Sea warnings

  A crude oil tanker, the Cordelia Moon, believed to be part of Russia's "shadow fleet," blocked traffic in the Bosphorus Strait on Thursday, December 26th, after suffering engine failure. The incident forced Turkish authorities to completely close the strait, according to the country's Ministry of Transport. The Cordelia Moon, which was reportedly sailing under a Panamanian flag, was on its way to the Russian port of Novorossiysk when the incident occurred. This is not the first time the tanker has been in the news. In October 2024, while under Indian management, the Cordelia Moon was attacked twice by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea. Social media users have been discussing the incident, with some speculating on the cause of the engine failure. Some reports suggest the issue has been resolved and the tanker is now expected to arrive in Novorossiysk on December 28th at 10:00 AM. Here are some key points from the social media discussion: The Cordelia Moon is a crude oil ...

  In a high-stakes maritime incident, Finnish authorities have detained the oil tanker Eagle S under suspicion of damaging critical undersea infrastructure in the Gulf of Finland. The tanker, flagged in the Cook Islands and operated by a shadowy ownership network linked to sanctioned entities, is believed to have caused the breakage of the Estlink 2 power cable—a vital connection for electricity between Finland and Estonia. The Incident The disruption was first reported on Christmas Day when the Estlink 2 cable ceased functioning at approximately 12:26 p.m. local time. Finnish officials were quick to investigate, focusing on the Eagle S , which was observed near the site at the time of the outage. According to ship-tracking data, the tanker significantly reduced speed and exhibited unusual maneuvering patterns, indicative of dragging its anchor across the seabed. A coordinated operation involving the Finnish Coast Guard, police, and military units culminated in the boarding of the...

 The Indian Coast Guard (MRCC Mumbai) has issued a distress call for the Indian motor sailing vessel (MSV) TAJ DHARE HARAM, which reported flooding onboard its vessel with nine crew members on board. Details of the Distressed Vessel Vessel Name: MSV TAJ DHARE HARAM MMSI: 419956194 Flag: India Location: 22 Deg 55 N 066 Deg 56 E (257 Jakhau Lt 95) Dimensions: 37 meters (LOA) x 10 meters (width) Current Situation The TAJ DHARE HARAM is experiencing flooding onboard, and the Indian Coast Guard is requesting assistance from mariners transiting through the area. Mariners are urged to keep a sharp lookout for the distressed vessel and render any necessary assistance they can. They are also requested to inform the MRCC Mumbai upon sighting the vessel. Weather Conditions Wind: North Easterly at 17 knots with gusts up to 23 knots Visibility: Good Sea State: Slight

 Barfleur Northwards, France  December 26, 2024  14:15:26 UTC A fire has broken out aboard the bulk carrier M/V PHILLIP BAY (IMO: 9714757) in the vicinity of 50-05N 001-23W in the English Channel. Vessel Status: The vessel, sailing under the flag of the Marshall Islands, is currently not under command due to the fire. Mariners are advised to maintain a good lookout in the vicinity of the incident. Vessel Details: Type: Bulk Carrier IMO Number: 9714757 Gross Tonnage: 25,546 Deadweight: 38,683 Dimensions: 180 meters (length) x 32 meters (width) Built: 2015 MMSI: 538005705 Weather Conditions: Cloudy skies Wind: 4 knots with gusts up to 8 knots from the East-Southeast Sea State: Slight Further Information: The exact cause of the fire is currently unknown. Emergency services are likely responding to the incident.

A Russian cargo ship, the Ursa Major, has sunk in the Mediterranean Sea following an explosion in the engine room. The Russian Foreign Ministry's crisis unit reported that two crew members are still missing. 14 crew members rescued Of the 16 crew members on board, all Russian citizens, 14 were rescued and taken to the port of Cartagena in Spain. However, the search continues for the two missing sailors. The incident The incident occurred in international waters between Aguilas, in Spain's Murcia province, and the Algerian city of Oran. The exact cause of the explosion that led to the ship sinking is still under investigation. However, it is believed that the Ursa Major suffered a fuel pipe failure in its main engine while sailing off the Spanish coast. A dangerous mission The cargo ship, built in 2009 and measuring 142.47 meters in length, had departed from Saint Petersburg 12 days prior to the incident, bound for Vladivostok. It is suspected that its mission was to evacuate we...

The United States Coast Guard (USCG) Rescue Coordination Center (RCC) Norfolk has issued a notification regarding the disabled sailing vessel Sober Seas. Details of the Vessel: Name: Sober Seas MMSI: 338335903 Type: Pleasure Craft Flag: USA Length Overall (LOA): 13 meters (42.6 feet) Width: 8 meters (26.2 feet) Current Situation: Sober Seas is disabled due to a lost mast and has also lost generator power. Last reported position: 37-33.204N, 067-21.328W (as of December 24, 2024, 23:16 UTC) The vessel is drifting in an easterly direction. Weather Conditions: Current: Wind at 4 knots with gusts up to 8 knots, cloudy skies, waves up to 1.3 meters. Forecast: Conditions are expected to worsen in the coming hours, with winds increasing to 20 knots with gusts up to 56 knots from the north-west, waves up to 2 meters, and a possibility of thunderstorms. Request for Assistance: All mariners in the area are urged to keep a sharp lookout for Sober Seas and report any sightings t...

The Reunion Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC) is issuing a Mayday Relay for the overdue French sailing vessel "DIZAON." Details of the Vessel: Name: DIZAON Hull Color: White Deck Color: White Length: 11.70 meters (38.4 feet) Engine: Inboard motor MMSI: 227618670 Skipper: Mr. Cedric Mailhac Last Reported Position: 10 nautical miles southwest of Mayotte Island on December 13, 2024 Intended Course: Madagascar, with final destination of Durban, South Africa Number of People on Board: 1 Request for Assistance: The Reunion MRCC is requesting all vessels in the vicinity of the "DIZAON's" last reported position to maintain a sharp lookout and report any information regarding the vessel. The "DIZAON" was last heard from on December 13, 2024, and is now considered overdue. The Reunion MRCC is coordinating the search efforts and urges all vessels in the area to assist in locating the missing vessel and its crew member.

  Issued: December 16, 2024, 07:53 UTC The MRCC Fort De France has received a distress beacon signal from the French sailboat Ribambelle. The estimated position of the distress is 17°08'60N 58°37'10W . All vessels in the area are urgently requested to: Maintain a sharp lookout for the sailboat Ribambelle. Attempt to establish contact with Ribambelle. If contact is made, proceed to the reported position and offer assistance. Report any information regarding Ribambelle to the MRCC Fort De France. Contact details for MRCC Fort De France. Additional Information: Vessel: Ribambelle (MMSI: 227057460) Type: Sailing Vessel Flag: France Length Overall (LOA): 12 meters Width: 4 meters Weather conditions in the area: Wind: 16 knots with gusts up to 21 knots, East Southeast Sky: Cloudy with a chance of rain in the coming hours Wave height: 2.3 meters Please share this information with any vessels in the area that may be able to assist.

UPDATE: December 12, 202 at 4 PM Eastern - RCC Norfolk reports that they safely rescued 3 individuals from the SV "Time-Aut" and brought them to shore several hours ago. A C130 and a MH60 Hero helicopter were used in the rescue. Bravo Zulu RCC Norfolk.

The European Union recently approved its 15th sanctions package against Russia, targeting 45 tankers from the "shadow fleet" and over 80 individuals and entities supporting the war. However, concerns remain over the effectiveness of these measures in curbing the activities of this fleet, which is involved in circumventing international sanctions on Russian oil exports. Greece, a major shipping nation, has reportedly been stalling on the implementation of the new sanctions package, raising concerns about its commitment to enforcing these measures. This reluctance has fueled criticism from some quarters, with observers pointing to the significant role played by the City of London in facilitating financial transactions related to the "shadow fleet." The "shadow fleet" comprises a network of vessels, often operating under flags of convenience, that are involved in transporting Russian oil to destinations outside of the purview of Western sanctions. These ships...

F ort-de-France, Martinique – The Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC) Fort-de-France has issued a Mayday Relay for the sailing vessel ASGARD, currently in distress in the Caribbean Sea. The 16-meter vessel, carrying a crew of four, is reported to have sustained rudder damage at the position 16°48.04'N, 037°27.29'W. The MRCC is urgently seeking assistance from all vessels in the area to proceed to the location, maintain a sharp lookout, and establish contact with the distressed vessel. Current Weather Conditions: Wind: 18 knots with gusts up to 23 knots from the northeast Waves: 2.3 meters Sky: Partly cloudy with a chance of showers Vessel Information ( NOT VERIFIED ): Name: ASGARD MMSI: 368072930 Flag: USA Length: 15 meters Width: 4 meters

A Hurricane Warning has been issued by Météo-France for the South-West Indian Ocean, specifically for Metearea VII and Metearea VIII. The warning, issued on December 11, 2024, at 0600 UTC, pertains to Tropical Cyclone 4 (Chido), which is currently located within a 20-nautical-mile radius of 10.5 degrees South and 58.4 degrees East. Intensity: Chido is currently an intense tropical cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 969 hPa. Movement: The cyclone is moving westward at a speed of 7 knots. Threat Areas: Squally weather within a 200-nautical-mile radius of the center. Hurricane-force winds (65-80 knots) and very high to phenomenal seas within a 15-nautical-mile radius of the center. Storm-force winds (50-60 knots) and high to very high seas within a 20-nautical-mile radius of the center, extending up to 25 nautical miles in the southern semicircle. Gale-force winds (35-45 knots) and very rough to high seas within a 35-nautical-mile radius of the center, extending up to 50 na...

Tartus, Syria - As the situation in Syria continues to unfold, the strategic importance of the Russian naval facility at the Mediterranean port of Tartus has come into sharp focus. This base, a relic of the Soviet era, has become a vital asset for Russia's military presence in the region. A Bastion of Russian Influence Russia's involvement in the Syrian conflict, which began in 2015, significantly bolstered its presence at Tartus. The base has served as a crucial logistical hub, allowing Moscow to project power in the Eastern Mediterranean. It provides access to warm-water ports, a strategic advantage for Russia's navy, particularly its fleet of warships equipped with long-range cruise missiles. Questions Linger Amidst Syrian Upheaval Recent developments in Syria, including the attempted coup against President Bashar al-Assad, have raised questions about the future of Russian military assets in the country. While some reports suggest a partial withdrawal of Russian forces,...

  Issued: December 8, 2024 (20:45 UTC) - Received December 9, 2024 (04:45 UTC) Source: MRCC Rabat (Morocco) A PAN-PAN distress call has been issued for the small vessel "Nec Aspera Terrent." Details: Vessel Name: Nec Aspera Terrent Type: Rannoch MMSI: 232024485 Call Sign: MGDE6 Color: Orange Last Position: 29°20′N 011°30′W Reason for Distress: Large storm approaching Urgency: All vessels in the vicinity of 29°20′N 011°30′W are requested to keep a sharp lookout and assist the "Nec Aspera Terrent" if possible. Please report any contact with the vessel to MRCC Rabat or the nearest coast station. Additional Information: The "Nec Aspera Terrent" is a British pleasure craft with a length of 8 meters and a width of 2 meters. Weather conditions in the area: North-northeasterly winds at 24 knots with gusts up to 32 knots, increasing. Partly cloudy skies. Wave heights up to 4 meters.

  December 5, 2024, the MV ISA STAR sent a distress call while sailing in the Red Sea. The crew reported flooding in the engine room and announced their intention to abandon ship. In response to the master's request for assistance, EUNAVFOR ASPIDES launched a rescue operation and dispatched a nearby ship to aid the stricken vessel. The prompt action of EUNAVFOR ASPIDES resulted in the successful rescue of all crew members aboard the MV ISA STAR. The seafarers will be transported to Djibouti, the nearest safe port of call, where they will receive any necessary medical attention and support. EUNAVFOR ASPIDES is a European Union military operation with a defensive mandate aimed at providing credible maritime security within its area of operation. The lives of seafarers and the principle of freedom on the high seas are non-negotiable values for EUNAVFOR ASPIDES, and their protection remains a key objective of the mission.

Algeciras, Spain – A collision between two large vessels occurred early Tuesday morning, December 3rd, in the waters off the coast of Algeciras, Spain. The incident involved the tanker Gloria Maris and the container ship HMM ST Petersburg . According to the Spanish Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (CCS) in Tarifa, the collision took place approximately 8.9 nautical miles southeast of Algeciras. Both ships sustained damages in the incident, but fortunately, there were no reported injuries or any significant environmental impact, such as oil spills. The HMM ST Petersburg has since arrived at the Port of Algeciras for further inspection and repairs. The cause of the collision is currently under investigation by maritime authorities. The incident highlights the risks associated with maritime traffic in busy shipping lanes. Despite the immediate response of rescue services and the absence of major casualties, such events serve as a reminder of the importance of safety measures and ong...

UPDATE : The type of boat is different from what was previously reported. A Man Over Board (MOB) incident has occurred, and a search and rescue operation is underway since the Austrian Volvo 70 Ocean Breeze (skipper Johannes Schwartz) lost a crew member overboard. The operation is coordinated by MRCC Norfolk, USA. According to some Danish sources, the family of the man who fell overboard has been informed.