Sea warnings

On May 2, 2024, at approximately 2:00 p.m. (Sanaa time), U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) forces successfully engaged and destroyed three uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) in an Iranian-backed Houthi-controlled area of Yemen. The decision to take action was made after it was determined that these systems posed an imminent threat to U.S., coalition forces, and merchant vessels operating in the region.

 Japan's launch of the Kangei Maru, a new whaling ship, has sparked outrage among conservation groups worldwide. This vessel, replacing the infamous Nisshin Maru, raises serious concerns about Japan's continued whaling practices, particularly in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary. The Kangei Maru: A Lethal Upgrade The Kangei Maru boasts several worrying features. Its extended range of 13,000 kilometers suggests a potential return to the Southern Ocean, a designated whale sanctuary. Additionally, its design allows for the processing of larger fin whales, a vulnerable species still recovering from past commercial whaling. Environmental organizations like Blue Planet Society and the Sea Shepherd Global have strongly condemned Japan's renewed whaling efforts. Concerns include the targeting of vulnerable species and the defiance of international regulations protecting whales. Japan has a long history of whaling, previously conducting controversial "scientific" hunts in...

May 2, 2024 - The Italian Coast Guard, acting on behalf of the Libyan Navy Coast Guard, issued a distress call for a vessel adrift in the Mediterranean Sea. The boat, carrying approximately 45 people, was last known to be located at 33° 55' N - 23° 49' E (approximately 130 nautical miles north of Benghazi, Libya) as of May 1st, 11:49 UTC. Search and Rescue Efforts Authorities are requesting all vessels transiting in the area to be on the lookout for the distressed boat and report any sightings to the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) Libya.  Weather Conditions Current sea conditions are calm with winds of 7 to 10 knots and waves of 0.5 meters. However, the weather is expected to deteriorate this evening. Forecasts for tomorrow predict northwesterly winds of 17-20 knots with gusts up to 26 knots, and waves up to 1.5 meters. The deteriorating weather conditions make it crucial to locate the distressed vessel as soon as possible. The combined efforts of search and rescue ...

  May 2, 2024 - The historic three-masted ship Belem is making its way across the Mediterranean, carrying the Olympic flame from Greece to France for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Its journey, which began on April 27 from Piraeus, represents a fascinating blend of tradition and modernity, linking the rich history of seafaring with the Olympic spirit. A Journey Rich in Symbolism The choice of the Belem as a means of transport for the flame is not accidental. Launched in 1896, the same year as the first modern Olympic Games, the ship perfectly embodies the Olympic values of excellence, perseverance, and fair play. Its voyage across the sea also recalls the voyages of the ancient Greeks who spread the Olympic flame throughout the Mediterranean world. Following the Flame's Tracks On April 29, the Belem crossed the evocative Corinth Canal, offering a breathtaking spectacle to the many spectators who had gathered on the banks. The ship then continued its journey towards Sicily, skirting...

Mount Ruang, located on the island of Sangihe in Indonesia, erupted twice in the early hours of Tuesday, April 30, 2024, generating a massive pyroclastic flow and an ash plume that reached over 20,000 feet (6,100 meters) high. The eruption prompted authorities to raise the alert level to its highest and evacuate people living within a 6-km radius of the volcano. The first eruption occurred at 2:15 a.m. local time on Tuesday morning , followed by a second, even more powerful one at 8:50 a.m. The eruption produced a pyroclastic flow that ravaged the volcano's flanks and reached the sea. A dense, black ash plume rose into the atmosphere, darkening the sky and causing ash to fall on nearby communities. The eruption has led to the closure of Manado airport , which is located about 100 km from the volcano. Authorities have warned that ashfall could pose a hazard to air navigation and have advised residents to stay indoors and wear masks if they must go outside. Mount Ruang is an active s...

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.

The U.S. Coast Guard has issued a request for vessels in the vicinity of position 19-48.45N 074-11.23W to be on the lookout for an unoccupied red, six-person SurvivalTec life raft adrift at sea. The life raft, identified by serial number 5085710500979, lot number 12/21-5, and part number 50857002, was reported adrift with no one on board. Weather Conditions in the Area: East winds at 20 knots with gusts up to 28 knots (37 km/h to 52 km/h) Choppy seas with waves up to 1.5 meters (5 feet) Scattered thunderstorms Anyone with information on the life raft's location is urged to contact the U.S. Coast Guard.