MarineBuzz.com

The Times of India dated June 30 reports that a police boat carrying 64 security personnel was sunk in a river on June 29 in Malkangiri district of Orissa.

The disturbing features are:

• the police motor boat was carrying Andhra Pradesh’s special operations group (SOG) engaged to combat Maoist guerrillas
• the boat was attacked by rebels by gunfire from a nearby hilltop while the police boat was sailing to Chitrakonda across Balimela reservoir for a joint operation against the Maoists
• the boat capsized, 29 have managed to save their lives, remaining 35 are missing and are feared dead by drowning
• intensive search and rescue operations are going on with Naval divers and rescue vessels to locate the missing men

It is sad to know that 35 elite SOG men are feared dead due to drowning.

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What was the reason for Asian Tsunami 2004 ?

With lot of imagination, Tamil movie actor Kamal Haasan explains the reason for Asian Tsunami 2004 in his movie Dasavathaaram.

Here are some interesting features of Kamal Haasan in Dasavathaaram:

• comes out in ten different roles including the role of US President George W. Bush
• covers a story from 12th Century to 21st Century
• comes as a Scientist in a US laboratory that develops deadly biological weapon
• tries his best to chase and seize the biological weapon
• chasing starts from US to Tamil Nadu coast in India
• finally when the biological weapon comes in the wrong hands in a beach, Tsunami strikes in a massive way and the sea swallows the deadly weapon with it, to save the whole world

Here are some stills of Kamal Haasan from Dasavathaaram

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You see above a photograph of a ship and a sketch of the ship. How to take out a sketch from the photo ? This weekend if you have some time, you may try out this.

Here is an easy to use free online tool available, to convert a photograph into a sketch.

Follow the steps below:

Step 1

Here is a sample photograph to be converted into a sketch. Keep your photograph to be converted on your desk top.

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The 74 foot (24 metre) powerboat Earthrace powered by biodiesel is set to complete her circumnavigation today and break the last world record.

Here are some interesting features of Earthrace:

• Earthrace commenced her circumnavigation on April 27 at 1400 hours CET from Sagunto, Spain.
• Earthrace is expected to complete her circumnavigation today, which means 61 days to circumnavigate.
• Earthrace is now ready to break the last record for a powerboat to circumnavigate the globe in 74 days, 23 hours and 53 minutes set by UK boat ‘Cable & Wireless Adventurer’ in 1998.
• ETA Vulkan Shipyard, Sagunto, Spain: afternoon, Friday, June 27 local time.

OldSailor congratulates Earthrace skipper, Pete Bethune and his is team for their adventure.

Here are some related posts:

• Earthrace is ready to circumnavigate the globe on biodiesel
• Earthrace sights plastic soup to the size of Texas in the Pacific Ocean
• Biodiesel boat Earthrace is in London for Christmas and New Year’s eve

Update: June 28

Earthrace, has set a new record for a powerboat to circumnavigate the globe, knocking almost 14 days off the previous record. Earthrace reached the finish line in Sagunto at 13.42 GMT on June 27. The powerboat has traveled around 24,000 nautical miles on biodiesel to demonstrate to the world the use of alternative fuel sources. Earthrace has completed circumnavigation in 60 days, 23 hours and 49 minutes. Read more from Powerboat-world.

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Delaware coast is ideal for generating electricity from offshore wind energy. Delmarva Power wants to ensure that 20 percent of its electricity supply comes from renewable sources by the year 2019. To achieve this goal, Delmarva Power has taken a step towards tapping power from offshore wind energy.

Some of the interesting features of the project are:

• Delmarva Power and Bluewater Wind (subsidiary of Babcock & Brown) have reached an agreement on a long term power purchase contract under which Delmarva Power would buy up to 200 megawatts of power from Bluewater Wind, an offshore wind farm.
• Under this 25 year agreement, Bluewater Wind, would start delivering electricity to Delmarva Power from 2012.
• $800 million wind farm, with a capacity to generate power up to 600 megawatts is to come up at 11.5 miles offshore of Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.
• Babcock & Brown has 20 wind farms across nine states throughout the US with total power of about 1500 megawatts of installed capacity.
• Bluewater Wind is also coming up with wind farms in New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island.

Here is how Bluewater Wind farm works ?

Here is a video clip of an offshore wind farm.

Here is the news release from Delmarva Power. Here is the news release from Bluewater Wind.

Here are some related posts on generating electricity from the seas.

• Blue H Technologies launches world’s first floating wind turbine
• World’s first commercial scale tidal energy turbine installed in Northern Ireland
• California goes for commercial wave power

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The MV Princess of the Stars disaster brings out certain shocking and surprising information:

• Sulpicio Lines Inc, the ship owner of MV Princess of the Stars is not aware of the latest guidelines of Philippine Coast Guard regarding the responsibility to sail ships in inclement weather.
• Philippine Coast Guard is not having operational Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS).

Read on to know more……….

MV Princess of the Stars, a ferry with more than 800 personnel unfortunately capsized on June 21 in Philippines. Philippines has got a vast coast line of 36,289 km with 7,107 islands and depends largely on sea transports. The ship owner, Sulpicio Lines Inc is a leading sea transport provider for over twenty years all over the Philippine islands with a fleet of 16 passenger/ cargo vessels, 16 cargo and container vessels, 3 tugboats and 5 barges - a total tonnage of over 127,100.

Some of the features of MV Princess of the Stars:

• 24 year old, 23,824-tonne ferry MV Princess of the Stars had a total passenger capacity of 1,992 personnel.
• The ferry sailed out with 800 plus personnel including children on June 20, on 22 hour journey from Manila to Cebu.
• The ferry sailed out, when whole of Philippines was under the threat of typhoon Frank (international codename Fengshen) from June 19.
• In fact the ferry was sailing towards or crossing typhoon Frank (you can see the map below).
• It is reported that the ferry had engine failure and ran aground. The ferry then capsized on June 21, off Sibuyan island.
• Captain Florencio Marimon, the captain of MV Princess of the Stars is the most senior and most experienced captain in Sulpicio Lines Inc. The captain of the ship is still missing.
• Ships of Sulpicio Lines Inc are having a bad track record of accidents in the past.
• More than 100 divers from Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) , Philippine Navy (PN), US Navy are actively involved in rescue operations.
• Board of Marine Inquiry (BMI) is conducting the investigations about the accident. The station commander of the Philippine Coast Guard in Manila was relieved of his duties to facilitate investigations.
• The ship owner says that the ferry sailed out with coast guards approval whereas coast guard says that it is ship owners responsibility to decide to sail the ship in inclement weather.
• Philippine Coast Guard is not having an operational Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS).

Here are some photographs of MV Princess of the Stars.

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Rising sea levels due to global warming needs continuous monitoring as oceans occupy more than 70 percent earth surface. This monitoring is done by Ocean Surface Topography Mission (OSTM).

Some of the interesting features of OSTM are:

• the objective is to measure sea surface heights to an accuracy of 2.5 centimetres every 10 days from space to determine ocean circulation, climate change and sea level rise.
• a low-earth orbiting satellite having a radar altimeter measures sea surface heights.
• to meet this objective Jason-2 satellite was successfully launched on June 20 from Space Launch Complex 2W at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.
• is a joint effort by four international organizations namely
  • National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
  • National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
  • France’s Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales (CNES)
  • European Meteorological Satellite Organisation (EUMETSAT)
• Jason-2 satellite is follow up of earlier TOPEX/Poseidon and Jason-1 satellites.
• the Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales (CNES), the French Space Agency, has successfully processed the first Operational Data Record (OGDR) product received from Jason-2 after 48 hours of its launch.

Here is the fact sheet of OSTM/Jason-2.

Here is Jason-2 launch description.

Here is the launch video of Jason-2.

More information is available at BBC News.

Here are some related posts:

• World at six degrees of global warming
• Global warming takes toll of walrus due to stampede
• How global warming impacts marine environment

Update: June 28

Here is an interesting video clip on OSTM from JPL-NASA.

Update: July 31

Within a month of launching, OSTM /Jason 2 oceanography satellite has produced its first complete maps of global ocean surface topography, surface wave height and wind speed. Read more from NASA - OSTM/Jason-2.

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Bilateral relationship between China and Japan are improving. As part of improving relationship, Chinese Guided Missile Destroyer “Shenzhen” with about 350 crew members onboard, visited Japan on November 28, 2007.

Now Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), Takanami class Destroyer “Sazanami” (DD-113) is on a goodwill visit to China. The destroyer has left home port Kure in southern Japan on June 19.

The interesting features of the goodwill visit are:

• this is Japanese warship’s first visit to China since World War II.
• led by Major General Shinichi Tokumaru.
• the destroyer Sazanami with 240 crew members is carrying relief material for survivors of China’s deadly May 12 earthquake.
• the destroyer Sazanami will stay in the southern Chinese navy port of Zhanjiang from June 24 to 28.
• Chinese and Japanese Navy personnel will visit each other’s destroyers and participate in some sports, cultural exchange activities.

Here is the location map of Destroyer Sazanami - Chinese visit.

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The largest aquarium of Japan, Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium is located in Ocean Expo Park in Motobu cho, Okinawa. (Three hours drive from Naha airport)

Some of the interesting features of the aquarium are:

• aquarium is in four floors.
  • first floor: journey in to the deep sea
  • second floor: journey to the Kuroshio (black current) sea
  • third floor: journey to a coral reef
  • fourth floor: invitation to the great sea
• huge (7m long) whale sharks along with numerous other fish can be seen in the tank.
• exhibits are housed in an acrylic window of 8.2 metres high, 22.5 metres wide and 60 cm thick, one of the biggest in the world.
• breeding of whale sharks by housing several whale sharks in the same tank for the first time in the world.
• manta rays, the largest of all the rays can also be seen.
• the corals of Okinawa and large-scale reproduction of coral.
• electric and manual wheelchairs are available for the physically challenged persons.
• there is a ocean view restaurant facing the East China Sea.
• there is Blue Manta museum shop.

Here is a video clip of Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium. More details of the aquarium are available here.

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News reports of flooding are coming from different parts like Mississippi, China, Assam. Here is a tip for this weekend to save lives from drowning. ‘Rescue Line Launcher’ is an easy to use gadget to save people from drowning in lakes,rivers,floods etc., Some of the interesting features of Rescue Line Launcher are:

• uses compressed gas (CO2) to launch a rope (1/4″) with a floating projectile attached to the end
• the floating projectile is a soft molded urethane body with a foam core
• projectile can be modified to deploy a floatation device that inflates on impact
• designed for safe operation with high safety factors
• weight of the launcher: 23 lbs
• size of the launcher L x W x H: 28″x12″x6″
• time to reload launcher, fill and fire: 40 seconds
• number of shots per CO2 cylinder: 3-5
• max projectile distance: approximately 750 feet

Here are the photos and video clips of the Rescue Line Launcher.

View here a video clip on line throwing drill in a ship.

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Two young Indian workers of age 21 and 25 died on June 19, due to suffocation while working in confined spaces in platform supply vessel ‘Pacific Ataawhai’. The vessel is owned by Swire Pacific and is presently undergoing conversion into a seismic survey vessel at DryDocks World Singapore’s shipyard.

Five more workers were hospitalized and reported to be in stable condition. It is surprising to note that one worker was killed and fourteen were injured on June 08, due to explosion while painting in platform supply vessel ‘Rainbow Star’ in Kreuz Shipbuilding & Engineering located at Tuas Crescent, Singapore.

Recurring accidents in shipyards give an impression that safe working practices are not followed in shipyards.

Read more from Thaindian and Energy Current.

Here are some related posts.

Fire in platform supply vessel rainbow star kills 1 and injures 14 at singapore shipyard.

Six Easy Steps to Enter Confined Spaces in a Ship Explained

Here is a related video clip on Confined Space and Vessel Entry Sample.

Update: June 22

In view of increase in shipyard related accidents, the Association of Singapore Marine Industries (ASMI) has asked shipyards to take a voluntary time-out to review their safety procedures. Read more from Channel News Asia.

Update: June 26

Another fire reported: On June 25, one worker suffered second degree burns due to fire in engine room of a ship at the Drydocks World at No 33 Tuas Crescent, Singapore. Read more from Channel NewsAsia.

Update: June 27

Ministry of Manpower (MOM) have noticed safety lapses during the inspection of the 89 shipyards in Singapore. Read more from The Straits Times.

Update: August 06

Here is one more accident at DryDocks World, Singapore on August 01. Now a 20 year old shipyard worker from India while washing  ship’s hull with a high-powered jet fainted and subsequently died while shifting a powerful spotlight. Read  more from  The  Straits  Times and  The  Hindu.

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Here is a graphical presentation of coast lines of all countries. Surprisingly, it can be observed that the warships of different countries are not proportional to their coast lines to defend.

Click the maps below for interactive display of information.

Here is the presentation of coastlines on a Bubble Chart.

Here is the presentation of coastlines in World Map.

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Kristi Morgansen, a University of Washington assistant professor of aeronautics and astronautics has succeeded in developing three Robofish that communicate with one another through wireless underwater communication. The research has been going on for the past five years.

The interesting features of Robofish are:

• the size of Robofish is of a 10 pound salmon.
• looks more like a real fish as it uses fins for its movement.
• use of fins helps Robofish
  • to move with lesser drag.
  • to produce lesser noise.
  • to manoeuvre easily in constrained spaces.
  • to achieve maximum efficiency.
• unlike other ocean robots, Robofish need not to come to the sea surface to communicate or share data with other Robofish using satellite communication.
• Robofish uses low frequency sonar pulses or pressure waves to communicate with each other in underwater.
• because of less battery power only short range communication is possible.
• as Robofish can communicate with each other in underwater, in future they can be deployed in groups
  • to collect ocean data in less time
  • to cover larger area in less time
  • to reduce deployment of ocean research vessels
• the three Robofish were able to swim as a group in the same direction or in different directions.

Here are some photographs of Robofish.

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Here is a classic tale of shipping lanes being used for transferring toxic waste as tonnes of waste can not be transferred through land easily or by air economically.

A report from Times of India dated June 11, 2008 highlights the following:

• About 890 tonnes of cargo imported as waste paper reached Tuticorin Port , India from New Jersey, US in September, 2005.
• During routine checks it was found that the cargo in 35 containers were found to have hazardous waste including cancer causing carcenogenic waste such as polythene bags, crushed soft drink cans, pesticide containers, used batteries, metal wires in addition to waste paper.
• In September, 2007 Indian court gave a ruling that the hazardous waste be sent back to US.
• US is unwilling to take back the waste and the Indian importer is not willing to take responsibility of the cargo.
• The result: the hazardous waste is still rotting in Tuticorin Port.
• Further in October 2007, huge amounts of toxic waste was received in Kochi port, from New York (three containers sent from New York based Belsun Corporation in the name of recycling had medical wastes, municipal, surgical, bio-medical and even e-waste).
• Also at Alang Ship Recycling yard, many decommissioned ships with toxic waste are coming regularly.

What is shocking is

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Every country wants to build up and strengthen its submarine arm. What is the reason ?

• Firstly, to ensure energy security. At present many countries meet their energy requirements by import of oil. As the oil is transported through the seas (more than 90 percent of world trade is through the seas), the competition to have control over the seas and to protect their energy sources by different countries is on the rise.
• Secondly, every country wants to have high precision second strike capabilities in case of nuclear attacks.
• Both of these are possible only through submarines and that too with nuclear powered and nuclear armed submarines. This is the reason for the increase in number of submarines in the oceans.

As the number of submarines operating in the oceans are increasing, the possibilities of accidents taking place in the submarines are also increasing.

In case of submarine accidents:

• How the crew in the submarines are going to be rescued ?
• In case of nuclear powered submarines, how the nuclear radiation is going to be monitored and how the marine debris is going to be handled ?

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