Latest news with #Maltese-flagged
Daily Record
08-05-2025
- Daily Record
MSC Virtuosa cruise ship 'murder' victim named after death on stag do
James Messham, 60, was reportedly on a stag do when he was killed in an "altercation" on the MSC Virtuosa. A cruise ship passenger who died after a fight broke out on board has been named as a "lovely" grandad. James Messham, 60, was reportedly on a stag do when he was killed in an "altercation" on the MSC Virtuosa. The ship set sail from Southampton on Saturday evening for a two-night mini cruise. It was still in British waters when the man died. Following the incident, the boat u-turned and docked in Southampton, where Hampshire Police boarded and arrested a 57-year-old man on suspicion of murder. He was released on bail on Tuesday. Police enquiries are ongoing, and passengers who may have witnessed the incident are being urged to come forward with any information. The Mirror reports that Mr Messham was with family members who helped him run the Wall of Death, a popular motorcycle stunt show, when he died. Friends and family have paid tribute to the "lovely gentleman" online, saying Mr Messham was a "great racer" and "one of the best". Passenger Lynda Hardiman-Pearce, who was on board the ship for the trip to Zebrugge said there were several hen and stag do parties onboard "causing havoc". She told the Southern Daily Echo: 'The cruise was full of hen and stag parties causing chaos.' She added that a man on board 'told me his son was an army medic and had tried to help by doing CPR on a guy that had collapsed but unfortunately couldn't revive him. Apparently, the man was on a stag do.' Reports suggested the men involved in the incident were part of a party of 20. Staff on board the MSC Virtuosa are continuing to "cooperate fully" with authorities as the investigation continues. The MSC Virtuosa returned from Belgium to Southampton on Monday. The vessel is operated by MSC Cruises and has a capacity of 6,334 guests. A spokesperson for MSC Cruises said: 'Following an incident on board our ship, the relevant authorities were contacted, and we are cooperating fully with their investigations. We are providing full support to those impacted." A Hampshire Constabulary spokesperson said: "Officers are continuing their inquiries into the death of a 60-year-old man from West Sussex on board the MSC Virtuosa, which happened around 8.30pm on Saturday (May 3). A 57-year-old man arrested as part of our inquiries has been released on bail. "We remain keen to hear from anyone who was aboard the ship, which had departed Southampton around 6pm on Saturday and was still in British waters at the time." The Maltese-flagged vessel, built in France in 2020, measures 332m (1,089ft) long and boasts 18 decks, accommodation for up to 6,334 passengers and 1,704 crew. Virtuosa was due to arrive in Southampton at 6:15am and depart at 8pm. The ship also boasts a 4D cinema, bowling lanes, a casino, a game arcade, and a Formula 1 simulator. Passengers can also visit a theatre hosting Broadway-style productions, as well as a lounge featuring Carousel Productions at Sea shows.
Daily Mirror
07-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
MSC Virtuosa cruise ship 'murder' victim killed on stag do named as 'lovely gentleman'
A cruise ship passenger who died after a fight broke out just hours after the vessel left port was a "lovely" grandfather who ran a motorcycle stunt show. James Messham, 60, was reportedly on a stag do when he was killed in an "altercation" on the MSC Virtuosa, which set sail from Southampton on Saturday evening for a two-night mini cruise. The ship was still in British waters when the man died, so the Virtuosa turned back and docked in Southampton, where Hampshire Police boarded and arrested a 57-year-old man on suspicion of murder. He was released on bail on Tuesday. Police enquiries are ongoing, and passengers who may have witnessed the incident are being urged to come forward with any information. Mr Messham was with family members who helped him run the Wall of Death, a popular motorcycle stunt show, when he died, the Sun reports. Friends and family have paid tribute to the "lovely gentleman" online, saying Mr Messham was a "great racer" and "one of the best". Passenger Lynda Hardiman-Pearce, who was on board the ship for the trip to Zebrugge said there were several hen and stag do parties onboard "causing havoc". She told the Southern Daily Echo: 'The cruise was full of hen and stag parties causing chaos.' She added that a man on board 'told me his son was an army medic and had tried to help by doing CPR on a guy that had collapsed but unfortunately couldn't revive him. Apparently, the man was on a stag do.' Reports suggested the men involved in the incident were part of a party of 20. Staff on board the MSC Virtuosa are continuing to "cooperate fully" with authorities as the investigation continues. The MSC Virtuosa returned from Belgium to Southampton on Monday. The vessel is operated by MSC Cruises and has a capacity of 6,334 guests. A spokesperson for MSC Cruises said: 'Following an incident on board our ship, the relevant authorities were contacted, and we are cooperating fully with their investigations. We are providing full support to those impacted." A Hampshire Constabulary spokesperson said: "Officers are continuing their inquiries into the death of a 60-year-old man from West Sussex on board the MSC Virtuosa, which happened around 8.30pm on Saturday (May 3). A 57-year-old man arrested as part of our inquiries has been released on bail. "We remain keen to hear from anyone who was aboard the ship, which had departed Southampton around 6pm on Saturday and was still in British waters at the time." The Maltese-flagged vessel, built in France in 2020, measures 332m (1,089ft) long and boasts 18 decks, accommodation for up to 6,334 passengers and 1,704 crew. Virtuosa was due to arrive in Southampton at 6:15am and depart at 8pm. The ship also boasts a 4D cinema, bowling lanes, a casino, a game arcade, and a Formula 1 simulator. Passengers can also visit a theatre hosting Broadway-style productions, as well as a lounge featuring Carousel Productions at Sea shows.
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ships face new tax to sail through Baltic Sea to protect underwater cables from Putin sabotage
Shipping firms may need to pay a tax to use the Baltic Sea to fund costly protection for underwater cables, says Estonia's defence minister. Hanno Pevkur said the move may be needed after a series of incidents where vessels allegedly linked to Russia's 'shadow fleet' have damaged power and communications cables with their anchors in acts of suspected sabotage by Vladimir Putin's regime. 'Let's say that when you go to the airport you have the landing fee, you have the airport fee and this is paid in the ticket,' he said, speaking in Tokyo. 'So in one moment maybe we will see that when you are passing through the Danish straits there will be a cost for the companies to pay this because this is basically an insurance fee to damaging the cables.' Swedish authorities seized a Maltese-flagged ship on Monday in connection with damage caused to a cable running between Latvia and Sweden, one of four similar incidents in just over a year that have also affected power and telecoms lines running between Estonia and Finland. Mr Pevkur said while official investigations are ongoing, the series of incidents point to coordinated action by ships that are part of Russia's 'shadow fleet'. 'When we see that all those ships are part of the shadow fleet of Russia although having different flags on their of course you know we have to connect the dots,' he explained. Nato countries have stepped up patrols to protect critical underwater infrastructure in the Baltic Sea, which is bordered by eight countries, and other waters. A Royal Navy submarine was ordered to surface last November close to a suspected Russian spy ship which was loitering over undersea infrastructure in UK waters. The vessel, the Yantar, swiftly departed for the Mediterranean but returned recently and was monitored through the Channel by HMS Somerset. Britain has warned that ships threatening to damage undersea cables in UK waters face being raided by Royal Marine Commandos. Countries are weighing other measures to protect cables, including installing sensors to detect anchors dragged across the sea floor or constructing casings or walls around the cables. But this will come at a cost, and whether countries or cable operators end up paying for it, consumers may be left ultimately footing the bill through higher taxes or utility costs. Globally, around 150 undersea cables are damaged each year, according to the UK-based International Cable Protection Committee. The telecoms cables, power lines and gas pipes in the shallow Baltic are seen as particularly vulnerable due to its very intense traffic, with as many as 4000 ships crossing its surface every day, according to some estimates. Moscow has accused Western countries of making 'evidence-free' assertions about its involvement in the incidents.
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Exclusive-Baltic Sea shipping tax could pay for undersea cable protection, says Estonian minister
By John Geddie and Tim Kelly TOKYO (Reuters) - Shipping firms may need to pay a fee to use the Baltic Sea, one of the world's busiest shipping routes, in order to cover the high costs of protecting undersea cables, Estonia's defence minister said on Wednesday following a spate of breaches. NATO said last week it would deploy frigates, patrol aircraft and drones in the Baltic Sea after a series of incidents where ships have damaged power and communications cables with their anchors in acts of suspected sabotage. In addition to the patrols, Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur said countries are weighing other measures to protect cables, including installing sensors to detect anchors dragged across the sea floor or constructing casings or walls around the cables. But this will come at a cost, and whether countries or cable operators end up paying for it, consumers may be left ultimately footing the bill through higher taxes or utility costs. Another option, Pevkur said, is levying a tax on vessels that sail through the Baltic Sea, that is bordered by eight NATO countries and Russia. "Let's say that when you go to the airport you have the landing fee, you have the airport fee and this is paid in the ticket," he told Reuters in an interview in Tokyo. "So in one moment maybe we will see that when you are passing through the Danish straits there will be a cost for the companies to pay this because this is basically an insurance fee to damaging the cables." Pevkur added that there were different options on the table and that countries would have to find a common solution. Globally, around 150 undersea cables are damaged each year, according to the UK-based International Cable Protection Committee. The telecoms cables, power lines and gas pipes in the shallow Baltic are seen as particularly vulnerable due to its very intense traffic, with as many as 4000 ships crossing its surface every day, according to some estimates. Swedish authorities seized a Maltese-flagged ship on Monday in connection with damage caused to a cable running between Latvia and Sweden, one of four similar incidents in just over a year that have also affected power and telecoms lines running between Estonia and Finland. Pevkur said while official investigations are ongoing, the series of incidents point to coordinated action by ships that are part of Russia's "shadow fleet". "When we see that all those ships are part of the shadow fleet of Russia although having different flags on their of course you know we have to connect the dots," he said. Moscow has accused Western countries of making "evidence-free" assertions about its involvement in the incidents.
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Exclusive-Baltic Sea shipping tax could pay for undersea cable protection, says Estonian minister
By John Geddie and Tim Kelly TOKYO (Reuters) - Shipping firms may need to pay a fee to use the Baltic Sea, one of the world's busiest shipping routes, in order to cover the high costs of protecting undersea cables, Estonia's defence minister said on Wednesday following a spate of breaches. NATO said last week it would deploy frigates, patrol aircraft and drones in the Baltic Sea after a series of incidents where ships have damaged power and communications cables with their anchors in acts of suspected sabotage. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. In addition to the patrols, Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur said countries are weighing other measures to protect cables, including installing sensors to detect anchors dragged across the sea floor or constructing casings or walls around the cables. But this will come at a cost, and whether countries or cable operators end up paying for it, consumers may be left ultimately footing the bill through higher taxes or utility costs. Another option, Pevkur said, is levying a tax on vessels that sail through the Baltic Sea, that is bordered by eight NATO countries and Russia. "Let's say that when you go to the airport you have the landing fee, you have the airport fee and this is paid in the ticket," he told Reuters in an interview in Tokyo. "So in one moment maybe we will see that when you are passing through the Danish straits there will be a cost for the companies to pay this because this is basically an insurance fee to damaging the cables." Pevkur added that there were different options on the table and that countries would have to find a common solution. Globally, around 150 undersea cables are damaged each year, according to the UK-based International Cable Protection Committee. The telecoms cables, power lines and gas pipes in the shallow Baltic are seen as particularly vulnerable due to its very intense traffic, with as many as 4000 ships crossing its surface every day, according to some estimates. Swedish authorities seized a Maltese-flagged ship on Monday in connection with damage caused to a cable running between Latvia and Sweden, one of four similar incidents in just over a year that have also affected power and telecoms lines running between Estonia and Finland. Pevkur said while official investigations are ongoing, the series of incidents point to coordinated action by ships that are part of Russia's "shadow fleet". "When we see that all those ships are part of the shadow fleet of Russia although having different flags on their of course you know we have to connect the dots," he said. Moscow has accused Western countries of making "evidence-free" assertions about its involvement in the incidents.
