The Maritime Union Of India (MUI) said on September 28th that it had helped an Indian seafarer return from Libya where he had been stuck
on his ship in port after the owners of the East Express (IMO 8215754)
ceased operations. Roshan Raj spent 19 months on the ship since February 2021
and was at Misrata Port for nine months. The owners ceased operations in
January 2022, according to reports. The MUI said that it had maintained a daily
communication with the officials in Libya, the Indian embassy in Libya and the
ITF ensure his earliest return.
1983-built, 3,504 gt general cargo ship East Express is
recorded as being owned by Ifestus Maritime SA care of United Marine Co Srl of
Constanta, Romania. Its final recorded flag was Togo.
A civil service mariner disappeared from the USNS Medgar
Evers (IMO 9593115) off the coast of Virginia during the late morning of September
28th. A 37-hour search for Charles Lee Reese of Mississippi was
called off during the afternoon of September 29th. The circumstances of his
disappearance are under investigation. As of October 1st the vessel
had moored at Norfolk, Virginia.
Tug Independence (IMO 9363340) was caught by
strong currents when approaching Pulau Tengah, Malaysia, en route from
Singapore to Batam and ran aground early on September 25th while towing barge Falcon
Chief (IMO 8661525). Indonesian rescue vessel Babinpotmar Sagulung was deployed and coordinated with the tug master, who had requested assistance.
During the refloating operation some rescue personnel was transferred onto the
tug to ensure that the operation ran smoothly. Both the Independence and Falcon
Chief were refloated after about six hours and proceeded safely.
2005-built, 951 gt tug Independence is owned by Ocean
Solution Maritime Mgmt care of Y&Y Maritime Management & Consultancy
Sdn Bhd of Penang, Malaysia. It is entered with Shipowners Club on behalf of
Y&Y Maritime Management,
