Somali Pirates: 24 Year Sentence in France

  Somali pirates who were found guilty of hijacking the French vessel Le Ponant in 2008 have been sentenced to a total of 24 years imprisonment by a Paris court. Of the six Somali pirates, who were captured by French forces in a daring raid on land, with a 4×4 vehicle, arms and a part…

“Sustainable Development: IMO’s Contribution Beyond Rio+20” Selected as World Maritime Day Theme for 2013

  The IMO Council has endorsed a proposal by IMO Secretary-General Koji Sekimizu to adopt “Sustainable Development:  IMO’s contribution beyond Rio+20” as the World Maritime Day theme for 2013. The theme was chosen in order to focus IMO’s efforts during 2013 on the commitments to be made at the UN Conference on Sustainable Development, better known…

June 15, 1904: NYC East River Excursion Ends in Tragedy

More than 1,000 people were killed when their riverboat caught fire on New York City’s East River on this day in 1904 – marking one of the deadliest days in U.S. maritime history. On June 15th 1,360 children and teachers from the St. Mark’s German Lutheran Church boarded the General Solcum for their annual Sunday school…