MSC Flaminia moving west under tow

August 16 afternoon: MSC Flaminia moving in western direction under tow, convoy was in position 50.09N 017.49W at 01:37 UTC today, at a course 272 deg speed 4.3 knots. I’ve been mistaken assuming MSC Flaminia proceeds under own power, judging from the French video http://www.odin.tc/news/read.asp?articleID=1205 – I’ve had my doubts about the stern trails, but confused into mistake by a tug too much to starboard, and too high speed. A specialist in towage said after watching video, that MSC Flaminia is definitely under tow, propeller stopped, the tug to the starboard is doing the towage. It’s the second time I mistake MSC Flaminia for sailing under own power, maybe because I believe vessel is capable of sailing under own power, I can’t see why not.
Too many guesses and assumptions are just inevitable in stories like this one, when the truth is shrouded in scanty info and allusions. Still, it’s hard to believe in a nice smooth story MSC and NSB are trying to tell, with main culprits being Coastal States and bad weather. There are some facts which can’t be explained by the MSC and NSB story, just can’t.
Voytenko Mikhail

Full story with chronology, photos and maps at http://www.odin.tc/2012/mscflaminiaen.asp

Be first, write your review !