seafarertimes.com ~ Maritime News for Filipino Seafarers

Pirates Kidnap Nine from Tanker Off Benin
Reuters November 4, 2019 https://gcaptain.com/pirates-kidnap-nine-from-tanker-off-benin/?utm_camp...

OSLO, Nov 3 (Reuters) – A vessel owned by Norwegian shipping firm J.J. Ugland was boarded by pirates while at anchor off the coast of Benin on Saturday, and nine crew members were kidnapped, the company said on Sunday.

Did MARINA clear local coastguard in sea tragedy?
Ruby Silubrico -Monday, November 4, 2019 https://www.panaynews.net/did-marina-clear-local-coastguard-in-sea-tragedy/

ILOILO City – Did the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) investigation on the capsizing of three motorboats at the Iloilo Strait on Aug. 3 clear the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in Western Visayas?

Panelo on ‘Aura’ incident: Not a PH vessel? ‘Not a concern’
Krissy Aguilar November 03, 2019 https://globalnation.inquirer.net/181826/panelo-on-aura-incident-not-a-p...

NONTHABURI, Thailand — The latest incident at the Scarborough Shoal involving a “Chinese naval ship” and a Liberian-flagged, Greek-owned oil tanker with an all-Filipino crew is “not a concern,” Malacañang said Sunday.

DG Shipping targets seafarers’ recruitment and manning agents
31/10/2019 https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/dg-shipping-targets-seafarers-recru...

After targeting maritime training institutes, faculty and seafarers over quality issues, India’s maritime administration is now looking to rein-in recruitment and manning agents by grading their performance through an external agency.

IMO Ramps Up Effort to Fight Fake Flag Registries
2019-10-29 https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/imo-ramps-up-effort-to-fight-...

In response to a spike in fake flag registrations, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) is seeking to combat "rogue" national flag registries which are operating without the knowledge of governments they claim to represent, according to the insurer Standard Club.

Seamen and vessel owners’ maintenance obligation
John K. Fulweiler OCTOBER 31, 2019 https://www.workboat.com/blogs/maritime-matters/seamen-and-vessel-owners...

The obligation of maintenance is triggered when a seaman is disabled while in the service of the vessel no matter the cause. It’s an obligation intended and enforced to protect the “poor and friendless” sailor. But what if the seaman returns to work? Does this obligation cease?

Brazil blames devastating oil spill on Greek-flagged tanker
Reuters in Brazil 1 Nov 2019 https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/nov/01/brazil-blames-oil-spill-gr...

A Greek-flagged ship carrying Venezuelan crude was the source of an oil spill which has tarred thousands of kilometers of coastline over the past two months, Brazilian investigators have announced.

Fake cruise ship captain seduces lonely landlubber, vanishes with her money

The ocean can be a fickle mistress.

A woman in Delaware was recently scammed out of her money by a man claiming to be a cruise ship captain, after he allegedly courted the woman online and then promised to marry her.

The "captain" reportedly vanished once he got the cash.

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) of Delaware released information about the scam on its Twitter account, keeping the victim’s details anonymous, but writing that the scammer went by the name "Captain James Rockwell.”

Liberia: Sailors Express Fear After Seaman dies
Nov 1, 2019 https://frontpageafricaonline.com/news/liberia-sailors-express-fear-afte...

Monrovia – Members of the United Seamen and Ports Workers Union of Liberia say they are now working under fear due to the constant and mysterious deaths of their colleagues over the period.

Crew for troubled polar tour firm say they haven't been paid in months
Leyland Cecco 31 Oct 2019

Canada-based One Ocean Expeditions cancelled recent trip to Antarctica after it was unable to purchase sufficient fuel

An adventure travel company that charges upwards of US$20,000 for a single trip to polar regions has failed to pay many of its contractors in nearly a year, leaving some unable to cover living expenses, according to current and former crew.

Polar cruise boom harming the Arctic, explorer warns