The Lmz-Pluto: Crew Feedback and Vessel Data

On April 2, the maritime convoy, comprising the tugs 'Boe Balder' (IMO: 9462342), 'Waterlord' (IMO: 7522150), and 'Waterman' (MMSI: 259587000), successfully approached the port of Kristiansund alongside the vessels 'LMZ Pluto' and 'Sea 1 Ruby.' The journey took a brief pause the evening prior, on April 1, when the ships found themselves near Njord, needing to anchor due to inclement weather. Meanwhile, the patrol vessel KV 'Jarl' departed from the quay and positioned itself within Grip in anticipation of the convoy's arrival. By 10:38 a.m. on April 2, the convoy entered Kristiansund’s waters, moving at a steady pace of two knots with the assistance of a pilot. Just after noon, the 'LMZ Pluto' was securely docked at the local industry park. For detailed reports and photographs, visit the links: https://www.brunsvika.net/nyhetsarkiv-alle-artikler/33118-her-kommer-de-med-russeren and https://www.kystverket.no/nyheter/lmz-pluto-aksjon-vellykket/

On March 30, 2023, the tug 'Sea1 Ruby' (IMO: 9413444) commenced towing the disabled bulk carrier 'LMZ Pluto', taking over from KV 'Jarl'. This operation comes after the Norwegian Coastal Administration initiated an emergency tow on March 27. The rescue effort was notably intricate, involving RITS forces from the Bergen Fire Department. A specialized team of six firefighters was airlifted by a helicopter from the 330th Squadron to assist in the operation. They successfully secured a towline to the vessel from a Coast Guard ship, all while facing severe weather conditions, including winds reaching 40 knots and gusts up to 64 knots, alongside substantial wave heights of 6 to 7 meters. This marked the first instance of such a collaboration involving various public agencies, including HRS, the Coast Guard, Bergen Fire Department, and the skilled personnel from the Norwegian Coastal Administration. The intended destination for the LMZ Pluto remains yet to be finalized, with the shipping company awaiting necessary approvals from Norwegian authorities. As of April 1, the two vessels made their way closer to the coastline, located at coordinates 63° 56' N 007° 07' E, on course for Averøy. If the weather permits, LMZ Pluto is expected to reach safety by the morning of April 2 for urgent repairs.

In an urgent maritime operation, the Coastguard has stepped in to provide emergency towing for the bulk carrier 'LMZ Pluto', which found itself in a precarious situation near critical oil installations on the continental shelf. On March 27, special forces from the Bergen Fire Department boarded the stricken vessel to assess the situation. After their assessment, on March 28, they successfully established a tow line to the Coastguard vessel 'Jarl', marking a historic first for public sector emergency towing. Initially, the shipping company was set to take over the tow no earlier than March 29. As of that date, 'LMZ Pluto' was reported drifting west of Haltenbanken. The fire department's specially trained RITS teams disembarked from the bulk carrier on the evening of March 28 after securing the tow with the 'Jarl', which was tasked with keeping the vessel safely away from sensitive oil installations as the shipping company prepared to attach its own towing equipment. By March 29, it appeared that the tugboat 'Sea1 Ruby' had taken over the towing duties, with the 'Farmar Arion' also arriving on scene around 9 PM. Notably, the 'Jarl' remained present throughout the operation, continuing to monitor the situation into March 30. For more details and updates featuring photos and videos, visit Kystverket and NRK news outlets.

On March 24, 205, a significant maritime incident unfolded in the Norwegian Sea when the bulk carrier 'LMZ Pluto' encountered a critical engine failure while navigating from Murmansk, Russia, to Santa Marta. At approximately 5:40 p.m. local time, the vessel, carrying 23 crew members, issued a distress signal due to loss of propulsion while in position 65° 21' N 003° 23' E, just west of Rørvik. The situation was further complicated by extremely harsh weather conditions in the region. In response to the emergency, the captain promptly requested the evacuation of the crew. The Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) Southern Norway mobilized two Search and Rescue (SAR) helicopters, which quickly proceeded to the distressed vessel. By 8:30 p.m., all crew members were successfully rescued and transported via the Ørlandet and Heirdunn SAR helicopters to safety, with no significant injuries reported. Upon arrival at Værnes Airport near Trondheim, the rescued crew was received by police authorities, where standard border control and identification checks were conducted. Following this procedure, the shipping company assumed responsibility for the crew's wellbeing. As of the morning of March 25, the 'LMZ Pluto' remained adrift under the watchful eye of maritime authorities, who were monitoring the ship's location to prevent environmental hazards and ensure navigational safety until weather conditions improved for salvage efforts. The patrol vessel 'Jarl' was on course to reach the bulk carrier by the evening, and initial drift calculations suggested a favorable outcome. Meanwhile, the Coastal Administration was collaborating closely with the shipping company to devise a plan for the vessel's safe recovery.

XO Shipping has announced the effective delivery of a new time charter vessel in Canakkale, set for immediate departure. The ship will embark on an extensive journey through the Black Sea, making its way to the Red Sea, with a scheduled redelivery at Port Said. This strategic route is expected to yield approximately $9,500 per day, reflecting a strong commitment to enhancing their operational capabilities in key maritime corridors.

A fire incident occurred on the cargo vessel 'LMZ Pluto' while navigating from Antwerp to Martas, where it was transporting scrap materials. The blaze ignited within a storage area filled with rubber and cloth items. Upon discovery of the flames, the crew quickly sealed off the affected hold and initiated emergency protocols by flooding the compartment with carbon dioxide (CO2) to extinguish the fire. At approximately 8:30 p.m., the Maritime Incident Response Group (MIRG) team boarded the ship to assess the situation and ensure safety measures were in place. External cooling efforts commenced to protect the vessel from further damage. By 10:30 p.m., the 'LMZ Pluto' was docked at Sloehaven in Flushing East. This strategic maneuver ensured that the waterway remained unobstructed for navigation while facilitating easier access for ongoing firefighting operations. The vessel is equipped with its own onboard firefighting team. The morning following the incident, on March 24, the Zeeland fire brigade inspected the ship for safety compliance. After thorough checks were completed, the 'LMZ Pluto' finally departed from Flushing at 6:20 p.m. on March 29, resuming its journey to Martas. This event highlights the importance of efficient emergency response in maritime operations.

On the evening of March 23, 2018, at approximately 7:20 p.m., a fire ignited aboard the cargo vessel 'LMZ Pluto' while it was navigating the Wester Scheldt waterway close to Ossenisse. The ship had departed from Antwerp earlier that day at 5:20 p.m., en route to Turkey. The Zeeland Safety Region promptly activated a KNRM lifeboat alongside the Maritime Incident Response Group (MIRG), a specialized fire response unit trained for maritime emergencies. Instead of boarding the ship, it was decided that MIRG would operate from the vessel's vicinity. Meanwhile, the crew of LMZ Pluto made efforts to extinguish the blaze independently. In a strategic move, the vessel was directed to the Put van Terneuzen for safe anchorage. A fleet of tugs including 'Carl', 'Multratug 20', 'Multratug 32', and 'Union 6' were deployed to assist the bulk carrier. Additionally, patrol boat 'RWS 79' joined the operation. For further details, you can check the full coverage featuring photos and videos from Dutch media: [HV Zeeland](https://www.hvzeeland.nl/nieuws/35056-brand-op-schip-westerschelde-ossenisse/?utm_source=hvzeeland&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=home) and [Omroep Zeeland](https://www.omroepzeeland.nl/nieuws/104673/Reddingsteam-assisteert-bemanning-bij-scheepsbrand-op-Westerschelde).