Foreign News

Customs boat capsized, 3 officers died, in collision with smugglers, Hong Kong

Published

4 years ago

January 22, 2020

Customs boat capsized, 3 officers died, in collision with smugglers, Hong Kong

…As First case of deadly Coronavirus detected in Hong Kong***

Hong Kong Customs boat CE13 with 5 Customs Officers on board on Jan 21 collided with allegedly, smuggling boat, carrying illegal cargo of frozen meat, near Chek Lap Kok island, north of Lantau Island, Hong Kong.

Customs boat capsized, leaving 3 officers trapped inside cabin. Divers rescued them, but all 3 died later in hospital. 2 officers who weren’t inside cabin, survived.

Smugglers boat later was found and seized, with no people on board.

Also read: Master found intoxicated, arrested, Oresund

In the meantime, China’s special administrative region of Hong Kong has recorded the first case of the mysterious novel coronavirus, which was contracted by a man who visited the city of Wuhan.

The passenger of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link arrived in Hong Kong with signs of fever on Tuesday and was subsequently sent to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital for checkups.

The Hong Kong Free Press news website reported the incidence, citing a spokesperson for local transport company MTR Corporation.

The man told local health officials that he had visited Wuhan, while preliminary tests turned out to be positive for coronavirus, the media outlet added, citing a source.

Transport authorities reportedly ordered to disinfect a part of the terminal which the man visited and notified mainland China of the need to clean the train that the man took and that went back to China.

The epidemics of the new type of pneumonia broke out in Wuhan in late December.

It has been confirmed by China and the World Health Organisation that a new strain of coronavirus, called 2019-nCoV, is behind the outbreak.

The virus can be transmitted from human to human.

According to the latest data, the death toll from the coronavirus in China increased to nine people on Wednesday, while confirmed cases of virus reportedly climbed to more than 440.

Outside China, symptoms caused by the coronavirus have been detected in Thailand, Japan, South Korea, and the U.S.

Additional reports from Fleetmon

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Foreign News

Sri Lankan President Thanks Seychelles Defence Forces For Rescuing Sri Lankan Vessel From Somali Pirates

Published

3 months ago

January 30, 2024

Maritime First

…President Ramkalawan says Seychellois military boarded boat with utmost courage to take complete control

The Seychelles Defence Forces (SDF) Special Forces and Seychelles Coast Guards on board Coast Guards vessel Topaz led a successful operation to regain control of a Sri Lankan vessel hijacked by armed Somali pirates.

Seychellois special military forces boarded the boat with utmost courage to take complete control of the vessel and rescue our Sri Lankan brothers.

The Commander in Chief of the Seychelles, President Wavel Ramkalawan has spoken to the Chief of Defence Forces, Brigadier Michael Rosette to congratulate the Special Forces and Coast Guards team on a well-executed and successful mission.

“This is the spirit of the Seychelles Defence Forces. Professionalism, courage, and bravery are the tenets of the new spirit in the force. Though small, we will make our contribution to attaining maritime security, peace, and determination in the fight against terrorism to ensure that the world, especially in our part of the Indian Ocean remains a safe and peaceful region. Once again, I reiterate the pride and confidence of the Seychellois nation in the Seychelles Defence Forces.”

Foreign News

GoG: Promoting Trans-boundary Management For Sustainable Socio-Economic Development

Published

3 months ago

January 25, 2024

Maritime First

……Mission builds upon previous efforts by AU-IBAR in the beneficiary countries (Benin and Togo) for the national validation of the report on the State of the Transboundary Marine Environment (SoME)

NAIROBI, Kenya, January 23, 2024/ — From January 21st to 27th, 2024, AU-IBAR is on a mission in the republics of Benin and Togo. The mission is dedicated to supporting the implementation of a Transboundary Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) initiative between the two nations. Funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), under the project “Conservation of Aquatic Biodiversity within the Framework of the Africa Blue Economy Strategy,” this initiative holds the promise of fostering socio-economic development through the judicious use of marine resources.

Collaborative Efforts: AU-IBAR is collaborating with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) body, the Abidjan Convention, and the World Bank-funded West African Coastal Area Management (WACA) Project. The SIDA-funded project, implemented by AU-IBAR, involves an assessment to map the extent of Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) usage in Africa as a management tool for the conservation of aquatic biodiversity and ecosystems in the west, central, and northern regions of Africa.

Mission Objectives: This mission builds upon previous efforts by AU-IBAR in the beneficiary countries (Benin and Togo) for the national validation of the report on the State of Transboundary Marine Environment (SoME). The current objective is to secure joint expert validation of the SoME report and obtain high-level political endorsement for the provisions of the jointly validated report, demonstrating the commitment of both countries to the cause. Participants in the joint validation workshop include WACA project-nominated committee members from Benin and Togo, representatives from the Abidjan Convention, and government authorities from both nations, alongside relevant AU-IBAR staff.

Political Commitment: The opening statements during the joint meeting saw representatives from the Governments of Benin and Togo, the Executive Secretary of the Abidjan Convention, and the representative of the Director of AU-IBAR express unwavering commitment to the transboundary marine management process. Both the Director of AU-IBAR and the Executive Secretary of the Abidjan Convention reiterated their support for the Governments of Benin and Togo in realizing their shared vision for the sustainable management of coastal and marine resources in the designated shared maritime boundary.

Key Outcomes: The pinnacle achievement of the joint meeting is the validation of the study report on the state of the marine environment between Benin and Togo. This validation marks a significant milestone towards establishing the transboundary MSP between the two countries. AU-IBAR Director, DR Huyam Salih, emphasized that this accomplishment is a crucial step forward in enhancing aquatic biodiversity conservation and environmental protection in the Gulf of Guinea.

Conclusion: The joint expert consultation workshop serves as a testament to the collaborative efforts aimed at promoting transboundary management of shared marine aquatic ecosystems in the Gulf of Guinea. The validated report and political commitment from Benin and Togo are integral to realizing the socio-economic development potential inherent in the sustainable use of marine resources. As AU-IBAR continues its mission, the hope is that this initiative will serve as a model for other regions seeking to harmonize efforts for the conservation and management of their shared marine ecosystems.

Foreign News

U.S.-British Strikes In Yemen Left 5 Dead, Say Houthi Rebels

Published

3 months ago

January 12, 2024

Maritime First

The U.S. and British military strikes in Yemen have left five Houthi fighters dead and six others injured, the Iran-aligned rebels said on Friday, vowing retaliation.

“The American and British enemy bears full responsibility for its criminal aggression,’’ the Houthi military spokesman Yehya Saree said in a statement.

Saree said the massive attack had targeted several Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen including the capital Sana’a.

“It will not pass unanswered and without punishment.

“The Yemeni Armed Forces will not hesitate to target sources of threat and all hostile targets on the ground and in the sea,’’ he said.