1.   For years, Turkish maritime authorities have complained about the danger from the rising number of huge oil tankers plying the congested Bosporus, which runs through Istanbul.

2.   Last November, the maritime authority granted a waiver that allowed APL to hoist foreign flags over six of its new ships.

3.   Turkish maritime authorities can check ships for sanitary conditions and safety, but cannot stop their passage.

4.   Passengers aboard a Ukrainian ship sent out distress signals to Turkish maritime authorities claiming they were being held hostage, a news report said.

5.   Philippine navy officials have asked for assistance from Chinese maritime authorities but there was no immediate word from them.

6.   Philippine navy officials said they sought rescue assistance from the Chinese maritime authorities.

7.   Rasmusson said that the German maritime authorities would check the ferry to determine the damage.

8.   A full report should be handed over to international maritime authorities within five or six months, he said.

9.   A Malaysian oil-tanker believed to have been hijacked in the South China Sea was still missing Monday, maritime authorities said.

10.   A freighter carrying sulfuric acid sank in the Bay of Biscay off the northern coast of Spain on Tuesday, French maritime authorities said.