Read Authentic Ratings for the Crown-Opal

On January 28, 2017, the Colombian Navy announced a significant drug bust involving the cargo vessel 'Crown Opal'. Naval divers discovered a concealed cache of 67 kilograms of cocaine, cleverly hidden within a cylinder attached to the ship's underwater hull. This illicit cargo was reportedly destined for Belgium. The 'Crown Opal' had departed from Santa Marta just two days earlier, on January 26. Conducting their search in the Gulf of Uraba, the Navy acted swiftly to remove the narcotics from the vessel. By January 29, the ship was on the move again in the Gulf of Uraba, en route to Moin, with upcoming stops planned in the Dominican Republic, the United Kingdom, and finally Belgium. Notably, both the ship and its crew were cleared of any suspicions related to drug trafficking activities.

The 'Crown Opal' found itself temporarily stranded upon its arrival at New Bedford on February 2, 2015, following a significant incident involving the cargo it was transporting. The shipping company faced challenges proving sufficient insurance, amid allegations of inadequate cargo securing which led to a severe shift during tumultuous 25-foot seas. Morocco's Maroc Fruit Board, the entity that chartered the vessel, filed a federal lawsuit in Boston, asserting that improper cargo management caused serious hazards, including extensive damage to the ship's lower decks and the fragile fruit cargo. Mid-week, federal authorities intervened, ordering the maritime arrest of the 'Crown Opal' to secure the vessel while legal proceedings aimed to address the estimated losses between $3.2 million and $4.4 million. After roughly 10 days at State Pier, the vessel was relocated to clear the way for the 'Green Honduras,' another ship laden with clementines. Consequently, the 'Crown Opal' remained anchored in Buzzards Bay, with most of its crew sent home. Pierre Bernier, logistics manager at Maritime Terminal, reported that approximately one-third of the cargo was impacted, with pallets haphazardly arranged and internal mesh decks giving way under the strain. The crew, supported by local longshoremen, undertook the painstaking task of salvaging and repacking the disarrayed pallets, an effort complicated by frigid temperatures that halted offloading for several days. Carried on board were about 3,000 pallets of clementines, with damage evident in cargo holds 1, 2, and 4 upon inspection on February 3. In particular, hold No. 1 featured nearly all pallets shifted toward the aft, with numerous structures collapsing. Delays in offloading followed as longshoremen focused on restacking the affected cargo while managing the rapidly falling pulp temperatures of the fruit due to severe ambient conditions. The hatch was sealed to preserve the remaining product while the hard-working crews continued with the intricate task of restoring order amidst chaos. Such cooperation among the longshoremen and crew—comprised of Ukrainian and Filipino members—was commendable. Meanwhile, the scope of damages and associated liabilities awaits resolution in federal court. As this unfolds, other vessels brimming with clementines from Morocco and Spain are set to arrive in New Bedford, primarily aiming to meet the demands of the Canadian market.