Ethra-Gold Ship Details and Seafarer Feedback

The government of The Bahamas has initiated a probe into a significant violation involving the offloading of wood infected by an invasive beetle, which was brought ashore by the cargo vessel 'Pan Jasmine' in Grand Bahama on July 24. This infested timber was improperly disposed of at the Pineridge Landfill in Freeport, where it was subsequently fumigated and incinerated. Authorities were not informed about the offloading before it occurred, raising serious concerns regarding the adherence to regulations. This incident comes in the wake of the 'Pan Jasmine' being denied entry into U.S. waters near New Orleans by federal agents due to the discovery of the infested wood. Upon its arrival in Grand Bahama, the Customs Department learned that the vessel had entered Bahamian waters while declaring itself to be in ballast or carrying no cargo. Several government bodies, including the Royal Bahamas Police Force, the Department of Environmental Health Services, the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources, and the Office of the Prime Minister Grand Bahama, are actively involved in managing this unexpected situation. These agencies have been collaborating closely to address the potential threat posed by the unidentified insect infestation found in the dunnage, typically used for packaging. Following the revelation of the infestation, swift action was taken: a private contractor was engaged to fumigate two remaining bins and surrounding areas at the landfill, in addition to the barge that transported the dunnage from the ship to the shore. All contaminated wood at the landfill was also subject to comprehensive fumigation, executed under the supervision of various government departments and the Royal Bahamas Police Fire Department. After fumigation, the infected dunnage was incinerated to eliminate any further risk, and all bins used for transporting the suspect wood underwent fumigation as well. The Bahamian authorities are committed to pursuing this matter vigorously and ensuring compliance with existing laws as the investigation unfolds.

In a decisive action on July 17, 2021, federal authorities inspected the cargo vessel 'Pan Jasmine' in the Mississippi River, close to New Orleans, and swiftly ordered its departure from U.S. waters. The inspection uncovered an alarming infestation of a harmful Asian beetle species, notorious for wreaking havoc on U.S. trees for over 25 years. The ship had just anchored about a mile downriver after previously unloading aluminum in Veracruz, Mexico. However, the wooden packing materials used for the shipment remained on board, raising red flags for customs officials. Notably, agents observed scattered wood on the ship's deck, which appeared suspicious. Upon closer investigation, they discovered burrowing holes and an abundance of fresh sawdust. Experts from the U.S. Department of Agriculture quickly identified multiple pests within the wood, including the beetle and an ant species deemed significant threats to U.S. agriculture. As a precautionary measure, authorities mandated the vessel's exit from U.S. waters. Thus, on July 21, the 'Pan Jasmine' departed for Freeport to seek wood disposal services, highlighting the ongoing battle against invasive species threatening domestic ecosystems. For more details and visuals, visit the report at https://www.nola.com/news/environment/article_37abe0ea-efd3-11eb-9cdf-0bd70d96d2fe.html.