The Astakos: Crew Feedback and Vessel Data

On Friday, October 20, 2023, Star Bulk Carriers, listed on Nasdaq, revealed the completion of the sale of its supramax vessel, the Maiden Voyage. This ship, with a deadweight tonnage of 58,772 and built in 2012, has been sold to an undisclosed buyer. The transaction, which was finalized with delivery on Tuesday, came to light just three days later. In a strategic move, Star Bulk has also entered into a time charter agreement to lease back the same vessel for an additional two years, maintaining operational flexibility while leveraging the sale.

In a remarkable display of maritime solidarity, the bulk carrier Maiden Voyage successfully rescued 26 crew members from the stricken tanker Theresa Bitung, which was engulfed in flames while en route from the Zhoushan Islands in China to Singapore on November 27, 2013. The drama unfolded as the Maiden Voyage was navigating just 22 nautical miles away when they received the urgent distress call. Captain Hernesto Caluya took swift action, informing rescue authorities and alerting nearby vessels before steering the Supramax carrier toward the scene. Within an hour of the initial emergency signal, the situation aboard the Theresa Bitung escalated, prompting its captain to declare that the fire was beyond control and that the crew was preparing to abandon ship. The Maiden Voyage reached the distressed vessel shortly thereafter, deploying a rescue boat that successfully retrieved all 26 seafarers from their lifeboat and two inflatable rafts. Captain Caluya later confirmed the crew's safety to other vessels in the vicinity before resuming the journey to Hong Kong. The Marshall Islands-flagged Maiden Voyage, operated by Athens-based Starbulk Carriers, joined the Amver system on January 2, 2013, and is set to receive its first Amver participation award in 2014 for this brave rescue operation.