NAUTICAL LOG

Further to the previous Post a reason for the possible deliberate release of the SS EL FARO VDR is that VDR's come in both floatable and non-floatable designs.  The floatable design can be combined with an EPIRB which would aid to it being found in the event of a ship sinking - which the SS EL FARO did in the hurricane.

Therefore we would suggest that the "Senior Officer" thinking that the VDR was possibly of the floating type deliberately released it so it would float clear and be found after the vessel sank. The action therefore was done with the best of intentions and not part of a coverup

Good Watch

After an absence of 18 months an event has occurred which has led to the decision to publish a Post. Normally one would have made a comment to a popular maritime blog however due to an exchange of comments at the end of 2015 we no longer comment to other Blogs.

As a Maritime Consultant data crosses my desk which leads to consideration of maritime incidents as an independent investigator.  Such was the case with the find yesterday Tuesday April 26, 2016 of the VDR of the SS EL FARO.  The search had been abandoned by the NTSB no doubt much to the relief of the USCG, TOTE the vessels owners and U.S. maritime Unions involved.  Their overall incompetence and the behaviour of the vessel's all American crew and Master in severe weather with in addition the several Polish workers on board for whose lives they were responsible is to say the least questionable.  At the insistence of U.S. Senator Nelson (D) of Florida the search was resumed by the NTSB. 
The persons who contacted me have sugge…

In April 2016 we decided to republish NAUTICAL LOGand Post on and for special occasions due to issues not or not well covered, in our opinion, in other maritime blogs.  Since the end of 2015 we no longer comment to other blogs. 

Also we will again respond as appropriate to your comments.  Thank you and

Good Watch.

The following M-Notices have been published and are available at www.gov.uk/governmentpublications.Call 023 8032 9391 if you have any difficulties.

MIN 487 (M+F) Navigation: Safety of Navigation - Counterfeit Nautical Charts and Publications.

MIN 488 (M) Navigation: Safety of Navigation _ Amendments to SOLAS Chapter V and updates to various performance standards.

MIN 489 (M) Navigation: Vessel Traffic Services V103 and Local Port Services Course Dates 2014-2015.

MGN 477 (M) Maritime Labour Convention, 2006: Seafarers Employment Agreements.

MGN 481 (M) Maritime Labour Convention, 2006: Merchant Shipping (Maritime Labour Convention)( Crew Accommodation)

MGN 517 (M) Maritime Labour Convention, 2006: Substantially equivalent accommodation standards for Large Commercial Yachts of 3000GT to less than 5000GT.

This will be the final publication of M-Notices from NAUTICAL LOG as we cease publication.

A final "Good Watch".

In the Florida Keys the search continues for a missing boater whose empty sailboat was found drifting near Dixie Shoal.  The person is the holder of a USCG 50 ton license, a pilots license, is an enthusiastic free diver and is a dive master.  It is reported that he was free diving on his own - amazing a person of his apparent experience would do this - so it is possible that this resulted in his going missing.

If unfortunately he is found deceased his will be the 8 death in this area this year.

Good Watch.

So far nothing - there has been no action taken by either the USCG, FWC, or the County Commission of Miami-Dade County, Florida regarding the boating accidents this year. 

Here is a summary:

August 03, 2014 - jet ski crash, result 1 death.

July 04, 2014 - three boat crash, result 4 deaths and injured persons.

May 05, 2014 - assisting grounded boat with its engines running running, result 1 death.

May 26, 2014 - boat crashed into anchored boat, result 1 death.

Total:  7 deaths.

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) in 2013 there were 104 boating accidents resulting in 4 deaths and 50 injuries. 

According to the FWC spokesman Jorge Pino boating accidents occur due to personal responsibility, whether it involves alcohol or drug consumption, speed or just carelessness.  This is indeed very true and yet so far nothing has been done by any Authority involved in safe boating.

Good Watch.

After several years of publication, including a previous hiatus, NAUTICAL LOG has decided that the Blog has run its course.  For now we shall continue to re-blog some maritime items such as the M-Notices from the UK MCA now published under "government publications" prior to ceasing publication.  We shall also not be commenting on the Posts of other maritime blogs but may comment if there are other boating accidents in Miami-Dade County, Florida. 

This decision was reached due to an apparent lack of interest now in NAUTICAL LOG indicated by the lack of response to our concerns with safe boating particularly in the South Florida region. No responses to our e-mails from those captains supposedly interested in making a difference by changes in local boat operation regulations.  Recently no comments have been received on the Posts subject matter making our efforts rather pointless.

Good Watch.