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On June 2, 2025, the Okaloosa's Natural Resources Team has scuttled the 'Skippin Sue' eight nautical miles offshore on Monday to create underwater habitat for marine life, in state waters within a quarter-mile of the RMS 'Atlantis', which was sunk as part of the county’s artificial reef program in June 2023. The tug went down bow first and came to rest on its port side in 77 feet water depth, approximately eight nautical miles off the coast in pos. 30° 14.652’N, 86° 30.235’W. Having these two large vessels in close proximity to each other will provide multiple fishing and diving opportunities and reduce crowding on these sites. The sinking represents the completion of the first phase of a two-vessel artificial reef project approved by the Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners in July 2024. The total $740,000 contract with the Coleen Marine Inc. funded the acquisition, preparation, towing from Norfolk, VA and sinking of both the Skipping Sue' and the'Spirit of Norfolk', a 188-foot former dinner cruise ship that caught fire before being condemned. In a change of events, the latter was purchased by and transferred to the military for future use in exercises, but is expected to be scuttled in the coming months. This allows Okaloosa County to use those savings for one or two more vessels. The tug's lower profile made it suitable for sinking it in shallower depths compared to larger vessels in the county’s artificial reef system. As the ship was resting on its port side, the overall relief was by approximately feet with the shallowest point being at 51 feet. The project’s funding came from savings realized on previous artificial reef initiatives, including partnerships that fully funded other vessel deployments and reduced costs through tri-county cooperation. The sinking of the tug is part of Okaloosa County’s 5-Year Artificial Reef Plan aimed at making Destin-Fort Walton Beach the dive capital of Florida while enhancing its status as a premier fishing destination. More info and coordinates (and future model): https://www.destinfwb.com/explore/eco-tourism/artificial-reefs/ Reports with photos: https://www.getthecoast.com/okaloosa-deploys-118-foot-tugboat-as-artificial-reef-offshore-destin-fort-walton-beach-coast/ https://www.getthecoast.com/dinner-cruise-ship-tugboat-to-become-okaloosas-newest-artificial-reefs/

On May 29, 2025, the "Costamar" was detained in Muuga with seven deficiencies, four of which being regarded as seriously and grounds for a detention: 1) Life saving Appliances - Lifeboats Not ready for use 2) Life saving Appliances - Launching arrangements for rescue boats Not properly maintained 3) Radio communications - Maintenance/duplicat of equipment Not as required 4) ISM - Ism certificate Not as required The vessel was released again on June 1 and left the port en route to Kokkola with an ETA as of June 3. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063576908591

Israel plans to stop the ' Barcarole' (Madleen), which is trying to break the Israeli blockade of Gaza and is bringing aid to the enclave, maintaining the 'maritime security zone' around Gaza. The ship left Sicily and is part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), a network of activists that has previously sailed to Gaza on similar missions. There are 12 people on board, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, Irish actor Liam Cunningham and French-Palestinian MEP Rima Hassan. According to the FFC, it is a peaceful act of civil disobedience. The crew is trained in non-violent resistance. The yacht is carrying urgently needed aid, such as baby food, rice, flour, diapers, sanitary towels, medical supplies and water supply kits. The organizers want to draw attention to the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.

In a midnight rescue opration, the Indian Coast Guard Station Kakinada coordinated a life saving medical evacuation operation. from the 'SW BLY'. The 'ICGS 430' wass mobilized on May 30, 2025, at 01.10 a.m. after the captain had suffered a heart attack. The patient was disembarked and safely brought to shore. He was shifted to the Apollo Hospitals in Kakinada for further medical treatment. Report with photos: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/indian-coast-guard-evacuates-heart-attack-stricken-captain-from-foreign-vessel-at-sea-101748700180286.html#google_vignette

On June 1, 2025, at 3.45 a.m. the KNRM was alerted for the medical evacuation of a passenger from the 'Nieuw Statendam', en route from Rotterdam to South Queensferry, UK, off Hoek van Holland, who had suffered a heart attack on board the cruise ship. The medical staff of the vessel took immediate action. After they had telephone contact with the doctor of the radio medical service of the KNRM, it was decided that the victim had to be transferred to a hospital as soon as possible. The lifeboat 'Jeanine Parqui' rendezvoused with the ship at the Berghaven, and two rescuers were first transferred with the stretcher. The victim was prepared for transport. In addition to the victim, a doctor and nurse from the cruise ship also were transferred to continue the medical care on board the lifeboat. The victim was quuickly transferred to a waiting ambulance. Report with photos: https://www.knrm.nl/nieuws/knrm-reddingstation-hoek-van-holland/medische-evacuatie-vanaf-cruiseschip-bij-hoek-van-holland