Jpo-Venus Ship Details and Seafarer Feedback

On October 31, 2019, the cargo vessel 'Seaspan Fraser' arrived in Singapore after enduring a month-long detention at Tanjung Uban, Bintan. This ship is currently under the charter of PT Cosco Shipping Lines Indonesia, operating on the route between Surabaya and Singapore. The incident began on September 29 when the vessel departed from Surabaya, only to be intercepted by the Indonesian Navy in the Singapore Strait. It was subsequently taken to the anchorage at Tanjung Uban while carrying a substantial cargo of 1,700 TEU containers filled with various commodities, including food and fishery products stored in reefer containers. COSCO Indonesia has declined to comment on the condition of the cargo, but they anticipate potential claims and disputes arising from this unexpected detainment.

In a heartbreaking incident that unfolded near Lyttelton in July 2015, a 52-year-old Filipino crew member tragically fell from the vessel 'Madinah' and has not been found since. Reports indicate that the crew member was not wearing a life jacket at the time of the accident and that his safety harness was attached to a severely corroded wire. The unfortunate accident occurred just three kilometers away from Lyttelton port during preparations for docking, on a day when a serious crane accident had already injured another man at Port Otago. The crew foreman, while setting up the accommodation ladder—an essential passageway for crew and equipment—lost his footing and fell into the embrace of the harbor waters below. Witnesses recalled the last sighting of the man as he swam towards a life buoy thrown by another crew member. Despite extensive search efforts that included boats and helicopter assistance, he was not recovered. An investigation conducted by the Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) uncovered critical safety deficiencies that contributed to this tragic event. The report revealed that the wire to which the crew member’s safety harness was secured was in a dire state of disrepair and had been incorrectly installed. Crew testimonies suggested a lack of safety protocols, as other members hesitated to use the faulty wire due to its apparent risk. The investigation highlighted the absence of established procedures for setting up the accommodation ladder, and it noted that while another crew member had gone to retrieve life jackets, the foreman commenced work prematurely. The single most significant factor leading to the man's predicament was determined to be his lack of a flotation life jacket, which could have greatly increased his chances of survival. Further compounding the tragedy, the report criticized the ship's bridge crew for not executing the necessary man overboard procedures. Their failure to return to the point of the incident and to activate a general alarm for crew members hindered the search efforts. If a life jacket had been worn, timely alerts and appropriate search responses might have been pivotal in saving the crew member’s life. Although the TAIC chose not to issue new recommendations following its findings, it strongly emphasized the vital importance of using flotation devices when performing tasks in proximity to the ship's railing. This incident serves as a somber reminder of the need for strict adherence to safety standards in maritime operations.

Christchurch: A tragic incident unfolded in Lyttelton Harbour yesterday afternoon when a 52-year-old Filipino seafarer fell overboard from the containership Madinah (IMO: 9474082, 4,258 TEU, launched in 2010). The accident occurred shortly after 1 PM, roughly three kilometers from Lyttelton Port. The local coast guard, alongside a rescue helicopter and 16 other vessels, mobilized immediately for a search operation. However, as night fell and harsh weather conditions set in, the search was suspended. Today, while efforts have resumed, authorities have stated that police are no longer involved, marking the transition from a rescue mission to a body recovery operation. The Madinah, owned by Seaspan and currently chartered to OOCL for its China-New Zealand service, remains docked at the port following the incident. It is noteworthy that the vessel had faced another incident just days prior, on Wednesday, at Port Chalmers, when a crane operator was hospitalized after a straddle carrier toppled while unloading cargo. The maritime community watches closely as search and recovery operations continue in this difficult time.