What Crew Members Say About Mt-Elcano

On December 3, 2024, the United States took decisive action by imposing sanctions on 35 entities and vessels that have participated in the transportation of Iranian petroleum and its derivatives to international markets. This move is a direct response to the Iranian attacks on Israel on October 1, 2024, alongside Iran's recent escalations in their nuclear activities. The overarching aim of these sanctions is to dismantle the financial backbone of Iran's nuclear program, hinder advancements in drone and missile technology, and disrupt the funding channels for terrorist proxies that are supported by the Iranian regime through oil sales. Among the targeted entities, 18 tankers have been sanctioned, accused of delivering tens of millions of barrels of oil on behalf of Iran. This crackdown not only affects the vessels but also extends to various entities responsible for their operation and management, as well as those facilitating the trade of Iranian oil. Notably, the tankers 'Rioo Napo' and 'Lara II' have been sanctioned due to their ownership and management by Vision Ship Management LLP, a shipping company based in India that has also been blacklisted. The 'Rioo Napo' has a history of transporting Iranian naphtha to the United Arab Emirates. Additionally, the sanctioning of the tanker 'Tonil' highlights its ongoing attempts to evade previous sanctions while moving millions of barrels of Iranian oil. This vessel is managed by the sanctioned Ukrainian entity Lightship Management Ltd. Furthermore, the Indian company Tightship Shipping Management (OPC) Private Ltd. has also been named among those sanctioned for its involvement in the management of this vessel. These comprehensive measures reflect the U.S. commitment to curtailing Iran's illicit oil trade and the broader implications for global security.

On the morning of February 15, 2015, an emergency medevac was successfully carried out for a 43-year-old man aboard the 'Cielo di Guangzhou', located around 100 miles southwest of Tampa. The operation was set in motion when, at approximately 7:50 p.m. on February 14, watchstanders at the Coast Guard 7th District command center in Miami received a distress call from a crewmember aboard the vessel. The report indicated that the man had sustained a serious leg injury and required immediate medical attention. Following the alert, a Coast Guard flight surgeon assessed the situation and advised the need for a medevac. An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Clearwater responded promptly, arriving on-site at around 6:40 a.m. They successfully hoisted the injured individual and transported him to Tampa General Hospital for urgent medical treatment.