Curtas do Bryant´s

USN – integration of counter-piracy efforts

The US Navy issued a news release stating that the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) have been working together with more than two dozen international navies to help deter, disrupt, and thwart piracy in the Gulf of Aden and off the coast of Somalia. Since August 26, 2008, 443 suspected pirates have been encountered. Of these, 212 were released, 184 have been turned over to civilian authorities for prosecution, eight have been killed, and the status of 39 is pending. (5/28/09).

EU MSC(HOA) – incident in Gulf of Aden

The European Union Maritime Security Centre (Horn of Africa) [EU MSC(HOA)] issued a news release stating that, while responding to a reported piratical attack, one of its warships encountered a skiff with eight persons on board and no functioning engine. Two persons on the skiff were dead, four were injured, and two were unhurt. Because there was no continuity of evidence that the skiff was connected to the piratical attack and in accord with the basic requirement to render assistance to those in distress at sea, the individuals were taken on board the warship and are being taken to the nearest available medical center. (5/28/09).

Australia – cruise ship diverted due to human swine influenza

The Australian Department of Health and Aging issued a notice stating, among other things, that the cruise ship Pacific Dawn will not land in north Queensland, but has been diverted to Brisbane and will then proceed to Sydney. Queensland Health confirmed that three crew members on the cruise liner have tested positive for human swine influenza. There are now eight sick passengers in isolation, including four new passengers with influenza-like symptoms, one is Influenza A positive. There are seven sick crew in isolation, including four new crew with mild respiratory symptoms (no history of fever or elevated temperature). All tested negative with point of care tests. According to national guidelines, all passengers will be screened before disembarking and any passengers with symptoms will be swabbed and provided with masks and a course of Tamiflu. Queensland Health are working closely with the cruise line to ensure any Queenslanders, including those who may have symptoms, are provided with appropriate support to return home and every measure is taken to minimize the spread of the virus. While it is not possible to stop the movement of people across Australia, health officials intend to take every reasonable action to minimize the impact of this illness. (5/29/09).

WHO & CDC – Influenza A (H1N1) updates – 15,510 cases

The World Health Organization (WHO) issued an update stating that, as of 0600 GMT, 29 May, 53 countries have reported 15,510 confirmed cases of influenza A (H1N1) infection, including 99 deaths. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an update stating that 48 states have reported a total of 8,975 confirmed cases of H1N1 flu infection, including 15 deaths. (5/29/09).

MARAD – notice of ship disposal

The Maritime Administration (MARAD) issued a notice stating that it plans to dispose of the obsolete vessel SS Pioneer Commander, currently located at the Beaumont Reserve Fleet in Texas. The vessel is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places due to its role in the evacuation of American civilians, Vietnamese military personnel, and refugees from South Vietnam in 1975. Donation applications for the vessel from qualified organizations must be received within 45 days. 74 Fed. Reg. 26272 (June 1, 2009).

Mary Millicent Miller – first American female steamboat captain

Mary Millicent Miller (1846-1894) was the first American woman to be licensed as a steamboat master. Her father had been a steamboat engineer. Her husband was a steamboat master in Louisville, Kentucky. She passed the examination and was licensed by the US Steamboat Inspection Service on February 16, 1884. She navigated the Mississippi, Ohio, Ouachita, and Red Rivers until retirement in 1891. After her death in 1894, she was buried in the Portland Cemetery near Louisville. Her obituary was published in the New York Times on November 6, 1894. Captain Miller was inducted into the American Merchant Marine Hall of Fame in 1993 and the National Rivers Hall of Fame in 1995. Fonte: Dennis Bryant.