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
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ADMIRAL DE RIBAS
On the morning of Sep 12, 2025, the Port Authority of Paleochora was informed by the JRCC of the Greek Coast Guard, that the 'Admiral de Ribas', en route from Damietta, had recovered 59 migrants south of Gavdos. The cargo ship proceeded towards the port of Tigani, Paleochora, from where the migrants were transferred to a patrol boat of the Greek Coast Guard- and safely transported to the port of Tigani. They were then taken to a temporary accommodation facility in Agia Chania. A preliminary investigation was being conducted by the Central Port Authority of Chania.
JUAN DE LA COSA
The 'Juan de la Cosa' responded to the distress call of the French sailing yacht 'Sanafo' in the Bay of Biscay on Sep 12,, 2025. The boat was taken in tow and pulled to safety amid stormy weather. Video: https://x.com/i/status/1966399657258660310
G ATLANTIC
On Sep 13, 2025, at noon , the Port Authorities of Agia Galini, Kala Limeni, Kokkinos Pyrgos, Paleochora and Chora Sfakion were informed by the Greek Coast Guard of a boat with 59 migrants on board 30 nautical miles southeast of Gavdos. They were picked up by the 'G Atlantic', which diverted from its course from Jiangyin to Monfalcone, and subsequently approached the Messara Bay, where, the migrants were transferred to a lifeboat of the Coastguard. They were safely transported to the port of Agia Galini and then taken by bus to a shelter in Rethymno. The Rethymno Port Authority, which was conducting the preliminary investigation, arrested a 17-year-old and a 29-year-old man of Egyptian nationalsrty as human traffickers, in violation of article 83 of Law 3386/2005 (Illegal entry into the country), article 25 of Law 5038/2023 (Facilitation) and article 306 of the Criminal Code (Exposure) and article 45 of the Criminal Code (Abetment). The boat had set off in the evening hours of Sep 10 from a beach in Tobruk. The migrants had paid amounts of money ranging from 2,500 to 4,000 euros for their transport to Greece. The bulk carrier continued on its voyage with an ETA as of Sep 16.
SALVAMAR LEO
On the night of Sep 12, a patrol boat of the Guardia Civil sighted a patera eight nautical miles from Benidorm and started escorting it. The RCC of Salvamento Marítimo in Valencia mobilized the Salvamar Leo' to assist, which headed to the position and rescued the 17 people who were on board. The migrants were safely disembarked in the port of Alicante. Report with photo: https://x.com/salvamentogob/status/1966866532715425903