Sea warnings

Hurricane Oscar, a Category 1 storm, has stunned meteorologists with its rapid intensification over the past 24 hours. According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), Oscar’s center was located near 21.1N, 73.1W at 0900 UTC on October 20, 2024. With sustained winds of 70 knots (85 mph) and gusts reaching 85 knots, the storm has transformed from a disorganized system into a powerful hurricane in just a few hours. A Burst of Rapid Intensification Oscar’s sudden leap in strength is classified as a Rapid Intensification (RI) event. It was first noted as an area of interest, or “invest,” with a 30% chance of developing into a tropical storm. However, it quickly defied expectations, intensifying from a 40 mph tropical storm to an 85 mph hurricane within a matter of hours. This event ranks among the most dramatic cases of RI observed in recent years. Social media accounts dedicated to weather tracking, such as @Mighty__Muffins and @EnhancedRisk, echoed the surprise and intensity, with @Enha...

UPDATE : the boat appears to have arrived at the port of Madeira. Funchal, Madeira – A distress call has been issued for the sailing vessel Allegra (MMSI 235071981, call sign 2CEC4), overdue from a voyage to Madeira. The vessel, a 13-meter aluminum cutter rigged with two headsails, was last reported on June 21st, approximately 450 nautical miles southwest of Madeira, making slow progress towards the island at a speed of 3.2 knots. There is one person onboard. The vessel is described as having a distinctive UV yellow mainsail cover and a white aluminum arch. Urgent Appeal to Mariners All vessels in the vicinity are urged to maintain a sharp lookout for the Allegra. If sighted, please contact the nearest coastal station or the Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC) Tenerife immediately via radio or by email at controltenerife@sasemar.es or phone +34922597551. Weather Conditions The weather in the area is deteriorating with a northeast wind increasing to 11 knots with gusts up to...

Location and Situation At 08:41 UTC on June 6, 2024, the United Kingdom Coastguard issued a Mayday Relay concerning the vessel TORM PHILIPPINES. The vessel, positioned at 50°36.1'N 019°20.8'W, reported a medical emergency involving a crew member who is suspected to have suffered a heart attack. Call for Assistance The UK Coastguard is urgently seeking any nearby vessels equipped with the necessary medical facilities and expertise to treat a heart attack. Ships in the vicinity that can provide significant medical care are requested to contact the UK Coastguard. Current Conditions The weather conditions in the area include a northwesterly wind blowing at 12 knots, with gusts reaching up to 19 knots. The sea state features northwesterly waves up to 2.2 meters. The sky is overcast, which might pose additional challenges for any emergency response efforts. About the Vessel The TORM PHILIPPINES, an oil and chemical tanker, sails under the flag of Denmark. With an IMO number of 944013...

The UK Coastguard is currently coordinating a search and rescue operation for a distress beacon alert received on May 21st, 2024, at 11:11 UTC. The source of the beacon remains unknown, but its last known position was at 45° 26.97N 011° 00.72W, heading east at the time of the alert. Current Situation: The merchant vessels M/V ALICE (general cargo) and M/V CAROLINE ESSBERGER (oil/chemical tanker) are already on scene or en route to the distress position. Aircraft R40 has completed its search of the area, and CG99 is deploying to assist. Weather conditions are challenging, with winds of 20 knots gusting to 28 knots from the northwest, overcast skies, and 3-meter waves. The weather is expected to worsen later in the day. Call to Action for Vessels in the Area: The UK Coastguard is urging any vessels in the vicinity of the distress position to proceed to the area and assist in the search. Vessels are also requested to attempt contact with the source of the beacon to determine the nature of...

Distress call received on May 7th for Maersk Seletar container ship A desperate search is underway for a crew member who went overboard from the Maersk Seletar container ship on May 7th, 2024. The incident occurred approximately 120 nautical miles west of Nouadhibou, Mauritania, at around 8:32 AM UTC. The missing crew member has been identified as Osborn Miranda (D.O.B. 11-17-1988). His family is extremely worried and pleads for any information regarding his whereabouts. Rescue Efforts and Public Outreach The Maersk Seletar, with callsign WTAA and MMSI 369309000, issued a distress message upon the incident. Nearby vessels have been urged to assist in the search for Mr. Miranda. Unfortunately, despite ongoing search efforts and favorable weather conditions, there have been no signs of Mr. Miranda for thirteen days. Amplifying the Call to Action This critical situation has yet to gain significant media attention. To raise awareness and expedite the search efforts, Mr. Miranda's famil...

On April 29, between 10:00 a.m. and 5:20 p.m. (Sanaa time), Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists launched three anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBM) and three unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from Yemen into the Red Sea, targeting the Malta-flagged, Greece-owned vessel MV Cyclades. Initial reports indicate that there were no injuries, and the ship was able to continue on its journey. Earlier in the day, at 7:49 a.m., U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) forces successfully intercepted and destroyed one Houthi-launched airborne UAV that was on a flight path towards the USS Philippine Sea and USS Laboon in the Red Sea. There were no reports of injuries or damages to U.S., coalition, or merchant vessels. The U.S. military determined that the UAV posed an imminent threat to U.S., coalition, and merchant ships in the region.

Issued: April 15, 2024 French weather service Meteo-France has issued a warning for strong winds affecting several areas of the Western Mediterranean Sea. A low-pressure system moving eastward is expected to bring gusty conditions starting later today, April 15th. Affected Areas and Timing: Lion:  Northwesterly winds with severe gusts, expected from 15:21 UTC on April 15th to at least 12:00 UTC on April 16th. Provence:  Westerly or northwesterly winds with severe gusts, expected from 15:21 UTC on April 15th to at least 12:00 UTC on April 16th. South of Liguria:  Westerly or southwesterly winds with severe gusts, expected from 16:00 UTC on April 16th to at least 12:00 UTC on April 16th. North of Corsica:  Westerly or southwesterly winds with severe gusts, reaching gale force (force 8 on the Beaufort scale) at times in the far northeast during the morning. This is expected from 16:00 UTC on April 16th to at least 12:00 UTC on April 16th. Maddalena Archipelago:  W...

April 14, 2024 23:10 UTC The Indian Coast Guard (MRCC Mumbai) has issued a distress message regarding a missing fisherman, Thiru Chritin, aged 51, from the Indian fishing boat (IFB) Felaxiya (IND-TN-15-MM-5386). Details of the Missing Fisherman: Name: Thiru Chritin Age: 51 Last Seen Wearing: Black and Blue T-shirt and Dhoti Last Known Position: 21 Deg 14 Min N 068 Deg 29 E Weather Conditions: Current: Light sea with wind speeds of 10 knots from the Northeast. Forecast: Winds are expected to increase to 16 knots by the afternoon of April 15th. Call to Action: Mariners in the area are requested to be on the lookout for Thiru Chritin and to provide assistance if he is spotted. Please contact MRCC Mumbai

 In an update to a previous advisory, United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has reported that a vessel has been seized by regional authorities 50 nautical miles northeast of Fujairah, United Arab Emirates. The initial report of a suspicious incident in the area prompted UKMTO to advise vessels to exercise caution and report any unusual activities. With this new development, UKMTO reiterates its call for vigilance among ships transiting through the region. Mariners are strongly encouraged to maintain open communication channels, adhere to best practices for navigational safety and security, and promptly report any suspicious activities to UKMTO. As further details regarding this incident emerge, it is crucial for the maritime community to stay informed and up-to-date on the situation. This development underscores the importance of maintaining open communication channels and sharing information among stakeholders to ensure the safety and security of maritime operations in ...

UPDATE: Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force Coast Guards contacted the vessel and the crew is safe. Vessel Missing West of Barbuda - Search in Progress A Mayday relay has been issued by MRCC Fort de France for the fishing vessel "One Love". The alert was received on the night of April 12, 2024. The vessel is an Antigua and Barbuda flagged vessel, 13 meters long, with 3 people on board. The vessel departed Saint John's on April 10 for the fishing area west of Barbuda and has not returned as scheduled. Weather conditions in the area are adverse: rain, wind from the west-northwest at 24 knots with gusts up to 30 knots, and waves up to 3 meters high. Weather conditions are expected to remain stable in the coming hours. French maritime authorities are asking all vessels in the area to be vigilant and report any information to MRCC Fort-de-France. A search and rescue operation is underway to locate the fishing vessel "One Love" and its crew. Updates will follow. Anyo...

  Maritime security in the Eastern Mediterranean is facing a new challenge with reports of widespread AIS spoofing and GPS interference . These incidents, stretching from north of the Suez Canal to the coasts of Syria, Lebanon, and Israel, have raised concerns about potential disruptions to maritime traffic and the risk of navigation errors. The issue follows a UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) report detailing a vessel experiencing disruption to its electronic navigation systems in the Arabian Gulf. This incident adds to the growing tension in the region, particularly following the Israeli airstrike that killed Iranian General Mohammad Reza Zahedi near the Iranian embassy in Damascus. Anticipated Iranian Retaliation? The Times of Israel suggests the GPS jamming might be a defensive measure by Israel in anticipation of Iranian retaliation for the airstrike. This jamming could disrupt Iranian targeting capabilities reliant on GPS, potentially impacting services like Waze and Go...

Chennai, India - April 4, 2024 - The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) is searching for one missing crew member after the Indian fishing vessel PERIYA NAYAGI sank early this morning. According to a report from Inmarsat, the vessel sank at approximately 12:30 am IST (07:00 UTC) in a position approximately 14 degrees 20 minutes north and 81 degrees 2 minutes east, near Krishnapatnam (088 LT 52). Nine of the ten crew members on board have been rescued. The ICG is urging merchant vessels in the area to keep a sharp lookout for the remaining missing crew member and to render assistance if they are spotted. The ICG has requested that any vessels in the area acknowledge receipt of the message and provide their current position, course, and speed to assist in updating the search and rescue (SAR) plan. Vessel Details: Name:  PERIYA NAYAGI FISHBOT Flag:  India MMSI:  419910103 Contact Information for MRCC Chennai

 On April 3, 2021, between 3:49 and 10:00 am (local time in Sanaa) , the USS Gravely (DDG 107) and forces from the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) successfully intercepted and destroyed one anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM) and two unmanned aerial systems (UAS) launched by Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists from Yemen. The targeted missiles were headed towards the USS Gravely in the Red Sea. There were no reports of injuries or damage to U.S., coalition, or commercial ships as a result of the attacks. Furthermore, during this timeframe, CENTCOM forces destroyed a mobile surface-to-air missile system located in Houthi-controlled territory. The destruction of these systems was deemed necessary as they posed a threat to U.S. and coalition forces and merchant vessels operating in the region. This incident highlights the ongoing tensions in the region and the efforts being made by CENTCOM to protect American interests and maintain stability in the area.

  The Maritime Security Centre Horn of Africa (MSCHOA) has issued a warning to all vessels sailing off the coast of Somalia due to a recent surge in piracy activity. Key Points: Heightened Alert:  Ships in the Somali basin are urged to be extremely vigilant due to an increase in reported piracy incidents. Recent Attacks:  Since late November 2023, there have been multiple hijackings of merchant vessels and dhows (smaller boats). One merchant vessel, the M/V Abdullah, remains under pirate control. Pirate Tactics:  Pirates typically use captured dhows as motherships to approach and attack larger vessels further offshore. The possibility of attacks in the Gulf of Aden cannot be ruled out. Threat Level:  MSCHOA currently assesses the piracy threat off the Somali coast as "Moderate," meaning an attack is a realistic possibility. Recommendations: BMP5 Adherence:  All vessels are strongly advised to strictly follow Best Management Practices Version 5 (BMP5) to enh...

 ⚠️ Ice Alert - Labrador Sea (Received 2024-03-15 20:18:16 UTC) Icebergs reported in the Western North Atlantic, Labrador Sea: A. 48-28.13N 052-29.34W B. 48-36.23N 052-15.50W Mariners exercise caution.

  March 15, 2024 - The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has issued an update on an incident in the Indian Ocean, west of Al Hudaydah, Yemen. Earlier on March 15, UKMTO reported receiving information regarding an incident in the area. Authorities were investigating the nature of the incident. In an update released today, UKMTO reported that the master of a merchant vessel reported an explosion some distance away from the ship. There were no injuries to the crew and the vessel sustained no damage. The merchant vessel is continuing on its voyage to its next port of call. Authorities are continuing their investigation into the incident. Important Details: Location: 65 nautical miles west of Al Hudaydah, Yemen Date: March 15, 2024 Reported By: Master of a merchant vessel Incident: Explosion (some distance away from the vessel) Injuries: None Damage to Vessel: None Recommendations: UKMTO advises all vessels in the area to exercise caution and report any suspicious ac...

  Source: UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) Location: 50 nautical miles southeast of Aden, Yemen (approximately 12.0509° N, 45.3104° E) Details: The UKMTO has issued an advisory regarding an incident involving a merchant vessel in the Arabian Sea. According to the report submitted by the ship's Master, an explosion occurred at a distance astern (behind) the vessel at approximately 04:18 UTC on March 14, 2024. Important Updates: Thankfully, the vessel sustained no damage from the explosion. The crew is reported to be safe. The ship is currently proceeding to its next scheduled port of call. Investigation and Ongoing Concerns: Local authorities are investigating the cause of the explosion. UKMTO advises all vessels transiting the area to exercise caution and report any suspicious activity immediately. Background: This incident comes amidst heightened tensions in the region, with several reported attacks on commercial vessels near Yemeni waters in recent months. The specific caus...

Update 2024-03-14 17:54:34 UTC : Two crew members from the Nina Pope have been successfully rescued.

  The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has issued a firing notice, informing mariners of a scheduled live weapon firing exercise. The exercise will take place between 03:00 UTC and 12:00 UTC on 29 February and 01 March 24 in an area bounded by an arc of radius 13,000 meters centered at 24-48.41N 066-57.36E between 225 to 270 degrees clockwise. Mariners are advised to exercise extreme caution and avoid the area during the scheduled firing times. All vessels within the exercise area are requested to monitor VHF frequency 16 or 22 and maintain a safe distance from the firing area.