What Crew Members Say About Mars-J

On the night of February 28, 2019, the bulk carrier 'Yangtze Oasis' experienced a mechanical failure while navigating near the Cies Islands, prompting the need for urgent assistance from Spain’s maritime rescue agency, Salvamento Marítimo. The vessel, which was transporting goods from Carrara to Bilbao, encountered the troublesome engine issue and required the help of a tugboat. The 'María Pita' was dispatched from Sasemar’s Vigo center to tow the ailing freighter safely back to port. By 1:15 a.m. on March 1, the 'Yangtze Oasis' was successfully moored at the Kaleido dock in Vigo. Following its arrival, the Maritime Captaincy conducted a thorough inspection to assess the vessel's seaworthiness. With the necessary repairs addressed, the ship resumed its journey, departing Vigo at 8:50 p.m. on the same day. The bulk carrier finally reached its destination, docking at Prince of Asturias Dock (South) in Bilbao on March 3 at 8:25 p.m. For more details and images of this incident, visit the Spanish report [here](https://www.farodevigo.es/gran-vigo/2019/03/01/mercante-180-metros-atraca-emergencia/2060897.html).

The International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) has launched an inquiry following the tragic death of a junior officer aboard the bulk carrier Yangtze Oasis, which was en route to the Port of Newcastle. The Marshall Islands-flagged vessel arrived in Newcastle on Friday, prompting immediate attention from authorities. Dean Summers, the national coordinator for the ITF, highlights the challenges faced in uncovering details surrounding the incident, as it involves a 'flag of convenience' vessel known for its opacity. 'We're trying to gather information,' Summers stated, emphasizing the difficulties in reaching out to the vessel's owners and operators due to the secrecy often surrounding these ships. He expressed his frustrations over the lack of accessible information, stating that the organization is diligently working to clarify the circumstances of the onboard tragedy. NSW Water Police have boarded the Yangtze Oasis, collaborating with a forensics team to delve deeper into the investigation. Summers noted a troubling rise in deaths among seafarers, with many cases attributed to suicides. 'This case has been referred to the NSW Coroner, and we are monitoring its progress closely,' he added. The inquiry continues, aiming to shed light on the factors contributing to this unfortunate incident.