Repairs of the 'Marstal', serving on the route Ærø-Svendborg, have been completed after three weeks, and the fery is about ready to resume sailings. An extensive replacement of a hub in the gearbox sent the ferry to the quay in Søby at the end of March, but it will now be put back on the route on thr morning of April 11, one day earlier than planned. An extensive replacement of a hub in the gearbox sent the ferry to the quay in Søby at the end of March, but it will now be put on the route again on Friday morning 11 April – a day earlier than planned. Repairs were carried out by the technicians from MAN and Søby Værft as well as the staff on the ferry and in the municipal ferry company. This means that the ferry 'Ærøskøbing' sails from Ærøskøbing at 05:30 a.m., while the'Marstal' sails at 6:30 a.m.
News
STENA IMMACULATE
The transfer of jet fuel from the'Stena Immaculate' onto the tanker 'Fure Vyl' (IMO: 9983956), which had gone alongside for an STS transfer, has been completed on April 9, and salvors were now preparing to bring the vessel into the port of Great Yarmouth later this week. The fuel will be transferred to its destination Killingholme.As of April 10, the 'Fure Vyl' was anchored in pos. 53° 44' N 000° 22' E. Meanwhile, the HM Coastguard continued to support local authorities in their response to onshore pollution from the 'Solong' as a result of the allision n both Norfolk and Lincolnshire. The clean-up operation has moved from a proactive to reactive response. HM Coastguard will continue to keep the overall situation under close review. The HM Coastguard has asked the public to keep an open eye for nurdle pollution and to report it via the agency's online tip portal. Report with photo: https://uk.news.yahoo.com/tanker-towed-great-yarmouth-month-092300564.html
CMA CGM PELLEAS
The 'CMA CGM Pelleas' came at close quarters with a wall before running aground as it left its berth in Southampton on April 9, 2025. The vessel too took a direct path towards the wall in front of waterside flats off Marchwood. After it beached briefly, tugs assisted the vessel and pulled it off again. The ship then docked in Southampton and is due in Rotterdam at the weekend. The Associated British Ports (ABP), the city's port owners, will play a role in any subsequent review of the incident. The matter had been referred to the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB). Report with photo: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4g33y0dkngo
WAMBIRI
The LPG tanker 'Victoire' (IMO: 9321885) has been safely anchored in pos. 37° 05' W 149° 54' E in the Twofold Bay on the evening of April 9 off Eden, having been towed from a position east-south-east of Gabo Island by the 'Wambiri' after suffering a main engine failure on April 4, 2025. On April 4 at about 4 p.m. the AMSA was notified that the 'Victoire' had lost main engine power due to a mechanical issue about 45 kilometres southeast of Mallacoota in Victoria. The 'Wambiri' was sent from Eden to assist on the morning of Apri 6, but fouled a line from the ship and was taken back to Eden by the tug 'Flinders Bay' (MMSI: 503185500) for the removal of the rope. It then returned to the 'Victoire' and reached Eden on April 9 at 9.45 p.m. In Twofold Bay, the vessel will be inspected by the AMSA. It is classed with NKK, insured with Gard and due for its next special survey in May.
HAFNIA AMESSI
The 'Hafnia Amessis's allision with a military pier at Joint Base Charleston on Jan 14, 2024, was the second such incident in two years involving large commercial vessels navigating the Cooper River, according to a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) report, which was published on March 24, 2025. The tanker, under the control of a Charleston Branch Pilots Association pilot, struck the Pier B at the Naval Weapons Station after getting too close to the eastern riverbank. The contact caused an estimated $8.1 million in damages to the vessel and pier. No pollution or injuries were reported. The tanker sustained damage to its side hull plating. The NTSB investigation found that as the vessel made a turn to starboard side at a bend in the channel, the pilot began favouring the eastern side of the channel in preparation for the next bend to port. That position brought the vessel into the influence of bank effect, a hydrodynamic phenomenon that pushes the bow away from the bank and pulls the stern toward it. Despite rudder and engine corrections, the pilot could not compensate for the forces acting on the vessel. The bow was also affected by flood current as it exited the shelter of the eastern bank, further compromising maneuverability. The vessel was unable to complete the turn without striking the pier. The NTSB drew parallels between this incident and a 2022 contact between Pier B and the tanker 'Bow Triumph', which came too close to the same bank. Following the two pier strikes, the U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port for Charleston issued new safety requirements. All vessels over 10,000 gross tons or with drafts greater than 25 feet are now required to use a tethered two-tug escort when transiting between Pier B and Snow Point. The NTSB report emphasized that even experienced pilots can be challenged by hydrodynamic forces in shoaling-prone channels. Squat and shallow water effects reduce rudder effectiveness, and unexpected shoaling can further exacerbate these conditions. The agency recommended that vessel operators consider risk factors and use tugs, speed adjustments, or transit delays as needed to ensure safe passage. Full report: https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Reports/MIR2511.pdf