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AN ABANDONED CARGO ship which ran aground near Ballycotton in east Cork yesterday has travelled an incredibly long way.
The vessel has been drifting across the Atlantic for the last sixteen months before finally hitting land on Ireland’s south coast.
Here’s what we know about its improbable journey.
The ship is question is the MV Alta. Vesselfinder.com records that it was built in 1976, measures 77 metres in length and is 13 metres wide at its widest point.
The ship formerly sailed under the Tanzanian flag but is now the responsibility of Ireland’s Minister for the Marine under the Salvage and Wreck Act 1993.
The ship’s problems began in September 2018 when it and a 10-person crew were travelling across the Mediterranean and the Atlantic from Greece to Haiti.
The ship became disabled on its journey and the crew were unable to carry out essential repairs.
By October 2018 the ship was essentially drifting and the US Coast Guard put its location at some 2,220 kilometres southeast of Bermuda.
At the beginning of that month, the crew reported that they had enough food for two days and water for 15 days and the US Coast Guard instigated a successful operation to drop further supplies to the vessel and its crew.
The supply drop was intended to provide food for the crew as it awaited the arrival of a tug boat to bring the vessel to dock.
Several efforts by tug boats at reaching the vessel were unsuccessful, however, and with tropical storm Leslie approaching, the decision was taken to abandon the ship.
A spokesperson for the Bermuda Maritime Operations Centre said at the time:
USCG Cutter Confidence arrived on scene Monday 8 October offering assistance to ship’s crew as negotiations for tug assistance ashore continued. With the onset of TS Leslie and damage to vessel main engine, a decision was made for all crew [Panamanian, Honduran & Greek nationals] to abandon vessel.
There were no reported injuries on-board with initial intention for survivors to be repatriated via Bermuda, but now bound for San Juan, Puerto Rico. M/V Alta remains adrift to the southeast of Bermuda as salvage attempts by owners continue.
From that point the vessel was essentially at the mercy of Atlantic currents and it continued to drift on a northeasterly direction across the ocean.
There had been a number of reports that the ship was subsequently hijacked by pirates but this was not verified.
In September 2019, 11 months after it was abandoned, British Royal Navy Ship HMS Protector discovered the MV Alta in the middle of the Atlantic.
HMS Protector was traversing the ocean on its way to assist in Hurricane Dorian relief efforts and the crew took a number of photos of the ghostly vessel.
Initially the Royal Navy did not know the origins of the ship, first describing it as an “apparently abandoned Merchant Vessel” before two days later confirming it had been identified as the MV Alta.
Key to understanding the journey of the vessel across the Atlantic is in understanding that the prevailing currents in this direction.
The Gulf Stream and then the North Atlantic Current carries warm water and air from Florida and the southeastern United States and it is likely that the MV Alta was carried along by such ocean patterns.
The extreme weather from Storm Dennis then brought the vessel on to the rocks in Cork.
Former cargo ship captain and owner of consultancy firm Maritime Expert Ireland Johan Voogt said such a journey is not unexpected.
He says people may know about the movement of currents and warm air from Africa the United States as a feature of North America’s hurricane season, but that they may be unaware of similar currents towards Ireland.
If you look at the currents, the normal currents, you have the currents about the equator then you have the currents coming from Africa, from the Sahara, towards the Bermuda Triangle. Obviously, this is during the summer season. And that’s why at the end of the summer you have the hurricane seasons in the US and Caribbean. And once they hit the shore, obviously they’re being diverted. And when the current and the wind divert, it comes back in storms here like Ciara, like Dennis. That is a standard pattern.
“So, if the vessel is abandoned around the Bermuda Triangle then obviously during the course of wintery period they will be drifted drifting towards Europe, “ Voogt adds.
The Dutch captain also says that the vessel’s original location when it lost power is of course vital because if it had been south of the equator it would likely have “drifted towards South Africa”.
The future of the vessel is now less clear with environmental scientists from Cork County Council visiting the area today and saying they are satisfied there is no visible pollution.
The ship will now be boarded tomorrow before further decisions are taken. The Irish State has general powers to move a vessel if it is unclaimed, so is likely to do so in this case.
Look there is undoubtedly far too many half baked silly articles for feminism clickbait and this site definitely has enough of those.. However, I’m sorry you can’t watch this video and then say its feminist propaganda, there is no way any woman should be told in any form that she “Should” be raped, being accused of only bringing up the fact that she was raped because she can’t get any and then being told that they hope that she is raped AGAIN!! Not to mention the beating up and the killing… There are some proper disgraces to human life out there..
As I said in the article in the daily edge earlier while the comments made are wholly disgusting, I think these types of videos will do little to discourage this kind of behavior and in-fact encourage it more.
Trolls want the reaction and these kinds of videos do just that. Some people are nasty anyway, just don’t give acknowledge them for it.
You will find that people act with a greater degree of nastiness when posting comments anonymously. Making a comment the other day I had one bloke with the usual made up name and meme for a pic tell me, to show him some respect. Bananas
Facebook, twitter what have you, in 10 years society will look back at these “social media” mechanisms as the death of society. Mindless gnomes looking at a 6 inch screen. Act online as you would in your own home, say what you’d say to the person standing in front of you. I feel sorry for kids today, growing up in a world with rampant online bullying with parents who haven’t a clue about it. The generation gap as they call it, is bigger than ever.
There’s really some disgusting people out there.
That has just sickened me! You could see the lads were disgusted reading them! I’d say if you met these so called men tweeting this they would be the biggest cowards on this planet! Very powerful clip.
We get it, Man bad, women victim. On to the next anti man story. There’s only been 2 or 3 today and it’s nearly 3 o clock.
Wow, I wasn’t expecting that response to an article about sexism at all!
Says no woman reading the comments section ever.
The real sexism alive today is against men, there’s a constant attack on the very idea of masculinity. Even the word masculinity is used in derogatory terms, whereas femininity is always used in the positive, as it should be. I’m against sexism whether it come from a man or a woman. Its not one way traffic like the media through their constant barrage of anti male stories( some of which were exposed to be blatant lies)portray it to be, actually not potray it to be, but push it to be seen to be.
@Jimmy
If your concept of masculinity is sending rape and death threats, to the extent that you get all upset when an article comes out saying “Hey…maybe sending rape and death threats isn’t a good thing to do” then you’re the one who really has a low opinion of men.
What the hell is wrong with you? They aren’t saying all men are bad. They are highlighting that this is an issue faced by women. Show a little compassion or stay quiet.
I didn’t even read the story to be honest, there 2 a penny at this stage. You’re being very facetious to suggest that is what I perceive to be masculinity.
You didn’t read/watch the video you just commented on it??… Before voicing an opinion there’s a little thing called “context” which you need first.. Maybe try watching a video/reading an article before posting ill informed opinions in the future..
You said it Jimmy. If you didn’t read the article then keep your nonsensical assumptive comments to yourself. Better to keep your mouth closed and be thought a fool, than to open it and remove all doubt.
So why is it sexism, vile things like this are said to both men and women online constantly. Why does some 15 year old Gobshïte on YouTube or Twitter set the agenda. I could set agendas all day if I wanted with selected Internet posts. There’s a constant stream of male on female sexism news stories, and as I said earlier some even invented, but not vice versa. Why? What’s wrong with asking the question? Or is it sexism is for women only. Is that not sexist?
I think someone’s feeling a little insecure
The hash tag sexism and twitter kind of gave it away. No need to read or listen to what some teenage ignoramus has to say.
It’s sexist for everyone but let’s face a pretty harsh reality, women have found it a good deal harder than men throughout history. Now, go to any female family member, friend or whoever you have in your life that’s female and close to you and tell them how life is just as tough for men as it is for women. Do that a few times and see what response you get
You’re right. Women have found it more difficult in the past, undoubtedly so. But this is just not true of Ireland today, thank God. My fear is that there seems to be an agenda to turn the screw to far the other way, and many women I know would conclude the same. I’m for equality end of. The fact 16 year old lad can be labeled a rapist for the rest of his life for sleeping with another 16 year old is astounding, but if a 16 year old girl sleeps with a 15 year old boy it’s deemed legal. Something is really wrong here. I feel the never ending negative portrayal of men when it comes to women has allowed this to happen. Red thumb all yiz like, there’s some nasty agendas at play here and it’s getting worse. Maybe I chose the wrong story to post this on, but I do feel they’re subtly connected.
David – In what way is life tougher for women?
You’re an idiot David. I have sisters and we discuss sexism a lot and I never got the impression that they think their lives are harder than men. You must hate men to discount the sacrifices men have made , dying by the millions in wars to protect your freedom and doing the vast majority of the hard, dirty work that gives us a decent standard of living every day. If I met you in real life I’d give you a piece of my mind you snivelling little PC clown.
@Jimmy
“I admit that I was 100% wrong…but instead of bowing out with a modicum of grace, I’m just gonna plough ahead anyway, because…reasons” is effectively what you’re saying.
Quit while you’re behind.
God that was pathetic. You must come from the ‘ anyone who disagrees with me proves my point’ school of feminism. You should retreat to your safe space put on some earmuffs and you won’t have to read or hear anything that challenges your point of view.
Where did I admit I was wrong? Why not challenge what I said in the post? I began by concluding there’s a pc agenda against males and finished with evidence of it.
YouTube >> the triggering. Thank me later.
Ooh, you’re an angry little man, aren’t you. Now, what I said was, and let’s assume you have the smarts to follow me here, I said women have had it harder than men throughout history. Women have it vastly better nowadays but, there is still a pretty sizeable pay gap in most industries and women suffer a disproportionate amount of sexism is our society. I never discounted sacrifices of men at all. I think you decided to come up with that one when you plodded around the psychotic minefield of your mind ;)
David J Delaney, “angry little man”?, “psychotic minefield of your mind”? You should have learned more from this article!
God you are dim. Of course we are talking about history you simpleton. What wars have men been dying in the millions from recently you snivelling little PC clown. Women do not have it harder today and the pay gap has been thoroughly debunked. But I’m sure you know that and just want a Pat on the head and a cookie you spineless degenerate. Calling me angry like the little self loathing impotent chump that you are reveals a lot about your position.
I do like cookies… and I should get an MRI of my spine now that you bring it up. The impotent thing though, that’s all okay now with medication. Thanks for your concern though.
Predictable retreat. I hope the medication keeps working because the only actions simpering spineless guys like you gets is from Palm and her five friends.
Palm has been a dear friend and yes, the medication has brought us closer together. The five friends have caused some issue. Jealousy you see. A vastly unpredictable emotion.
@Thomas
I’m sure that your “the pay gap has been thoroughly debunked” was garnered from YouTube or a tabloid. Do some research instead of just spouting whatever you read on r/TheRedPill. There’s literally hundreds of sociological and economic studies out there detailing that it in fact does exist. You could find them if you were willing to lift your head up and read something that challenges your myopic worldview where accepting that people who aren’t you just might possibly have it harder. It’s called empathy and it’s a defining factor of the human condition. Look it up when you consider joining humanity.
David, you’re a sad case. I hope your writing comes along mate.
You’re an absolute simpleton Bryan. Try checking out the statistics which show why there is a pay gap you dimwit . No serious economist takes it seriously you orc. There’s no Pat on the head to be had here. Btw associating me with an extreme ideology because you adhere to one makes you seem incredibly pathetic. Good luck in life.
Thanks Thomas. Sure we may disagree on some things but there’s nothing like a good discussion to clear the air.
You’re still a sad case David, but thanks.
The gender pay myth has been completely debunked by everyone, no one accepts It’s exists any More. Most gender myths like violence, domestic abuse and pay discrimination have been proven to be false. It’s idiots like you two that mean they just won’t die
An absolute simpleton who’s read cross discipline peer reviewed studies on the subject, not just whatever clickbait crossed my Facebook feed.
http://www.sociology.ox.ac.uk/materials/papers/2004-03.pdf
Now if you could provide a peer reviewed, sourced study and not simply some think piece by an economist in a paper that supports your assertion that’s be great.
But I guess you’re too much of an “absolute simpleton” for that.
@Emily: Your Twitter is nothing but a troll blog that contains nothing BUT whinging about feminism. I doubt you’re even a woman at this point.
There’s some pretty pictures for ye here ye “absolute simpleton”.
https://thesocietypages.org/socimages/2012/05/26/illustrating-the-gender-pay-gap/
They dumb down the language in this one for your “absolute simpleton” mind.
http://sociology.about.com/od/Ask-a-Sociologist/fl/Yes-the-Gender-Pay-Gap-is-Real.htm
Bryan you’re a very dumb and angry person. I’ll never click on anything you link. But if I happen to come across anything you’ve linked, I’ll examine it in a dispassionate, logical way, you fool. You don’t seem to understand that I’m not saying there is not a disparity of mean earnings between men and women, but rather I’m questioning why you gobsh!te. It’s to be expecter though.
Lol…going with the petty insults because you’ve nothing to back up your claims? How childish and quite frankly expected. No one’s angry here but yourself buddy. You started calling people “absolute moron”s so I threw your own tone back at you. And no one’s stupid here but the person who keeps making assertions without anything but “because I said so” to back them up.
The first link is to from the Department of Sociology at Oxford…too biased for you? That’s alright though, keep those blinkers on and your fingers in your ears.
P.S: Do you even realise that you just admitted in your last comment that the pay gap exists, despite stating in numerous previous comments that it’s a “myth”? You don’t get to start equivocating your claims now just because somebody’s pointed out how misinformed they are.
Quit while you’re behind.
Bryan, you have zero comprehension skills. You’re a very dumb and angry man.
When you find myself utterly defeated in discussions I you simply resort to parroting the same nonsense as before? Again, entirely to be expected. You’ve had a good long while since I asked for credible sources to back up your claims now…I find it strange that they haven’t materialised. That might be because they don’t exist. I’m guessing you had a good old Google trying to find something nearly as credible as the studies that oppose your view and couldn’t, so now you’ve resorted to the equivalent of “well you’re a stupid head”.
I’d find it amusing if it weren’t an indictment of our education system that you’re simultaneously incapable of engaging in intelligent discourse, while trying to claim the intellectual high ground.
Bryan, you’re a very dumb angry crazy person. Please write another paragraph drinkie.
Yes David the battlefields of the Europe are full of dead women defending freedom
Can’t believe what I’m reading in here in the comments . Two very important issues in the video . Firstly the abuse and threats being levelled which are disgusting . Secondly is the issue of people typing whatever they want without a moments thought for the person on the end of it and believing they can say what they want without any repercussions. It’s not feminism it’s about not being an a$*^h*^^e
Do you expect anything less from Journal comments? ;)
If some Feminist extremists had their way owning a pair of balls would be outlawed.
‘Feminist Extremists’??? Are they blowing people up or something? If you think there is something ‘extreme’ about Men & Women wanting to live in a world where they didn’t have to deal with online abuse that they receive based on their gender then you my friend need to step back from the computer and delete every account you own, and kindly don’t return.
@Marcos
Which has what to do with this article? The word ‘feminist’ doesn’t even appear in it anywhere. You saw an article about professional reporters receiving rape and death threats, and your first response is to have a whine about “those darned feminists”.
But hey…it’s feminists and those damn PC liberals who are the overly-sensitive ones, right?
For men it’s hate mail or trolling but for women it’s sexist comments? How does that work?
It’s the same concept as that revenge porn nonsense. Thankfully now that’s been put to bed around gender issues
This reminds me of the Allison Rapp situation at Nintendo.
A group of insecure, single and probably ugly as f**k men find a Woman’s opinion on the internet that they don’t like.
Instead of a healthy debate, they organise en masse to harass her and her family. They go on to dig up dirt on her and create straw man arguments as to why she is the most evil person on the planet eventually getting her fired.
Even after she was fired they are still after her.
Bottom line is if you are a woman with a strong opinion and an online presence, you are almost guaranteed to receive harassment online. Their male colleagues will also probably get harassed from time to time, however the proportion of harassment is far far higher for females.
No it’s not actually.
Men get harassed more online.
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/09/04/men-are-harassed-more-than-women-online.html
But not for being men…so it’s not sexism. And they’re harassed by -you guessed it- other men.
Can’t believe there’s people this dense.
And thedailybeast is your reliable source for this assertion?
Anti-feminists are so embarrassing.
I’d rather a relative got involved with White Supremacists than a bunch of feminists. At least with the former their disgusting ideology wouldn’t be enabled by the media
Feminist and feminism aren’t mentioned anywhere in the article. In fact the article has nothing to do with feminism whatsoever.
But you got so upset and so offended by an article suggesting that sending rape and death threats to people just trying to do their jobs, that you just had to comment about your hatred of feminism, when it’s not even being talked about.
Seems someone’s a bit obsessed.
Odd to hear such comments from someone called Emily. All feminists are looking for is gender equality, so will that not benefit you? Go educate yourself.
Bridge for sale.
Derek, first and second wave feminists achieved equality for women before either if us were born. Current “Third wave” or “gender feminists” aren’t interested in equality, they already have it. Equality is just the smoke screen they use to get their hate-filled opinions aired. Modern feminists are by and large damaged creatures, who are driven purely by hatred for men. They’d like to ban masculinity altogether. They are not worth any right thinking persons time.
Tadgh on point right here
Well said Derek – so many people misunderstanding what feminism means :/
Ah yes, disgusting sexist feminist love to hide behind equality but they only care about demonizing men and equality for women. They are open threatened by anyone who brings up areas where men are discriminated against. Any one who describes them self as a feminist now a days is a man hater.
@Tadgh
Is your tinfoil hat a bit tight? Tell us…how have you personally been persecuted by those mean old feminists?
1) Why are you even talking about bringing up issues that affect men with feminists? Why don’t you instead do something about issues that affect men? I know, because you don’t actually care about those issues, only when you can use them as an excuse to have a go at those “darned feminist man haters”.
2) It’s hilarious that you accuse feminists of being overly sensitive and wanting to play the victim when you’re here desperately trying to play the victim.
I love it when you guys rant about how all the feminists and PC liberals are overly sensitive, while being offended by literally any discussion of sexism that exists anywhere.
Look at the article. Not one mention of feminism or feminists. But you get so upset and “triggered” by any discussion of even the possibility of sexism that you go ahead and shoot your righteous indignation all over the keyboard before you even know what’s going on. That might explain this nonsensical rant against feminism. You probably blame them for why no woman wants anything to do with you. Maybe it has more to do with that shooting early thing.
Bryan, Derek brought up the subject of feminists not me. He claimed that they only want equality, a view so out of joint with reality (at least in this century) that it was practically begging to be smacked down.
I never said I had been persecuted by feminists personally. On the contrary what I said, was that modern Third wave or gender feminism is not worth the time of any right-thinking person. And most people, including most women, would agree with that statement.
The number of women in the UK who describe themselves as feminists is at an all time low of about 7%. In the U.S it stands at about 20%, also an all-time low.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/life/only-7-per-cent-of-britons-consider-themselves-feminists/
These results can only be because it is obvious to everyone capable of objective thought and equipped with eyes, that women are no longer an oppressed class. Not in western culture anyway.
Having said that I would be among the first to point out that women are still oppressed in many non-western cultures. Yet oddly enough, when it comes to speaking out against the abuse of women and girls by Muslim men in say England, feminists sing dumb.
The level of feminist hypocrisy in regard to the treatment of women in non-western cultures could hardly be more blatant. That, coupled with the bitter vitriol they reserve exclusively for white European men, and the periodic witch hunts they like to mount against exclusively western men (the Pennsylvania State University rape allegations, the sacking of British Nobel Laureate Tim Hunt, and closer to home the UCD200 fiasco to name but 3 recent ones) means that almost no one can take them seriously anymore. Third wave feminism as an ideology is going the way of communism, and thank god for that. It won’t be missed.
The rest of your rant isn’t worth responding to.
Wow
Abuse of all kinds make up twitter – sexism,misogyny, racism ,islamaphobia, islamic propaganda,homophobia ,misandry, sports-related abuse, political slander ,celebrity abuse – you name it , twitter’s got it.
Put up a video of say David Quinn of Iona Institute reading the stuff he gets and its tough to read. Google a flavour of the stuff that Richard Dawkins reads out from ‘peace-loving’ religious groups. Read the abuse high profile sports people get from rival fans.
This is the downside of social media . Ideally , the right way to deal with it is how English boxer Curtis Woodhouse did with one of his abusers. But for most people ,you block them ,or if you think warrants it , report to the cops .
Whilst serial failed election nominee Lorraine Higgins was utterly dumb with her sanitisation of the media approach , the establishment of a well-funded dedicated branch within the Gardai for dealing with threats and twitter slurs is definitely welcome .
Social media is here to stay – the sooner , actual online abuse gets tackled ,the better for society…
John Mac, I agreed with you up to the point where you want to a new Garda unit to combat “twitter slurs” – it’s too vague and your concept of a slur might be different to mine. Regarding open threats – yes that should be reported to the guards otherwise block abusive accounts.
yesterday a person read me a story called Snowwhite from their mobile phone, but it did not make the news.
So you feel nothing, but indifference? Where’s your empathy? Maybe if they were making comments about your sister/wife/mother…..you might care?
Derek, being a male feminist won’t held you get laid
u might get that lay tonight you where hoping for Derek
Those tweets are disgusting, inexcusable and wholly unnecessary, and no one is deserving of them.
Side note – huge NHL fan, and I’m very familiar with the work of these ladies. Neither of them are journalists. They are bloggers who specialise in opinion, namely their own. DiCaro considers any criticism or disagreement to be harassment. Her MO is shame tweeting where she retweets anything that is less than complimentary about her, knowing that her white knights will come quickly to her defence.
While once again reiterating that no one deserves this abuse, I’ve no doubt that Julie is enjoying her time up on the cross.
Online harassment is a very legitimate concern. However, this is very much a case of consider the source. I am very familiar with the work of both of these bloggers given that I am a big NHL fan. Very little sports content, but plenty of victimhood – from DiCaro especially. If you so much as disagree with her opinion, she’ll publicly shame you for harassment and set her twitter mob on you. If this video featured anyone other woman, I’d be less inclined to be so cynical.
Completely lost respect for those guys in the video now.
Men who allow themselves to be used as pawns in feminist propaganda against their brothers are traitors.
Did you mean “against their brothers who send rape and death threats because they hate women”?
We see your true colours if those are the type of inhuman pieces of excrement you consider “brothers”.
No, the guys in the video didn’t actually send the tweets. They’re just actors in the feminist drama.
Interestingly enough did you know that:
Men Are Harassed More Than Women Online
The difference in abuse between the sexes online isn’t in the amount but the type. Data shows men get more hate, while women say they get it because they’re women.
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/09/04/men-are-harassed-more-than-women-online.html
Thedailybeast is the absolute worst source you could’ve possibly used.
Plus men aren’t harassed for being men, and are amazingly mostly harassed by other men.
The two most vitriolic mobs on the internet are feminists and the LBTG lobby.
Yeah I mean all those gays killing straight people for being straight, trying to dent straight people the right to marry, telling straight people they’re going to burn in hell, passing laws that make straight sex illegal, banning straight people from adopting children, passing legislation that allows public schools to teach that being gay is a sexual deviancy in sex ed classes, correctively raping straight people to turn them gay, banning straight people from joining the army, firing straight people from teaching jobs .etc .etc
Such a vitriolic mob.
Trying baking a Christian cake then.
have your say