INDUSTRY UPDATES
Is it safe to travel to the Mediterranean this summer? By Corey D. Ranslem
The short answer is yes. Thus far, the war in Ukraine, however tragic, has had little impact beyond the immediate Black Sea. Dryad Global, one of the leading companies providing global maritime risk intelligence, published a report on the risks to vessels and crews operating within the Mediterranean Sea that highlights a range of traditional and nontraditional threats vessels may face when operating within the area. Their analysis indicates the conflict in Ukraine has little impact beyond the wider Black Sea. The biggest threats in the Mediterranean remain centered around military and migrant activity near coastal Libya. While this type of activity has been ongoing for several years, there has been a steady uptick in the number of migrants attempting to leave Libya for Europe, along with migrants attempting to leave Turkey for Greece. The report further highlights the risks of interaction with military/militia
forces when operating close to coastal Libya. According to Dryad, there are various naval missions operating in the Mediterranean. NATO’s Operation Sea Guardian — responsible for executing NATO’s maritime security operations, including maritime counterterrorism, and upholding freedom of navigation — is patrolling the Eastern Mediterranean. In addition, Operation IRINI to enforce the arms embargo on Libya has vessels patrolling about 60nm off the coast of Libya. The UN Security Council unanimously voted to extend Operation IRINI until March 2023. The report highlights that such operations are unlikely to impact normal commercial or private maritime traffic. Through the Dryad risk analysis, risks from traditional maritime security incidents such as threat of hijacking, attempted boarding and approach, shots fired, attempted kidnapping, and threats from
Valentines Resort renovates marina in Harbour Island Valentines Resort & Marina, at Harbour Island, Bahamas, is having a substantial renovation. The entire electrical infrastructure is being replaced on the docks and will include new power pedestals and transformers, and new decking and planking are scheduled for the marina docks. The property has opened a new saltwater pool and will replace beach furniture and umbrellas for the private section of Pink Sands Beach. Construction is scheduled for completion by September, in time for the winter yacht season. The yacht marina is the largest on Harbour Island and can accommodate vessels up to 200
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JUNE 2022 | TritonNews.com
feet in length with fuel service, full electric (30, 50, 100 amps), unlimited reverse-osmosis water, and wireless internet access for each slip. For more information, go to valentinesresort.com.
PHOTO CAPT. GRANT MAUGHAN
ROVINJ HARBOUR, CROATIA
broader environmental issues remain low. As it stands, the Mediterranean remains a stable and safe prospect for vessels this summer, with security issues likely to be found at the local level, specifically those of personal safety ashore, and security of property both at anchor and in port. For specific questions or requests for maritime intelligence information, contact Dryad directly through dryadglobal.com or via email at enquiries@dryadglobal.com.
Lizard Yacht Service, Wills Ridley team up for Med service center Lizard Yacht Service is set to work with the Wills Ridley company for steering gear service and repair at a new superyacht service center in Palma, Mallorca, to cover the Mediterranean area. Lizard Yacht Services offers parts, service, and maintenance with expertise in engineering and fitting, while Wills Ridley has supplied hydraulic steering gear for yachts, and military and commercial vessels since 1963. The collaboration was agreed upon earlier this year with Wills Ridley dealership in the UK. The company’s UK base is in Falmouth, Cornwall. “This is an exciting time for both companies,” stated Amanda Martin, director of Lizard Yacht Service SL, in a press release. “The Balearics is fast becoming the heart of the superyacht industry for the Med. As Lizard Yacht Service works alongside Wills Ridley in the UK, it is a natural next step to extend the relationship to our Spanish company based in Palma.” A full digital gauge and software upgrade is scheduled for current customers, according to the release. “In addition to these upgrades, we will be servicing and supplying new pumps from the Wills Ridley portfolio, refurbishing existing power packs, and handling the design and build of new power packs,” stated Wills Ridley Director Ryan Kitchener. For information got to lizardyachtservice.co.uk and willsridley.com.
