UPDATED: VIDEO of the collision between Minerva Maya and M.L. Crochet

Exclusive video on the collision between the unloaded 800-foot tanker ship Minerva Maya and a tug pushing barges, being pushed by the tug vessel M.L. Crochet in Houston Ship Channel on June 2nd, 2013.

The USCG responded to the collision between all vessels on Sunday.

According to the latest information the tanker ship Minerva Maya sustained some hull damages. There are no injured people or any environment pollution.

The cause of the accident is still under investigation.

DNV Plans on Enhancing Lifeboat Safety

DNV (Det Norske Veritas) has plans on enhancing maritime lifeboat safety.

There were incidents in the past with lifeboats. An industry project was started by OLF (the 

Norwegian Oil and Gas Association)for these incidents.

Requirements for lifeboats were tested in calm waters and from heights smaller than those for 

example on host facilities on the Norwegian Continental Shelf. In real situations lifeboats are 

exposed to greater loads and damage. DNV has to develop a standard for the design of free 

fall lifeboats. The standard of the design of lifeboats is revised and test were performed in 

more extreme conditions. Lifeboats on the Norwegian Continental Shelf are now being built 

according to the DNV standard.

Olav Rognebakke, the head of DNV’s Ship Hydrodynamics and Stability Section said: 

"If the shipping industry decides to implement our Free Fall Lifeboat standard, I believe 

maritime lifeboat safety will be taken an important step further."

A COMMERCIAL fishing trawler has damaged the Great Barrier Reef and spilled diesel

A commercial fishing trawler has damaged the Great Barrier Reef and spilled diesel fuel after running aground off central Queensland.

The incident happened about 3.30am on Thursday near Lady Elliot Island off Gladstone which is within the World Heritage Area.

The hull of the ship was damaged but no injuries were reported.

Updated on Hijacked Tanker Matrix I: the 5 kidnapped crew members released

According to the information released by Reuters, the five kidnapped Pakistani crew

 members of Nigerian tanker Matrix I, kidnapped by Nigerian pirates on 25th of May, 

2013 were freed. All the released crew members are in a good health condition. No details 

available as to the terms of the release.

Previous information on the accident: pirates attacked the Nigeria-flagged, but Greek-

operated, product tanker ship Matrix I early in the morning of May 25th, 2013 some 40

 n.m. of the coast of Bayelsa state, Nigeria. Operator of the tanker ship, Val Oil Trading 

Co., confirmed the attack, but did not reveal any other details. Reportedly, some of the

 crew were kidnapped. Crew is said to consist of twelve Pakistani and 5 Nigerians, wrote 

Reuters. 

Pirates kidnap 7 PAKISTANI

The ship which is  attacked is MT MATRIX I.

MATRIX is a Nigeria ship a tanker one was attacked about 42 NM of Cap Formoso,The vessel was having 17 crew members and was sailing with a speed of 6 knots.

It is a bad thing that several ships are being attacked in the same area last month-MT BOSUN, MV CITY OF XIAMEN, MV CITY OF GUANGZHOU and off shore crew boat UTAI 8.

It is also noted that 4 crew members have  been  released  of HANSA MARBURG by the pirates