Aquis-Perla Ship Details and Seafarer Feedback

On January 19, the cargo vessel 'Sea Orchid' received clearance to set sail once more from Kiel, resuming its journey to Algeria. This decision came after police discovered significant deficiencies during a port state control inspection. Notably, there were discrepancies in the oil record book regarding three cubic meters of oil sludge. Additionally, inspectors noted an unusually high amount of waste onboard, with the crew lacking an adequate disposal plan. The ship's wastewater treatment facility was found to be missing crucial sewage purification tablets necessary for effective disinfection. During the examination, officers encountered further complications when a water sample revealed a black liquid containing particles, leading to an immediate closure of the sewage line. Consequently, the wastewater must now be stored in a tank under supervision onboard until proper disposal can occur in Kiel. The multitude of violations has resulted in legal repercussions, including the initiation of several criminal proceedings against the crew. Moreover, the captain was required to pay a security deposit of 3,000 Euros. The 'Sea Orchid' has faced numerous compliance issues in the past, with a notable incident occurring last October in Canada. For more details, refer to the German report with accompanying photographs at http://www.kn-online.de/Lokales/Kiel/Frachter-mit-Maengeln-Seelenverkaeufer-im-Nordhafen-festgesetzt.

On January 15, the freighter 'Sea Orchid' docked at Voith Quay in Kiel's North Port while en route to Algiers carrying a wheat cargo. Following an inspection, the ship was detained by local authorities due to significant safety deficiencies and serious environmental breaches. The crew reportedly discharged untreated sewage, including feces, directly into the waters off Kiel. Furthermore, they could not provide disposal documentation for approximately three cubic meters of oil sludge. As a result, the ship's captain faced a safety deposit of €3,000. The 'Sea Orchid' began its journey from Lübeck on January 7, choosing to navigate around Skagen despite weather warnings. Tragically, on January 11, a Filipino crew member fell overboard approximately 20 nautical miles west of Hanstholm. A rapid response from two Danish military helicopters and nearby vessels led to his recovery; however, he was pronounced dead prior to being transported to the University Hospital of Aalborg. Following the incident and in response to imminent storms, the captain was forced to turn back to the Baltic Sea, where he intended to replace the deceased crew member. Meanwhile, the crew is working to address the identified safety deficiencies, which may take several days to remedy. The multiple violations have also resulted in criminal charges against the crew members. This is not the first time the 'Sea Orchid' has faced scrutiny; during a port state control inspection in Canada on October 22, 2014, authorities identified 22 deficiencies that had to be corrected before the vessel could continue its journey to Europe. For detailed reports and images regarding the ship's condition and its legal troubles, visit the following links: [NDR News](http://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/schleswig-holstein/Wasserschutzpolizei-legt-Frachter-an-die-Kette,frachtschiff108.html), [Kiel Nachrichten](http://www.kn-online.de/Lokales/Kiel/Katastrophale-Zustaende-auf-Frachter-in-Kiel-entdeckt), [RTN TV News](http://www.rtntvnews.de/news/10871/Maengel--Wasserschutzpolizei-legt-Sea-Orchid-an-die-Kette/), [NOK Photography](http://www.nok-photography.de/sea-orchid/).

A tragic incident unfolded on January 11, 2015, when a Filipino crew member aboard the vessel 'Sea Orchid' lost his life after falling overboard. The ship, which was making its way from Lübeck to Algeria, encountered the unfortunate accident approximately 20 nautical miles north of Hanstholm. In response to the emergency, two rescue helicopters were swiftly dispatched to the area, and a nearby vessel was alerted to assist in the search. Rescuers were able to locate the unresponsive sailor in the water. He was promptly recovered and transported to Aalborg Hospital, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival. In the aftermath of the incident, investigators from the Central and West Jutland Police boarded the wood chip carrier to conduct a thorough inquiry and interview the crew about the circumstances surrounding this tragic event.