Crew Reviews, Ratings & Info for Forestal-Reina

In a remarkable achievement for NYK Maritime Group, two of its vessels, the wood-chip carrier Forestal Reina and the methanol tanker Kohzan Maru III, have been distinguished with the prestigious 2018 Best Quality Ship Award by the Japan Federation of Pilots’ Associations (JFPA). The awards ceremony took place on June 21 at the esteemed Todofuken Kaikan in Tokyo, where key representatives, including NYK corporate officer Shinya Hitomi, celebrated this significant recognition of excellence in maritime operations. This accolade underscores NYK's commitment to high standards in ship management and operational performance.

A tragic accident unfolded on September 7, 2011, aboard the cargo vessel Universal Ace in Richards Bay as a crew member lost his life while searching for stowaways. Michael van Rooyen, part of the search team, entered a cargo hold without appropriate breathing apparatus and was quickly incapacitated by toxic gases likely including carbon monoxide and methane. During the pre-departure search, van Rooyen accessed an entry point leading into one of the vessel's cargo compartments and was instantly overwhelmed by the hazardous environment. Fearing something was amiss, his colleague, Marion Wehncke, noticed van Rooyen's absence and went in to check on him. Tragically, he found van Rooyen unresponsive in the hold and made the courageous decision to lift him onto his shoulders. However, Wehncke also succumbed to the poisonous atmosphere and collapsed. Fortunately, a crew member equipped with a breathing apparatus responded promptly, entering the cargo hold to rescue them. He provided his mask to Wehncke, enabling him to breathe while the crew worked to hoist both men to safety on the open deck. Despite immediate medical attention, Michael van Rooyen passed away shortly thereafter. Marion Wehncke was taken to The Bay Hospital, where he was admitted to the intensive care unit but ultimately made a full recovery. This incident highlights the critical importance of safety protocols and using appropriate protective equipment in hazardous work environments.