This Update is intended to keep our friends informed about what's new at VMSL, in Vanuatu, and elsewhere.
VANUATU MARITIME SERVICES LTD.
UPDATE
2/07 Apr/Jun 2007
Orion Diamond Rescues Fishing Vessel Poseidon I
On March 12, 2007, while underway from Panama to Chile, the Vanuatu ship Orion Diamond was asked by the Chilean SAR to assist with a disabled fishing vessel, the Poseidon I that had been adrift for 4 days. Within an hour after arriving alongside the stricken fishing vessel, the Orion Diamond’s 3rd engineer repaired the fishing vessel's engine. After 4 more hours of standby, the Orion Diamond was released to continue its voyage.
Our compliments go to Captain Yamato, master of the Orion Diamond, and his third engineer, for acting in the best traditions of the sea. The Chilean SAR declared: "This action demonstrated the courage, commitment and solidarity of seamen when facing dangerous situations that may affect others...thus safeguarding human life at sea."
Stop Press — Senior officers die in cargo hold
As this issue goes to press we have just learned of the deaths of the master and chief engineer of a Japanese cargo ship after they collapsed in the hold. They died either from lack of oxygen or were overcome by toxic fumes. An investigation is underway. Each year scores, if not hundreds, of seafarers die in enclosed spaces when they fail to check the atmosphere in the space for sufficient oxygen or toxic fumes. Remember that any space can be subject to these problems: cargo holds, refrigerated compartments, paint lockers, battery rooms, ballast tanks, fresh water tanks, fuel tanks, double bottoms, boilers, bow-thruster rooms, tunnels, chain lockers, etc. Always test before you enter.
Maritime New Zealand Guidelines
Subsequent to a death on a visiting foreign flag ship during mooring operations, Maritime New Zealand has issued two Safety Bulletins regarding mooring line hazards: Safety Bulletin # 8 on bights and snapbacks, and Safety Bulletin # 9 on manpower and responsibilities during mooring operations. Contact Maritime New Zealand: .
NOAA – GPS Affected by Solar Radio Bursts
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued a statement that solar radio bursts can have a serious impact on the Global Positioning System (GPS) and other communication technologies. A solar flare on December 6, 2006 caused a huge number of receivers to stop tracking the GPS signal. Note: This reminds us that mariners should not rely solely on one means of fixing position.
International Shipping Registry
The Vanuatu international shipping registry has formally applied to the International Maritime Organization to be included in their voluntary audit scheme. The New York office of the registry has been audited to ISO standards since the mid-1990s. Vanuatu currently has some 600 vessels of approximately 3 million gross tons on its registry.
The International Companies Act
Vanuatu Parliament has passed amendments to the International Companies Act, which is the most commonly used Act by the financial centre for the creation of companies. The amendments include:
- Power to deliver bearer shares to authorised custodians and the issue of guidelines for the custodianship of bearer shares. - The acceptance of Constitutions not in English or French, so long as they have translation into English. - Clarification of the status of incorporators prior to allotment of shares or membership. - The power to give to a non member the benefit of gains or profits including future gains and profits and such a right is not to be treated as a share in the capital of the company. This has interesting applications in relation to controlled foreign company legislation. - Repeal of the requirement to produce books of a company for inspection in respect of an application to the court. It was felt the court had such powers already. - Clarification as to the permitted scope of any Regulations issued under the Act.
For more information on the International Companies Act contact .
Crashed WWII United States Military Plane Found in Santo Jungle
Sixty-one years after WWII ended another downed US WWII war plane has been discovered. Vanuatu has some of the most dense, uninhabited jungle in the world and downed planes are still being uncovered from time to time. (Note: the plane at the left was a common WWII plane but not necessarily similar to the one found as that one has yet to be identified.)
SEBEL Vanuatu
The country’s new (and only) high-rise hotel, located on the water in Port Vila’s central business district has been renamed the SEBEL VANUATU hotel and is undergoing final fit-out. There was a long dispute over the sale of the hotel by the developers, but it now looks to be progressing.
Le Lagon Resort Complete Upgrade
Warwick Hotel Group’s Le Lagon Hotel in Port Vila has completed a multi-million dollar upgrade to its restaurants, its central core, its rooms and its golf course. The two year project commenced shortly after the resort was acquired by the Warwick Group.
Nomads Moorings Hotel
The New Nomads has opened its doors to guests. Built on the site of the Ol Trader Vic's Restaurant and Night Club, Nomads caters to the budget traveler, but its waterfront location on the edge of the business district and its good value MOOS bar and restaurant will also attract the business traveler (and his/her family).
Foreign Exchange Reserves Remain High
The Reserve Bank has reported a slight decrease in foreign reserves in the first quarter of the year, but they remain in excess of 8 months worth of imports, reflecting the strong monetary position of the country.
EU Funds New Tourism Facility
The European Union has announced its injection of 280 million Vatu into a new Vanuatu Tourism Education & Training Project at the Vanuatu Institute of Technology. It is to replicate a modern hotel, complete with live-in staff quarters and a restaurant open to the public. The project is part of the effort to train Ni-Vanuatu for careers in the hospitality industry.
Home 
News 
rch 12, 2007, while underway from Panama to Chile, the Vanuatu ship Orion Diamond was asked by the Chilean SAR to assist with a disabled fishing vessel, the Poseidon I that had been adrift for 4 days. Within an hour after arriving alongside the stricken fishing vessel, the Orion Diamond’s 3rd engineer repaired the fishing vessel's engine. After 4 more hours of standby, the Orion Diamond was released to continue its voyage. 
Our compliments go to Captain Yamato, master of the Orion Diamond, and his third engineer, for acting in the best traditions of the sea. The Chilean SAR declared: "This action demonstrated the courage, commitment and solidarity of seamen when facing dangerous situations that may affect others...thus safeguarding human life at sea."
collapsed in the hold. They died either from lack of oxygen or were overcome by toxic fumes. An investigation is underway. Each year scores, if not hundreds, of seafarers die in enclosed spaces when they fail to check the atmosphere in the space for sufficient oxygen or toxic fumes. Remember that any space can be subject to these problems: cargo holds, refrigerated compartments, paint lockers, battery rooms, ballast tanks, fresh water tanks, fuel tanks, double bottoms, boilers, bow-thruster rooms, tunnels, chain lockers, etc. Always test before you enter.
Subsequent to a death on a visiting foreign flag ship during mooring operations, Maritime New Zealand has issued two Safety Bulletins regarding mooring line hazards: Safety Bulletin # 8 on bights and snapbacks, and Safety Bulletin # 9 on manpower and responsibilities during mooring operations. Contact Maritime New Zealand: 
GPS Affected by Solar Radio Bursts
Warwick Hotel Group’s Le Lagon Hotel in Port Vila has completed a multi-million dollar upgrade to its restaurants, its central core, its rooms and its golf course. The two year project commenced shortly after the resort was acquired by the Warwick Group. 
