Smyrni

On Nov 28, 2014, at 10.30 a.m.NSRI Port Elizabeth duty crew were activated by the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) following reports of an incident four nautical miles South of Cape Recife, T he Port Elizabeth based service vessel "Synchor" was damaged while servicing the "Smyrni" while transferring cargo supplies. The "Spirit of Toft" was launched and found the "Synchro" with damage at the superstructure and complete electrical and motor failure. The crew of two was not injured. It was found out that a crane hook from the tanker used to lift cargo off the service vessel accidentally hooked into the side edge of the "Synchro" ripping the superstructure and part of the foredeck, with all cabling and fuel lines being ripped out, off the vessel as the swell lifted and subsided, with the skipper still inside the wheelhouse, and then dropping the entire load into the sea while the swell caused the service vessel to crash into the side of the tanker and leaving her powerless but with her motors still running. In only seconds the superstructure and foredeck sunk with the skipper trapped inside of the wreckage and trying to free himself. As it started to sink a swell lifted the debris level to the deck of "Synchro" and crewman Anthony Opperman grabbed his skipper pulling him out of the superstructure and safely onto the mangled deck of their boat. In the same moment the super structure and foredeck sunk beneath the waves. The whole episode lasted about 5 seconds, from the super structure being ripped out by the crane, then dropping into the ocean, the successful rescuing of his skipper, and then the mangled super structure, wheel house and foredeck disappearing under water and sinking. When the NSRI Port Elizabeth arrived on-scene they found a commotion on the deck of the super tanker and the mangled wreck of what was left of "Syncho" below with just the empty hull with two motors attached and no upper deck left behind, but both men aboard the "Synchro" were safe and not injured. The NSRI boat towed the remains of the boat back to Port in Port Elizabeth and once moored safely no further assistance was required. The tanker was not damaged. Report with photos: http://www.nsri.org.za/2014/11/accident-at-sea-port-elizabeth-and-yacht-assisted-kzn-south-coast/

Puntland Government in northern Somalia has offered an amnesty to pirate kingpin Isse Mohamoud Yusuf (Isse Yuluh) who generated huge profit from the illicit profession, Garowe Online reports. Isse Yuluh on Saturday arrived in Bari regional district of Armo which is situated 100km south of Gulf of Adan port city of Bossaso according to multiple independent sources. Following over a month-long discussions between President Gaas' administration and senior pirate boss, Key presidential officials are said to have received Yuluh in Armo. Yuluh and his militia secured more than $12 Million from the capture of MV Royal Grace chemical tanker and the MT Smyrni oil tanker which were freed in March 2013.

The ESPS "Méndez Núnez" was assisting the "Smyrni" as it headed to the north of Salalah. The "Smyrni", with a crew of 26, was carrying 135,000 tonnes of crude oil when it was hijacked on May 11, 2012. On Mar 10, 2013, the tanker was released by her armed pirate captors. After providing assistance to chemical tanker "Royal Grace", the ESPS "Méndez Nunez" was tasked with closely monitoring the "Smyrn"i as she moved away from the pirate anchorage. EU NAVFOR German and Spanish P-3 maritime patrol aircraft also provided reconnaissance support overhead. On Mar 11, a private security team was hired by the ship's owner to protect the vessel as she proceeded north to Salalah. Report with photos: http://eunavfor.eu/eu-naval-force-flagship-esps-mendez-nunez-assists-another-tanker-after-release-from-armed-somali-pirates/