News

On July 30, 2025, at around 3.45 p.m., the 'Wilson Gdynia', en route from Rotterdam, allided with dolphin 46 off the small locks of the Kiel Canal in Brunsbüttel upon approaching the waterway from the Elbe for the eastbound transit, due to strong gusts of wind and currents. The allision caused parts of the wooden dolphins to break. A floating crane recovered the damaged dolphins. No one was injured, and there was no water pollution. The ship's bulbous bow was damaged too, and the hull was dented approximately two meters above the waterline. Approximately 40 tons of water leaked into the forepeak of the ship. The BG Verkehr (German Traffic Safety Authority) issued a sailing ban. The vessel was moored at the railway station pilings in Brunsbüttel, where it remained stationary as of Aug . On Feb 24, the ship was subjected to a Port State Control in Stord, during which five deficiencies were remarked.

On July 7, 2023, the Coast Guard’s Office of Investigations and Casualty Analysis published a report of investigation (ROI) to Marine Casualty Reports regarding the demasting of the 'Grace Bailey' in Penobscot Bay, Rockland, Maine resulting in the loss of life of one passenger and injuries to five other passengers on Oct 9, 2023. The Coast Guard Northeast District Commander convened a formal investigation into this tragedy. The investigation team compiled and issued nine safety recommendations and two administrative recommendations. A Commandant’s final action memorandum (FAM) detailing the Coast Guard response and actions on each recommendation is included with the ROI.

It has now become clear what went wrong on July 17, when the 'Betelgeuze' tilted in drydock. It is a round-hulled ship and has an S-shaped keel. The floating dock at the shipyard is air-operated. When lifting, the ship has to list slightly to port side or starboard side. When the 'Betelgeuze' hit the support in the dock on the port side, the support broke due to a material failure, and the ship tipped over. However, the guide pole that centers the dock prevented the ship from tipping further. There were seven people aboard, who were all able to disembark safely. The 'Betelgeuze 'is now upright again at the quay in the Waalhaven, awaiting dock repairs, so that the 'Betelgeuze' can finally be brought up for a thickness survey. During the waiting time everything gets back upright on the ship. Report with photos: https://www.schuttevaer.nl/nieuws/actueel/2025/08/01/opluchting-bij-zeekadetkorps-rotterdam-na-kantelmoment-betelgeuze-in-dok-holland-ship-repair/

The 'Joseph Doyle' and a boat crew of the USCG Station San Juan assisted four mariners aboard the disabled 75-ft-m/v 'Sueño I', with four crew members on board, off Carolina, Puerto Rico, on July 30. The Dominican Republic nationals were on a voyage from Tortola to Saman, when the vessel suffered electrical problems and was disabled. Coast Guard watchstanders in San Juan received a distress communication reporting the 'Sueño I', which was adrift approximately 12 nautical miles northeast of Carolina, Puerto Rico. Coast Guard watchstanders issued an UMIB to alert vessel traffic in the vicinity of the ongoing distress situation. They also diverted the 'Joseph Doyle' to render assistance. Once on scene, the cutte crew established a tow of the 'Sueño I' to San Juan Harbor, where the boat crew took over the tow and brought the vessel to the safety of the Coast Guard Base San Juan, where it was moored. T crew made arrangements for repairs. Report with photo: https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/4260824/coast-guard-surface-units-assist-4-mariners-aboard-disabled-vessel-sueo-i-off-c/

The 'Betelgeuze' has tilted at the Holland Ship Repair dock in Rotterdam on July 17, 2025, when it was docked for an inspection. The entire floating dock with the ship started to list to port side. Part of the scaffolding was broken off. The ship was originally scheduled to enter the dock in August, but could now be brought in sooner because all theequipment of the sister ship 'Castor', which had been drydocked before, was already ready. This saved costs and time. The crew did hear a bang at one point while the dock was lowered, but at least it was afloat again.'By the end of the afternoon, the 'Betelgeuze' was upright and in the water again. It has suffered no damage, and there were no injuries. Report with photo: https://www.schuttevaer.nl/nieuws/actueel/2025/07/25/zeekadettenschip-betelgeuze-valt-scheef-bij-dok-in-rotterdam/