MSC Flaminia - Welcome back to AIS and to Atlantic


August 29: MSC Flaminia and tugs move due South at a speed of some 2.5 – 3.5 knots, straight to good old Atlantic again. MSC Flaminia is back on AIS system again. On August 28 I received a letter from an English reader of Maritime Bulletin who’s living in Mount’s Bay, southern tip of UK:

Hi
Just wanted to say a big thankyou from myself and behalf of all the concerned people who have been reading your information on the MSC Flaminia fire and the information on where she was etc. I’ve learned a lot about “boxships” and Insurance!
I live on the coast in Mount’s Bay and there was concern that if they brought her in too close we might have a “MSC Napoli” type disaster on our hands.
I notice that today the Inspectors seem to have been on board and at 3pm her AIS was on and Carlo Magno seemed to be alongside rather than towing as she moving NW doing around 1.3-1.7 knots – unless she is being towed by an “invisible” tug !
Do hope she the weather will be gentle as she makes her way back to Germany and that at least some of those with goods on board will eventually get them back !
Sue Mason

So we may make out the way the situation was developing during last 24 hours. MSC Flaminia was taken to Mount’s Bay for inspection and then left the bay under own power escorted by the three tugs. Alas, they didn’t sail into English Channel, turning sharply to the South and heading due South since afternoon or evening August 28.
Anyone with a good memory may remember that I suspected MSC Flaminia of being able to sail under power from the very beginning, two times I assumed vessel was actually sailing under own power, but nevertheless, was mistaken both times. As it came out, MSC Flaminia is capable of sailing under own power, and it may mean only one thing – there was or still is something on board of the vessel, which prevents people presence on board.
As of morning August 29 MSC Flaminia seems to be sailing under tow again (though it can’t be said for sure), heading to Atlantic all over again. According to latest NSB press-release, authorities of all involved countries – coastal countries along whose waters MSC Flaminia is to proceed to refuge, and Germany as a host of distressed vessel – take their time for assessment of the results of the inspection. Inspection of the vessel by the specialist took place on August 28.

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