Reviews & Ratings for the Ubc-Tacoma

In a proactive response to impending severe weather, the bulk carrier 'Life Passion' was relocated to Everingen on the Wester Scheldt on February 7. This decision came after consultations between the MRCC Ostend and the Common Nautical Authority. While anchored off Borssele, the vessel received specialized equipment from a nearby pontoon to facilitate degassing operations. Following overnight assessments that confirmed onboard safety, relevant authorities—namely the Common Nautical Authority, Zeeland Safety Region, and the Nautical Commission—authorized the 'Life Passion' to continue its journey to Ghent. The vessel successfully navigated the locks in Terneuzen before arriving at a berth close to the North Dock on the Ghent-Terneuzen Sea Canal at 9:20 a.m. on February 9. After completing the unloading process on February 14 at 11 a.m., the ship set sail for Riga, with an estimated time of arrival of February 18. For further details, a Dutch report with accompanying photo is available at [AD.nl](https://www.ad.nl/zeeland/vrachtschip-dat-stil-lag-vanwege-ontploffingsgevaar-ligt-nu-veilig-in-gent~a85f690e/).

The owner of the bulk carrier 'Life Passion', currently laden with iron ore, is collaborating with private stakeholders to formulate a strategy for the vessel's relocation to a tranquil anchorage on the Wester Scheldt. This decision was reached on February 5 during a meeting with various authorities, including the Agency for Maritime Services and Coast (MDK). The ship has been anchored in the North Sea for the past two weeks as plans are put in place for its transition.

The bulk carrier 'Life Passion' is currently anchored 31 kilometers off the coast of Oostende, following her arrival from Novorossiysk on January 20, 2020. As a precautionary measure, she is being held two miles off the anchorage to clear the path for vessels heading to the Wester Scheldt. In response to safety concerns, the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) has established a one-nautical-mile safety zone around the ship. The DAB Fleet's patrol boat 'Sirius' is stationed nearby, ensuring that other ships maintain a safe distance while being prepared to evacuate the crew if necessary. Despite these precautions, the anchored 'Life Passion' has not obstructed marine traffic in the vicinity. Currently, the vessel is loaded with iron ore, raising concerns over a potential explosion caused by self-heating of the ore and hydrogen emissions. This is particularly alarming in light of a minor explosion that occurred two weeks ago while the vessel was navigating the French sector of the North Sea, resulting in an injury to one crew member who required helicopter evacuation. Following this incident, the MRCC of Cap Gris Nez alerted their counterparts in Ostend. Although the explosion did not compromise the stability of the ship, officials from France, Belgium, and the Netherlands collectively decided to prevent the vessel from continuing its voyage. An emergency response team has boarded the 'Life Passion' to assess the situation and mitigate any explosion risks by introducing inert gas into the cargo holds. While the immediate threat is under control, comprehensive inspections of the vessel are still necessary. With a crew of 16 members on board, the ship was originally bound for Ghent. The 'Life Passion' will only be allowed to enter port once it has been confirmed that there are no lingering dangers and that hydrogen levels have significantly decreased. To facilitate this, ventilation of the cargo holds is underway, along with the introduction of nitrogen to ensure safety.