What Crew Members Say About Diva-1

On November 25, the UK government took significant action by imposing sanctions on 30 vessels linked to the notorious Russian Shadow Fleet, including the tankers like 'Suleyman I'. This latest measure targets vessels involved in illicit oil transportation, aiming to disrupt Russia's financial capabilities amid its ongoing military operations in Ukraine. Additionally, two Russian insurance firms have also been placed under sanctions, identified as crucial enablers of these operations. The sanctions package not only marks an escalation in the UK's efforts to stymie Russian oil revenue—which has reportedly exceeded $4.3 billion in oil and derivatives over the past year—but also brings the total number of sanctioned vessels within the Russian shadow fleet to 73, surpassing any other nation globally. In an effort to bolster international cooperation, the UK government has encouraged other nations to join this initiative, with 46 countries already committing to take action against the shadow fleet. The vessels within this fleet are known for engaging in deceptive practices and often operate under precarious conditions, posing significant risks on the high seas and endangering all maritime traffic. Consequently, the UK's crackdown on these vessels and their insurance providers not only aims to obstruct Russian maritime operations but also seeks to enhance safety in shipping routes. The sanctioned insurance companies, Alfastrakhovanie PLC and VSK, face prohibitions on any form of cooperation with global markets, effectively isolating them. Moreover, ships under sanctions will be barred from entering UK ports, and UK authorities reserve the right to oversee their movements, including the power to detain them if necessary. In a further move to enforce these sanctions, these vessels will not be eligible for registration on the UK Ship Register, with any existing registrations being annulled. Furthermore, even vessels involved in transactions that would qualify for the Oil Price Cap Exception will be denied such benefits, reinforcing the comprehensive approach the UK is adopting against Russian maritime operations.

Two fishermen are alive after a harrowing night in the Torres Strait shipping channel. On December 3, 2020, at approximately 7 a.m., a coastal pilot spotted the 37-year-old and 47-year-old men fighting the elements while clinging to a timber plank in turbulent waters with swells reaching two to three meters and winds gusting at around 30 knots. Their wooden fishing vessel had capsized and sunk on December 2 at around 4 p.m. after being overwhelmed by fierce storm conditions. Following a distress alert from the tanker 'Godam', which was making its way from Brisbane to Nganhurra, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) deployed its Challenger SAR jet from Cairns and a rescue helicopter from Horn Island. The aircraft arrived on the scene at 9 a.m., where the tanker crew had already managed to rescue one of the fishermen from the water. The second man was airlifted from the sea by the rescue helicopter. Both survivors were subsequently transported to the Thursday Island Hospital, where they were reported to be in stable condition and expected to be discharged by the afternoon of December 4. For further details, check out the full reports with photos and videos on Tropic Now and the Daily Telegraph.

In a significant move within the maritime industry, BP has successfully sold one of its vessels for an impressive $13.7 million. The transaction has been finalized with Capital Ship Management, marking a new chapter for both BP and the Greek shipping firm. This sale reflects the ongoing shifts in asset management strategies in the shipping sector and highlights Capital Ship Management's growing fleet ambitions.