The 'Isle of Mull' return was pushed back a little further. CalMac's expectation was to have the evacuation slides repaired and be ready to re- enter service by June 25. That represented a 10 day extension on the original plan, which would have seen her return by June 15. Due to the knock-on effect of delays to the 'Finlaggan's over-haul, that date was pushed back another four days to June 29. The ferry will be heading for dry-dock in Greenock on May 24, to have her new marine evacuation slides fitted. That gives five weeks to have the work done, to return just before the peak month of July. All those with affected bookings should be contacted by CalMac.
News
RED FALCON
There were cancellations on the Red Funnel service of the 'Red Falcon' from East Cowes to Southampton service on the morning of May 22 due to a technical issue with the aft engine. The6 a.m. departure, the 7.30 a.m. departure from Southampton and the 9 a.m. departure from East Cowes, he 10.30 a.m. departure and the 1.30 p.m. departure from Southampton and the 12 p.m. departure and 3 p.m. departure from East Cowesg were cancelled. Red Funnel is already running a reduced timetable due to ongoing essential maintenance and engineering works. Its current two-ship service had been due to end on May 19 but will continue until at least June 8.
VB ABEILLE BRETAGNE
The 'Abeille Bourbon' has just changed its name. The tug, based in Brest, has been renamed 'VB Abeille Bretagne. The new name of this tug, which ensures the safety of the entire Atlantic coast, and in particular the Ouessant rail, was inaugurated on May 22, 2025,. VB are the initials of Vicente Boluda, president of the Spanish Boluda group, the owner of the tug since June 2024. "Bourbon" referred to the previous owner, which the group has decided to change. Report with photo: https://www.francebleu.fr/infos/societe/a-brest-le-remorqueur-abeille-bourbon-devient-officiellement-vb-abeille-bretagne-5327232
VOLCAN DE TIMANFAYA
A passenger on the 'Volcán de Timanfaya', which operaaes between Almería and Melilla, fell overboard at sea on the early morning of May 19. The man fell overboard at around 2:00 a.m. while the ship was at sea. The crew immediately tried to locate the man, without success. It was then decided to resume the journey to Melilla, where the ship eventually arrived with a two-hour delay at around 8:30 a.m. The maritime rescue services took action after being alerted and have deployed a helicopter in an attempt to find the missing passenger. The searches have not yet yielded any results. An official investigation has been opened to determine the causes and circumstances of the fall into the sea.
ILSE-MARIE
The 'Ilse-Marie', that ran aground on a sandbank in front of the port of Stavoren on the afternoon of May 22 , has been refloated and berthed in the marina of Stavoren with own power. The ship, which is carrying a load of gravel, came loose on the evening after part of the cargo was transferred to another ship. The operation was completed around 8:30 p.m. The vessel was temporarily moored at the Cruise Pier,, where the transferred load was loaded again on the morning, of May 23, and will move to the Hubert Quay during the day, where it will remain until May 2'5. The ship will probably leave on the evening when the wind has dropped. The 'Ilse-Marie' did not sustain any significant damage. There was only some water in the forecastle near the bow thruster. Because there was no leakage, environmental damage was also avoided. Rijkswaterstaat was on site to monitor the situation and provide support. The cause of the grounding is not yet known. Report with photo: https://www.schuttevaer.nl/nieuws/actueel/2025/05/22/binnenvaartschip-ilse-marie-vastgelopen-voor-havenmond-stavoren/
FRIGG SYDFYEN
The ' Frigg Sydfyn', operating between Als and Bøjdenran aground at Bøjden on May 22 2025, at 7 o'clock a.m. with 50 passengers on board immediately after the departure from Bøjden and ended up stuck against the pier and the beach due to strong winds. A pilot boat has tried to pull the ferry free, but without success. A tug was called from Svendborg to Bøjden to refloat the ferry.After more than eight hours, it successfully freed the ferry. Report with photos: https://www.tvsyd.dk/soenderborg/jens-kristian-er-fanget-pa-strandet-faerge-folk-er-frustrerede-95eba
VOLODYMYR VOROBYOV
The "Volodymyr Vorobyov" was detained in Tekirdag on May 8, 2025: Detained in Tekirdag with 47 deficiencies, seven of which being regarded a seriously and grounds for a detention: 1) Fire safety - Fixed fire exthinguishing installation Missing 2) Fire safety - Fire detection and alarm system' Not properly maintained 3) Fire safety - Remote Means of control (Machinery spaces) Inoperative 4) Life saving Appliances - Launching arrangements for survival craft Not properly maintained 5) Life saving Appliances - Emergency equipment for 2-way communications Batteries expires 6) Structural conditions - Steering gear Not properly maintained 7) Alarm - General alarm Inoperative. The vessel was released again on May 21 and headed to Altinova, where it arrived on May 22 for permanent repairs. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063576908591
CARNIVAL SPLENDOR
The 'Carnival Splendor's crew have rescued four people, including two Australians, bloggers with a YouTube page called Sailing Barking Cat, stranded on the disabled catamaran 'LA Vita' off the coast of New Caledonia on May 22, 2025. The cruise ship was alerted by the MRCC in Noumea, of the boat's distress call at about midnight, After sailing the coast of Australia, the couple were heading to Fiji, with two French bulldogs and a mini husky in tow. Joined by another couple, a German and an Italian, they set off on May 14, but their engine failed and the mast broke in bad weather, leaving them adrift at sea at night. The cruise ship headed to the location and rescued them within five hours. They got food, water and medical assistance. The 'Carnival Splendor' had left Sydney on May 19 on an eight-day round trip cruise to Vanuatu and New Caledonia. The rescued sailors were dropped off in Noumea. Report with photos: https://www.9news.com.au/national/cruise-ship-rescues-four-people-and-three-dogs-from-boat-stranded-off-new-caledonia/b11c6b8f-0781-4cfc-a410-5475fde9206a https://7news.com.au/news/dream-sailing-trip-becomes-nightmare-at-sea-for-four-people-and-three-dogs-before-cruise-ships-comes-to-rescue--c-18779087
TAURUS
Two Russian fishing companies, including the whitefish giant Norebo, are suspected of having participated in a Russian-state espionage program. Now the EU is imposing sanctions. The "Taurus" and the shipping company are accused of extensive espionage in the EU. The Murmansk-based "Norebo JSC" and "Murman Seafood" are accused of carrying out espionage and sabotage against critical infrastructure, such as undersea cables in the Baltic Sea. The EU claims that the vessels of the two shipping companies have been involved in monitoring both civilian and military infrastructure in the North Sea and the Baltic Sea. Norebo is also said to have received several loans from the Russian state-owned bank Sberbank.
IBERICA KNUTSEN
The Sassnitz Water Police have taken over the investigation into the cause of the grounding of the "Iberica Knutsen on May 22 at approximately 5:20 a.m., while approaching the port, off the Mukran ferry port. As part of the accident investigation, an investigation has been initiated against the responsible ship's master. A detention order has been issued until the on-board investigations and the inspection of the ship's hull have been completed. The Sassnitz Water Police was conducting the ongoing investigation into the cause and circumstances of the incident- With the assistance of several tug s, the vessel was safely towed to the Sassnitz roadstead. No injuries were reported. No cargo was lost and no environmental impacts were reported. Report with pphoto: https://www.nordkurier.de/regional/ruegen/lng-tanker-lief-in-der-ostsee-vor-ruegen-auf-grund-3606531
ANKORVA
The 'Akorva' was being broken up at the local scrap metal yard EMR Erith in May 2025: https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1272096398256957&set=a.488324753300796
GLEN SANNOX
On May 23, the 06:30 a.m. sailing of the Glen Sannox' from Troon was delayed due to a technical issue with the steering gear that required investigating, and the Troon berth was temporarilly unavailable. The 07:30 a.m.sailing from Brodick operated be the 'Alfred' was at risk to be delayed. After the technical issue has been resolved, the delayed 06:30 a.m. sailing from Troon was loadedto and depart as soon as possible. The 07:30 a.m. sailing from Brodick operated be the 'Alfred' was also loaded in order to depart as soon as possible.
HULK
Just a few days after the tugs "Bülk" and "Kitzeberg" were put up for sale, there were interested buyers from abroad. The "Bülk" has already left Kiel and has berthed at a shipyard in Assens on May 5, 2025. The buyer is the shipping company Oceanteam from Trieste. They have already renamed the tug "Hulk." Many of their approximately 50 tugs were built or operated in Germany before. The shipping company operates in northern Italy, Slovenia, and Montenegro. The "Kitzeberg" found a potential buyer from Tanzania who are plannign to operate the tug in West Africa under the name "Kitzeberg." The buyer was awarded the contract on May 19.
BLUE TROUT
On May 23, 205, there was a PAN PAN call of the 'Blue Trout' with four crew members on board, after it went adrift due to a mechanical failure and lack of wind seven nautical miles southwest of Matalascañas. The CCS Huelva of Salvamento Marítimo mobilized the SAR boat 'Salvamar Alkaid', which took the yacht in tow and safely pulled it to the port of Mazagón. Report with photos: https://x.com/salvamentogob/status/1925941283559776474
OCEAN VICTORY
The 'Ocean Victory', operated by the newly formed Spanish cruise line Alma Cruceros, was detained in the Port of Malaga following a legal request from the ship's general agent, Grupo Lantimar. The ship remained docked with all crew on board while authorities and company representatives awaited the next phase of the procedure.Alma Cruceros, which began its maiden voyage on April 18, 2025, had established itself as a provider of luxury Mediterranean travel. Its inaugural itinerary departed from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and ended in Malaga, after which the company only made two additional voyages before an abrupt operational suspension. On May 9, travel agents were notified of the cancellation of a scheduled departure on May 11. Despite promises of more information, the ship has remained idle since that date. Alma Cruceros has not issued an official statement regarding the detention of the 'Ocean Victory' or the future of its cruise operations. There are reports suggesting the company could face imminent suspension of payments and the possible termination of crew contracts, although these figures have not yet been confirmed by official sources. The 'Ocean Victory' is owned by SunStone Ships and was chartered by Alma Cruceros for seasonal sailings in the Mediterranean. During the off-season, the ship was scheduled to operate under the Albatros Expeditions program in Antarctic waters. Originally conceived as a high-end product aimed at a wealthy clientele, but faced with increasing commercial pressure, the cruise line revised its pricing model, reducing weekly fares from approximately USD 6,750 per passenger to approximately USD 2,250, adopting a boutique cruise approach with broader appeal. Industry sources have linked Alma Cruceros' difficulties to a combination of complex logistical requirements and poor financial performance. These factors, combined with limited operating time and a rapid adjustment to its market positioning, appear to have contributed to the ship's current detention and the overall uncertainty surrounding the brand's viability.
CUAUHTEMOC BE 01
Admiral Raymundo Pedro Morales, the head of the Mexican navy said on May 20 during a news conference, that the pilot of the 'Cuauhtémoc' was under the supervision of authorities in New York. The ship has a training mission and is also a kind of ambassador. Therefore, all trips are done according to international rules. Manoevres from the port must be controlled by a special port pilot from the New York government. The entire maneuver that the ship made, from the moment it left the harbour until the moment of impact, was under the control of the pilot. The harbour pilot decides how the maneuver is executed “and what resources are deployed to help, The ship’s pilot had only 80 to 90 seconds to avoid the allision. Therefore, it cannot be speculated whether the resources were used properly, given the wind, the current and the distance. Why the ship suddenly backed under the bridge is still unclear. The investigation is focused on the ship's engine, said Brian Young of the National Transportation Safety Board, looking at the condition of the engine, any malfunctions and inspection reports and talking to the crew about what may have happened to the engine. Members of the public who have video evidence from the scene of the casualty may contact NTSB at witness@ntsb.gov. The 'Cuauhtémoc 'remained moored at Pier 37 on the East River as investigations continued. Salvors and surveyors have finished an initial inspection of the ship's structural condition, and have determined that it did not sustain any hull damage in the incident. This means that when weather conditions are appropriate, the tall ship can be relocated to a shipyard for repairs,
COSTA FAVOLOSA
During the 'Costa Favolosa's last Northern Europe cruise, several guests complained of symptoms of a gastrointestinal illness. The Costa Cruises shipping company responded immediately with a comprehensive hygiene plan and assured that the situation is under control. The seven-dacruise, which departed from Hamburg on May 3, t2025, took the ship to Le Havre and South Queensferry and to Newhaven near Edinburgh. On May 18,, a comprehensive disinfection campaign was launched in the Scottish port after several passengers reported typical symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. In an official message to guests, the shipping company announced increased cleaning measures. Passengers were asked either to stay in their cabins or to temporarily leave the ship to ensure efficient hygiene procedures. Captain Valentino Savarese appealed to passengers to practice thorough hand hygiene and avoid physical contact as much as possible. Restroom use should also be limited to their own cabin. The exact number of passengers affected remained unclear. Costa Cruises emphasized that the situation is under constant monitoring. The cruise will continue as planned. The full 19-day cruise began on May 3 in Marseille and ended on May 22 in Hamburg.
FREMANTLE HIGHWAY
The firefighting and rescue operation of the burning 'Fremantle Highway' was difficult due to poor communication between the various emergency services and slow decision-making. This was concluded by the Dutch Safety Board (OVV). The fragmentation of the various services was 'at the expense of the speed of action. The fire on the ship carrying electric cars, among other things, broke out late in the evening of 25 July 2023, 27 kilometres off the coast of Ameland. The Coast Guard started fighting the fire, but did not know that the fire was spreading and the people on board were in danger. It was only when the special helicopters reached the ship after two and a half hours that it became clear that almost the entire ship was on fire and a rescue operation was necessary. The fire caused a lot of smoke and seven crew members saw no other way out than to jump from a great height from the ship. They were seriously injured and one of them did not survive the jump. 16 people were taken off the ship by helicopter. They had all inhaled heavy smoke. When the victims were taken to Groningen Airport Eelde, the emergency services there were not prepared for their arrival, which caused delays in transport to hospitals. The OVV stated that 'emergency aid in the North Sea must be put in order as soon as possible'. Communication between the Coastguard and the partners on land in particular must be improved. 'The Safety Board has regularly pointed out in recent years that the Coastguard Centre is insufficiently capable of taking control when it has to collaborate with other parties. 'It does not help that several ministries share the administrative responsibility for the Coastguard.'
CITY OF LOUISVILLE
On May 6, 2025, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released findings regarding the grounding incident of the ''City of Louisville' on July 29, 2023, while pushing 11 barges upbound on the Mississippi River near Thebes, Illinois. The grounding resulted in substantial damage to the tug’s bottom plating and engine room, causing flooding in multiple spaces. The incident also led to approximately 30 gallons of gear oil being released into the river. While no injuries were reported, the vessel sustained an estimated $2 million in damage. According to investigators, the pilot, who was alone on watch in the wheelhouse, left the helm unattended for approximately five minutes to go to the port side of the wheelhouse. During this brief absence, the vessel missed a critical course change to starboard along the recommended route. The investigation revealed that the vessel was equipped with a pilothouse alerter system, designed to warn both the wheelhouse and other vessel spaces if the operator becomes unresponsive. However, investigators discovered the system’s power supply was disconnected, though they could not determine when this occurred. In their recommendations, the NTSB stressed the importance of proper alerter system protocols, stating that “established procedures for the operation and use of the system should be outlined in the company safety management system.” They emphasized that alert intervals should be based on navigational risks and proximity to hazards. Full report: https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Reports/MIR2519.pdf