On Thursday 22nd August the 2007 built LNG gas carrier COOL RIDER was seen approaching Malta when ONLY the workboat SEA EXPRESS II with chemist aboard notified Valletta VTS that she has a conveyance with her and VTS responded that they had nothing on her since she didn’t communicate though she had entered Territorial Waters. In fact around 0715 hrs she was called and stated that her eta is 0800 and VTS advised her that her rendezvous (RV) position has to be 5 miles.
She was advised to be off pilot station around 1000 hrs due to a tanker departure , also from Palumbo Malta Shipyard of which later on she stated that she has propulsion problems and she required a tugboat.
Since 4 tugs were assisting the 275 metre crude oil tanker to leave Grand Harbour from Dock 6 exchanges were made between VTS, Harbour Master and Duty Pilot to release 1 tugboat due to this issue. In fact tug SEA SALVOR was seen leaving harbour minutes later.
On completion of the crude oil tanker PENTATHLON , tugs and pilot approached her to start the move and was seen passing breakwaters at 1150 hrs assisted by 4 local tugs.
Assisted by 4 tugs – WENZINA, SENGLEA, PAWLINA and SEA SALVOR her smooth move headed to Parlatorio Wharf.
More images can be found here – https://maltashipphotos.com/photo/cool-rider-22-08-2024/
She was built in South Korea by Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) as the BRITISH EMERALD for British Petroleum (BP) with yard number 1777 and red hull.
During August, 2020 she was sold and renamed as KMARIN EMERALD still with red hull and 2 years later she was acquired by the Greek Shipping Company Thenamaris , renamed as COOL RIDER and reflagged to Maltese Flag (MLT) homeported at Valletta.
Few Days later she was photographed berthed at Parlatorio Wharf –
More Images can be found here – https://maltashipphotos.com/photo/cool-rider-27-08-2024/
Friday 30th August.
Both her lifeboat and workboat were spotted ashore at Parlatorio Wharf.
Wednesday 4th September.
Her shifting operation from Parlatorio Wharf to Dock 6 was done in the morning.
Thursday 19th September.
Still drydocked at Dock 6.
More images can be found here – https://maltashipphotos.com/photo/cool-rider-19-09-2024/
Sunday 22nd September.
Around 1730 hrs she shifted from Dock 6 to Parlatorio Wharf with 4 tugs.
Tuesday 24th September.
And finally she left Valletta at 1159 hrs assisted by 4 tugs from Parlatorio Wharf.
