The Herta: Crew Feedback and Vessel Data

On November 27, 2016, a 31-year-old crew member aboard the container ship 'Kachidoki Bridge' received a lifesaving medevac from the US Coast Guard, approximately 35 miles offshore of Oahu. The distress signal was triggered when the crewman experienced severe abdominal pain, prompting urgent action from the Coast Guard's Joint Rescue Coordination Center in Honolulu. The initial request for assistance was logged on November 26 at 8:30 p.m., while the vessel was positioned 983 miles north of Oahu. After consulting with a Coast Guard flight surgeon, it was recommended that the ship navigate at maximum speed towards Oahu while ensuring the crewman was kept stable. On November 28, at 10 a.m., an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point was deployed. Upon reaching the vessel, the rescue swimmer was lowered to assess the patient and get him ready for evacuation. Unfortunately, during this mission, the helicopter encountered a technical problem, necessitating an emergency landing at Dillingham Airfield on Oahu's North Shore for repairs. A second Dolphin helicopter was promptly launched to complete the medevac successfully. The patient was eventually transported to Queens Medical Center for urgent medical attention. At the time of the operation, the weather was challenging, with east winds recorded at 29 mph gusting to 31 mph and seas reaching heights of 11 feet, along with intermittent showers. The 'Kachidoki Bridge' was en route from Tokyo to Los Angeles, highlighting the rapid response of the Coast Guard in ensuring the safety of individuals at sea.

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) has recently unveiled its plans to bolster its shipping operations between Asia and South America, following an earlier announcement this week regarding the acquisition of two new 8,600 TEU container vessels. According to information from Handy Shipping Guide, MOL is set to introduce a fleet of ten innovative 5,600 TEU containerships, including the 'MOL Garland', between July 2011 and 2012. These new vessels will replace the existing ones currently in operation. Designed with a wide-beam and shallow-draft configuration, the new ships are engineered for enhanced loading capacity, improved fuel efficiency, and compatibility with shallow ports in South America. Additionally, starting from July 2011, MOL will augment its CSW Asia-East Coast South American service by deploying an extra vessel, increasing its operational fleet to a total of 13 ships. The revamped CSW service will feature a turnaround time of 91 days, thereby optimizing logistical connectivity across the two regions.