Aqua-Spirit Ship Details and Seafarer Feedback

In a strategic move to diminish Iran's maritime operations, the US Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has officially designated nine tankers with ties to Iran. This action serves to restrict these vessels' global activities and heightens the enforcement risks faced by related entities. The sanctioned vessels include the 'Cesaria' (IMO: 9251602), 'Longevity 7' (IMO: 9240885), 'Sea Bird' (IMO: 9088536), 'Avon' (IMO: 9034705), 'Al Diab II' (IMO: 9053816), 'Aqua Spirit', 'Eastern Hero' (IMO: 9353905), 'Chiron 5' (IMO: 9306665), and 'Keel' (IMO 9176929). These tankers have been involved in transporting various hydrocarbon products such as crude oil, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), condensate, high-sulfur fuel oil (HSFO), and naphtha across regions including East and South Asia. Notably, their activities have included deliveries to locations such as Pakistan, East Asia, the UAE, and Somalia, frequently employing ship-to-ship transfer methods. This recent action amplifies Washington’s ongoing campaign aimed at dismantling Iran’s shadow fleet operations and curbing its revenue streams.

On March 9, the tanker 'Happy Bird' was permitted to continue its journey towards Mohammedia, with an estimated arrival time set for March 15. However, the ship's captain now finds himself at the center of an investigation due to a technical issue with the main engine that resulted in soot pollution. Despite being aware of the malfunction, he opted to navigate the Kiel Canal, prompting authorities to take action against him. Consequently, the captain was required to post a safety deposit of 528 Euros. The malfunction was traced to a defective blower, and since repairs were not feasible in Brunsbüttel, the vessel proceeded through the Kiel Canal locks with assistance from two tugs. After safely reaching the Elbe, the tanker was cleared to restart its main engine as it made its way into the North Sea. For more details, you can refer to the German report featuring a photo: http://www.kn-online.de/Schleswig-Holstein/Aus-dem-Land/Tanker-Happy-Bird-Rauchwolken-hatten-ein-Nachspiel.

On March 8, 2015, the oil tanker 'Happy Bird', which was on its way from Portsmouth to Mohammedia, Morocco, experienced significant engine issues while navigating through the Kiel Canal. The vessel came to a halt at Schwartenbek, near Kiel, releasing large clouds of exhaust that drastically reduced visibility in the area. After conducting several maneuvers, the tanker continued its journey towards Brunsbüttel. At approximately 8:30 p.m., local authorities were notified and subsequently halted the ship at the South Quay in Brunsbüttel for an investigation. This examination, set to take place the following midday on March 9, will determine whether repairs are necessary for the 'Happy Bird'. For additional insights, German news sources have reported on the incident, featuring images: http://www.kn-online.de/Lokales/Kiel/Kiel-Rauchwolken-truebten-den-Blick-Happy-Bird-stiess-Russ-aus and http://www.kn-online.de/Schleswig-Holstein/Aus-dem-Land/Dunkle-Rauchwolken-ueber-Kieler-Foerde-Tanker-Happy-Bird-wird-untersucht.

On January 12, 2012, the vessel 'Happy Bird' faced a perilous situation when it was targeted by pirates operating from two skiffs. This incident occurred at approximately 14:51N latitude and 056:03E longitude, roughly 170 nautical miles southeast of Salalah, Oman. Thanks to the swift response of the vessel's onboard security team, who effectively returned fire, the attacking skiffs were repelled and subsequently fled the scene, ensuring the safety of the crew and ship.