M/V OCEANIC FORCE IMO: 8008383 Gross Tonnage: 2712 Keel Laid: 1980 Flag: Comoros Company: Global Oceanic Chartering SA (ISM: 5636150) Class: Germanischer Lloyd RO: Bulgarian Register of Shipping Port of Detention: Las Palmas, Spain Date of Release: 29 January 2013 Date of Detention: 15 December 2011
Coming from the Caribbean the gas carrier M/V Oceanic Force approached territorial waters of Spain on 12 December 2011. The ship is not permitted access to the port and is instructed to stay outside of the 12 miles zone. The ship s agent requested fuel and provisions to be supplied to the ship in order to continue voyage to Greece or Turkey for recycling. On 13 December 2011 the pilot s reported to the PSC Authority of Las Palmas that the ship was in a substandard condition. On 15 December 2011 the ship undergoes a more detailed inspection at the anchorage at the northern area of the Las Palmas port. At the time of the inspection the ship was manned by 11 crewmembers. The captain and chief officer were of Greek nationality, the rest of the crew were Bangladeshis. During the inspection 35 deficiencies were found of which 11 were ground for detention. As a result of the inspection the ship was detained. The detention was notified to the flag of the ship (Comoros) and the RO (Bulgarian Register of Shipping). Information was received that the ship was laid-up for a long period in the Caribbean in an abandoned condition. The voyage to Greece or Turkey was arranged by the operator/owner with authorization of the RO for a single voyage. The deficiencies were found in the following inspected areas: accommodation and galley, engine room, navigation bridge, outside decks and forecastle and steering room. Deficiencies Fire safety:
Water-weather tight
Living and working conditions
Marpol Annex V Marpol Annex I
Safety of Navigation Propulsion & Auxiliary Machinery
Structural Conditions
On 16 December 2011 the Harbour Master notified the Port Authority of his authorization for the berthing the ship in the port. On 23 December 2011 the ship finally berthed at Reina Sofia dock. First attempt of departure On 20 March 2012 letters from the owner to the Greek Authorities asking for authorization to bring the ship in tow for anchorage at Elefsis area (Greece) were sent and were accepted by the Greek Authorities. The Stier Shipagency (ship s agent at that time) contacted with the Boluda Group for towing the ship. The owner presented a repair agreement with Dictel Ltd. Ship Repairs in Piraeus. On 22 March 2012 the Stier Shipagency informed the Port Authorities of a change of flag of ship to Dominica, who authorized the ship to make a single voyage in tow (by VB Artico, from Boluda Group) from Las Palmas to Elefsis. During the period from March to September 2012 the ship still remained in Las Palmas in an abandoned state, without a ship agent taking care of it. In the meantime the ship changed flag again. This time to Sierra Leone and the name was changed to M/V Hector. Second attempt of departure/release from detention In September 2012 an agreement was reached with Spanopoulos Group for repairs in Elefsis. The new RO of the ship, International Register of Shipping, authorized the ship s voyage from Las Palmas to Salamis (Greece). Authorization of the Greek Authorities was received for the ship to be laid-up in Elefsis. Insular de Consignaciones and Ocean Diamond Shipping become the new agent and owner of the ship. On 15 January 2013 the ship s agent presented all relevant documentation in accordance with the Paris MoU procedures to the Port State Authority of Las Palmas. The Hellenic Coast Guard confirmed acceptance of the ship in Elefsis for repair at Spanopoulos facilities and committed to follow-up on the repairs and rectification of the deficiencies. On 28-29 January 2013 the ships was inspected in order to verify safety conditions for the towing operation. On 29 January 2013 the ship was released from detention to make a single voyage to a repair port, in accordance with the Paris MoU procedures. The ship departed from Las Palmas to Salamis (ETA 16 February 2013). The Hellenic Coast Guard confirmed the arrival of M/V Hector (IMO 8008383) on 13 February 2013 at Salamis for repairs and rectification of deficiencies.