Jin-Rong

The 'Belcargo' was disabled due to main engine issues in the Strait of Georgia, British Columbia, in position 49 17 30 N, 123 23 30 W, on Jan 26, 2020, at 07.05 a.m. The vessel proceeded to Anchorage-6 at Nanaimo for repairs. On Jan 28 at 4 p.m. the 'Belcargo' sailed from Nanaimo and arrived at Vancouver at 7.20 p.m.

Wenaasgruppen AS have committed their Supramax “Viola” 59/2008 Tsuneishi Cebu, Philippines with DD 08/2020 to Norwegian buyers Belships ASA at a price of USD 13 mill of which half will be paid in cash. The remaining consideration will be settled through a proposed issue of 8,060,650 new Belships shares to the seller of the vessel. The agreed share price in the transaction is NOK 7.00 per share.

On May 26, 2012, the "Viola", at that time named "Furness Melbourne" and the yacht "Riga II" collided about 15 miles north of Bowen, Queensland. The "Riga II" was dismasted and its hull was damaged but no one was seriously injured and the yacht was towed into Bowen by a volunteer marine rescue vessel. The "Furness Melbourne" was not damaged and, after rendering assistance to the yacht, continued its voyage. An ATSB investigation now found that a proper lookout was not being kept on board either vessel in the time leading up to the collision. The "Furness Melbourne"’s lookout had sighted "Riga II"’s starboard sidelight prior to collision but the officer of the watch made a series of assumptions based on limited information and concluded that the light was from a distant navigation buoy rather than another vessel that presented a risk of collision. The "Riga II"’s watchkeeper did not visually identify Furness Melbourne’s navigation lights in time to make an effective appraisal of the situation, did not set the yacht’s AIS unit on a range scale that would provide adequate warning of approaching vessels and when alerted by the AIS of the approaching ship, misinterpreted that information. The findings from these investigations have invariably included the failure of the watchkeepers on board one or both vessels to keep a proper lookout and the absence of early and appropriate action to avoid a collision. The safety lessons from these investigations have been included in the published investigation reports. A number of safety bulletins that aim to highlight the risks and educate seafarers with regard to the similar contributing factors have also been published. These documents and further safety related information can be downloaded at: www.atsb.gov.au/marine.aspx