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"Pepito Flores Did Not Need To Die."

M/V Astoria

On The Scene In The Harbor of Korfu

An Exclusive Investigative Report

Feature Date: August 11 2007

Event Date: April 5 2006

Inspired By A "Singles Only" Feature April 22, 2007

"Did Pepito Flores Need To Die?"

We Have Now Answered That Question

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Other Great Disasters of our Time

The Cargo Letter Photo Gallery of Transport Loss

"Ship-To-Shore-Onto Ship" - Nov. 2007

"For The "L" of It" - M/V Action Alpha - August 2007

"Stack Attack!" - M/V Ital Florida - July 2007

"Riding Down The Marquis" - M/V Rickmars Dalian - June2007

"Carrying Coal To Newcastle" - M/V Pasha Bulker - June 2007

"Between A Yacht & A Hard Place" M/V Madame Butterfly - May 2007

"Boxing Up The Rhine" M/V Excelsior - April 2007

"Best Worst Laid Plans?" M/V Republica di Genoa - March 2007

"Crack'n On The Sidmouth" - M/V MSC Napoli - Jan. 2007 - Disaster In Real Time

"Operation Jumbo Drop" - M/V Jumbo Challenger - March 2007

"Wrong Way Agulhas?" - M/V Safmarine Agulhas - Jan. 2007

"Full Speed Ahead" - M/V Alva Star - Nov. 2006

"Where The Trade Winds Blew" - Oct. 2006

"Full Speed Ahead!" - M/V Alva Star - Nov. 2006

"Maersk Montevideo Melee!" - M/V Leda Maersk - Oct. 2006

"Laying Down On The Job" - M/V Cougar Ace -- Aug. 2006 -- Amazing !

"Vine Ripened Tires" - M/V Saga Spray -- May 2006 -- Amazing !

"Mis-Fortune" - M/V Hyundai Fortune - March 2006

"Scheldt Snafu!" - M/V Grande Nigeria - Feb. 2006

"A Day A The Beach - M/V APL Panama - Jan. 2006

"NO Rails" - destruction of New Orleans - Dec. 2005

"Backhaul !" - for July 2005

"The Boeing Tri-Motor" - for April 2005

"Catch of The Day" - for March 2005

"One Brick Short of A Runway" - for Jan. 2005

M/T Vicuna Explodes - for Jan. 2005

"Unstacked" - overboard & Dr. Beach - Nov. 2004

"Coal Face" - the cargo was danger - July 2004

"Super Loss" - March 2004

"On A Wing & A Prayer" - Jan. 2004

 

"Singles Only" -- Our One Photo Disasters

"Stepping In It" - Dec. 2003

"Angel Fire" - Nov. 2003

"Broken Spirit" - M/V Tasman Spirit - Aug. 2003

"Denise & Polargo" - a love story - July 2003

"Columbia River Round Up" - June 2003

"Keel Hualed" - M/V Hual Europe - May 2003

"Thrice Bitten" -- M/V Tricolor - Jan. 2003

"Ramp-Age" - Feb. 2003

"Piñata" - breaking the box - Jan. 2003

"Halifax Hash"--M/V Maersk Carolina - Jan. 2003

"Thar She Blows!" - M/V Hanjin Pennsylvania - Nov. 2002

"T-E-U Bar-Be-Cue" - aftermath of the Pennsylvania

"Container Pool" - a mystery - May 2002

"Strangers On My Flight" -- by Frank Sinatra - don't blame us - we only report this stuff!

"Dropping In On The Trucker" - it happened again - April 2002

"UNDER Achiever" - tell your friends ! - March 2002

Tell It To The U.S. Marines! - A Symbol of Our Day of Infamy - Sept. 11

Heavy Metal - lifting the un-liftable object - Disaster at Monrovia July 2001

Rail Mate -- an Egyptian rail loss - Tragedy At Ain Sokhna July 2001

Meals: Ready To Explode - Navy container barbecue at Guam! June 2001

America West Kisses Concrete M/V Ville De Orion - stack shift at LAX

U.S. Navy EP- 3 -- China Hostage Situation - Spring 2001

Attack On USS Cole (DDG-67) - - Dramatic Photos!

M/V OOCL America - Feb. 2000

M/V APL China - world's greatest container disaster - Nov. 1998

M/V New Carissa - the ship that would not die - 1999

M/V Tampa Maersk "on a dock diet"

Hanjin's Bad Stab - Under The Dock At Pusan, Korea - Exclusive Photo!

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"Pepito Flores Did Not Need To Die."

M/V Astoria

On The Scene

An Exclucive Investigative Report

Harbor of Kerkyra/Korfu, Greece

A Cargo Nightmare Prize Contender

The Date: April 5 2007

The Time: Morning

The Place: Harbor of Kerkyra/Korfu, Greece

 

Cruise Liner M/V Astoria In Better Days

Ex-Astor and Ex-Arkona

Vessel Name - Astoria

Ex-Astor and Ex-Arkona

Type of Vessel - Cruise liner

Keel Laid: 20 May 1980

Delivered: 4 December 1981 at Hamburg

Germanicher Lloyd Registration Number: GL16718-4

Bahamas Registration Number: 8000444

IMO Number: 8000214

Class:100 A 5 E 1

Flag - German

Overall Length - 164.5 meter

Beam - 22.6 meters

Draft: 3.4 meters

Gross ITC Tonnage -18,591 tons

Cruising Speed: 16.5 Knots

Stabilizers: Yes

Restaurant: One

Passenger Decks: 7

Cabins: 259

Passengers: maximum 500

International Crew: 220

The Prolog To Disaster -- Operations At The Harbor of Korfu
PROLOG TO DISASTER >>

On April 22 2007 Cargo Law posted a "Singles Only" Photo Feature Concerning The Death of A Seaman On A Cruise Ship. The Story Was About A Lifeboat -- Said To have Dropped Without Proper Brakes.

Our Singles Only Feature Was Titled "Did Pepito Flores Need To Die?" We Will Now Answer That Question.

Seaman Pepito Flores Had Died In A Horrific Accident Abourd M/V Astoria on April 5 2007 in Greece.

Family, Friends & Fellow Crew of Pepito Flores Contacted Cargo Law & Told Us That Pepito Flores Had Not Needed To Die Aboard M/V Astoria on April 5 2007.

The Family, Friends & Fellow Crew Told Us That There Was Evidence of Gross Negligence In The Death of Pepito Flores

We Promised To Fairly Receive, Evaluate & Report All Available Evidence.

Pepito Flores died during a lifeboat drill on April 5 2007 In The Kerkyra/Korfu Harbor, Greece.

That is all the world would ever have known About Pepito Flores -- except for brave action on the part of his mates to bring this incident to our attention.

Some 80% of The World Merchant Crews Are Philippine -- Now It Is Time To Focus On Just One of Them -- Pepito Flores.


The Cargo Letter Has Assembled Exclusive Materials From M/V Astoria Sources -- Including Copies of Vessel Safety Meeting Reports Aboard M/V Astoria -- Photos of The April 5 Disaster Taken By The Crew -- And Video of The Death of Pepito Flores.

What I write Here In PROLOG TO DISASTER Is of No Real Importance. It Is The Story of Pepito Flores On April 5 2007 That Is Important.

There Are Only Four Facts Which Readers Need To Consider In The Study Below:

1. Repair ITEM 267 As Identified In The Safety Meeting Reports -- Below

2. The Importance To Passenger & Crew Safety of Repair ITEM 267 -- Parts Related To The Safe & Controlled Lowering of Lifeboats

3. Sixty Days of Hazard Notices, Discussions & Announcements of Need To Repair/Replace ITEM 267; and

4. The Death of of Pepito Flores

From Sources We Have Assembled Incident Photos And Copies of The Actual Safety Meeting Reports Written Aboard M/V Astoria In The Critical 60 Days Before The Death of Pepito Flores.

We Have Uncovered -- And Will Soon Post -- Video Which Shows The Dangerous Wobbling of Repair ITEM 267. We Believe That Not One of You Would Have Lowered Tender Boat #7 On April 5 2007 Under these Circumstances.

The Family Asked On April 22 - "Did Pepito Flores Need To Die?" Sadly, After Study -- Our Answer is NO.

The Famiy of Pepito Flores Places Blame For This Death On the M/V Astoria Master .... Capt. Vadym Grytsyuk. But Only Time & Careful Investigation Will Resolve The Issue.

The Cargo Letter Has Had Unique Access To This Tragic Loss. We Hope Only That The Information Has Been Put To Proper & Respectful Use For The Industry & The Family of Pepito Flores.

Please Tell Us What You Think About The Death of Pepito Flores.

When Your Study of This Loss Is Complete -- Don't Miss The Aug. 16 2007 Comments of A Well Known Maritime Safety Expert & Reader of The Cargo Letter.

Michael S. McDaniel - Your Editor

This Is Where Pepito Flores Died - On Tender Boat #7 Overside

The Cargo Letter for April 5 2007 --The Death of Pepito Flores

Bahamas-flagged 18,591tn. cruise M/V Astoria -- one crew was killed in the morning of Apr 5 in the harbor of Kerkyra/Korfu. While a boat on starboard side was lowered, davits brole on side during safety exercise & crashed with bow into the water -- 4 crew were injured. After the GL finished investigations in the course of the day the ship allowed to continue its cruise.
From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen (Thurs. April 5 2007)
M/V Astoria InThe Harbor of Korfu

A Paradise Port And Scene of Tragedy That Did Not Need To Happen

M/V Astoria - Safety Metting - Feb. 4 2007 - Page 1

Sixty Days Before The "Accidental" Death of Pepito Flores  

What Is A Davit? --

A davit is a structure, usually made of steel, which launches lifeboats held in between the two davit arms over the side of a ship.

The development of the davit from its original "goose neck form" to the current devices advanced greatly when A.P. Schat patented a number of systems in 1926 that allowed the lifeboat to glide over obstructions on a ships hull known as the "Schat Skate". This was followed by a self-braking winch system that allowed the lifeboat to be lowered evenly and then the modern davit was invented. Davits have always been designed to fit into deck spaces that the naval architects deemed necessary and a variety of designs emerged. Davits are a modern marvel of ocean vessels -- but just as with all ship equipment -- davits require maintenance for the safety of crew & passengers..

For Pepito Flores the davits became the center & end of his life.
M/V Astoria - Safety Metting - Feb. 4 2007 - Page 2

Sixty Days Before The "Accidental" Death of Pepito Flores  

ITEM 267 -- The LIFEBOAT DAVITS Need Repair & Parts Replacement --
Cover Plate of Brake Housing,

Impact Housing,

Turn-Buckles At Fix End of Fall Wires, and

Brake Shaft For Centrifugal Brake.

These Are The Parts Which Killed Pepito Flores

Feb. 4 2007 -- ".... it will be done later."
Given The Central Nature of These Parts To Passenger & Crew Safety -- Surely Thet Will Be Replaced/Repaired. Right?
M/V Astoria - Safety Metting - Feb. 4 2007 - Page 3

Sixty Days Before The "Accidental" Death of Pepito Flores  

Cockroaches Are Said To Be Stable - We Wish The Lifeboat Davits Were

Exclusive To The Cargo Letter -- Eyewitness Testimony From A M/V Astoria Crewmember -- Translated To English With Technical Definition - April 23 2007
"I was interested in your report [The Cargo Letter for April 5 2007] on the tragic accident on our ship M/V Astoria on the 5th April 2007 while'st alongside in Kerkyra Corfu (Turkey).

"I was on board at that time and would like to explain.

"Although the the outcome of the investigation has not been decided, everyone on board knew the reason for this accident. All the crew had to be honest after a similar incident which happened a year before. This next accident was waiting for this to happen again. But when it happened again, a life was taken. That of AB Pepito Flores.

"The boat davits on all our lifeboats on M/V Astoria were a constant issue during on board safety meetings and were mentioned frequently from about Nov. 2006 as an area of concern. I am told this was mentioned many times to the company and even during our long stay in Barcelona dry dock it was mentioned at many meetings. The company always stated that the problems would be too expensive to repair and the manufacturers always just gave us a certificate that all was proper with the Davit assemblies. The crew knew different. The next accident waiting to happen.

"As a result of the neglect -- on April 5 2007 -- during lifeboat drill -- the Tender Boat #7 came away from the davit & plunged 22 meters from the embarcation deck bow forward into the water. The result was our fellow crew member Pepito Flores died of horrific injuries. One of our officers tried to administer first aid when the lifeboat came alongside, but without success. Pepeito died of his injuries.

"Again trying to save a few Euros -- cost the life of Pepito Flores .... the investigation in Greece was nothing short of a joke. If this incident happened in the U.S., UK, Canada or Australia the ship would still be there. I am told there are many safety reports, Here is a picture of the accident for you to see."

Anonymous Crewmember of M/V Astoria
M/V Astoria - Safety Metting - March 6 2007 - Page 1

Thirty Days Before The "Accidental" Death of Pepito Flores

Capt. Vadym Grytschuk Wants To Personally Check Showerheads - But Not The Lifeboats

M/V Astoria - Safety Metting - March 6 2007 - Page 2

Thirty Days Before The "Accidental" Death of Pepito Flores  

ITEM 267 -- The LIFEBOAT DAVITS Need Repair & Parts Replacement --
Cover Plate of Brake Housing,

Impact Housing,

Turn-Buckles At Fix End of Fall Wires, and

Brake Shaft For Centrifugal Brake.

These Are The Parts Which Killed Pepito Flores

March 6 2007 -- ".... it will be done later."
Given The Central Nature of These Parts To Passenger & Crew Safety -- Surely They Will Be Replaced/Repaired
M/V Astoria - Safety Metting - March 6 2007 - Page 3

Thirty Days Before The "Accidental" Death of Pepito Flores  

There Is Great Concern By Capt. Vadym Grytschuk For A Stubbed Toe In The Cocktail Bar Dept. -- Not Ship's Safety Equipment

 
M/V Astoria - Safety Metting - March 6 2007 - Page 4

Thirty Days Before The "Accidental" Death of Pepito Flores  

ITEM 267 -- The LIFEBOAT DAVITS Need Repair & Parts Replacement -- But Time Has Run Out!
Cover Plate of Brake Housing,

Impact Housing,

Turn-Buckles At Fix End of Fall Wires, and

Brake Shaft For Centrifugal Brake.

These Are The Parts Which Killed Pepito Flores

April 5 2007 -- ".... it will be done later." -- The Parts Were Not Replaced -- Tender Boat #7 Crashed To The Sea

Tender Boat #7 Crashed To The Sea -- AB Pepito Flores Was Smashed To The Bow & Killed.

Pepito Flores Trusted His Ship. He Never Attended An M/V Astoria Safety Meeting.

He Trusted Capt. Vadym Grytschuk

Pepito Flores Never Knew That ITEM 267 -- ".....will be done later."

Considerable Damage for Tender Boat #7

What If The Elderly Cruise Passengers Had Been Aboard?

M/V Astoria - Safety Metting - April 2 2007 - Page 1

Three Days Before The "Accidental" Death of Pepito Flores

M/V Astoria - Safety Metting - April 2 2007 - Page 2

Three Days Before The "Accidental" Death of Pepito Flores. There Is No Concern For Lifeboat Danger.

ITEM 267 -- THE LIFEBOAT DAVITS Need Repair & Parts Replacement --
Cover Plate of Brake Housing,

Impact Housing,

Turn-Buckles At Fix End of Fall Wires, and

Brake Shaft For Centrifugal Brake.

These Are The Parts Which Killed Pepito Flores

April 2 2007 -- ".... it will be done later."
Sadly, There Would Be No LATER For Pepito Flores.

Given The Central Nature of These Parts To Passenger & Crew Safety -- It Is Incredible That They Were Not Replaced/Repaired -- -- Or Tender Boat #7 Put Out of Service Until Fit For Use By Pepito Flores.

M/V Astoria - Safety Metting - April 2 2007 - Page 3

Three Days Before The "Accidental" Death of Pepito Flores 

What Is A Davit? --

A davit is a structure, usually made of steel, which launches lifeboats held in between the two davit arms over the side of a ship.

The development of the davit from its original "goose neck form" to the current devices advanced greatly when A.P. Schat patented a number of systems in 1926 that allowed the lifeboat to glide over obstructions on a ships hull known as the "Schat Skate". This was followed by a self-braking winch system that allowed the lifeboat to be lowered evenly and then the modern davit was invented. Davits have always been designed to fit into deck spaces that the naval architects deemed necessary and a variety of designs emerged. Davits are a modern marvel of ocean vessels -- but just as with all ship equipment -- davits require maintenance for the safety of crew & passengers..

For Pepito Flores the davits became the center & end of his life.
Foreground: Collapsed Davit For Tender Boat #7

The Cargo Letter Has Seen Video of This Davit In Feb. 2007 --

The Davit For Tender Boat #7 Wobbled Dangerously

The Davit Failed On April 5 2007 -- The Death of Pepito Flores

Thank God The Passengers Were Not Aboard Tender Boat #7

Editor Note: If this evidence is accurate, there is reason for concern here. The crew is reluctant to talk -- but this information is already quite enough for a proper investigation to begin. Just review the content of those Safety Meetings. Capt. Vadym Grytsyuk appears to have taken no action. In fairness to Capt. Grytsyuk, he was not Master at the Safety Meeting of February 4 2007. He did inherit the report of that Safety Meeting and was present as Master for the Safety Meeting of 6 March and for the remaining 60 days until the death of Pepito Flores.

What Do You Think About The Death of Pepito Flores? Capt. Vadym Grytsyuk?

Don't Miss The Aug. 16 2007 Comments of A Well Known Maritime Safety Expert & Reader of The Cargo Letter.

McD
But Don't Miss The Story of Another Interesting Voyage Under Capt. Vadym Grytsyuk


Educational Opportunities was a charterer of M/V Astoria to take tourists on excursions of the Holy Land. The crew speaks very highly of Educational Opportunities and we assume the highest saftey standards are observed by the tour operator.

This is a great industry, but from time to time there are events which call into question the conditions under which merchant crews are forced to perform their duties. In such circumstances -- the families of injured or dead crew members have limited recourse.

Information to The Cargo Letter suggests that an additional investigation needs to be conducted for this incident. Indeed, did Pepito Flores did not need to die.

Charterers of M/V Astoria
Transocean Tours
E-mail: Transocean Tours

Transocean medien-und, Gruppenreisen GmbH

Stavendam 22,

28195 Bremen,Germany

TRANSOCEAN TOURS

Tel: 0049 421 3336111

Address of the operators/management for M/V Astoria company is:

Passat Ship Management Ltd

Glastonos and Androu Street

Oasis Block E, Office C1, Limassol, Cyprus.

But Don't Miss The Story of Another Interesting Voyage Under Capt. Vadym Grytsyuk

The Whole World Watching

The Ships of Transocean Tours -- Suspect Voyages of The Past

Australian Transport Safety Bureau Official Report -- 26 February 2004
"At 1900 on 26 February 2004, the Bahamas registered passenger ship M/V Astor let go her mooring lines and departed the Queensland port of Townsville.

M/V Astor [sister of vessel in this feature], equipped with twin rudders, controllable pitch main propellers and a single bow thruster, did not require a tug for the departure. The master, as is common practice on passenger ships, manoeuvred the ship clear of the berth and then, even though this was his first visit to Townsville, kept the conduct of the ship without consulting the harbour pilot. The pilot adopted an advisory role.

As M/V Astor was turning from the harbour into Platypus Channel, part of the approach channel to the port, it grounded on its port side. The ship heeled three degrees to starboard and, after about three minutes, slid clear of the bank without assistance and continued out of the channel.

After it had cleared the channel, M/V Astor stopped for about two hours to check that the hull was not breached and that all machinery was operating normally. Immediately upon notification of the grounding, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) placed a detention order on the ship until the ship's classification society was satisfied that Astor was seaworthy. When it was confirmed that the hull and machinery were in proper condition the detention order was lifted and the ship then proceeded to Cairns. At Cairns, an underwater survey of the hull was carried out to ascertain the extent of any damage."

Based on the available evidence the report concludes that:

* The investigation has been unable to determine the degree, if any, to which a reported steering malfunction contributed to the grounding.

The following factors, however, are considered to have contributed to the incident on 26 February 2004, independently from any steering malfunction:

* The master did not accept the pilot's advice after the ship left the berth.

* Communications on the bridge were in a language the pilot was not able to understand.

* The ship's master and bridge team members did not employ good Bridge Resource Management practices at any time leading up to the grounding.

* The master had not positioned the ship correctly for a turn to starboard into Platypus Channel

* The master did not present an outward passage plan to any of those present on the bridge at the time of departure.

Editor Note: The master referred to above was Capt. Vadym Grytschuk -- who was in command of M/V Astoria on April 5 2007 when Pepito Flores died.

Cruise Ships News --September 17 2003

"London newspapers report that M/V Astoria docked in Greenwich last week with 492 passengers & 250 crew on board. Shortly thereafter she was placed under a "voluntary detention agreement", but fled at 3AM, returning to Bremerhaven. According to the London port health authority, officers found that both the crew & passenger galleys were infested with vermin. Inspectors issued an emergency prohibition notice forbidding the preparation of food on board. Detention required the liner to stay in port until the infestation had been treated. The port health authority is considering legal action against her owners & crew."

Cruise Bruise -- Cruise Ship Epidemics - September 2003

"The M/V Astoria docked in Greenwich with 492 passengers and 250 crew onboard. According to the London port health authority, two officers boarded the vessel and discovered that both its crew galley and its passenger galley were infested with cockroaches. They issued an emergency prohibition notice forbidding the preparation of food on the liner, either for crew or passengers. Master, Ivan Smramko, had accepted a voluntary detention agreement which required the ship to stay in port until the infestation had been treated. The liner's passengers are believed to have disembarked in London. But, at 3am the next day, the master decided to sneek the ship out of port going straight back to their home port in Bremerhaven. The powers to board and inspect foreign vessels under the Food Safety Act only came into force the prior month."


From Our Reader -- A Licensed Mariner, Safety Officer & Maritime Attorney - August 16 2007

"I have read with interest and regret of Mr. Flores' unnecessary death. Among its tragic aspects is the apparent casual attention paid at Item 267 to class criticism of davit deficiencies, especially given the notariety and pervasiveness of injuries and deaths suffered during test launchings of lifeboats.

To do no more than state that safety remediation "will be done later" is a sad obituary and wholly insufficient to the situation. A time frame proportionate to the risk should be set and the person responsible identified; otherwise, accountability is lacking. Documentation laden with cliches falls short of the mark and communicates implicit negation:

"will be done later" or "when convenient" - when is "later," when is spending money ever convenient?

"at earliest opportunity" - but we aren't planning far enough ahead to let you know when

"we have reminded the master" - what about his/her successor, is there a written record on board for others to benefit from?

"parts have been delivered on board" - correct parts? sized? installed? calibrated? tested?

One should VERIFY by statement that the root cause of the problem has been identified, CONFIRM that corrective action has been taken and that action explained, and SET FORTH what preventative measure(s) are taken to avoid repetition.

Bad enough that here a seaman's life was lost; imagine the outcry if the lifeboat had been loaded with passengers!"

Anonymous Contributor -- Maritime Attorney, Formerly Licensed Mate & Safety Officer.

Editor Note: This contributor is well known to us as a recognized expert & lecturer in matters of maritime safety. We honor both his opinion and professional reasons for remaining anonymous. We can confirm that this expert has no association to the loss. Accordingly, what you have read above is quite chilling -- and further support for our finding that Pepito Flores Did Not Need To Die.

McD

Exclusive To The Cargo Letter -- Further Eyewitness Testimony From Anonymous M/V Astoria Crewmember - Sept. 8 2007

"How happy I am. To be off that death trap and away from the incompetent Captain Grytschuk. I would however like to add a number of things to the story.

First of all Captain Grytsyuk was the "jumper" Captain, taking over from the permanent Captain, Captain Shrampko when he went on vacation. He also took over from Captain Golubev on M/V Astor for the same reason. I would like to state the both the permanent Captains were superb in all aspects of the job and if Capt Shrampko was on board that tender would never have been launched with anyone near it. Captain Golubev would have been the same. The crew had the greatest respect for these two Captains. Special commendation must go to Larry "Big Daddy" Jackson the Hotel Manager who acted with great dignity and compassion after the incident and held that ship together. He was the real Captain.

"Question? Would Captain Grytsyuk be a Captain if his Father had not been a very senior engineer in the black sea shipping company in days gone past?

"Where are the reports for other incidents Captain Grytsyuk was involved in, but not mentioned in your Cargo Law article.

1. Hitting the pier in Sharm El Sheik which caused immense buckling of several decks and resulted in the ship staying there until repairs were done. It resulted in a significant hole in the hull.

2. A similar incident in Cannakkle.

"After the Pepito Flores incident the following people resigned from the company:

Staff Captain

Staff Captain/Safety Officer

Safety Officer

First Officer

.......and in my estimation up to 50 crew members.

"Why????

"Transocean has now bought another ship and starting in Oct. 2007 Captain Grytsyuk will be the permanent Captain on M/V Astoria.

"I would like to thank you for the attention you gave to the death of my and many others great friend."

Anonymous Crewmember of M/V Astoria

Shippers Must Have Quality Marine Cargo Insurance ........ Because......... "Ship Happens! ©"

If We Have Ever Provided A Cautionary Tale In Support of Cargo Insurance -- This Is It!

To Repeat -- No Matter How Careful You Are -- Or Who You Hire ....... "Ship Happens! ©"

 

"Ship Happens! ©"


The Dedication of This Feature Is Simple: To Pepito Flores, the Crew of M/V Astoria and her families.


SPECIAL NOTE: The historic dangers of carriage by sea continue to be quite real. Shippers must be encouraged to purchase high quality marine cargo insurance from their freight forwarder or customs brokerIt's dangerous out there.


INDEX TO OUR "Pepito Flores Did Not Need To Die." PAGE SPECIAL FEATURES:

M/V Astoria
Photos of M/V Astoria

Video of M/V Astoria

Deck Plan of M/V Astoria

A Cruise Aboard M/V Astoria

M/V Astoria Off Ascension Island

M/V Astoia

The Charterer of M/V Astoria

Transocean Tours

Transocean Tours Contact Page

E-mail: Transocean Tours

Educational Opportunities - sub-charterers on incident date -- considered great company with no respoonsibilitry

Captain Vadym Grytschuk

Previously Grounded M/V Astor on 28 Feb. 2004 off Australia --also chartered by Transocean Tours

The Subject Charter Company of M/V Astoria

Educational Opportunities
Mail TO: Educational Opportunities Travel

Corfu (Korfu)


Our Daily Vessel Casualties - stay informed

Other Ocean Related Features From The Cargo Letter- these are just examples

The Cargo Letter Photo Gallery of Transport Loss - For All The Air & Ocean Features - a few examples below

"For The "L" of It" - M/V Action Alpha - August 2007

"Boxing Up The Rhine" M/V Excelsior - April 2007

"Best Worst Laid Plans?" M/V Republica di Genoa - March 2007

"Crack'n On The Sidmouth" - M/V MSC Napoli - Jan. 2007 - Disaster In Real Time

"Operation Jumbo Drop" - M/V Jumbo Challenger - March 2007

"Wrong Way Agulhas?" - M/V Safmarine Agulhas - Jan. 2007

"Full Speed Ahead" - M/V Alva Star - Nov. 2006

"Where The Trade Winds Blew" - Oct. 2006

"Maersk Montevideo Melee!" - M/V Leda Maersk - Oct. 2006

"Laying Down On The Job" - M/V Cargo Ace - Aug. 2006 The Marty Johnson Project Continues

"A Day A The Beach - M/V APL Panama - Jan. 2006

"Great Misfortune"- M/V Hyundai Fortune - March 2006

"Unstacked - Overboard With Dr. Beach" - Oct. 2004

"Columbia River Round Up" - June 2003

"Halifax Hash"--M/V Maersk Carolina - Jan. 2003

"Piñata" - breaking the box - Jan. 2003

"T-E-U Bar-Be-Cue" - aftermath of the M/V Pennsylvania Loss - Nov. 2002

"Container Pool" - a mystery - May 2002

"Dropping In On The Trucker" -happened again - April 2002

"Meals: Ready To Explode" - Navy Barbecue at Guam June 2001

"M/V Ville D' Orion" - Bad L.A. Stack Disaster! April 2001 -- UPDATED - May 2002

"Pier Review" - Sept. 2001

"Singles Only" - visit our individual moments of transport crisis for more.

The Greatest Container Losses Of All Time - these are the grand fathers -

M/V OOCL America

M/V APL China


SPECIAL NOTE: The historic dangers of carriage by sea continue to be quite real. Shippers must be encouraged to purchase high quality marine cargo insurance from their freight forwarder or customs broker. 

It's very dangerous out there.

Thanks To Our Contributors For The"Pepito Flores DiD Not Need To Die?" Feature

Our Contributors for this feature are:
Anonymous crew & family who wish to be anonymous*

Anonymous Contributor - A crew member(s) aboard M/V Astoria

The Cargo Letter appreciates the continuing efforts of these valued contributors. Thanks Pals!


NOTE: Please Provide Us With Your Additional Information For This Loss.

EDITOR'S NOTE FOR SURVEYORS, ATTORNEYS & MARINE ADJUSTERS: The Internet edition effort of The Cargo Letter now celebrates it's 8th Year of Service -- making us quite senior in this segment of the industry. We once estimated container underway losses at about 1,500 per year. Lloyd's put that figure at about 10,000 earlier this year. Quite obviously, the reporting mechanism for these massive losses is not supported by the lines. News of these events is not posted to the maritime community. Our new project is to call upon you -- those handling the claims -- to let us know of each container loss at sea-- in confidentiality. Many of you survey on behalf of cargo interests with no need for confidentiality. Others work for the lines & need to be protected. As a respected Int'l publication, The Cargo Letter enjoys full press privileges & cannot be forced to disclose our sources of information. No successful attempt has ever been made. If a personal notation for your report is desired -- each contributor will be given a "hot link" to your company Website in each & every report. Please take moment & report your "overside" containers to us. If you do not wish attribution, your entry will be "anonymous." This will will benefit our industry -- for obvious reasons! McD


* NOTE: The Cargo Letter wants you to know that by keeping the identity of our contributors 100% Confidential, you are able to view our continuing series of "Cargo Disasters." Our friends send us materials which benefit the industry. The materials are provided to our news publication with complete and enforceable confidentiality for the sender. In turn, we provide these materials to you.  

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