Maritime Accident – Harbour Pilot dead following ship boarding mishap in Turkey – 04.02.2024

On Sunday 4 th February the Turkey’s Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure has confirmed that a local maritime pilot identified as Oguz Kok died as a result of a vessel boarding accident that occurred in the Bosphorus Strait. He was attempting to board the Cook Islands-registered bulker NEW SIHAM at the southern entrance of the […]
Yachting – 1931 built classic yacht MARALA at Malta before and after – July 2023

One of the few surviving yachts of her era, is no doubt the classic 58.8 metre steel superyacht MARALA. She has a fascinating story of 1930’s elegance, German U-boats, and Hollywood glamour. Built by Camper and Nicholsons in 1931, she has had unusually few owners for her age, meaning her character, basic layout and original […]
Cargo Ships – MAPLE at Malta with different flags.

One of the German built ships trading around is the 1985 built general cargo ship MAPLE. She was built by Sietas Schiffswerft at Hamburg, Germany as PAULA trading until 2006, renamed as SIMON B until 2008 and then to MAPLE. In Malta we saw her twice, first one on Thursday 28th March, 2019 homeported at […]
Renaming’s – MIRICA L to VECTRA – January 2008

One of the former Danish Shipping Company M.SMITS ship to be seen at Malta was the MIRICA L that entered Grand Harbour, Malta on Tuesday 15th January, 2008. She was built in the Netherlands by De Groot & Van Vliet at Slikkerveer, South Holland with yard number 406 as CHRISTINA SMITS delivered on 26th November […]
Coronavirus – Holland America Ship Liners with COVID-19 Found on Board – 27.03.2020

Holland America Line said four senior passengers died on her cruise ship ZAANDAM which has had an outbreak of flu like symptoms on board, including at least two confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Friday 27th March, 2020. ZAANDAM was still at sea when President Donald Trump asked cruise companies to cease new voyages. The company […]
Research/Survey Vessel – MED SURVEYOR.

One of the frequent vessels that call at Haifa, Israel is the 1968 built Cook Islands flag MED SURVEYOR. She was built in the USA by New England Shipbuilding at South Portland as the NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration) R 445 fishery patrol vessel DELAWARE II. In August 2013 she was sold and renamed […]
Casualties – 35m yacht KOI sank after fire – 09.09.2017

According to reports from the Hellenic Coast Guard (Greek – Λιμενικό Σώμα-Ελληνική Ακτοφυλακή ) the 35 metre luxury explorer yacht KOI required assistance on Saturday 9th September early in the morning after reporting fire on board in Greek waters between Kefalonia and Zakynthos islands, Ionian sea. Seven crew members were rescued using liferafts and boats […]
Yachting – Flag Change – PRIDE 2 at Malta – 11-16.02.2018 The 2013 built Custom Motor Yacht PRIDE entered Valletta, Malta for Grand Harbour Marina on Sunday 11th February after 2300hrs (2200 UTC) flying Cook Islands flag after she was sold and needed to be renamed and reflagged.She was built by Viudes Yachts in Spain with […]