USCG published instructions for mariners whose credentials were lost due to Hurricane Dorian. Duplicate Merchant Mariner Credentials (MMCs) may be issued free of charge to mariners whose credentials were lost or destroyed as a result of the hurricane or subsequent flooding, USCG said.
The US Coast Guard Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance published a new policy letter to provide guidelines to District Commanders, Sector Commanders, and Officers in Charge, Marine Inspection (OCMI) when considering requests for vessels to participate in hurricane relief efforts.
As the hurricane season has arrived, the Strike Club published a bulletin regarding Marine Delay Insurance covers offered, which covers shipowners for delays arising from hurricanes, cyclones and typhoons. The delay due to these events and the affect on revenue can be considerable, whether for an owner or a charterer.
Grand Bahama Shipyard announced that it has officially resumed operations and welcomed back its first commercial vessel. This would be the 57,062-ton Agathonissos owned by Greece-based Eletson, which returned to the yard on September 11 to finalize repair work that started before Hurricane Dorian arrived in the Bahamas earlier this month.
Norwegian oil and gas company Equinor is progressing oil spill recovery at the South Riding Point terminal in the Bahamas, after the impact of Hurricane Dorian. An onshore team has started to recover oil and move it into tank storage.
Following the damaging effects of Hurricane Dorian, which disrupted operations for many ports and changed cruise lines’ routes, the Freeport-based Grand Bahama Shipyard announced that it is back in operation, after being slightly damaged by the storm.
The UK Royal Navy deploys an additional 18 military medical staff to arrive in the Bahamas and provide emergency care, surgery and intensive care to those impacted from Hurricane Dorian. The UK Navy also deployed the HMS Protector, currently operating in Bermuda, transmitting supplies such as food, water and clothing for the victims of the hurricane.
Following the devastating hurricane Dorian, all ports in the Bahamas reopened and are operating in Nassau. Yet, officials reported that relief procedures are beginning to accelerate because the supplies in some of the most impacted areas are running low.
Following the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Dorian, the Port of Savannah is now open and operating with a 36-foot draft restriction, while the Ports of Brunswick and Charleston remain closed to commercial operations.
The US Coast Guard advised mariners to not attempt voyages into the Northern Bahamas until further notice due to the devastating effects of Hurricane Dorian. The Government of the Bahamas is currently assessing its northern ports and harbors to determine if they are safe to enter.
