On April 9, the Italian-flagged OSV, owned by the multinational oil and gas contractor Micoperi, was in the southern Gulf of Mexico when a boat approached quickly. Someone in the pirate vessel fired a warning shot and eight masked men jumped on board Remas. They took the 30-member crew captive and ransacked the ship, stealing crewmembers’ personal items and some industrial equipment before fleeing. No one was injured — this time.
Remas had endured two prior pirate attacks in the Gulf, one less than a week earlier, which played out much the same way. In November 2019, two boats of armed men rushed the ship, maneuvered to the side, and leaped on board. One crewman on Remas suffered a bullet wound and another a concussion tussling with the bandits.
Incidents of piracy are increasing in the Gulf of Mexico, which had been considered relatively safe compared to hot spots like Southeast Asia and Somalia. But as oil and natural gas extraction boosted shipping activity in the Gulf, pirates have increasingly targeted vessels. The growth in piracy is centered in the southern region, prompting advisories from the U.S. Transportation Department and State Department and an increased presence by SEMAR, Mexico’s navy.
More than 200 raids have occurred outside of territorial waters in the Gulf since 2016, said Enrique Lozano, the Gulf of Mexico inspector for the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF). From January 2018 to June 2020, U.S. naval officials counted attacks on 20 vessels and 35 oil platforms in the Bay of Campeche. Thus far, no U.S.-flagged vessels have been attacked in this spree, which seemed to reach a peak in April.
Denne historien er fra December - January2021-utgaven av Professional Mariner.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra December - January2021-utgaven av Professional Mariner.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Mariner's role still unknown as autonomous shipping gains speed
Mariners’ role still unknown as autonomous shipping gains speed
Piracy edges closer to home with wave of raids in southern Gulf
In the brief cellphone video recorded by a crewmember on the offshore supply vessel (OSV) Remas, the pirates walk back and forth on the deck of the ship, clenching their guns and using them to point as they order around the crew. Their faces are draped in clothing and bandanas.
Casualties
NTSB: Dredge hit Texas gas pipeline, causing fire that killed four
IMO emissions report raises new concerns about methane slip
A recent report from the International Maritime Organization (IMO) reveals that global shipping emissions increased nearly 10 percent from 2012 to 2018, with the industry facing a growing challenge concerning methane slip.
Bay State brothers find industry niche by making old into new
Zero non-conformities is what you want to hear when the U.S. Coast Guard inspects your tugboat. Once you’ve prepared your vessel, the inspectors come aboard to peruse your paperwork. They ask you pointed questions, to which they expect straightforward answers. Perusal completed, they then scrutinize all of the related safety systems, from bilge to antennas — even the ship’s bell.
Signals
A year into the pandemic, thousands ‘essentially indentured’ on ships
Analysis points to faulty loading, low ballast in Golden Ray rollover
While the salvage of the sunken vehicle carrier Golden Ray has been delayed for months due to COVID-19 and the hurricane season, analysis by the U.S. Coast Guard has determined a possible cause for the rollover: a combination of vehicles placed too high on the ship’s decks, and not enough ballast water gave the placement of the cargo.
Seastreak newcomer pushing through dip in demand
Two years ago, Seastreak LLC took delivery of Seastreak Commodore, a 600-passenger fast ferry, from Gulf Craft of Franklin, La. Designed by Australia-based Incat Crowther, the vessel is the largest of its kind in the United States and was built to meet the burgeoning demand for service in the New York-New Jersey market.
New year in a new world: Navigating COVID's maritime realities
In a matter of days, the decorative time balls will drop, “Auld Lang Syne” will fill the air, and ships at anchor will sound their horns as the world welcomes in the new year.
Advanced props, rudders provide new efficiencies below the waterline
It took a decade or two from the invention of the marine propeller in the 19th century for the technology to become widely accepted. Thereafter, adoption has been nearly universal, but progress toward improved efficiencies has come in fits and starts.
