On Sep 11, 2025, at approximately 6:18 a.m., the 'Niki', after spending the night in the Porticello harbour, ran onto the Formica rock and ran aground 18 minutes after sailing towards the port of Tenes with eight crew members on board and a cargo of farmed sea bream. The maritime authorities deployed patrol boats which responded to assist the crew and check for any leaks of pollutants. There were serious concerns about the likely damage caused to the exposed rock, which is home to highly valuable marine flora and fauna, as well as being of notable archaeological interest and a destination for underwater exploration enthusiasts. Firefighters drained the water which had entered the ship through two leaks. Divers patched the hull. The tug 'Sea Dream' and other vessels attempted to keep the vessel afloat, but to no avail. On the afternoon of Sep 13, the tug 'Sea Dream' and other vessels attempted to keep the vessel afloat, but to no avail. On the afternoon, Coast Guard patrol boats intervened with sirens blaring to evacuate the vessel and get everyone to leave. Reports with photos: https://www-himeralive-it.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.himeralive.it/porticello-cargo-greco-incagliato-sulla-secca-della-formica-operazioni-di-recupero-in-corso-foto/amp/?amp_gsa=1&_js_v=a9&usqp=mq331AQIUAKwASCAAgM%3D#amp_ct=1757880292123&_tf=Von%20%251%24s&aoh=17578799426447&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&share=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.himeralive.it%2Fporticello-cargo-greco-incagliato-sulla-secca-della-formica-operazioni-di-recupero-in-corso-foto%2F https://www.rainews.it/tgr/sicilia/articoli/2025/09/porticello-peschereccio-incagliato-allaltezza-dello-scoglio-formica-1f6d8afd-cb61-4b3d-a020-1b0a05632fb2.html https://newsicilia.it/palermo/cronaca/ancora-incagliato-il-peschereccio-finito-contro-gli-scogli-nel-palermitano/1035222/ https://qds.it/cargo-greco-niki-pericolo-naufragio-imminente-secca-formica/ https://itacanotizie.it/qds/cargo-greco-niki-pericolo-naufragio-imminente-secca-formica/
News
EAGLE S
Prosecutors and defense lawyers made their final statements on Sep 12 at the Helsinki District Court in the trial of the captain and two officers from the 'Eagle S' on charges that their negligence caused the damage on Dec 25, 2024, of five subsea cables running between Finland and Estonia. After broad speculation that it was a case of sabotage, the prosecution centered on the command responsibilities, citing negligence and not pursuing charges of intentional damage to the cables. The captain, 1st, and 2nd officers of the tanker were charged with aggravated sabotage and aggravated interference with telecommunications as a result of the anchor-dragging incident. The trial began on Aug 25, and the court has now been scheduled to issue its ruling on Oct 3. The three officers have been subjected to a travel ban since Jan 2025 that did not permit them to leave Finland. Others from the crew that had initially been under investigation were removed from the travel ban. The court has now ruled to lift the travel ban on the captain and two officers. Prosecutors had argued it should remain in place until the verdict. The case centered on whether the captain and officers should have realized that the anchor dropped and was being dragged. Investigators concluded it dropped because of poor maintenance and a broken safety pin on the chain stopper. The defense lawyers countered that the anchor windless had been serviced and tested, and further, it had withstood violent storms before the ship entered the Gulf of Finland. The prosecution contended that they should have realized there was a problem because the vessel’s speed dropped when the anchor began dragging. The defense was that they believed it was an engine problem that caused the speed drop. In their closing remarks, the prosecution contended to the court that no evidence was presented of engine problems. According to them, the captain is responsible for the management and condition of the ship while the two officers were on navigation watch during the time the anchor dragged 55 miles along the seabed. The defense said it was the chief engineer, who was not on trial, who was responsible for the condition of the machinery, including the anchor. Further, they questioned why the Finnish authorities had not informed the vessel sooner when they suspected it was dragging the anchor. There also remained an issue of jurisdiction, and whether the vessel voluntarily entered Finnish waters. The defense argued that Finland lacked the authority because the damage occurred in international waters and the ship only entered Finnish waters when it was commanded by the police. The prosecutors were still asking the court to sentence each of the three officers to a minimum of 2,5 years in prison. The leniency of the proposed sentences is because the cables were not intentionally broken and the overall damage was “quite minor.” The companies reported it took a few months to complete repairs at a cost of approximately €55 million. The incident was followed by several other suspicious events, which led to allegations that it was part of an orchestrated plot by Russia. NATO and the Scandinavian countries increased monitoring of key assets as a result of the suspicions regarding the actions of the 'Eagle S'.
CAI YUN
On Sep 12, 2025, the 'Cay Yun' was damaged in an attack, the Ukraine carried out with drones attacks on the Oil Terminal, Russia’s oil-loading facility in Primorsk port in the Baltic Sea. The strikes caused fire and suspension of loading at the port. Besides the 'Cay Yun' also the Aframax 'Kusto' was hit during the raid, sustaining damage and catching fire. The governor of Russia’s Leningrad region later confirmed that a vessel and a pumping station had ignited, but stated that the situation was brought under control without a risk of spillage.
ARTUR E TERESA
The 'Artur e Teresa' en route from Puerto Marin with a crew of six on board, was disabled due to a mechanical problem at the northern mouth of the Vigo Estuary on Sep 11, 2025.. The CCS Vigo of Salvamento Marítimo mobilized the fishing vessel 'Valentín Paz Andrade' (MMSI: 224021540), and the SAR boat 'María Pita', due to the drift toward Costa da Vela. The 'María Pita' took the fishing vessel in tow and safely pulled it to the port of Vigo. Photos and video: https://www.farodevigo.es/fotos/mar/2025/09/11/pesquero-portugues-artur-teresa-auxiliado-121484979.html https://x.com/i/status/1966232282068562138 https://x.com/salvamentogob/status/1966430402647576730
GV RESOLUTION PD797
The Lowestoft RNLI lifeboat 'Patsy Knight - RNLI 13-05' and a Coastguard helicopter were called to medevac a crew member of the 'Resolution - PD707' in rough seas on the evening of Sep 10, 2025. They were tasked by HM Coastguard at 9.18 p.m. to the vessel, which was located east of Aldeburgh. The sea conditions were moderate to rough with a good breeze blowing and it was raining hard giving poor visibility. When the RNLI boat reached the guard ship, it was by then off Orford and an HM Coastguard helicopter had already arrived.The lifeboat went in close alongside the vessel, which was rolling in the sea swell to try to take the person off and found that the casualty was laying on the deck and couldn’t climb onto the lifeboat. An attempt to winch a paramedic from the helicopter onto the lifeboat also had to be aborted as the weather and sea conditions were too bad. With the helicopter needing to go to Southend to refuel it was agreed to escort the guard ship with the casualty still on board back to Lowestoft. When the helicopter returned the squally weather had passed through and it was a bit calmer, another attempt was made to lower a paramedic from the helicopter onto the 'Resolution', which was successful. The casualty was airlifted and transported to the Ipswich Hospital. The lifeboat returned to its moorings on Sep at 2.20 a.m. It was the second call to the guard ship in a week for the volunteer lifeboat crew as it was summoned to help on Sep 4 short past midnight, when the ship, with six crew members on board, had lost propulsion off Lowestoft. The 'Patsy Knight' out at 12.35 a.m. to assess the situation. It located the stranded vessel one mile from the pier heads near to the South Holm buoy. The 'Resolution' had left Lowestoft the previous evening and had encountered mechanical problems suspecting gearbox failure resulting in a propulsion loss. A towing line was connected to the guard vessel and with a fair breeze and sea swell it was slowly pulled back to the harbour. It was mooredl in the Waveney Dock at 3.30 a.m. Report with photo: https://rnli.org/news-and-media/2025/september/11/lowestoft-rnli-lifeboat-called-to-medically-evacuate-a-seaman-in-rough-seas
SVS VEGA
The "SVS Vega" was detained in Kocaeli on Sep 8, 2025, with five deficiencies, three of which being regarded as seriously and grounds for a detention: 1) Pollution Prevention - Ballast Water Management System Malfunctioning 2) Alarms - Steering gear alarm Inoperative 3) Radio communications - SART/AIS-SART Not as required The vessel was released again on Sep 10 and berthed in Derince on Sep 10. As of Sep 13, it anchored off Constanta in pos. 44° 07' N 028° 49' E. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1EhuBS5mxH/
THAMESBORG
The icebreaker "Botnica" (IMO: 9165877) has been dispatched from Tallinn on Sep 10 on the 3,000-nautical-mile to refloat the 'Thamesborg'. The ship was equipped for the rescue operation on Sep 13 in Osterrönfeld. On Sep 14, the ship continued to Brunsbüttel, where the fuel tanks were filled at the bunkering station ahead of the salvage mission.
AMAZONE
On Sep 11,2025, at around 7.30 p.m. LT, the 'Amazone' allided with a pedestrian drawbridge while manoevering into the Germania Port in Kiel. The schooner hit a railing with its bow sprit and damaged it. No one was injured, and the bridge remained in operating condition. This was important because it serves as a replacement for the larger bascule bridge, which suffered a technical defect on the night of Sep 7 and had to be taken out of service. It is connecting the center of Kiel with Kiel-Gaarden. On the morning of Sep 12, employees from the Civil Engineering Department were still securing the damaged bridge. The first step will be for a maintenance company to disconnect the lights. Then the temporary bridge can be repaired. Report and photos: https://www.forum-schiff.de/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?p=224057#p224057 https://www.kn-online.de/lokales/kiel/traditionssegler-rammt-ersatzbruecke-ueber-die-hoern-in-kiel-ENRCEJG3M5CYRPMTQ2PRD7WPNQ.html https://scontent-fra3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/545894085_10234679989599181_4403461462549597410_n.jpg?stp=cp6_dst-jpg_tt6&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=aa7b47&_nc_ohc=w9W1cyS_qXkQ7kNvwGtRQQ5&_nc_oc=AdkedNljMcshwF0Rg-FJDFFWe0okYN80aU-R2ei45Pr0sgI9F4ZuYxMn-QZK_mr44hM&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-fra3-2.xx&_nc_gid=r3Xr1G8Q6wY519jK58crmA&oh=00_AfZaSCtkbAQnia_uuqYFdRF9QPT1QDEidVmIDo1A6ll7vA&oe=68C9B072 https://scontent-fra3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/545667881_10234679989759185_7738969675432782882_n.jpg?stp=cp6_dst-jpg_tt6&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=aa7b47&_nc_ohc=kv61l7WQYIwQ7kNvwGQ_QjU&_nc_oc=AdlsxaE1oIbeVzkf4VNFF1QERK4trgCxz8IlDg2V6JV2o945YUMYr7EF71GrdP4BhUw&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-fra3-1.xx&_nc_gid=RIKLfDudfrgqg1yQS1s6Bg&oh=00_Afa_nX09eAg32EsVFNfzZzAs-JcdvE-fw_Qe373vMtoP_w&oe=68C9CB7D https://scontent-fra5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/518134455_25383640207904959_332349588007605888_n.jpg?stp=cp6_dst-jpg_tt6&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=bd9a62&_nc_ohc=MbPun5cDXqoQ7kNvwEFh65p&_nc_oc=AdnkjpJYHzt2aqBzy2IClScvUJos_QGqBY80uG-myAvBdi4EA7IrfEVFMibeQxq_sBc&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-fra5-2.xx&_nc_gid=b6ybUWVg39A765Aj8IACaw&oh=00_AfYIMVAHro-ff5duxv47wyWW0uEvrOCuhcK82XJRq8GPIg&oe=68C9B2E0
CHARLES BABIN
Scrapped at Portimao 08/2025 https://www.shipspotting.com/photos/3881692?navList=gallery&category=70&page=1&viewType=normal&sortBy=newest
LLV AZURIT
On Sep 12, the Norwegian Government has decided to take over the ownership of the 'Azurit' because the Russian owners did not follow an order for the ship to leave Norway. It will now be removed from Båtsfjord harbour, where it had been staying since May 2024. Various solutions have been considered after the Government ordered the vessel to leave as it was posing a risk, and national security interests were threatened. The decision was effective immediately and meant that the state will have full control over the 'Azurit'. The Norwegian Coastal Administration will be tasked with removing the vessel, The remaining Russian crew onboard will have to leave the Norway. In July 2024, the Government tightened its rules, granting Russian-flagged vessels permission to stay in port for a maximum of five days. The ports open in addition to Båtsfjord are Tromsø and Kirkenes. The new regulations were introduced amid increased fear of hybrid sabotage operations across Europe by actors linked to Moscow. New rules were introduced in July this year by banning the two largest Murmansk-based fishing companies, Norebo and Murman Seafood, from entering any ports in Norway. The two companies were also denied fishing in the Norwegian Exclusive Economical Zone. The two fishing companies were regarded as part of a Russian state-sponsored surveillance campaign and intelligence activity targeting critical underwater infrastructure in Norwegian and allied maritime areas and may facilitate future sabotage operations and threaten important Norwegian security policy interests.
LOCH SHIRA
The Loch Shira', serving on the route Largs-Cumbrae, assisted the HM Coastguard, responding to a 10-m-fishing vessel in distress, on Sep 10 at 11.35 a.m. As a consequence, the service was delayed. Also the Troon RNLI all weather lifeboat, Largs RNLI inshore lifeboat and the Coastguard Rescue Helicopter 199 went to the scene just north of Little Cumbrae Island. Coastguard rescue teams from Cumbrae, Greenock and Largs were also sent to assist. The helicopter winched the two people on board from the sinking trawler and flew them to Largs Yacht Haven, where they were checked over by ambulance crew and released. The ferry was stood down by the Coastguard and resumed service with the 1:30 p.m. departure from Cumbrae. Also the 'Glen Sannox', which had been passing by as it returned to Troon from Greenock, was responding to the incident. The RNLI lifeboat 'R.A. Wilson', with a four member volunteer crew on board, capsized during the response in the Firth of Clyde.. The Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat overturned on its way to the accident site, sending the rescue volunteers into the water. The crew was able to quickly right the lifeboat and get back onboard. They were then escorted back to the lifeboat station by other crews attending the emergency. The four RNLI volunteers were assessed paramedics and no injuries were reported, however the lifeboat was damaged. The RNLI has sent a relief lifeboat to the area while the original undergoes repairs. The RNLI started carrying out an investigation in conjunction with the MAIB (Marine Accident Investigation Branch) into the incident. A notice to mariners (NTM 26/2025) has been issued by Peel Ports, advising vessels not to anchor or fish in the area until the wreck’s exact location has been confirmed.
TIDAL RHYTHM
The "Asphalt Maris" was renamed 'Tidal Rhythm' on July 28, 2025. A PSC on Aug 14 in Mumbai found 25 deficiencies,17 of which being regarded as seriously and grounds for a detention: 1) Certificate & Doc - Certificates for Master and officers Invalid 2) Life saving Appliances - Inflatable liferafts Not as required 3) Emergency system - Emergency fire pump and its pipes Inoperative 4) Emergency system - Emergency source of power - emergency generator Inoperative 5) Pollution Prevention - Oil filtering equipment Not as required 6) Propulsion and auxiliary machinery - Propulsion main engine Not as required 7) Fire safety - Maintenance of fire protection systems Inoperative 8)) Fire safety - Fire fighting equipment and Appliances Not as required 9) Water/Weathertight - Scuppers, inlets and discharges Not as required 10) Water/Weathertight - Ventilators, air pipes and casings Not as required 11) Safety of navigation - Magnetic compass Not as required 12) Safety of navigation - Lighting (Working spaces) Not as required 13) Safety of navigation - Means of communications between safety centre and other Not as required 14) Labour conditions - Electrical Unsafe 15) Labour conditions - Freeboard marking Not as required 16) Labour conditions - Cargo & Other Hatchways Not as required 17) ISM - Ism certificate Not as required The vessel was released again on Aug 14 and left the port enroute to Jebel Ali, where it arrived on Aug 29. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1P7pNVmfmb/
KUSTO
On Sep 12, 2025, the ' Kusto' was damaged in an attack, the Ukraine carried out with drones attacks on the Oil Terminal, Russia’s oil-loading facility in Primorsk port in the Baltic Sea. The strikes caused fire and suspension of loading at the port. Besides the 'Kusto' also the Aframax 'Cai Yun' was hit during the raid, sustaining damage and catching fire. The governor of Russia’s Leningrad region later confirmed that a vessel and a pumping station had ignited, but stated that the situation was brought under control without a risk of spillage.
MSC BALTIC III
A total of 1665.7 m3 of heavy oil and other pollutants have been removed from the ' MSC Baltic III' as of Sep 11. Work was ongoing to clean the residual fuel that remained in the tanks. There were 73 containers remaining onboard the vessel. The majority of these containers were below deck and submerged in water. These containers must be lifted and drained before they can be moved off the vessel. This is a complex process and is being advanced as weather conditions allow operations to continue safely. Fluctuating levels of hydrogen sulfide gas have been detected onboard the 'MSC Baltic III' due to spoiled food in some of the cargo. This was generating an unpleasant smell in the area of the vessel. The levels were being continuously monitored and precautions are being taken by crews working on site. There is no risk to the public. Ballast water was being added to the grounded vessel to help keep the ship stable in preparation for winter and worsening weather conditions. Construction of the cableway system was ongoing. On-water and shoreside surveys, and drone overflights, to monitor for pollution continued as conditions were allowing.
WISSEMARA
The German Trade Association for Transport has decommissioned the "Wissemara" with immediate effect as of Aug 26, 2025, due to safety defects in the planks. For the operating Poeler Koggen Verein (Poel Cog Association), the cancellation of the remaining trips for 2025 meant significant financial losses. The replica Hanseatic cog is not permitted to set sail until further notice. During an inspection, the German Trade Association for Transport discovered safety defects in the wooden hull. The 'Poeler Koggen Verein', the association which operates the ship, was facing significant financial losses. The association, is primarily financed through membership fees and donations. During a previously planned maintenance stay at the Tamsen shipyard in Rostock in November it is intended to repair the damage. The approximately 450 association members were now faced with the task of closing a financial gap and simultaneously covering the repair costs to make the "Wissemara" seaworthy again. The association hoped that some customers can imagine rescheduling their event onto the berthed ship.
