What Crew Members Say About Anthos

On June 6, 2016, the vessel MV Anthos, while docked at berth 5 in the Sassnitz-Mukran harbor, underwent a thorough port state control inspection conducted by the Sassnitz marine police. The inspection revealed several deficiencies, particularly concerning the vessel’s compliance with the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code. Subsequently, the ship’s flag state was promptly informed of these safety regulation breaches. Moreover, the inspection uncovered unauthorized piping in the engine room, connecting the bilge water tank to the outboard valve, which allowed for circumvention of the oil separator. This action contravenes the MARPOL (International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships) regulations adopted in 1973 and amended in 1978. In response to these infractions, the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency of Germany, based in Hamburg, imposed a significant security fine of $2,400. The MV Anthos had arrived from Gdynia on June 3 and remained in port until June 7, while authorities dealt with the compliance issues.

In the early hours of April 9, 2011, a liferaft was lost from the vessel 'Thalia' as it made its journey from Rotterdam to Murmansk. The liferaft inflated and began to drift dangerously into the busy shipping lane, prompting a response from the Coastguard Centre in Den Helder at around 6:30 a.m. The rescue boat 'Joke Dijkstra' was dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival, the crew conducted a visual assessment to ensure no debris would impede the jet propulsion during the retrieval. A brave crew member entered the drifting raft, and with the aid of a towing line secured from 'Joke Dijkstra', the 16-person liferaft was successfully pulled in. After being safely lifted aboard the rescue vessel and deflated, the 'Joke Dijkstra' made its way back to Den Helder. Additional details and photos of the operation can be viewed on the Dutch KNRM website: http://www.knrm.nl/waar-wij-zijn/reddingstations/den-helder/reddingrapporten/?contentID=67ACB3B0.

On the morning of April 9, 2011, during its journey from Rotterdam to Murmansk, the cargo vessel 'Thalia' unexpectedly lost a liferaft. The inflatable raft was spotted drifting in a busy shipping lane, prompting the Coastguard Centre Den Helder to alert the crew of the rescue boat 'Joke Dijkstra' at 6:30 AM. Upon locating the liferaft, the team carefully assessed its condition to ensure no lines could potentially obstruct their jet propulsion system. A brave crew member then jumped into the raft, securing a towing connection from 'Joke Dijkstra.' This efficient maneuver allowed them to safely retrieve the 16-person liferaft. Following the successful operation, the raft was hoisted aboard the rescue vessel, deflated, and 'Joke Dijkstra' made its way back to Den Helder. For further details and photographs of the rescue operation, visit the Dutch report at http://www.knrm.nl/waar-wij-zijn/reddingstations/den-helder/reddingrapporten/?contentID=67ACB3B0.