational integration of unmanned and artificial intelligence systems by U.S. maritime forces in the Middle East.The L3 Harris Arabian Fox MAST-13 USV was accompanied by a pair of Sentinel-class Coast Guard cutters…
Tanker Hit by Projectile Off Oman Coast
A tanker was hit by a projectile off the coast of Oman on Tuesday, causing minor damage to the hull with no injuries or spillage of the gas oil cargo, Eastern Pacific Shipping, which manages tanker Pacific Zircon, said on Wednesday. The Singapore-based firm, which is controlled by Israeli billionaire Idan Ofer, said it was investigating the incident which took place approximately 150 miles off the coast of Oman. "All crew are safe and accounted for," it said. "Preliminary reports indicate the vessel...was hit by a projectile," Eastern Pacific Shipping said. "There is some minor damage to the vessel's hull but no spillage of cargo or water ingress." The U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet earlier told Reuters it is aware of an incident in the Gulf of Oman involving a commercial vessel.
Biden Administration, East Coast States to Push Wind Energy
The Biden administration is partnering with 11 East Coast states to accelerate the development of offshore wind facilities, including addressing supply chain issues, advancing construction and boosting jobs, the White House said on Thursday.The move is part of President Joe Biden's push into cleaner energy technologies as part of its efforts to address climate change and comes as rising prices, particularly gasoline, weigh on his agenda."The partnership will support efforts to provide Americans with cleaner and cheaper energy…
Divers to Try to Locate Oil Spill Source in U.S. Gulf of Mexico
A private dive team will try to locate the source of a suspected oil spill spotted in the Bay Marchand area of the Gulf of Mexico on Sunday, after Hurricane Ida wreaked havoc in the region this week, the U.S. Coast Guard said on Saturday.U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration satellite images, first reported by the Associated Press on Wednesday, showed a miles-long brownish-black slick spreading in coastal waters about two miles off Port Fourchon, Louisiana, an oil…
Divers Search for Bodies in CA Boat Fire
Divers searched for more bodies early on Tuesday around the wreck of a boat destroyed by a blaze off the coast of southern California, as authorities launched an investigation into one of the area's worst maritime disasters.Emergency crews found at least 25 bodies after the fire broke out before dawn on Monday, leaving nine people still missing, the Associated Press reported. The coastguard declined to confirm the figures."We are looking for bodies now," said Santa Barbara Fire Department spokeswoman Amber Anderson.Flames ripped through the scuba diving vessel Conception…
Commonwealth, Nekton Explore Ocean Depths
The collaboration of Commonwealth and Nekton Foundation and other partners, First Descent will launch a multidisciplinary exploration of never-before-accessed ocean territory.The expedition ship, a floating research station, will set sail from Seychelles in March equipped with cutting-edge subsea technologies, including a submersible capable of descending hundreds of metres into the ocean, and some of the world’s top scientists on board to test the health of the ocean.A launch of the initiative will take place at Marlborough House, the Commonwealth headquarters in London, on Wednesday, 6th of February. More than a hundred people, including Commonwealth High Commissioners…
Bulk Carrier Rescues Indonesian Teen
An Indonesian teen who had been adrift on a fishing raft for 49 days was rescued near Guam by the bulk carrier Arpeggio on August 31.The teen was rescued by the Panamanian-flagged ship about 1,200 miles from his original location, according to an Associated Press article. The teen used his handheld radio to contact the 738-foot ship which heard his distress call, alerted rescue authorities and embarked the survivor. The ship’s crew provided food, water and first aid.The captain of the Amver participating Arpeggio coordinated the rescue with authorities in Japan and the Indonesian mission. The teen was disembarked in Japan and reunited with his family.The Arpeggio, which is managed by MC Shipping Ltd of Japan, enrolled in Amver in December 2013 and has earned two Amver participation awards.
Austal Wins USD 584.2 million US Navy Contract
Australian shipbuilder Austal has won a $584.2 million contract to build a 14th Littoral Combat Ship for the US Navy, Reuters reported. The contract includes associated LCS class services and related material and integrated data environment support, as well as options for the construction of additional LCS, class services and post-delivery availability support, the Pentagon said in a statement. Australian Associated Press added quoting Asutal that the 127-metre LCS28 will be built at its shipyard in Mobile, Alabama, employing techniques that would be applied if it wins the Australian government's $3 billion Offshore Patrol Vessel contract.
1,076 Graduate from U.S. Naval Academy
The U.S. Naval Academy graduated 1,076 men and women at the annual graduation and commissioning ceremony May 27 at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. U.S. Naval Academy Superintendent Vice Adm. The Class of 2016 boasts an 89 percent graduation rate and, according to Carter, "unprecedented" academic and athletic success. Eight midshipmen received prestigious graduate scholarships, including one Rhodes Scholarship, one Mitchell Scholarship, two Truman Scholarships, three Gates Scholarships and one Schwarzman Scholarship. The Class of 2016 is also graduating the Naval Academy's first 27 cyber operations majors. The major was first announced in 2013, and the midshipmen of this year's graduating class were the first to be able to select it.
A Hundred Chinese Boats Encroach in Malaysian Waters
Malaysia has said that more than 100 Chinese fishing boats have been spotted within its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) off Sarawak in the latest incident involving Chinese vessels in the disputed waters. The boats were sighted near Beting Patinggi Ali, also known as Luconia Shoals, about 100km off the coast of Miri in Sarawak. Malaysia planned to take action against them. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim said the government has instructed the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) to deploy its assets to monitor the situation. "Three MMEA vessels have been deployed to the area. The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) assets are also there.
Anthem of the Seas Forced to Turn Around Again
Anthem of the Seas is forced to run around again after suffering a norovirus outbreak just weeks after being battered by 30-foot waves. Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship, Anthem of the Seas, is cutting another trip short and heading back to Bayonne early, according to reports. Royal Caribbean tweeted that the ship is turning around to, "provide guests with a comfortable journey back home." The reason given for the return is a norovirus outbreak and possible severe storm, according to the Associated Press. The Associated Press staffer aboard the ship said Sunday that the ship's captain and its cruise director have made announcements about the norovirus issues but it's not clear how many people have been affected by the illness.
Russia Confirms Tanker Seized by Niger Delta Militants
Russia’s embassy in Nigeria confirmed on Thursday that the Greek-owned oil tanker Leon Dias has been hijacked in the Gulf of Guinea, reports TASS. There are reports that the oil tanker hijacked by suspected militants from the Niger Delta has been freed and is now located some 7.5 nautical miles near the Cotonou Port in Benin. The merchant ship, MT LEON DIAS that was allegedly hijacked by gunmen is current off the Coast of Cotonou in the Benin Republic. Nigerian military sources disclosed that the ship which is a chemical/oil tanker is currently under the custody of the Beninois Navy. "The name of the ship is MT LEON DIAS. An oil tanker…
Electric Boats Look Bullish
General Dynamics Electric Boat expects to hire nearly 4,000 people in the coming years as it ramps up production on Navy submarines, the Associated Press reports. Electric Boat is projecting a positive outlook for 2016 for revenue and employment, saying 1,800 more workers will be hired at its facilities in Connecticut and Rhode Island this year. Electric Boat, a subsidiary of General Dynamics Corp., employs 14,100 people, mainly in Connecticut. By 2030, EB is projecting that number will grow to 18,000. Electric Boat president Jeffrey S. Geiger told a gathering of legislators Monday at the Crowne Plaza in Warwick the North Kingstown shipbuilder’s future looks upbeat. Right now, the company has a backlog of 16 Virginia-class attack submarines under contract — worth $21 billion.
Obama to Visit Arctic
President Barack Obama is traveling to Alaska in late August to visit the front lines of climate change, which he called "one of the greatest challenges we face this century". He'll speak to a global Arctic leadership summit in Anchorage and also travel north to the Arctic. The White House says it's the first visit by a sitting president to the Alaskan Arctic, says the Associated Press. Obama says in a video posted to social media that he's going because Alaskans are on the front lines of climate change. He's pointing to melting glaciers and permafrost and says entire villages and ways of life are threatened. The White House described Obama’s trip as part of an “all-out push” on climate-change issues during the final 18 months of his second term, says WSJ.
Indonesian Navy Busts Thai Cargo Ship
The Indonesian fisheries minister says a massive refrigerated cargo ship believed to be loaded with slave-caught fish has been seized by the navy and brought to shore after an Associated Press report alerted authorities about its presence in the country's waters. The ship was close to leaving Indonesian waters by the time it was finally seized. Thai-owned Silver Sea 2 was located late Wednesday and escorted about 80 miles (130 kilometers) to a naval base in Sabang on the Indonesian archipelago's northwestern tip, said Col. Sujatmiko, the local naval chief. Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti said: "I'm so overwhelmed with happiness. The AP used a satellite beacon signal to trace its path from Papua New Guinea waters into neighboring Indonesia. The navy then spent a week trying to catch it.
Shell Moves Ahead in Arctic with Exploratory Well
Shell Oil's icebreaker MSV Fennica weaved through nine remaining protesters hanging from the St. Johns Bridge and made its way toward the Pacific Ocean. Authorities have removed protesters dangling from a bridge and in kayaks in Oregon, allowing an icebreaker to get through and head toward the Arctic, The Associated Press reported. Demonstrators had been trying to stop the Fennica from leaving Portland, Oregon, and heading for an oil drilling operation, the AP reported. The ship had tried to leave earlier Thursday, but was forced to turn around by the protesters dangling from the bridge. "The Fennica is now safely on its way to Alaska…
New Dredger for Lake Lotawana
Lake Lotawana Association celebrated the launch of its new 2015 Model 7012 HP Versi-Dredge at Buffalo Cove on May 1, 2015. In attendance was Dave Wagner, Dredge Committee Chairperson, outgoing Mayor, David Welsh and Ward III Alderman, David Tillema as well as IMS President, Jim Horton, IMS Vice President, Ryan Horton, and IMS Technical Sales Manager, Michael Young. Lake Lotawana was constructed in 1927-1928 and incorporated as a city in 1958. The lake is 450 acres of surface water with 27 miles of shoreline and has more than 2…
Richard Branson's Virgin Group Accused of Pirating
Former Norwegian Cruise Line CEO Colin Veitch has filed suit against Richard Branson for $300 million claiming that Virgin essentially stole his ideas and business plans to enter the lucrative luxury cruise industry by building a pair of state-of-the-art ships capable of carrying 4,200 passengers each. Veitch claims he planned the start-up operation, lined up financing to build the first ship and worked out a tentative commitment with a German shipyard, according to an article by Curt Anderson, legal affairs writer for the Associated Press. Veitch was CEO of Norwegian from 2000 to 2008. According to the AP, Veitch is asking for $300 million in damages in the lawsuit filed Wednesday in Miami federal court. He is also asking the court to shut down Virgin Cruises.
Egypt Woos Investments in Suez Canal
With Legislative Reform Committee giving the go-ahead for the suggested Suez Canal Project regulatory legal frame work, Egypt is offering investors massive projects worth billions of U.S. dollars for the development of the Suez Canal region. The new Law allows authority to launch major development company, and completely own it or in co-operation with private sector, and cancel the requirement of owning at least 50%. The government will offer investors 18 projects worth around $40 billion to create a new industrial and logistical zone along the strategic waterway. ”The authority will literally be a single-window,” Hani Sarie-Eldin, Chairman of Sarie – Eldin & Partners – Legal Advisors said. “The Suez Canal Corridor is the biggest national project for public and private investments.
Smoke: Cruise Ship Evacuates Passengers
A number of passengers and crew members were evacuated after smoke was spotted billowing from the front section of Carnival Liberty cruise ship docked in the Dutch Caribbean nation of St Maarten. Later the line stated that there was no fire, just an overheated bearing in the forward section. Officials say there were no reported injuries. “Guests from a small number of staterooms near the forward section of the ship were temporarily vacated from their cabins as a precaution while the shipboard teams were handling the situation,” company spokesman Vance Gulliksen said. He says the problem has been resolved. The ship is working on replacing the bearing. The ship’s safety systems and hotel services are functioning as normal as it was preparing to depart St. Maarten as scheduled.
700+ Migrants Killed in Shipwreck 'the Worst Mediterranean Massacre'
More than 700 migrants are feared to have drowned 'like rats in cages' on a smuggler boat because they were locked in the hold when it capsized off the Libyan and sank in the Mediterranean sea. The African migrants, who are thought to have included women and children, were crammed into a 66ft fishing boat when the tragedy happened near the Italian island of Lampedusa. The disaster struck in the early hours when refugees saw a ship coming to their rescue and rushed to one side of the boat, said the UN High Commission for Refugees. Survivor accounts about the number of people on board varied from 700 to as many as 950, the Associated Press reported.
Anti-Arctic Drilling Activists Hold 'Shell No' Protest in Seattle
Seattleites took a dramatic stand, er paddle, against Arctic oil drilling. Local Native Americans and concerned citizens took to kayak and canoe and surrounded a giant, Arctic-bound Royal Dutch Shell oil drilling rig currently making a layover in the Port of Seattle. The group that planned the event, called the “Paddle in Seattle,” said Saturday’s demonstration began a three-day “massive peaceful resistance,” the Associated Press reports. The group plans to block access to the oil giant’s rig parked in the Port of Seattle’s Terminal 5 and delay preparations for drilling on Monday. The Obama administration conditionally approved Shell's summer plans to drill for oil in the Chukchi Sea, north of Alaska.