Sea warnings

UPDATE: received new position on 2024-04-09 03:51 (UTC+0) near Gijòn .

  8 April 2024 – An Ecuadorian helicopter with the call sign HCCKG has been reported in distress near Tahiti. The distress beacon was detected by Inmarsat at 14:38:30 UTC on 8 April 2024. The helicopter's position is reported to be 07 08 S / 129 28 W. The Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) Tahiti is coordinating the search and rescue operation. They are requesting any information about the helicopter or its occupants to be reported to them. The weather in the area is currently difficult, with winds of 18 knots gusting to 26 knots from the east, 2.4 meter seas, and occasional thunderstorms. A slight improvement is expected in the next few hours, but the weather will remain challenging. JRCC Tahiti contact information: INM-C: (582) 422799192 Phone: +689 40 54 16 16 Updates will be provided as they become available.

The Great Barrier Reef is facing a catastrophic situation after another scorching Australian summer triggered widespread coral bleaching and mortality, according to leading marine scientist Terry Hughes and a recent report by New Scientist. Severe Bleaching and Mortality:  Extensive bleaching, a stress response that turns coral white, has been observed across the reef. Professor Hughes highlights that this bleaching translates to mass coral death, with hundreds of millions already succumbing to prolonged heat stress. Dead and Dying Corals:  New Scientist's report echoes these concerns, describing the reef as "dead, bleached and fluorescing coral." Algae growth on the corals confirms their demise, as algae only colonize dead coral skeletons. Recovery Unlikely:  The dead corals won't regain their color when temperatures drop. This is particularly worrying for areas that had shown some recovery from previous bleaching events. Previously Recovered Reefs at Risk:  Heat-se...

  Weather warning issued on April 7th, 2024, at 7:52 PM UTC. Iimportant information for maritime areas including Faraday, East of Romeo, Charcot, Pazenn, Iroise, Yeu, Finisterre, and Agadir. General Synopsis: A low-pressure system named "Pierrick" is currently located at 42N 19W and is deepening as it moves northeast. A new Atlantic disturbance will be crossing the Faraday and Altair regions later. A low-pressure area is expected to form over southwest Algeria with an associated trough extending towards Morocco. A high-pressure system is building northeast and will bring calmer conditions to some areas. Specific Warnings: Faraday:  Expect southerly or southeasterly winds of force 8 ( Beaufort scale ) in the east starting from 6:18 PM UTC on April 8th and lasting until at least 9:00 AM UTC on April 9th. Severe gusts are possible. East of Romeo:  Northwesterly winds of force 8 are expected in the extreme east until 6:12 PM UTC on April 8th. Severe gusts are possible. Charco...

  April 7, 2024 Inmarsat has issued a safety warning to mariners about 15 containers that are adrift in the North Atlantic Ocean, northwest of the Bay of Biscay. The containers are believed to have fallen from a cargo ship during heavy weather. They are currently located at 47 20.00N 007 35.00W. Mariners are advised to navigate with caution in the area and to be on the lookout for the containers. The current weather in the area is: Wind: 24 knots with gusts to 33 knots from the southwest Wave height: 4.5 meters Precipitation: Light Forecast: Conditions are expected to deteriorate in the coming hours. Advice for Mariners Mariners are advised to take the following precautions when sailing in areas where drifting hazards are present: Reduce speed. Maintain a sharp lookout. Use radar to detect hazards. Alter course to avoid hazards. Report any sightings of hazards to the nearest Coast Guard station. By following these precautions, mariners can help to ensure the safety of themselves an...

  The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has reported an incident involving a vessel in the Arabian Sea, approximately 60 nautical miles southwest of Al Hudaydah, Yemen. According to the Master's account, two missiles were detected in the vicinity of the ship. The first missile was intercepted by coalition forces, while the second one fell into the water at a safe distance from the vessel. Fortunately, there have been no reports of damage or injuries to the crew members on board. Following the incident, the vessel continued its journey to the next port of call, and authorities are currently investigating the matter. The UKMTO has advised all vessels in the area to exercise caution when transiting through these waters and report any suspicious activity immediately. This recent incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing maritime security risks in the region and the importance of maintaining vigilance at sea.

  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...