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From the Editor


     Officers on cruise liners operating out of the USA, should be aware that they are dealing with a certain IMDG cargo for which the handbook does not provide. Both the Chief Officer and ship's doctor of the "Majesty of the Seas" have been accused of sexual assault by a party of ladies during a four-night cruise. Both officers were said to be intoxicated and the company "Royal Caribbean" was accused of being negligent to the safety of its passengers. (LL)

     With the retirement of Rear Admiral John Lang as Chief of the MAIB (Maritime Accident Investigation Board) in the United Kingdom, we have lost a great advocate for independent investigation into maritime accidents worldwide His plea, during an IFSMA General Assembly, for safe sufficient manning of shortsea vessels, has made an impression. We sincerely hope that his moving on will not signify that we have to do without Admiral Lang's wise judgements.

     With sadness we learned of the passing away of Captain André de Wilde, prominent member of KBZ and former Director General of the Port of Ghent.

     Recent reports cover a new system of armed robbery in ports in Brazil. After completion of loading the bulkcarrier, the Chief Officer went ashore to read the draft figures. He was kept hostage at gunpoint while his "colleagues" went on board and ransacked the entire vessel. (Please be alert !!!)

     The recent fire in engineroom nr. 2 on board the P&O Northsea ferry "Norsea", en route from Hull to Zeebrugge, has been handled with exemplary professionalism. All measures, taken by ship's command, are in line with high standards to avoid any danger for passengers. Alarming the Great Yarmouth fire brigade and the standby of the "Pride of Rotterdam" in case of any distress, have given proof of proper management of emergency by the captain and responsible shore personnel. Press and TV reports have given a onesided and emotional view of the incident, which does not actually promote safety awareness of European ferry passengers.

     Captain Romano Serra, Vice President of CESMA and President of the Trieste based CTPC has received an award from the Italian administration for his longtime merits in the field of maritime education and training in Italy.

     The Dutch Shipmasters' Association NVKK is celebrating its 60th anniversary in April next year. The association was founded in London in 1943 during the second world war, when Dutch shipmasters were in a very solitary situation away from their occupied homeland. Solitude for shipmasters is recently re-occurring, as on many ships the captain is only Dutchman left on board.

     The accident with the French fishing vessel "Cistude" which caused the death of four crewmembers is a pure example of deteriorating behaviour of seafarers. This kind of neglect for human life by the Philippino second officer of the Norwegian flagged tanker "Bow Eagle" is an affront to the international seafaring community. This is not the first incident in which Philipino's are involved in pure criminal acts. The international maritime community should be aware of these developments and draw its conclusions. We will revert to this incident in our next issue of the Newsletter.

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