The 'Pharos' continuedthe search for the two missing fishermen and their vessel'Kilda'off the coast of the Isle of Lewis. The Northern Lighthouse Board vessel was to be deployed to the area from Oct 30, 2026 as part of the Marine Accident Investigation Branch's investigation. Norman Murray, 40, known as Tam, and Murdo Morrison, 23, remained unaccounted for and were being treated as missing people, after their ship got lost while operating close to the Port of Ness in the north of the island on Oct 13. The body of Douglas Craigie, who was also part of the crew, was recovered in the area on Oct 14 at around 2.45a.m.
News
Georgetown (GY)
A Venezuelan diver, the 66-year-old Luis Martinez, drowned during the operation to salvage the 'Barima', on Oct 28 at around 6:30 p.m. about ten nautical miles off the coast of Anna Regina in the Atlantic ocean. Martinez and other crew members had departed a wharf in Kingston on the evening to participate in the efforts to salvage the vessel off Essequibo. At the location, Martinez entered the water to carry out diving operations, but he failed to resurface after approximately 20 minutes, causing concern among the crew members and forcing them to pull him from the water using a rope that was attached to his body. Hos body was pulled from the river in motionless state with frothing at the mouth. Martinez was subsequently transported to the Transport and Harbours Department Wharf at Stabroek, Georgetown, where ambulance personnel were summoned. He was pronounced dead by a doctor on duty on Oct 29 at around 2:30 a.m. A post-mortem examination was performed on the man’s body. The BK International company was awarded the contract to salvage the wreck at a cost of over $1 Billion. Details of the salvaging operation have not been released. The remains of more than 30 persons were still to be recovered.
RSM BLESSED
The 'RSM Blessed' and two other ships have been targeted inside the Yemeni port of Ras Issa. The ship caught fire after being bombed on Nov 1. The 16 crew members on board, including 10 Syrian nationals, escaped unharmed after managing to abandon ship and flee. They were all in good health, but lost all their official documents and personal belongings during the emergency evacuation, leaving them in a difficult situation. The ship developed a heavy list towards the quay. Video: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1Cu7WnjCAj/
SIGMA PEARL
Adverse weather and prevailing sea conditions hampered the efforts to salvage the 'Sigma Pearl' and move it to a sheltered location. With all 20 crew members rescued, the focus has shifted to assessing the vessel's condition and determining whether it could be refloated. The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) said on Oct 30, that the condition of the vessel would be assessed to determine the feasibility of salvage operations. The prevailing sea conditions could pose challenges to recovery efforts. The 'Sigma Pearl' got stuck near Antarvedi in Dr BR Ambedkar Konaseema district, about 1.7 kilometres from the shore, amid rough seas triggered by Cyclone Arnab. The vessel had sailed from Visakhapatnam after discharging its cargo when it encountered strong winds and rough seas in the Bay of Bengal during the early morning of Oct 28. It lost steerage before running aground in shallow waters. The Coast Guard had deployed the patrol vessel 'Sujay' from Chennai and launched a helicopter-assisted operation from Mogalthur in West Godavari district. Using the ship's boats and helicopter support, personnel evacuated all crew members. The Coast Guard's medical team provided immediate assistance, and all rescued personnel were in a healthy condition. The bulk carrier had experienced repeated shutdowns of its generators while being berthed at Visakhapatnam Port, forcing cargo operations to be halted on several occasions. The vessel had faced serious power-generation problems due to failure of its auxiliary engines, both at berth and at anchorage. Its earlier power-generation problems left it without sufficient power to maintain its position, leading to the anchor being dragged and the vessel drifting towards the shore. The fate of the 'Sigma Pearl' depended on its structural and mechanical condition, and the technical and financial viability of salvage operations. Report with photo: https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2026/Oct/31/mv-sigma-pearl-salvage-uncertain-as-rough-seas-hamper-recovery-efforts-off-andhra-coast
BELLONE
Thr HSC 'Bellone', which has been laid up in Port-Louis for around two years, was towed out of Port-Louis and scuttled off the port on Oct 31, 2026. Thr ship had arrived at Port Louis on Feb 26, 2024. All ship’s class certificates had expired as well as its Certificate of Registry issued by Mongolia. The Ministry as well as the Mauritius Ports Authority have been pressing upon the ship owners to work on those issues as quickly as possible so that the vessel may complete all required surveys and the vessel could be re-certified. On July 16, 2024, a Notice of Detention was served on the vessel on the grounds that all seaworthiness certificates have expired. Following information received regarding outstanding salaries, several meetings were held with the ship owner and his representatives. The Ministry was also in regular contact with the Master of the 'Bellone' through telephone and emails. All remaining crew members were repatriated in January 2025. The ship was abandoned. The Mauritius Ports Authority (MPA) was facing intense scrutiny following the scuttling of the vessel. The cost of the operation, the possibility of its sale, and suspicions surrounding the disappearance of certain parts raised questions. The operation had cost the MPA nearly Rs 30 million. The ship was stripped, and some parts were currently with a private individual in Grand-Baie. These claims remain to be verified. Video: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1A62QYfhTY/

