A selection of current maritime news this week which, most likely, do not make headines on the national media.
FISHING BOAT SAFETY INSPECTIONS START THIS WEEK – The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) is starting a national sea fishing inspection campaign this week (Tuesday June 3) aimed at raising awareness of the hazards faced in the industry and the importance of managing safety and health before leaving port and while at sea. Over the 10-year period 2015 to 2024, there were 24 fatal incidents in the fishing sector. Based on numbers employed, the HSA says that this means “that sea fishing is the most dangerous sector in which to work in Ireland.”
THE VIKING AGE OSBERG SHIP – One of the most fascinating historical maritime ‘finds’ has been the totally intact Viking ship burial uncovered, along with incredible artefacts and the bodies of two high-status women in 1903 by a Norwegian farmer who found an ornate piece of wood sticking out of the mud. One year later, an almost totally intact Viking ship burial had been uncovered, along with incredible artefacts and the bodies of two high-status women. The Oseberg ship, the Norwegian authorities have announced will be displayed in the new ‘Museum of the Viking Age’ in Oslo, Norway, when it reopens in 2027. Anew museum is being built as a larger, more comprehensive museum to showcase the Viking Age.
THE LAST PADDLE STEAMER – is the still operating sea-going paddle steamer, P.S. Waverley, dating back to 1946 when it was launched on the Clyde in Scotland, is beginning a cruise schedule this week. It will start in Wales and is planned to continue in Scotland and around UK waters until October.
LINER FROM TRAGEDY TO BE SOLD TO PAY DOCKING DEBTS – Described as “the oldest ocean-going cruise ship in the world” the vessel now called Astoria, but previously the Swedish liner Stockholm is to be sold by order of Rotterdam District Court to pay dockage fees in Rotterdam Port where she has been laid up since December 2020. On July 26, 1956 off the US coast, near the Nantucket Lightship, she was involved in a collision in fog with the Italian liner Andrea Doria in which a total of 51 passengers and crew, from both vessels died. The auction will take place on June 17. There have been reports that she was offered for sale for €10 million but sufficient bids were not received. Photo after the tragedy in 1956 by US Coast Guard.
ROYAL NAVY USE DRONE TO ARREST DRUG SMUGGLERS – The British Royal Navy frigate HMS Lancaster used a drone to arrest a suspicious cargo dhow in the Arabian Sea. Marines boarded the vessel and their search found 50 packages containing one ton of heroin, 55 packages containing 660kg of hashish, and 6 kg of amphetamine tablets, all estimated to have a street value of over $36 million dollars. Photo – Royal Navy.
RUSSIAN ARCTIC SHIPPING RECORD EXPECTED – Russia’s state nuclear energy firm Rosatom has projected a 50 percent rise in voyages by foreign vessels in the Arctic shipping Northern Sea Route which Russia controls. Navigation through the route will open from July 1 until November 30, the predicted period during which ice will have receded or thinned. Rosatom controls the Russian icebreaker fleet and is in charge of operations along the NSR
