News

On Nov 4, 2026, the 'Palexpo', enroute from Ijmuiden to Norfolk, Virginia, diverted to the capsized 'Maxi Banque Populaire XI' (MMSI: 228042670). At approximately 05:30 a.m. UTC, the Route du Rhum sailing yacht had capsized in the North Atlantic in pos. 42°49.79' N 042°22.32' W, roughly 550 nautical miles northwest of the Azores. The skipper Armel Le Cléac'h was safe and uninjured and was secured inside the inverted hull. He had successfully activated his distress beacon, and remained in steady contact with his shore-based technical team. A massive, coordinated rescue operation was launched. The MRCC Boston and the CROSS Jobourg were working in close consultation with the race direction to route assets to this extremely remote location. Vessels in the immediate vicinity, capable of coming alongside to assist in freeing the trapped skipper, were requested to contact the USCG Northeast District.

The CCS of Salvamento Marítimo in Tenerife coordinated the assistance for three cayucos on Nov 9. They werw carrying 74, 221 and 35 people. The 'Salvamar Acrux', 'Salvamar Diphda' and 'Salvamar Navia' took part in the response.

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) was arranging the repatriation of the remains of a Filipino seafarer, who killed in an attack on the 'Velos Sapphire' in the Persian Gulf on Nov 5, as well as the return of the 21 surviving Filipino crew members. During a press briefing at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac confirmed that the vessel had reached a safe port and that the deceased seafarer's remains had been disembarked for repatriation to the Philippines. Of the 21 survivors, one was injured but has since recovered. Secretary Cacdac also planned to visit the deceased seafarer's family in their province upon his return to the Philippines.

The CCS of Salvamento Marítimo in Tenerife coordinated the assistance for three cayucos on Nov 9. They werw carrying 74, 221 and 35 people. The 'Salvamar Acrux', 'Salvamar Diphda' and 'Salvamar Navia' took part in the response.

The 'Velos Sapphire', with 22 crew members on board, was attacked in the Arabian Gulf on Nov 4, 2026, at 11.20 p.m. UTC. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) issued Warning 196-26, reporting that a tanker had been struck by two unidentified projectiles approximately 50 nautical miles north of Madinat ash Shamal, Qatar. A fire broke out following the explosion at the aft port side, but was subsequently extinguished. The Greek management firm, Velos Tankers, confirmed the death of a Philippine crew member, who had initially been reported missing following the explosion. Another Pinoy was injured. The tanker has been brought to Khalifa Bin Salman Port in Bahrain, where an investigation into the incident was to be conducted and the extent of the damage to the vessel's hull be assessed. The UKMTO recorded another tanker struck by two projectiles east of Ras Al Khafji, Saudi Arabia, on Nov 2. On Nov 3, a separate tanker reportedly suffered projectile impacts in its engine room near Lima, Oman.