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On Sep 11, 2025, at approximately 6:18 a.m., the 'Niki', after spending the night in the Porticello harbour, ran onto the Formica rocks, which are rising from a depth of over 50 meters to just below the surface, 18 minutes after sailing towards the port of Ténès 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. The tug 'Sea Dream' and other vessels along with firefighters, a shore support team, a nautical unit, and divers were engaged in rescue operations and in efforts to keep the vessel afloat. On the afternoon of Sep 13, Coast Guard patrol boats intervened with sirens blaring to evacuate the vessel and get everyone to leave. However, the ship remained afloat. 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/

The Salvamar Spica rescued 17 migrants from an inflatable boat 15 nautical miles eastsoutheast of Mesa Roldán on Sep 12. They were subsequently transferred to the port of Almería. The SAR boat 'Salvamar Draco' rescued 20 migrants from another inflatable boat, which had been sighted by the Guardia Civil 22 nautical miles southeast of Cartagena. They were subsequently taken to this port and taken care of by shore based services.

The 'Loch Dunvegan', serving on the route Colintraive-Rhubodach, suffered a technical issue with the fast rescue craft on Sep 13, 2025. As a consequence, the service had to be suspended, and the ship was sidelined in Colintraive for troubleshooting, After the issue has been successfully resolved, the ferry resumed its schedule with the 1:00 p.m. sailing from Colintraive.

The 'OGS Explora' has been idled at Durban Dry Dock since Feb 17, 2021. Her last voyage departed from Italy on Nov 28, 2020 en route to Réunion for a survey in the South Indian Ocean. She developed engine problems and called into Port Louis on Jan 16 for sludge discharge and repairs. She sailed again on Jan 23, but her engine problems became so severe that she was forced to receive assistance and head to Durban, where she arrived off the port on Feb 14. In 2019 her owners, OGS, had already communicated to EMB that the 'OGS Explora' would be decommissioned in 2020. Delays in her final voyages due to the Covid-19 pandemic meant that she was still operating into 2021, and this may well be her final voyage. The costs associated with main engine repairs or even replacement, to a ship already slated for retirement may mean that Durban is the last port call for the ship before a decision is taken for her to be towed away to a breaker's yard. Report with photos: https://africaports.co.za/#3408

The SAR boat 'Salvamar Spica rescued 17 migrants from an inflatable boat 15 nautical miles eastsoutheast of Mesa Roldán on Sep 12. They were subsequently transferred to the port of Almería. The 'Salvamar Draco' rescued 20 migrants from another inflatable boat, which had been sighted by the Guardia Civil 22 nautical miles southeast of Cartagena. They were subsequently taken to this port and taken care of by shore based services.