In the morning of Feb 14, 2011, the “Birka Transporter” collided with the Urk based Dutch trawler “Willempje Hoekstra – UK 33”, 410 gt (IMO: 8705826; built 1986), 15 kilometres west of Den Helder.
While the “Birka Exporter” suffered only limited damage and was allowed to proceed to Amsterdam after investigations were carried out, the 39,98 m long “Willempje Hoekstra” suffered hull damage and water ingress. The MRCC Den Helder sent the KNRM-boat from Den Helder, the Dutch Navy vessel “HM Luymes” and the CG emergency tug “Ievoli Black”. Several additional dewatering pumps were put on board the fishing vessel.
There was no immediate danger for the crew. After the situation was stabilized, the trawler proceeded to Den Helder. The “Birka Transporter” moored in the Bering Harbour at 11.15 a.m.
Birka Transporter IMO 8820858, dwt 5387, built 1991, flag Aland Islands, manager Birka Line.
By Dale Lezon – Houston Chronicle
U.S. officials are investigating the death of a sailor whose body was found aboard a Ukranian cargo ship days before it docked at the Houston Ship Wednesday night.
The man, a Ukrainian national, was discovered dead New Year’s Eve while the cargo ship was at sea, said Shauna Dunlap, spokeswoman for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which is handling the case.
The FBI is trying to determine how the man died, Dunlap said. No signs of a gunshot or stab wound appear on the body, she added. An autopsy will determine the cause of death.
Dunlap said the FBI was alerted about the death Wednesday night and that the ship later docked at the Port of Houston about 9 p.m. She said crew members told investigators they found the man dead.
Dunlap said the FBI also is trying to determine what law enforcement agency has jurisdiction in the case because the death occurred while the ship was in international waters.
The FBI has jurisdiction in U.S. waters.
(SAN DIEGO) — A MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Coast Guard Sector San Diego medically evacuated a crewmember from a cruise ship 250 miles southwest of San Diego late Monday night.
Just after 2 p.m., the crew of the cruise ship Crystal Symphony notified the Coast Guard that the 39-year-old Filipino crewmember needed immediate medical assistance for an eye injury. A Coast Guard flight surgeon was consulted and recommended the crewmember be medically evacuated in order to preserve his eyesight.
At approximately 6:45 p.m., Monday, a helicopter was launched from Sector San Diego to conduct the medevac. An HC-130 Hercules aircraft crew from Air Station Sacramento supported the medevac by locating the ship and providing long-range coverage.
At 12:44 a.m, the helicopter crew hoisted the cruise ship’s crewmember, who was then flown to Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla, Calif.