In continuation of our ongoing efforts in overseeing crew movements that had been organized in recent weeks, MSI Ship Management had carried out yet another successful crew change at the port of Mokpo (South Korea).
Despite facing COVID-19 pandemic restrictions towards crew movements, MSI Ship Management had carried out to date, a total of 122 successful crew movements of which 72 were off-signers and 50 were on-signers.
We recognize the collective efforts of our MSI seafarers and the MSI crewing team which through their meticulous planning had ensured to make these crew movements as seamless as possible.
MSI Ship Management is pleased to welcome the cable vessel Pacific Guardian to our fleet.
Built in 1984, she has a long and distinguished history in laying and repairing undersea cable networks across the globe. Now flying the Indonesian flag, she will continue to build her legacy under the care of our MSI Indonesia team in Jakarta.
Her first deployment under MSI management will be an EPC project involving expansion of the fibre optic infrastructure to increase connectivity between the many islands of Indonesia.
The introduction of this type of ship to our fleet highlights our current ambitions to expand into new markets, plus the valued and versatile capabilities of our sea going and shore based staff in providing the unique competencies to operate this specialist asset.
Our Business Continuity Plan ensures that operations remain viable during the Covid-19 situation in Singapore and provides a safe working environment minimising health risk to our colleagues in the office.
For our Fleet, we have a detailed Covid-19 Plan that outlines all information presently available including precautions, resources and emergency protocols to be initiated in case of an outbreak on board. We are in constant communication with our medical partners to remain up to date with latest developments to ensure that this is information is disseminated to the vessels.
One of our chemical tankers recently had a close encounter with suspicious skiffs in the vicinity of Bab El Mandap, near Djibouti and Yemeni waters.
The vessel was on a loaded passage from Yanbu, Saudi Arabia to Singapore, when the watch keeper on duty observed fast approaching skiffs coming at the vessel from the port aft quarter.
On initiation of the alarm, both the crew and the armed escort guards mustered to instigate the response measures according to our standard operating procedures (SOP’s) in this scenario. MSI Management in Singapore, UKMTO and CMF151, a Japanese warship in the area, were immediately notified of the situation.
At this time, a total of 7 skiffs, with 4 to 5 people on board, continued to approach the vessel and closed to 0.62 Nautical miles.
As per SOP’s, the vessel had increased engine speed to max RPM. The vessel foghorn was sounded to draw attention of the skiffs to the visibly placed armed guard, and their weapons, in a measured attempt to dissuade them from further approach. Although no weapons were observed by the vessel on the skiffs, they could make out ladders on each of them which is a strong indication of their intention to board and they continued to run parallel to the vessel for more 15 minutes.
At this point, a helicopter arrived from the Japanese Warship CMF151. Its appearance was enough to convince the skiffs to alter their course parallel to the vessel and return, presumably to their mother ship.
The crew and guards worked well as a team, and their conduct was decisive. This was key to effectively implementing our SOP’s, providing a satisfactory outcome to the situation with no shots fired. It is also reassuring that the international military presence in the region is proving an effective force in the defence against marine piracy.
We always like to remind all crew to remain vigilant especially when transiting high-risk areas in the Gulf of Aden, West Africa and Malacca Straits and maintain strict compliance with safety and security protocols in accordance to the Ship Security Plan and ISPS requirements.
