Inclement weather affects port activity
by di-ve.com - editorial@di-ve.comLocal News -- 28 November 2008 -- 13:45CEST
Due to strong Gale force winds, port operations both at the Grand Harbour and Marsaxlokk came to a standstill on Friday.
The inclement weather has halted port operations and shipping movements since early morning. For safety reasons, pilots are not boarding vessels and thus vessels are not entering harbours.
At midnight, Carl C, a 100-metre cargo vessel, flagged in Antigua and Barbuda, which was anchored off Xrobb l-Ghagin, limits of Marsascala, to effect some engine repairs, started dragging its anchor and struck a fish farm operated by Malta Fishfarming Ltd.
The vessel, which was not bound to Malta, has a crew of 12 persons onboard and is carrying steel products. The Malta Maritime Authority, through the Vessel Traffic Services Centre (VTS) has been monitoring the situation since the early hours of the day and is currently supervising the operation.
The tugs, Ramla Bay and Pawlina were dispatched on scene to assist the vessel. The Armed Forces of Malta and the Civil Protection Department have been contacted to assist as necessary in case of an evacuation of crewmembers of the Carl C. The MMA’s Harbour Master, is co-ordinating the operation.
No casualties have been reported.
Three cruiseships were also affected by the weather - Costa Concordia and Grand Celebration are still waiting outside the Grand Harbour whilst another cruise ship, the Celebrity Century cancelled its call to Malta. Another 8 vessels could not enter harbour due to the inclement weather.
The weather has also affected operations at the Malta Freeport, as cranes are not operational due to the strong winds.
At midnight, Carl C, a 100-metre cargo vessel, flagged in Antigua and Barbuda, which was anchored off Xrobb l-Ghagin, limits of Marsascala, to effect some engine repairs, started dragging its anchor and struck a fish farm operated by Malta Fishfarming Ltd.
The vessel, which was not bound to Malta, has a crew of 12 persons onboard and is carrying steel products. The Malta Maritime Authority, through the Vessel Traffic Services Centre (VTS) has been monitoring the situation since the early hours of the day and is currently supervising the operation.
The tugs, Ramla Bay and Pawlina were dispatched on scene to assist the vessel. The Armed Forces of Malta and the Civil Protection Department have been contacted to assist as necessary in case of an evacuation of crewmembers of the Carl C. The MMA’s Harbour Master, is co-ordinating the operation.
No casualties have been reported.
Three cruiseships were also affected by the weather - Costa Concordia and Grand Celebration are still waiting outside the Grand Harbour whilst another cruise ship, the Celebrity Century cancelled its call to Malta. Another 8 vessels could not enter harbour due to the inclement weather.
The weather has also affected operations at the Malta Freeport, as cranes are not operational due to the strong winds.
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