The Sarter Marine Towing Company has asked a court to dismiss a Wisconsin lawsuit, which was seeking removal of the 'Donny S' from Baileys Harbor, denying the state’s allegation that it owned the tug. The company filed its response on Oct. 14 in a case brought by the state and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Other defendants included Jeremy Schultz, identified in the lawsuit as the tug’s owner; Michael Cole; and Iron Works Construction, where the vessel was initially moored. The complaint, filed at the Door County Circuit Court, asked the court to declare the grounded ship a public nuisance and order its removal. If the defendants failed to remove it, the state was seeking authorisation for the DNR to undertake the work at their expense. The Sarter Marine denied knowledge of DNR violations and previous efforts to have the tug removed, and also disputed the allegation, that the defendants failed to remove the vessel despite years of notice. Its response argued that any alleged damages resulted wholly or partly from third parties outside its control. According to the complaint, Schultz acquired the steel tug in 2021, after it had been permanently laid up. A previous survey described the vessel as being in unsatisfactory condition, because hull repairs had not been completed, with its remaining value largely tied to scrap, deck equipment and fittings. The complaint stated that the Sarter Marine contacted the Coast Guard in March 2021 about towing the vessel from Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, to Baileys Harbor. The Coast Guard had approved the tow the following month under specified weather conditions. The tug was subsequently brought to a dock associated with Cole and Iron Works Construction. Possible plans cited in the complaint included taking the vessel to a scrapyard or converting it into a floating restaurant and kayak-rental operation. Between November 2021 and May 2022, the vessel broke free from its mooring and ran aground about 580 feet fromthe shore in approximately four feet of water. The state alleged that Schultz failed to move the tug despite repeated DNR requests. The agency began issuing citations for unlawful obstruction of navigable waters in Oct 2022. According to the complaint, at least 33 citations were issued through Feb 2024, totaling more than $20,000. The complaint also identified potential environmental hazards aboard the vessel, including residual fuel and grease, asbestos-coated piping, lead- or cadmium-based paint, polychlorinated biphenyls and tributyltin-based antifouling agents. It did not establish that those materials were leaking from the tug. The DNR began holding stakeholder meetings in 2025 to discuss a solution. The town of Baileys Harbor and Door County passed resolutions, seeking action on the vessel, with county officials calling for inspections to evaluate hazardous materials and structural and environmental risks. The Schultz, Cole and Iron Works Construction had not responded to the lawsuit as of Oct 15. No hearings were scheduled.
News
NP 562
The UK government confirmed on October 19, 2026, that the three masts, that have been removed from the SS 'Richard Montgomery' in the Thames Estuary in 1944, have been transferred to the Historic Dockyard Chatham by the 'NP 562' for conservation. The wreck, located near Sheerness in Kent, still contained an estimated 1,400 tonnes of explosive. The removal project was completed ahead of schedule and below forecast costs of estimated at £9.5 million, although the department has not yet disclosed the final expenditure. The operation formed part of a long-term effort to manage the deteriorating vessel, whose masts had remained visible above the water for decades. Officials said removing the structures reduced the load on the aging wreck and lowered the risk of them falling onto the decks containing the remaining munitions. An expert advisory group had recommended removing the masts as part of the site's long-term management. Reports with photos: https://www.kentonline.co.uk/sheerness/news/pictures-show-complex-operation-behind-masts-removal-from-b-346420/ https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/26649575.ss-richard-montgomery-mast-removal-project-completed/
MV STAR SAN CARLOS
On Oct 12, the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) has indefinitely suspended the operations of six vessels of the Atienza Interisland Ferries after the fire that gutted the 'June Aster' off the coast of Coron, Palawan. The order was issued to the 'Star San Carlos' (IMO: 9168128), 'September Tulips' (MMSI: 457900394), 'December Poinsettia', 'October Lavender' (IMO: 9969259), 'May Lillies' (IMO: 7900388) and 'Cattleya Express' (IMO: 8804086). Dole officials had inspected the vessels on Oct 10 in Navotas. The work for Atienza Shipping Lines has been suspended. Dole instructed the company to pay the wages of all affected employees during the period covered by this WSO, the issuance of this Order having resulted from violations attributable to the employer. 63 of the 77 people killed in the fire have been identified, while eight people remained missing. The ship had 128 passengers and crew members on board, and 43 of them survived. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) had filed a complaint of alleged falsification of public documents against the Captain Roel Sarmiento. He was found liable for discrepancies in the Master’s Declaration of Safe Departure (MDSD), which contained the vessel’s passenger and crew manifest. The MDSD declared that the vessel complied with safety regulations and had the proper placement of cargo and the correct number of passengers and crew members. The PCG initially tallied 134 occupants. This meant that six passengers listed in the ticket manifest did not board the vessel. Some passengers listed in the manifest reportedly failed to arrive or decided to take other means of transportation, before the 'June Aster' left Baseco Port in Manila on the night of Sep 9.
MV MAY LILLIES
On Oct 12, the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) has indefinitely suspended the operations of six vessels of the Atienza Interisland Ferries after the fire that gutted the 'June Aster' off the coast of Coron, Palawan. The order was issued to the 'Star San Carlos' (IMO: 9168128), 'September Tulips' (MMSI: 457900394), 'December Poinsettia', 'October Lavender' (IMO: 9969259), 'May Lillies' (IMO: 7900388) and 'Cattleya Express' (IMO: 8804086). Dole officials had inspected the vessels on Oct 10 in Navotas. The work for Atienza Shipping Lines has been suspended. Dole instructed the company to pay the wages of all affected employees during the period covered by this WSO, the issuance of this Order having resulted from violations attributable to the employer. 63 of the 77 people killed in the fire have been identified, while eight people remained missing. The ship had 128 passengers and crew members on board, and 43 of them survived. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) had filed a complaint of alleged falsification of public documents against the Captain Roel Sarmiento. He was found liable for discrepancies in the Master’s Declaration of Safe Departure (MDSD), which contained the vessel’s passenger and crew manifest. The MDSD declared that the vessel complied with safety regulations and had the proper placement of cargo and the correct number of passengers and crew members. The PCG initially tallied 134 occupants. This meant that six passengers listed in the ticket manifest did not board the vessel. Some passengers listed in the manifest reportedly failed to arrive or decided to take other means of transportation, before the 'June Aster' left Baseco Port in Manila on the night of Sep 9.
GFS PRIDE
Oman has issued a maritime safety warning to fishermen and seafarers after containers began drifting in waters off Musandam Governorate following the sinking of the ' GFS Pride', with authorities cautioning that some of the containers may contain hazardous materials. The Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology urged fishermen and other sea-goers to exercise extreme caution in the maritime area near Ras Al Sheikh Masoud, also referred to as Cape Sheikh Masoud, following the sinking of the container ship, which left containers floating in the surrounding waters, prompting the ministry to warn the public against approaching the drifting cargo or attempting to handle it. Containers carrying hazardous materials could pose risks to people who come into contact with them, making it important for fishermen and maritime operators to remain vigilant while navigating the area. The ministry called on anyone who spots a floating container to report it immediately by calling 7211134. It stressed that people should not attempt to retrieve, move or open the containers. The ministry was monitoring the maritime situation in coordination with the relevant authorities. Efforts were focused on managing recovery operations and safeguarding public safety and the marine environment. Fishermen, boat operators and other sea-goers travelling near the affected area have been urged to follow the ministry’s advisory and report any sightings of drifting containers to the authorities. However, people aboard numerous small boats rushed to the scene and started collecting the valuable goods scattered in the water. Iranian fishermen were navigating between semi-submerged containers. However, several images and videos showing iPhones floating in the water or being collected from small boats were generated using AI. There was no independently verified evidence that the ship was carrying the devices depicted in the footage. Video: https://www.independent.co.uk/tv/news/fishermen-iphone-perfumes-ship-strait-hormuz-b3068508.html https://twitter.com/i/status/2111189198988275871
SULINA
The 'Sulina' was detained for the third time within less than a year, this time on Oct 13 in Damietta Egypt with 14 deficiencies, 13 of which being regarded as serioulsy and grounds for a detention: 1) Certificate & Doc - International Air Pollution Certificate Missing 2) Certificate & Doc - Internatiinal Ship Security certificate Entries missing 3) Certificate & Doc - International Anti-douling system certificate Missing 4) Certificate & Doc - International Sewage Pollution Prevention Missing 5) Certificate & Doc - Internation Oil Pollution Prevention Missing 6) Certificate & Doc - Cargo Ship Safety Radio Missing 7) Certificate & Doc - Cargo Ship Safety equipment Missing 8)) Certificate & DOc - Cargo Ship Safety contruction Missing 9) Certificate & Doc - Ballast Water Management Certificate Missing 10) Certificate & Doc - Document of compliance Missing 11) Certificate & Doc - MaritimeLabour certificate Entries missing 12) Certificate & Doc - Safety management Certificate Entries missing 13) Certificate & Doc Other (Certificates) Other The vessel was released again on Oct 19 and sailed for Lebanon. The last detentions were on May 12 in Burgas with 16 deficiencies for four days with a ban to Paris MoU ports, on Feb 27, 2026, in Aliaga with 24 deficiencies for five days and on Nov 3, 2025, in Heraklion with 41 deficiencies for 102 days. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1HBmGBaWFK/
QUEEN OF SURREY
A humpback whale has been struck by the 'Queen of Surrey', operating between the Vancouver-Horseshoe Bay terminal and the Sunshine Coast, on Oct 18 near Metro Vancouver. Fisheries and Oceans Canada were alerted after the collision near the Keats and Grace islands in the Howe Sound. Witnesses reported two humpback whales near the ferry at the time of the collision, and one was struck after it surfaced in front of the vessel. The whale was seen behind the vessel after the collision, thrashing in the water, with red visible around the animal. Investigators were working to identify it and assess its condition. Researchers believed the collision may have been fatal, given the vessel’s speed and the apparent severity of the impact,. The incident was immediately reported by BC FErries to the appropriate authorities, and the company was working with them to understand the circumstances and any impacts on the whale.
SEPTEMBER TULIPS
On Oct 12, the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) has indefinitely suspended the operations of six vessels of the Atienza Interisland Ferries after the fire that gutted the 'June Aster' off the coast of Coron, Palawan. The order was issued to the 'Star San Carlos' (IMO: 9168128), 'September Tulips' (MMSI: 457900394), 'December Poinsettia', 'October Lavender' (IMO: 9969259), 'May Lillies' (IMO: 7900388) and 'Cattleya Express' (IMO: 8804086). Dole officials had inspected the vessels on Oct 10 in Navotas. The work for Atienza Shipping Lines has been suspended. Dole instructed the company to pay the wages of all affected employees during the period covered by this WSO, the issuance of this Order having resulted from violations attributable to the employer. 63 of the 77 people killed in the fire have been identified, while eight people remained missing. The ship had 128 passengers and crew members on board, and 43 of them survived. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) had filed a complaint of alleged falsification of public documents against the Captain Roel Sarmiento. He was found liable for discrepancies in the Master’s Declaration of Safe Departure (MDSD), which contained the vessel’s passenger and crew manifest. The MDSD declared that the vessel complied with safety regulations and had the proper placement of cargo and the correct number of passengers and crew members. The PCG initially tallied 134 occupants. This meant that six passengers listed in the ticket manifest did not board the vessel. Some passengers listed in the manifest reportedly failed to arrive or decided to take other means of transportation, before the 'June Aster' left Baseco Port in Manila on the night of Sep 9.
KM CATTLEYA EXPRESS
On Oct 12, the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) has indefinitely suspended the operations of six vessels of the Atienza Interisland Ferries after the fire that gutted the 'June Aster' off the coast of Coron, Palawan. The order was issued to the 'Star San Carlos' (IMO: 9168128), 'September Tulips' (MMSI: 457900394), 'December Poinsettia', 'October Lavender' (IMO: 9969259), 'May Lillies' (IMO: 7900388) and 'Cattleya Express' (IMO: 8804086). Dole officials had inspected the vessels on Oct 10 in Navotas. The work for Atienza Shipping Lines has been suspended. Dole instructed the company to pay the wages of all affected employees during the period covered by this WSO, the issuance of this Order having resulted from violations attributable to the employer. 63 of the 77 people killed in the fire have been identified, while eight people remained missing. The ship had 128 passengers and crew members on board, and 43 of them survived. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) had filed a complaint of alleged falsification of public documents against the Captain Roel Sarmiento. He was found liable for discrepancies in the Master’s Declaration of Safe Departure (MDSD), which contained the vessel’s passenger and crew manifest. The MDSD declared that the vessel complied with safety regulations and had the proper placement of cargo and the correct number of passengers and crew members. The PCG initially tallied 134 occupants. This meant that six passengers listed in the ticket manifest did not board the vessel. Some passengers listed in the manifest reportedly failed to arrive or decided to take other means of transportation, before the 'June Aster' left Baseco Port in Manila on the night of Sep 9.
AEOLUS
On Oct 15, 2026, four LNG carriers sailed through the Bering Strait and into the Sea of Okhotsk, all with freshly painted letters on their hulls, the 'Oneiroi' (IMO: 9958327), 'Melicertes' (IMO: 9958303), 'Neleus' (IMO: 9958315), and 'Aeolus' (IMO: 9958298). All ships had been renamed shortly before their Arctic voyage. Their previous names were 'North Valley', 'North Moon', 'North Ocean' and 'North Light'. The ships were all built at the Hanwha Ocean shipyard in Okpo, South Korea, in 2024 and 2025, and were until recently owned and operated by the Korean shipping company Mitsui OSK Lines. Along with the name change came a change of flag state and ownership. On Sep 1, the ships changed flag states from Singapore to Panama. Similarly, they all shared the same ISM manager. Most likely, all four tankers were connected with Novatek, the Russian natural gas company that owns and operates Russia’s two biggest LNG plants, Yamal LNG and Arctic LNG 2. Three of the ships, the 'North Moon', 'North Ocean' and 'North Light', were added to the EU sanctions list in May 2025, but were excluded from the list in September again, following a guarantee from the company not to participate in the transportation of LNG from Yamal LNG and Arctic LNG 2. Now the four ships might once again be liable for sanctions. On Oct 19, the tankers sailed into the Kara Sea, likely to proceed to the Gulf of Ob to load LNG at either Yamal LNG or Arctic LNG 2. The four tankers were probably part of the growing fleet of LNG tankers serving Novatek and its Arctic operations. Novatek now has a fleet of more than 18 tankers serving the Arctic LNG 2 project alone.
CHELSEA-3
Bulgarian law enforcement authorities have discovered drone debris aboard the 'Chelsea 3'. The Bulgarian Transport Minister Georgi Peev announced the discovery on Oct 20 in the village of Kaloyanovo, near Plovdiv: "As far as I know, some debris has already been found and is currently being analysed. Once the results are available, the public will, of course, be duly informed." He added that Bulgarian authorities would seek assistance from experienced partner organisations if they lacked the technical capabilities required to investigate the drone attack. The salvage operation cost Bulgaria approximately €200,000. The country may seek to recover these expenses through insurance payments or claim compensation from the vessel's owner. The Sofia Military District Prosecutor's Office launched pre-trial proceedings into a suspected crime committed in Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone in the Black Sea in connection with the attack.
CALEDONIAN ISLES
A major search has been launched after a man from Johnstone went overboard from the 'Caledonian Isles', east of the Isle of Arran, on Oct 18 at 8.30 p.m. Two Coastguard helicopters and a Coastguard aeroplane were scrambled to the scene to search, as well as rescue teams from Arran, Ayr, Ardrossan and Greenock. RNLI lifeboats were also deployed from Girvan and Campbeltown. Following an extensive search, no one was found. The Coastguard response was stood down on Oct 19 at about 4.55 a.m. Officers from Police Scotland were called amid reports of the ongoing missing person enquiry. CalMac were assisting the police and Coastguard crews in the investigation. Enquiries have established that the man may have entered the water after boarding the ferry from Ardrossan.
MV OCTOBER LAVENDER
On Oct 12, the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) has indefinitely suspended the operations of six vessels of the Atienza Interisland Ferries after the fire that gutted the 'June Aster' off the coast of Coron, Palawan. The order was issued to the 'Star San Carlos' (IMO: 9168128), 'September Tulips' (MMSI: 457900394), 'December Poinsettia', 'October Lavender' (IMO: 9969259), 'May Lillies' (IMO: 7900388) and 'Cattleya Express' (IMO: 8804086). Dole officials had inspected the vessels on Oct 10 in Navotas. The work for Atienza Shipping Lines has been suspended. Dole instructed the company to pay the wages of all affected employees during the period covered by this WSO, the issuance of this Order having resulted from violations attributable to the employer. 63 of the 77 people killed in the fire have been identified, while eight people remained missing. The ship had 128 passengers and crew members on board, and 43 of them survived. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) had filed a complaint of alleged falsification of public documents against the Captain Roel Sarmiento. He was found liable for discrepancies in the Master’s Declaration of Safe Departure (MDSD), which contained the vessel’s passenger and crew manifest. The MDSD declared that the vessel complied with safety regulations and had the proper placement of cargo and the correct number of passengers and crew members. The PCG initially tallied 134 occupants. This meant that six passengers listed in the ticket manifest did not board the vessel. Some passengers listed in the manifest reportedly failed to arrive or decided to take other means of transportation, before the 'June Aster' left Baseco Port in Manila on the night of Sep 9.
MV JUNE ASTER
On Oct 12, the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) has indefinitely suspended the operations of six vessels of the Atienza Interisland Ferries after the fire that gutted the 'June Aster' off the coast of Coron, Palawan. The order was issued to the 'Star San Carlos' (IMO: 9168128), 'September Tulips' (MMSI: 457900394), 'December Poinsettia', 'October Lavender' (IMO: 9969259), 'May Lilies' (IMO: 7900388) and 'November Cattleya' (IMO: 8804086). Dole officials had inspected the vessels on Oct 10 in Navotas. The work for Atienza Shipping Lines has been suspended. Dole instructed the company to pay the wages of all affected employees during the period covered by this WSO, the issuance of this Order having resulted from violations attributable to the employer. 63 of the 77 people killed in the fire have been identified, while eight people remained missing. The ship had 128 passengers and crew members on board, and 43 of them survived. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) had filed a complaint of alleged falsification of public documents against the Captain Roel Sarmiento. He was found liable for discrepancies in the Master’s Declaration of Safe Departure (MDSD), which contained the vessel’s passenger and crew manifest. The MDSD declared that the vessel complied with safety regulations and had the proper placement of cargo and the correct number of passengers and crew members. The PCG initially tallied 134 occupants. This meant that six passengers listed in the ticket manifest did not board the vessel. Some passengers listed in the manifest reportedly failed to arrive or decided to take other means of transportation, before the 'June Aster' left Baseco Port in Manila on the night of Sep 9.
