A CREW member aboard the Carnival Victory cruise ship, suspected of having swine flu has tested negative for the H1N1 virus as the ship docked in the Bahamas. The results have been sent on to the St Lucia authorities where the ship later docked. The Bridgetown Port came to a standstill when word spread that a crew member abroad the liner carrying more than 3 000 passengers, was showing symptoms of the virus. Scores of workers, including longshoremen, stevedores, forklift drivers and even taxi drivers, vacated the Port.

LONDON - WORLDWIDE
Climate change lobby plan anti ship protests
CLIMATE change lobby groups are planning a series of high-profile protests in the run-up to the United Nations-led post-Kyoto negotiations set for December in Copenhagen. Organisers will hold a demonstration outside the International Chamber of Shipping headquarters in London. More protests are planned. In one Email exchange between organisers, seen by Lloyd’s List, an organiser points out: “Shipping has a low profile and not much press, so it would be good to target this meeting to show the industry they are being watched.  Many of them understand that they need to be part of the climate deal, but some national shipping associations are causing problems (notably the Greek ones), so we’re looking to strengthen the hand of the progressive ones.”  News of the demonstration came as a surprise to ICS officials, who pointed out that the meeting will be just one of a series of routine internal policy reviews.  An ICS spokesman said, The Shipping industry is already, by far, the most carbon-efficient form of transport,” ICS officials pointed out that the IMO is making genuine progress on technical measures for reducing shipping’s CO2 emissions, including the development of a system of energy efficiency indexing for new ships, and a template for a ship efficiency management plan for use by existing ships. 

USA - TEXAS
General Land Office cleans waterways after Ike
The Land Office in South East Texas is overseeing a multi-million dollar project to remove debris in coastal waterways eight months after hurricane Ike. Tony Williams of the Texas General Land Office says contract crews of about 40 workers are going out on the water 7 days a week to locate and pull what hurricane Ike washed to the bottom of the bay..They're using heavy equipment to dig up containers, lawn mowers, golf carts, transformers, just about anything you'd find in someone's house. The team also found two Civil War shipwrecks in the gulf of Mexico. They served as blockade runners that the archaeologists were aware of, but didn't know their location. Williams said, "Stuff submerged for 9 months, smells really bad," The job should finish in June, given good weather. Workers will continue removing debris from other waterways in Southeast Texas.

The global economic downturn is forcing ship owners to  mothball ships in safe harbours and deep inland rivers and fresh water fjords.  In  Cornwall the Fal estuary has been filled up with giant container ships waiting for business. Local harbour master, Captain Andy Brigden, says we should not be surprised at the situation. "The Fal estuary is the barometer of world trade," he said. "When the Fal is empty, trade is buoyant. When it's full, like now, things are tough. "This has always been historically the case over the last century. In the 1930s, 60s, 90s and now too. "Basically what's happening is we are buying and selling fewer cars in Europe. That's why the car carrying ships are here. "We're buying less white goods from China, and that's why the container ships are here too."  Many residents and tourists are unhappy at the situation.  Locals have complained about the noise the ships make when they turn over their generators for maintenance checks. But its turning good for the  local economy.  The harbour authority charges thousands of pounds each month for every vessel that is laid up. Other ports across the country have been watching closely, and may follow. When the estuary empties of mothballed ships we will know the economy has turned.

Southampton’s new £19m Ocean Terminal has opened and expects to handle up to 70 cruise ship calls and at least 250,000 passengers this year in the most modern dockside complex in Europe See Ocean Cruise Terminal's construction in 30 seconds  P&O Cruises’ ship Oceana was the first big ship to call. The Oceana’s arrival will be the chance for ABP and Carnival UK, the parent company of P&O Cruises, to test baggage handling equipment, the passenger checking-in system, security arrangements, car parking together with the disembarking and embarking procedures and controls as the terminal goes “live’’. The new Ocean Terminal is named after its famous predecessor which stood on the opposite side of the Ocean Dock and was opened by Prime Minister Clement Attlee on July 31, 1950. Until it was finally demolished in 1983, the art deco building was home to many of the great transatlantic liners of the world, including Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mary and SS France

There are reports that a possible case of the swine flu may have infected a Royal Caribbean cruise ship Serenade of the Seas.  Royal Caribbean took immediate and effective measures to contain the danger, and no one other then the two crew members effected has shown any signs of illness. The cruise ship with over 2,000 passengers was sailing in Alaska. The two crew members appear to have fully recovered. Both of them tested positive on the cruise ship for influenza A, but it has yet to be confirmed if it is the H1N1 strain, which is the swine flu. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are running tests. The two crew were quarantined for days while they recovered. This comes after the company suspended calls to Mexican Ports.

Andrew Mwangura of the East Africa Seafarers Assistance Program said that Somali pirates have released the Greek-owned MV Nipayia captured in late March. All of its crew are safe. He said it is not clear whether a ransom was paid. In a separate case 11 Somalis have been charged with piracy in a Kenyan court. The Somalis were captured by the French Navy in the Indian Ocean last week, and handed over to Kenyan authorities for prosecution. They appeared in a Mombasa court on Monday, and stand accused of possessing weapons and attacking  French warship, The Nivose. The Nivose is part of the European Union's anti-piracy naval force off Somalia. Despite the  presence of many foreign warships, Somali pirates have stepped up activity, promising to be harsher on the hostages.  The pirates are still holding at least 18 ships.

Spanish police smashed a drug trafficking ring using pensioners on luxury cruise ships as mules. Police found 27 kilos of pure cocaine hidden in a cabin, thought to have come from the ship's visit to Brazil. Two women in their sixties posing as tourists were arrested as they prepared to disembark in Cadiz. The cargo of pure cocaine was hidden in their cabin.
Seven members of the ring in total were arrested the alleged leader of the operation attempted to flee to Brazil. Last month police in Barcelona seized a 42-piece crockery set, consisting of bowls, plates, cups and saucers, made entirely out of compressed cocaine.
A 60-tonne vessel has started dredging 1.4 miles of canal. It is expected to remove more than 7,000 tonnes of gravel and rubble. It will also get rid of tyres, shopping trolleys, timber and at least one car. Olympic Development Agency (ODA) environment manager Richard Jackson said: "The Olympic Park is characterised by a series of waterways which act as green corridors running through the heart of the site. Barges will be able to carry equipment in and waste and rubble out. A wharf is being built on the Waterworks River near the Aquatic Centre and should be finished by June.

A U.S. surveillance ship confronted by Chinese fishing vessels in the Yellow Sea violated international and Chinese laws according to the China's Foreign Ministry. It was confronted by two Chinese fishing boats about 68 miles off the China coast, forcing the U.S. ship's crew to sound the alarm and use fire hoses to prevent the Chinese boats from advancing. The Pentagon said the Victorious was on routine operations in international waters.
A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman disagreed, saying the ship "conducted activities in China's exclusive economic zone in the Yellow Sea without China's permission. He said, China handles foreign vessels' activities in its exclusive economic zones in accordance with the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea and relevant domestic laws. He said, "We demand that the U.S. take effective measures to prevent similar acts from happening again. In Washington, officials were "exploring ways to handle this diplomatically." The boats withdrew after a Chinese military ship responded to a U.S. call for assistance.

The Directorate-General of Shipping, India, has asked ports to make separate navigation lanes for fishing vessels and barges. The currently unregulated traffic poses a safety and security hazard. All ports are to comply with the requirements within a period of six months. The DG Shipping has also instructed all Indian fishing vessels over 20 metres long to fit an automatic identification system (AIS) within three months.
Ports will be developing the traffic lanes in consultation with the Indian Coast Guard and local fisheries departments. The DG Shipping said that at several meetings post the Mumbai attack, various security agencies have pointed out an urgent need to streamline the movement of fishing vessels and other craft when entering ports. The DG Shipping has also instructed all Indian fishing vessels that are over 20 metres long and operating in India’s Exclusive Economic Zone to fit on board the automatic identification system (AIS) within three months. Authorities competent to inspect fishing vessels and security agencies such as the Coast Guard, Marine Police and CISF are to enforce this. Identification of vessels by the competent authorities for non-compliance may result in detention of the fishing vessel for investigation purpose.
There are around 1,900 traditional fish landing centres; 33 minor fishing harbours and six major fishing harbours. These serve as bases for over 200,000 traditional non-motorised craft; 55,000 small-scale beach-landing craft fitted with outboard motors; over 50,000 mechanised craft and 180 deep-sea fishing vessels out of which 80 are in operation, according to Government estimates.

The packet boat replica Sam Patch and historic wooden vessel Mary Jemison will begin offering cruises on the Erie Canal and Genesee Rivers. Passengers on board the Sam Patch enjoy a leisurely journey along the historic canal to Lock 32, where they experience one of the engineering marvels of the Erie Canal as the boat travels through the lock and back again. Mary Jemison offers unique views of Rochester: scenic views of the Genesee River, the crossing with the Erie Canal, graceful great blue herons, and the city skyline with the magnificent new Frederick Douglass Susan B. Anthony Memorial Bridge.
Reservations are available by calling 585- 262- 5661.

Waterways News is running a full cover feature
 in a forth coming issue.

Mercy Ships founders Don and Deyon Stephens have received the Variety Club International Humanitarian Award presented by Prince and Princess Michael of Kent at a glittering ceremony in London. Previous winners of the award include Sir Winston Churchill and Audrey Hepburn. In the last 30 years  Mercy Ships missions have sailed to 70 countries and provided medical care to more than two million poor people. Thousands of free onboard surgeries have transformed the lives of people suffering from conditions that are easily treatable in wealthy countries. . Judy Polkinhorn, Executive Director of Mercy Ships UK, said: “30 years ago, Don and Deyon had a dream to help the poorest people in the world – and they went out and did it. They have helped literally thousands of people and Mercy Ships UK is rightly proud to be part of their international vision.” Mercy Ships’ current ship, the Africa Mercy, spent seven years in Newcastle being converted from a rail ferry into the world’s largest charity hospital ship and is now serving the people of Benin.
The main treatments are for large benign tumours, cleft lips and palates, flesh-eating noma, cataracts and obstetric fistula. Mercy Ships crew members have also completed hundreds of development projects covering water and sanitation, education, infrastructure development and agriculture. Don Stephens said, “In challenging economic times which affect us all, the world’s poorest suffer even more. Twenty per cent of newborn babies will not live to the fifth birthday, largely due to preventable disease. The average lifespan of women where our ships serve is 46 years. Medical care, both primary and surgical, are scarce commodities and when they do exist are often far beyond the financial reach of the poor.” He added: “Mercy Ships offers hope and healing to the world’s poorest. On behalf of the world’s poor and our dedicated professional volunteers, it is an honour to be considered for this award.” Deyon Stephens added, “Living on board the first mercy ship with our four children for 10 years was an experience rich in significance, adventure, adversity and satisfaction. “Mercy Ships has now seen 30 years come and go. Millions of the world’s most needy have now felt the compassionate and healing hands of those serving onboard.”

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Hendrick Smith details widespread pollution of America's waterways in the PBS Frontline documentary Poisoned Waters. Smith reports that untreated toxins and chemicals from urban sprawl and development are damaging or destroying natural habitats in the Chesapeake Bay and the Puget Sound. In the Potomac River, chemical compounds could be causing mutation in the genitalia of frogs, while high levels of PCBs in the Puget Sound have led to the endangerment of orca whales.

Drug makers and other manufacturers have been found to have legally released hundreds of millions of pounds of pharmaceuticals into water that is often used for drinking in America. An Associated Press investigation reveals that US Federal officials say they don't even know how many pharmaceuticals are being released. Some researchers say that what amounts to a "don't ask, don't tell" policy is in operation. The report says that some government studies found higher levels of opiates, barbiturates and tranquilizers in wastewater from treatment plants that are downstream from drug makers. But a secrecy agreement bars researchers from revealing the locations where those studies were done