Working Conditions Aboard the Ab-Ayana

On May 21, 2025, the vessel 'AB Ayana' faced detention in Bartin for a total of 16 critical deficiencies that raised significant concerns regarding safety and compliance. The identified issues included: 1) Life-saving Appliances - Lifebuoys, including provision and disposition, not as required; 2) Life-saving Appliances - Launching arrangements for survival craft were inoperative; 3) Fire safety - Remote means of control in machinery spaces were found inoperative; 4) Fire safety - The fire pump and its associated pipes were not operational; 5) Safety of navigation - The signalling lamp did not meet necessary requirements; 6) Safety of navigation - Lights, shapes, and sound signals were inadequately provided; 7) Safety of navigation - The bridge navigation watch alarm system was inoperative; 8) Pollution Prevention - Ballast Water Management System was found inoperative; 9) Pollution Prevention - The ballast water record book did not meet requirements; 10) Pollution Prevention - Shipboard handling of garbage was not as required; 11) Radio communications - The radio log (diary) was inadequately maintained; 12) Propulsion and auxiliary machinery - The main propulsion engine did not meet necessary standards; 13) Living and working conditions - Accommodation lighting was inadequate; 14) Fire safety - The international shore connection was found to be unsatisfactory; 15) Certificate & Documentation - The SOPEP was not as required; 16) ISM - The ISM certificate was not compliant. After rectifying the deficiencies, the 'AB Ayana' was released on May 24 and proceeded towards Constanta, anchoring at position 44° 10' N 028° 46' E on May 26.

On May 2, 2017, the cargo ship "Heidi" faced a critical engine failure while navigating the Randers Fjord, specifically near the Voer-Mellerup crossing. To prevent a potential grounding, the crew made the decision to drop anchor. Unfortunately, the currents seized control of the vessel, causing it to drift across the constricted waterway, which effectively halted any incoming or outgoing traffic for large vessels. During this incident, only one ship was delayed. Later that evening, around 9 p.m., the pilot aboard the "Heidi" successfully reported that the engine had been restarted, allowing the ship to finally resume its journey to Randers. The vessel had initially departed from Karmsund early on May 1 at 3 a.m., aiming to conduct cargo operations. It ultimately docked in Randers at 10:40 p.m. For additional details, readers can view Danish reports complete with photos and videos at: http://amtsavisen.dk/randers/Heidi-fik-motoren-i-gang-igen/artikel/338495 and http://www.tv2ostjylland.dk/artikel/video-coasteren-heidi-lagde-sig-paa-tvaers-af-kanalen.

In a tragic incident on the evening of October 19, 2014, customs inspector Tor Inge Kalstø, aged 55, lost his life due to asphyxiation following a fall aboard the vessel 'Heidi' in Kopervik, Norway. An autopsy conducted by the Gade Institute in Bergen revealed dangerously low oxygen levels in the cargo hold of the ship, leading authorities to classify the incident as an accidental death. For more details and related images, you can refer to Norwegian news sources: http://www.h-avis.no/nyheter/dode-av-oksygenmangel-1.8627638 and http://www.nrk.no/rogaland/mann-funnet-dod-pa-bat-1.11995646.