Monthly Archives: February 2021

O TS Shipping, a subsidiary of AS Tallinna Sadam, won a public tender organized by the Estonian Transport Administration for the provision of icebreaking services and navigation in the Gulf of Finland in the period 20.12.2022-20.04.2032. The icebreaking service in Estonian coastal waters is provided with the multifunctional icebreaker Botnica, similarly to the previous 10-year charter agreement, annually from December 20 to April 20. The agreement will be signed in the near future in accordance with the conditions set out in the procurement and the offer.

The total estimated cost of the agreement to be concluded is EUR 54.2 million, i.e. EUR 5.4 million per year. From the 2025/2026 working period, the contract fee may be indexed with the Estonian consumer price index, but not more than 3% annually. The contract fee is fixed, i.e. the Transport Administration pays for all charter days, regardless of the actual use of the icebreaker.

Compared to the icebreaking service agreement of the previous 10-year period, there is an additional condition to bring a replacement vessel for service within 10 days in case the contracted main vessel Botnica should fall out of use. Among other things, we mitigate this risk by increasing the reliability of Botnica's vital systems.

MPSV Botnica was built at Aker Finnyard shipyard in 1998. The ICE-10 / Polar Class 4 ice class carrying vessel is 97.3 meters long and 24.3 meters wide. In open water, Botnica has a maximum speed of 16.5 knots, and in ice up to 80 cm, the ship can move at speeds of up to 8 knots. The maximum thickness of ice that Botnica can pass at a steady speed is 1.2 meters. During the summer periods from June to the end of October, Botnica assists Panamax-type merchant vessels in the Arctic waters of northern Canada in the export of iron ore from the port of Milne Inlet to the high seas. According to the charter agreement, Botnica provides escort and ice monitoring vessel service, pollution monitoring and emergency services. The total number of Botnica charter days in 2020 was 249 days and the annual utilization rate of the ship was 68%, in 2019 261 days and 72% accordingly.

Tallinna Sadam is one of the largest cargo- and passenger port complexes in the Baltic Sea region, which serves annually 10 million passengers and 20 million tons of cargo in average. In addition to passenger and freight services, Tallinna Sadam group also operates in shipping business via its subsidiaries O TS Laevad provides ferry services between the Estonian mainland and the largest islands, and O TS Shipping charters its multifunctional vessel Botnica for icebreaking and construction services in Estonia and offshore projects abroad. Tallinna Sadam group is also a shareholder of an associate AS Green Marine, which provides waste management services. According to audited financial results, Tallinna Sadam groups sales in 2019 totaled EUR 130.5 million, adjusted EBITDA EUR 74.3 million and net profit EUR 44.4 million.

Additional information:

Marju ZirelHead of Investor RelationsTel. +372 5342 6591

m.zirel@ts.ee

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MPSV Botnica's 10-year icebreaking service to the Transport Administration - GlobeNewswire

Volkswagen is embracing electric vehicles and that doesnt just apply to those on land.

Quite the opposite as the company is teaming up with Silent-Yachts, which is a manufacturer of solar-electric catamarans.

According to the automaker, they first became aware of Silent-Yachts in 2019 and this eventually lead to talks between the two companies. These discussions paved the way for Silent-Yachts to use Volkswagens MEB modular electric drive kit.

Also Read:Lexus Launches $3.5 Million LY 650 Yacht

The companies didnt go into specifics, but it sounds like Silent-Yachts will use MEB battery packs. Regardless, Volkswagen said the company will benefit from economies of scale and this should enable future yachts to be more affordable.

While it seems odd that Volkswagen has taken an interest in yacht building, the company said they want to further increase the enthusiasm for electromobility, demonstrate the technological strengths of its platform and show that driving fun, long ranges, smooth cruising and clean mobility are also possible on the high seas.

As part of this effort, Volkswagen has tapped Cupra to help Silent-Yachts create a new model with a contemporary touch. Its a double decker that features clean lines as well as gently sloping roofs equipped with solar panels. The yacht also has angular accents, large greenhouses and what appears to be four MEB battery packs.

If everything goes according to plan, the first yacht with MEB technology will be introduced in 2022. Following a start-up period of four years, the shipbuilder is set to make at least 50 yachts annually.

While Silent-Yachts isnt a household name, they introduced the Solarwave 46 in 2009. The company has since delivered a dozen catamarans including the Silent 55, which can cover up to 99 miles (160 km) a day using solar energy. Since cloudy days are always a possibility, the boats are equipped with an emergency diesel generator.

Read more here:

VW And Cupra Are Using Their MEB Electric Drive Tech On Yachts Now Too - CarScoops

Now that the year 2021 begins, the outlook for Comic Con they are no better than in 2020. Luckily Image Comics and Skybound Entertainment they are trying to find a solution where people can come together without danger of getting infected. So they are exploring the idea of a comic book convention on a cruise ship.

Image Comics and Skybound Entertainment sent a survey to know the opinion of the fans to achieve a way to Bring the community back together at a Comic Con when things are safe.

Calling all comic book lovers! Its been a wild year, to say the least, and weve spent a lot of time thinking about ways to bring the fan community back together when things are safe. Our solution? Have a good vacation!

We know that everyone could use a great vacation and wed love to hear your thoughts on how to bring the conference room to the ocean with an immersive vacation focused on all things cruise comics. So live a Comic Con experience on the high seas

The idea of a Comic Con Cruise-based is not exactly new. There have been smaller conventions on cruise ships during the 1990s and 2000s and in 2017. Fan2Sea Entertainment tried to do an annual event but they only managed to launch one edition.

A cruise ship can be a good idea if it has strong anti-COVID-19 security measures in place before passengers board. So people could enjoy a Comic Con like those that existed before the pandemic. Hopefully more ideas like this will come up so people can get back together around their favorite hobbies like Marvel, DC Comics The Star Wars.

Read more here:

The future of Comic Con could be on the high seas - Market Research Telecast

We here at FishOn understand they're playing something called the Super Bowl this Sunday, which kind of confused us. We thought it could only be an official Super Bowl if the Patriots were playing. They change the rule or something? Do the Krafts know about this?

So this is our special Super Bowl preview. Sources tell us the game will pit the Chiefs of Kansas City against the Buccaneers of Tampa Bay and apparently the oldest living man on planet Earth plays quarterback for the Buccaneers.

There. That's it. All we know. And really all you need to know. Look how much time and effort we saved you. Celebrate through the subsequent environs of FishOn.

Onward, into the stuff.

Special FishOn Super Bowl quiz question

Who are the only four quarterbacks to lead different teams to a Super Bowl?

Hint: They don't include Fran Tarkenton, Joe Kapp, Jim Plunkett, Babe Parilli, Tom Yewic, John Huard, Tom Sherman, Mike Taliaferro, Matt Cassel, Tony Eason, Zeke Bratkowski, Ryan Leaf or Cate Blanchett. Though if we could take any of them, have to say we're on the Cate Freight Train

The answer is going no-huddle down below.

USCGC Tahoma gettin' er done

We got a missive from the U.S. Coast Guard last week that described a recent 58-day tour of the North Atlantic fisheries by the 270-foot, Kittery, Maine-ported Coast Guard Cutter Tahoma.

Wonder if they ran into the Buccaneers while out on the high seas?

The cutter participated in three search-and-rescue missions - including one on Christmas Eve when the F/V Angela Michelle was disabled about 100 miles east of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. That mission included assistance from vessel and crews from Station Gloucester.

In early December, the Tahoma responded to 170 nautical miles east of Nantucket, where the F/V Fearless had become disabled. The Tahoma towed Fearless 260 nautical miles, over five days, until relieved near Buzzards Bay by a commercial tugboat. Those numerals are not typos.

All told, according to the Coast Guard, the Tahoma helped save nine lives. That there is a fair piece of work and worthy of the coveted FishOn seal of approval. We clap our fins.

RIP, Ozie

We close today on the saddest note of all. Our friend Ozie died last week at his home in Gloucester, leaving an immense void in the world in which he travelled and the legions of people who knew and loved him.

He was, quite simply, as good and decent a person as we've ever met. He was smart, interesting and funny - not just funny, but rapier-quick funny with a view often enough just a hair off plumb to make it it a hoot.

We here at FishOn were not spared. He thought we should recast the title of FishOn. He suggested FiSean.

Gloucester is a glorious town of individuals, traversed by those of highly independent thought and deed.

Yet The Wizard stood out. Ozie was generous, tolerant and fiercely loyal. As he navigated his own health challenges, he never once complained. Never. He had the heart of a fighter and the soul of an optimist, his eyes squarely on the thin line of the horizon. The past, for Ozie, was never prologue.

Before his health issues sidelined him, he was an artist as a carpenter. Or perhaps a carpenter as an artist. At play, he was an accomplished fisherman, skier and poker player. He was dangerous at the pool table and still holds the shotput record at Hamilton-Wenham High School. You can look it up. Go Generals.

And there is this: Ozie could eat an oyster. One year at the Mayor's Reception during the Schooner Festival, which he regarded as his second Christmas, we watched our man go for 66 or 68 (as usual, the Russian judge) on his own. Then and there, he was the Oyster Whisperer.

Our hearts and good thoughts are with Mary Beth, his beloved wife, and their combined families. And to Lucky the Wonder Pup, of course.

There is a tendency, really a kindness, to lionize people in their passing, to gild the lily of their life in a parting gift of warm remembrance.

But not here.

No matter the homage or accolade, anything you say about Mark Osborne, even as you raise a glass, as we did Friday night at the Crow's Nest and Saturday eve at Pratty's, the trajectory falls short of his extraordinary essence and short-arms how much we already miss him.

Special FishOn Super Bowl quiz answer

There is of course, the Old Buccaneer, our Tom, who will be making his 10th appearance in the big game and Brady's first with someone other than the Patriots. The other three are Craig Morton (Cowboys and Broncos), Peyton Manning (Colts and Broncos) and Kurt Warner (Rams and Cardinals). Manning is the only quarterback so far to win a Super Bowl with two different teams (2007 Colts and 2014 Broncos).

We here at FiSean says that changes Sunday. Bucs in the upset.

As always, no fish were harmed in the making of this column.

Contact Sean Horgan at 978-675-2714, or shorgan@gloucestertimes.com. Follow him on Twitter at @SeanGDT

We are making critical coverage of the coronavirus available for free. Please consider subscribing so we can continue to bring you the latest news and information on this developing story.

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FishOn: Saving lives and a life lost | Fishing Industry News | gloucestertimes.com - Gloucester Daily Times

Not a bad way to start a new gig.

One of the warships under the command of a Canadian sailor heading CTF-150, the multinational task force policing Middle Eastern waters for contraband, just seized about $3.7 million worth of heroin.

Three days after I assumed command of Combined Task Force 150, we achieved some tactical and tangible success at sea, Commodore Dan Charlebois said Tuesday in an interview from Bahrain.

Its a great start to the deployment.

A boarding party from the guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea located seven bags containing a total of 275 kilos of heroin Jan. 30 aboard a dhow it stopped to search in the Gulf of Oman.

The illicit narcotics were destined for the markets of the world, Charlebois said.

Thats close to about $3 million (US) that would normally go to help finance terrorist activities and I would say, almost as importantly, thats just about 300 kilograms of drugs that arent on the streets internationally, but of course even back at home in Canada because these organizations have networks that are far-reaching. And the team at sea just prevented all those drugs from getting on the streets.

Charlebois who was the skipper of HMCS Regina in these same waters eight years back when the Halifax-class frigate deployed to the Middle East said the American boarding party did a fantastic job with the search.

These individuals are extremely skilled at hiding illicit material on board their ships, he said of the heroin smugglers. The drugs were well-hidden. But these boarding teams are extremely well-trained.

Searches of this nature can take as much as a day. You can appreciate the climate at sea: Its hot, these vessels are cramped, theyre dirty, the boarding teams are obviously observing COVID precautions, so everything (has) another layer of complexity.

The boarding party moved the crew to the forward section of the dhow before starting the search, he said.

Theyre well-armed, theyre well-trained and, tactically, very proficient.

The dhows crew did not put up any resistance, Charlebois said.

When they see a boarding party approaching their ship and in the background is a ship like the USS Philippine Sea -- which is an enormous cruiser -- they are extremely compliant. In fact, in a lot of cases, youll see the crew of the dhow start to move to the forepeak of the dhow even before the boarding team gets alongside in their boat. They dont want any part of starting trouble with one of these boarding teams.

Hes responsible for policing about twomillion square nautical miles or 6.8 million square kilometres -- of ocean, including the Arabian Sea.

While he wont say exactly how many warships and aircraft he has at his disposal, Charlebois said they can come from 33 countries involved in the international coalition aiming to provide maritime security in the Middle East.

We have a lot of assets at sea and in the air to help locate and interdict smuggling of illicit material in this region and I think we do a very successful job at finding it.

Since 2017, CTF-150 has confiscated more than $1 billion worth of narcotics, including heroin, cocaine, hashish and methamphetamine, he said.

I cant tell you if were getting all of it. The skeptic in me says we might not be. But I think were getting absolutely as much as we can with the assets that we have, for sure.

The drug finds dont lead to criminal prosecutions. It is search and seizure only, Charlebois said. There is no legal foundation to prosecute these individuals at this point in time. So, what we can do is confiscate and dispose of illicit cargo. We just want to find it and dispose of it so its not sold and the money doesnt continue to finance terrorist activities. And moreover, those drugs dont make it to the streets in Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Boston, Washington, New York you name the city.

Charlebois is also on the lookout for charcoal from Somalia.

We are looking for it more to report the movement of charcoal in the region, he said. And the reason for that is environmental in a sense. The production of charcoal can have a devastating impact on the environment. And charcoal has been used in the past to fund illegal activity, much like narcotics, but I would say to a lesser extent.

The naval warfare officer traces a direct line between the contraband his people are hunting for and terrorist activities in the region.

After years of intelligence work and police work, co-operation with international agencies, and different partner countries, direct financial lines have been drawn to different terrorist organizations, Charlebois said, naming Islamist militant group al-Shabab, and in the past al Qaeda and Daesh.

Charlebois is due to turn over command of the task force to New Zealand in mid-July. Hell still be in charge when HMCS Calgary sails to Middle Eastern waters this spring.

While hed normally visit the ship, the pandemic might prevent that from happening this time around. Would I love to visit Calgary when shes in theatre? Absolutely, he said. In a perfect environment, which means not in a pandemic, I would. But I would say for the time being my movements will be minimal and I will be staying and operating out of the headquarters here in Bahrain and very likely not visiting Calgary. I dont like to rule anything out, but first and foremost we have to protect our ships at sea.

None of the ships under his command have seen COVID-19 cases thus far, he said. Charlebois doesnt know if theyll have access to vaccines before his six-month deployment is done.

Charlebois who served aboard Halifax-based ships including HMCS Charlottetown, HMCS Halifax, and HMCS Fredericton, where he was the executive officer -- joined the navy at 17 in 1992 and spent his formative years here.

I come from a navy family, he said. The navys in my blood.

The father of two girls, one who turns eight on Valentines Day and the other 11, now calls Ottawa where he says its about as cold as Mars lately home. He tips his cap to families at home that lend stability to sailors at sea.

To me its probably the single most important pillar that supports our deployed operations, Charlebois said. Our families at home continue to support and encourage us, manage the home, manage kids learning virtually, still working jobs, shoveling snow. I dont think our families get enough credit, frankly.

This the first time Canadian sailors have taken command of multinational fleets off northern Europe and the Middle East at the same time.

Its extremely significant, Charlebois said.

It demonstrates Canada is committed to rules-based international order. Were committed to security of the high seas. Were committed to our partners, whether theyre NATO partners or our partners here in combined maritime forces. The missions are different, but both demonstrate Canadas willingness and capability to deploy globally and to contribute and to, frankly, pull our weight.

Commodore Bradley Peates recently took command of Standing NATO Maritime Group One. The rapid reaction force operates in Western and Northern European waters, including the Baltic Sea, North Sea, and Norwegian Sea.

He was born to be at sea, but he was also born, in my opinion, for cold weather, said Charlebois, who calls Peates a pal.

He had spent two years up in Yellowknife as deputy commander Joint Task Force North he's well-used to the cold and Im quite happy that hes operating where hes operating and Im operating where Im operating here in the 22 C weather.

In an interview from Portsmouth, England, over the weekend, Peates said hes pretty happy with the single digit temperaturesaboard his flagship, HMCS Halifax. Overall, its not bad weather at all.

With 32 years in the Royal Canadian Navy, Peates stressed that having two Canadians sailors commanding multi-national fleets at the same time demonstrates Canadas ability to lead on the world stage.

Commodore Charlebois whos just taken over command of CTF-150 is a close personal friend of mine and so it is a unique opportunity for the two of us, who have grown up in the navy together, to be in command at the same time, Peates said.

He took over command of the fleet from the Portuguese in a virtual ceremony due to the pandemic.

Halifax is sailing with a German tanker and recently conducted exercises with two German frigates, he said. All the training -- done in English -- is to foster interoperability with allies.

We have a responsibility to NATO to provide a continuous maritime presence and to be ready to respond across a full spectrum of operations, whether thats a search and rescue type mission to crisis or conflict if required.

The plan is to patrol the Western European side of the Atlantic Ocean, the North Sea and Norwegian Sea and conduct exercises with warships from other countries along the way including Poland and Norway.

Our intention is to remain in a COVID bubble, Peates said. When were at sea operating with each other, we dont have to wear non-medical masks. We dont have to worry about physical separation. But certainly, when we go into a port where well embark goods we implement full force health protection measures.

Read the original post:

Canadian sailor at the helm of massive heroin bust - SaltWire Network

Louis Cass, a data analyst working for Army Futures Command, wanted to work with ships. So he turned to the Armyyes, the Army.

I like shipsso I joined the Army, he said, beginning his story. The Army was the first thing that popped into my mind. My recruiter got me in as a cargo specialist, and I enjoyed every bit of it.

Most people do not consider the Army when thinking about a career on the high seas, but unbeknownst to them, the mostly land-based service maintains a large fleet of logistics support vessels.

As a young man, Cass worked at a shipyard in his hometown of New Orleans, Louisiana. He said he became bored with his job, and sought out a new adventure which involved his passion for seaborne vessels. He shipped out for basic training in 1983, and afterward moved to Fort Eustis, Virginiawhich would be his home for the majority of his Army career.

Cass served in the 7th Transportation Groupwhich is now the 7th Transportation Brigade (Expeditionary)where he helped load and unload numerous vessels and vehicles. He also found the adventure he was looking for, having deployed to several countries and participated in numerous missions.

When the Persian Gulf War broke out, Cass and his team knew they were going to be called upon once again. One of the first clues that they were going to war was the protective gear they receivedit was designed to defend them from chemical attacks.

There was no hesitation, he said. We knew that it was for a purpose, and that we were going to be busy because there were aircraft, vessels and rail which needed to be loaded and unloaded.

The Soldiers deployed to the Port of Dammam in Saudi Arabia, where he served as the port operations non-commissioned officer. Casss responsibilities included vessel discharges, ammunition storage, and coordination with host nation support for all crane and material handling equipment.

When the advanced party arrived in Saudi Arabia they found themselves in a very fast paced, fluid environment. The 551st Transportation Company ran the arrival and departure airfield control group at Dhahran Air Base, where over 5,000 Soldiers arrived daily. 7th Transportation Group staff officers and noncommissioned officers also worked at the airfield, coordinating with host nation authorities for cargo trucks and buses to move incoming Soldiers to their field sites.

The 7th Group also opened the King Khalid Military City and Kuwait International Airport, Cass recalled. Overall the 7th Transportation Group supported numerous operations from the sea, land and air in and out of Saudi Arabia. We discharged most of the cargo from hundreds of means of transportation. Units shipped their cargo to the Port of Dammam. The Group would provide support for those units while waiting for their equipment to arrive from the continental U.S. and overseas. Once the equipment arrived, the Group would unload the equipment and ensure the units were prepared for onward movement into the theater of operation.

The 7th Transportation Group was responsible for all theater movements from the Port Of Dammam to the airport in Kuwait City and into numerous camps and bases within the theater, Cass added.

Cass was also responsible for the safety of military personnel, civilian employees and contractors during port operations, and during inbound attacks on the port. He remembered one of those attacks as if it were still fresh in his mind.

We heard the missile go across our building and explode, Cass recalled. The sirens went off a few seconds later. Thats when we went into action, put our gear on and braced ourselves. I jumped into my truck and drove up and down the pier making sure everyone had their gear on.

Ironically, Cass was in such a hurry to protect his people that he forgot his gear in his office. Another Soldier noticed, and warned him of his vulnerability. The operations NCO returned to his office and donned his ensemble as quickly as possible.

We thought it was a funny moment: here I am driving around telling people to put their gear on, and I myself didnt have it, Cass remarked.

The attacked had passed, with none of the missiles landing on or near the port. Cass called his wife to let her know he was okay. He remembered how his wife was overcome with emotion upon hearing his voice.

When she heard my voice, I could hear her laughter, Cass said, as he too could not help becoming emotional as he recalled the moment. Bad news travels fast, and good news is not so fast. I wanted to make sure my wife and kids knew I was safe and that everything was good.

Not every day on deployment was dramatic or exhilarating; there were many slow days as well. Cass remembered being so bored, he and a lieutenant would capture flies and place them into a company formation.

On especially balmy days, Cass and his colleagues would drive up to a group working under the hot sun and hurl water balloons at them. Other methods the deployers used to entertain themselves were playing board games, collecting baseball cards, reading books and doing arts and crafts.

Some of Casss favorite memories were the times he and his colleagues would gather on top of the barge they used as a barracks facility. There, they formed their own club where they would drink non-alcoholic beer and hang out. These meetings would turn into opportunities for mentorship and bonding.

After a long days work we would go on top of the barge, Cass recounted. We would talk about what happened that day or nightwho angered you and how we could do betterlittle after-action reports just between the group. But we had a lot of fun, we had a good time. I firmly believe that during Desert Stormwe were all about teamwork; we were about camaraderie.

Such camaraderie played an important part in keeping the team together. Because Cass already deployed several times before Operation Desert Storm, he was prepared to be away from his family. But he also knew he had teammates who were never so far away from home before. Cass made it a point to help his comrades feel that although they were far away from home, they were still with familytheir brothers in arms.

Desert Storm showed me what brotherhood actually meant, Cass remarked. We talked to one another constantly, we looked out for one another and we made sure that when one stumbled, someone would pick them up and continue the mission. Teamwork was epitome, heart and soul of our lives. Not since then have I seen such bonds.

Finally, after one year in the desert, it was time to return home. Cass and his team flew to Langley Air Force Base (now part of Joint Base Langley-Eustis) where they were met by their families and loved ones.

During the homecoming ceremony, Cass caught a glimpse of his family. He couldnt hold back his emotions, and smiled while standing in formation.The moment was caught by a photographer.

When I looked forward, I could see my family thats why I had the big grin in that picture, Cass said. Just seeing my family was phenomenal beyond words.

Desert Storm was not Casss last deployment. He would go on to continue travelling around the world, accomplishing many more missions before retiring after 23 years of service. He quipped that if not for his advanced age, he would even join the Army again.

I deployed all over the world, he concluded. I went through two passports in my career going to numerous countries. It was a good time. I have no regrets whatsoever, and I would do it again in a heartbeat.

See the article here:

Away from home, but still with family - DVIDS

The scratches are clearly visible on Hermanus Busto.

Photo: Aitor Badiola

Spanish fisherman Joso Zaldombed, 55, who was struck by German sailor Boris Hermann on Wednesday, has also returned to Earth. Zaldimbide (Click here for an interview about the accidentThe 15-man crew of the Hermanus Busto returned safely to the fishing village of Ondrroa on Saturday morning. This was stated by the owner of the ship, Eitor Badiola. Herrmanns high-tech yacht collided with Hermanos Busto 90 miles from the finish line of the famous Vende Globe regatta on Wednesday. After 80 days sailing around the world, Hermann missed a chance to win the regatta. He had reached the final at Les Sables-dOlonne in France on Thursday fifth in the final ranking.

The owner of the ship Badiola Make photos available to Sddeutsche ZeitungTo confirm that Hermanos Bustos Automatic Identification System (AIS) was operational at the time of the collision with the Herrmann Seaexplorer. The image shows the first and apparently the most recent of ten recoverable pages with archive data for AIS. Accordingly, Hermanos Bustos AIS was put into operation for the last time on January 5, 2021 and has yet to be discontinued.

Das AIS Monastery of Hermanus Busto.

Photo: Aitor Badiola

Another photo shows ships currently registered by AIS for Hermanos Busto and shown by Calling Tracer.

There was a controversy over the Spanish Hunters AIS after the accident. Hermann had initially indicated that the Spanish hunter had turned off AIS. He himself went to sleep. He had previously triggered all alarms on his yacht. The Spanish hunter had defended himself against suspicion of shutting down Air Force Intelligence. Captain Zaldombide said, He shouldnt say that, damn it.

After Hermann had doubts on Friday morning whether the Hunters AIS was operational, the raft was put into operation in the afternoon. There are no accusations on my part, Hermann said after a phone call with Badiola. In a hurry, I realized this as the simplest and most straightforward explanation, because Ive already seen one or another fishing boat that doesnt have AIS. The causes of the collision remained a mystery to him.

Red / sz.de

Posted today at 12:13 PM

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Accident on the high seas - now the fisherman provides pictures of evidence - The Weston Forum

The teams left Far North Queensland and headed south to Australias adrenaline capital, the Gold Coast. But sadly, despite coming second at the first Pit Stop, The Twin Models, Alex and Jack, bravely chose to withdraw from the Race due to Alexs mental health.

The remaining twelve teams were tasked with finding their way to Kirra Beach, to perform a challenge with Australias iconic lifesavers. Using a series of life saver signals, one teammate directed their other half in an Inflatable Rescue Boat, to a set of numbered buoys.

And believe us when we tell you the huge surf wasnt the only drama on the high seas! The Power Couple Holly and Dolor tried their best not to argue; The Geek couldnt see his Princess; and Jordan from The Dancing Exes became airborne and capsized. Chaos is an understatement.

Last to leave the beach were The Power Couple and The Mums, and just as The Mums raced to hail down a cab which turns out, belonged to The Power Couple an icy exchange ensued, as Dolor told The Mums to vacate the cab, refusing to share. Ouch.

Next, the Detour saw the teams chose between learning a synchronized swim routine and finding a special golden token in classic Aussie Ugg boots. Uggs sounds easy, right? Guess again. With hundreds to choose from, and some loaded with set mouse traps, this was no easy feat.

As Dolor struggled to keep his head above water in the synchronized swim, so too did The Power Couples plan to abstain from arguing. A few tantrums and seven attempts later, they finish the Detour in last place.

Finishing their Detours, The Parents, Shane and Deb, and The Super Sikhs raced toward the Roadblock, seeing one team member race a dirt bike around a track in 55 seconds.

In last place again, were The Power Couple, who caught up to The Mums at the dirt track. Dolor was quick to assume he could overtake Shannon, but was left eating Shannons dirt. She was a boss on that bike!

Onto then next location, WetnWild water park, teams had to race down a heart-stopping, free fall water slide, before arriving at the Pit Stop.

The Super Sikhs slid down to first place at the Pit Stop, yet again. Not only did they maintain their lead, but they also received a First Class Pass, meaning they will not compete in the next lead and cannot be eliminated.

And if that wasnt enough of a win, The Super Sikhs were handed this seasons new powerplays: the Salvage and Sabotage. A Salavage is a bonus or advantage of some kind given to one team. A Sabotage is a disadvantage or setback given to one team.

After Beau revealed this leg was a predetermined non-elimination leg, in an effort to be fair, The Super Sikhs awarded the Salvage to The Power Couple and the Sabotage to The Mums.

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RECAP | The Twin Models Withdraw From The Amazing Race Australia - TV Blackbox

BY REBECCA KUKU

Papua New Guinea was hit by Tropical Cyclone Lucas at 5am this morning with heavy torrential rains and strong winds causing flooding and falling trees and power pylons.

So far one death has been reported in Port Moresby after a tree fell on a family home.

TheNational Weather Service has also issued a heavy rain and flash flood warning in the capital city and Central Province.

Duty Forecaster Peter Warupi said that Cyclone Lucas was now out of the country heading towards Vanuatu and Noumea.

Renewal gale force winds warning have also been issued for all coastal waters of Yule Island to Port Moresby to Hood Point/Aroma Coast and Samarai Islands.

All Milne Bay islands, including Finschhafen to Vitiaz/Dampier straits and south of West New Britain, including the ocean waters of the east Coral and west Solomon seas, he said.

Warupi also said that strong west to Northwest winds of 34-47 knots are expected to continue for the next 24 hours, causing very rough and high seas.

Heavy rains, showers and isolated thunderstorms associated with the monsoon trough to be experienced for the next couple of days.

Heavy rains are forecasted to persist over low lying areas, valleys and along rivers, streams and lakes in Highlands, Gulf, Central, NCD, Milne Bay, Oro, including East and West Sepik, Madang and Northern Coast of East/West New Britain and New Ireland province, over the next 12/24 hours causing flooding and landslides, he said.

Warupi called on the public to take necessary precautions.

All affected communities are urged to move to higher grounds, store clean drinking water and food and to avoid driving through or crossing flooded roads, bridges and rivers.

His office will continue to provide weather updates and warnings.

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Heavy Rain and Strong Winds expected to continue for the next couple of days - POST-COURIER

Tropical Depression 07F TD07F has further weakened into a low pressure and remains to the far Northwest of the Fiji group.

According to the special weather for Fiji TD07F issued from the RSMS Nadi at 12pm today the associated convergence zone will bring gale force winds up to 65km/hr with heavy rain over Vanua Levu, Taveuni and nearby smaller islands, Lomaiviti and Lau group.

For Vanua Levu, Taveuni and nearby smaller islands, Lomaiviti and Lau group expect damaging gale force winds with average speeds of 65km/hr, gusting upto 90km/hr.

Impacts will be minor damages to weak structures, minor damages to houses of very light materials in exposed communities.

Damages to crops and vegetation with trees tilting due to gales.

Periods of rain, heavy at times and few thunderstorms.

This will continue to bring floods to roads, villages, towns and communities near streams, rivers and low lying areas.

Expect moderate to heavy swells and breaking waves reaching the coastal areas that may cause possible coastal inundation and sea flooding especially during high tide.

Poor visibility in areas of heavy rain and thunderstorms.

For the rest of Fiji expect strong west to northwest winds with average speeds of 65km/hr and momentary gusts of up to 80km/hr.

Occasional rain, heavy at times and few thunderstorms with very rough to high seas and poor visibility in areas of heavy rain and thunderstorms.

For mariners, a gale warning remains in force for Vatu-i-Ra passage, Koro sea, Lau waters and northern Vanua Levu waters.

Expect northerly winds up to 45 knots gusting to 65 knots.

This will bring very high seas with high risk of sea travel for mariners.

A strong wind warning remains in force for the rest of Fiji waters.

Expect west to northwest winds up to 20 to 30 knots with gusts up to 45 knots with rough to very rough seas.

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The Fiji Times TD07F: Further weakened into a low pressure - Fiji Times