President Miguel Diaz-Canel condemned the U.S. seizure of a Venezuelan oil tanker as “piracy and maritime terrorism,” calling it a violation of international law. Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez supported this view, labeling the act a crime against humanity and asserting it undermines national sovereignty and international agreements.
The EU Seaport Cooperation Project (SEACOP), launched in 2015, has bolstered maritime security in Latin America, the Caribbean, and West Africa by combating illicit trafficking. Through intelligence sharing and training, SEACOP has empowered 750 officers across 13 nations, leading to over 120 successful operations against transnational crime.
More than 230 passengers and crew on a luxury cruise from England to the Eastern Caribbean were affected by a norovirus outbreak. The Queen Mary 2, Cunard’s flagship liner, isolated 224 passengers and 17 crew members with symptoms of diarrhea and vomiting. The C.D.C. is monitoring the situation and implementing sanitizing measures.
Eighty-eight individuals aboard Holland America’s Eurodam cruise ship in the Caribbean were affected by a norovirus outbreak, marking the fifth incident since December. Symptoms included vomiting and diarrhea. The crew quickly implemented increased cleaning measures and isolated affected passengers. The Vessel Sanitation Program is monitoring outbreaks across cruise lines.
A recent incident involving the cargo ship Bonnie G in the Caribbean Sea resulted in its grounding due to a failure of the anchor chain and navigation errors. The ship ran aground south of St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands, after drifting towards land. The captain’s actions and inadequate precautions led to the total loss.
The Explorer of the Seas, a Royal Caribbean International cruise ship, faced a terrifying ordeal in near hurricane-force winds. Passengers slid around as the ship rolled dramatically, with injuries reported. Captain Frank’s quick response led the ship back to Las Palmas for medical assistance. Despite weather monitoring, unforeseen challenges can arise at sea.
