News

The Italian authorities reviewed videos and checked the AIS signal for the 'Silver Ray' and confirmed it had come within 500 meters of the rock structure as the vessel came to a close range from the coast of Marina Piccola amd approached the Faraglioni rock formations off Capri en route from Naples to Monaco on May 3, 2025. That was a failure to maintain a minimum distance under Italian regulations. As a result, the ship was fined €1,032. The captain was also issued a formal reprimand by the Italian Coast Guard for violating the maritime regulations of Italy. Video: https://www.instagram.com/p/DJRrAGNsNMm/

On the morning of May 19, a migrant boat was reported departing from Le Tréport by the Seine-Maritime Gendarmerie Operations and Intelligence Center. The CROSS Gris-Nez initially deployed the lifeboat 'SNS 209-President JC Fortini' from the SNSM station in Le Tréport, which was then closest to the boat, followed by the 'Jacques Oudart Fourmentin' to relocate and monitor the boat. Once on site, the patrol boa deployed its RHIB to pick up the first person requiring assistance. Shortly after, the patrol boat recovered all occuptants, including one person who was suffering from an illness. Once safely on board, the CROSS deployed a French Navy's Dauphin helicopter to medevac the victim to the hospital in Boulogne-sur-Mer. All 29 rescued people were dropped off in Boulogne-sur-Mer and taken care of by land authorities at the dock. In total, 30 people were rescued and taken care of by government resources at sea.

On May 15, 2025, the 'Panther' was detained in Algeciras with 10 deficiencies, six of which being regarded a seriously and grounds for a detention: 1) Emergency systems - Emergency source of power - emergency generator Inoperative 2) Emergency systems - Emergency fire pump and its pipes Inoperative 3) Life saving Appliances - Rescue boats Inoperative 4) Fire safety - Fire detection and alarm systems Not as required 5) Other - Other (Marpol operational) Other 6) ISM - Ism certificate Not as required The vessel was released again on May 16 and left the port enroute to Abidjan, ETA May 24. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063576908591

The 'MSC Meraviglia' has been undergoing technical repairs after having one cruise cancelled in mid-April. Offering weeklong itineraries out of New York City, the vessel was taken out of service ahead of the sailing that was scheduled for May 11, 2025. The 'MSC Meraviglia' was in need of technical repairs due to a mechanical issue. The problem was impacting the vessel’s ability to operate at standard cruising speeds. The 'MSC Meraviglia' was set to offer a seven-night cruise to the Bahamas and Florida from its homeport at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal. In addition to three days at sea, the original itinerary featured visits to Port Canaveral, Nassau and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. Instead, the vessel docked in Portland (Maine), where repairs are being carried out by specialized teams. The technical issue never affected the safety of the crew and guests. The 'MSC Meraviglia' left Portland on May 17 and resumed service on May 18,, kicking off a weeklong cruise to the Bahamas and Florida.As with the cancelled cruise, the seven-night voyage features visits to Port Canaveral, Nassau and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. Sailing from New York City on a year-round basis, the was offers seven-night cruises to Florida, the Bahamas and Bermuda.

On May 16, the Norwegian tug 'Sea1 Ruby' finally took the 'Maersk Sana' in tow following an extended period during which the laden vessel was ‘safely adrift at sea’ in the western Atlantic, en route to a port of refuge in the Bahamas, with an expected arrival in the last week of May. it was thought that the container ship will be towed to Freeport, a tow of approximately 900 nautical miles, which at five knots would take seven days. One crew member ‘who was transported to a hospital in the US remained in stable but critical condition and was receiving the best possible care. Maersk remained in communication with its customers about mitigating impacts to their supply chains” The weather conditions have remained favourable siunce the explosion and fire on April 29. The Atlantic hurricane season begins in a few days’ time, and then getting a towline on the 'Maersk Sana' could have been very different. Miami’s National Hurricane Weather Center reported that tropical cyclone formation is not expected within the next seven days.

Initially three ferry services to and from Macau had to be cancelled after the 'Universal MK 2005' with 289 passengers on board allided witht the pier at the Hong Kong Macau Ferry Terminal in Sheung Wan on May 17, 2025, shortly after 3.30 p.m., r when it was just about to set sail to Macau. The TurboJet catamaran returned to the dock. No injuries were reported. The bow of the ship was slightly damaged and had been covered with a large cloth. The Macau Marine and Water Bureau was notified of the incident at around 5.30 p.m. It was told by the ferry operator that the vessel had suffered a mechanical failure and turned back in Hong Kong waters, before it lost control and hit the Hong Kong pier while berthing. The Hong Kong’s Fire Services Department deployed three ambulances to stand by. The cause of the accident is being investigated. The ferry terminal maintained normal operations despite the incident. The operator arranged for the passengers to transfer to another ferry. Affected passengers could apply for rescheduling or refunds at its ticket counters or via email. A number of services was adjusted through to May 19, as authorities needed to check the damaged vessel, approve it to set sail for repairs at another location and arrange vessels to substitute affected services in the meantime. The operator also had cancelled three ferry services between Hong Kong and Macau on May 18, the 10.15 a.m. departure from Hong Kong to Taipa; the 10.45 a.m. departure from Hong Kong to Outer Harbour; and the 3 p.m. departure from Outer Harbour to Hong Kong. Report with photo: https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3310828/hong-kong-macau-ferry-services-be-disrupted-again-monday-after-accident

The 'Leeuwin II' is finally being repaired after being smashed by the container vessel 'Maersk Shekou' at Fremantle Port during a storm nine months ago. The diesel engine and steering gear were functional, and that the ship was seaworthy. On May 19, 2025, the ship was escorted by a tug from its B Shed quayside home to the Australian Marine Complex at Henderson, where the 3vessel was drydocked to be repaired and refitted. The hull was in pretty good shape, but the point where the mast was attached would be a critical focal point when she’s inspected in the dry dock. 3000 lineal metres of Douglas Fir have been ordered from Canada and kilometres of wires and rope from around Australia, with the goal is to have the ship back in the water for the start of the summer sailing season. The discussions with insurers were in the final stages and the total price of the damage was yet to be determined. The 'Leeuwin II' is expected to return to the water in December. Report with photos: https://www.perthnow.com.au/news/fremantle/sts-leeuwin-ii-iconic-tall-ship-smashed-in-container-ship-catastrophe-leaves-fremantle-to-begin-repairs-c-18740833

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has initiated an investigation into the allision of the STS 'Cuauhtémoc' with the Brooklyn Bridge. The vessel, with 277 people on board, was departing South Street Seaport’s Pier 17 on the evening of May 17, when the incident occurred. According to NTSB’s initial findings, the vessel’s speed increased from 2 to 6 knots while moving astern. The allision occurred at approximately 8:24 p.m., about five minutes after setting off from the pier with the assistance of the tug 'Charles D McAllister' amid repeated calls for more tug assistance just before the allision. The 'Cuauhtémoc' came to a complete stop three minutes later up river from the bridge. The weather conditions at the time were west wind at 10 knots and only 0.3 knots of flood current upriver. The NTSB Investigator in Charge Brian Young confirmed that the investigators were focusing on nautical operations, marine engineering, bridge engineering, survival factors, and recorders. The NTSB will also be looking into policies and procedures for assisting tugs. The investigation team is currently working with the Mexican government to gain access to the ship. So far, no interviews have taken place, including with the captain and pilot. The vessel remained moored at Pier 36 on the East River, surrounded by a 50-yard safety zone, as authorities assess the damage and determine salvage plans. The NTSB confirmed no significant structural damage to the Brooklyn Bridge. The McAllister Towing, which operated the 'Charles D McAllister', provided the following statement: “One of our vessels assisted the Cuauhtémoc as it departed Pier 17 en route to anchorage, where the vessel was scheduled to take on bunkers. Following the allision, our crew provided additional assistance and promptly notified the appropriate authorities. “While the cause of the incident is still under investigation, McAllister Towing is fully cooperating with the relevant authorities and will continue to support the review process as needed.” The investigation is being coordinated between Mexican and U.S. authorities. The NTSB expects to release its preliminary report within 30 days. Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_ZHng2BF3I

On the morning of May 19, 2025, a migrant boat was reported departing from Le Tréport by the Seine-Maritime Gendarmerie Operations and Intelligence Center. The CROSS Gris-Nez initially deployed the 'SNS 209-President JC Fortini' from the SNSM station in Le Tréport, which was then closest to the boat, followed by the 'Jacques Oudart Fourmentin' to relocate and monitor the boat. Once on site, the patrol boa deployed its RHIB to pick up the first person requiring assistance. Shortly after, the patrol boat recovered all occuptants, including one person who was suffering from an illness. Once safely on board, the CROSS deployed a French Navy's Dauphin helicopter to medevac the victim to the hospital in Boulogne-sur-Mer. All 29 rescued people were dropped off in Boulogne-sur-Mer and taken care of by land authorities at the dock. In total, 30 people were rescued and taken care of by government resources at sea.

Two people have been killed and 19 others injured, two of them critical, after the 'Cuauhtémoc' allided with New York City's Brooklyn Bridge on May 16, 2025, with 277 people on board. The current seemed to have carried it into the road deck of the bridge at around 8:20 p.m.The tall ship had lost power as the captain was manoeuvring the vessel, forcing it to head for the bridge abutment on the Brooklyn side. The tide had just turned, and a fast current was heading up the East River as a 10 mph wind set in. The ship had a local harbour pilot – familiar with the conditions of the water there – and an area docking pilot helping guide the ship. At least one was onboard at the time of the accident. .The ship's masts clipped the bridge as it passed under the structure. Crew members were standing on the masts as they snapped and fell to the deck. Some sailors were hanging from the masts. One cadet fell from the topgallant, which is the highest part, to the deck. The ship's decks were covered in blood, all three masts were destroyed, all the cables snapped. The ship then hit the quay underneath the Brooklyin Bridge with its port side stern, which was damaged above the water line. Crowds of people, who had been watching the ship's departure, fled from the quay. In a rush to save as many people as possible, the boatswains had to climb the broken masts to rescue the cadets who had been trapped on them. Authorities began responding to the area around 8:26 p.m. after receiving multiple 911 calls, More than 100 fire and emergency medical service personnel responded to the scene. The Brooklyn Bridge did not suffer any major damage and was reopened after a preliminary inspection. While there was some damage to the underside of the bridge, it was not structural and transportation inspectors have determined the bridge was safe, The Police believed that a mechanical issues and a power cut had caused the allision. The New York Coast Guard said the 'Cuauhtémoc' lost all three masts. All personnel on the ship had been accounted for and no-one had fallen in the water. Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum said she was deeply saddened by the loss of two crew members in the accident. The 'Cuauhtémoc' was towed from the scene after the crash. She had left the Mexican port of Acapulco on April 6. Its final destination was intended to be Iceland. The crew of 277 were mostly cadets. Report with video: https://nypost.com/2025/05/17/us-news/ship-carrying-200-people-hits-the-brooklyn-bridge-as-search-and-rescue-operation-underway/

Beached at Aliaga 05/2025 towed by Tuh Hector

On May 17, a fire broke out aboard the 'Breezy Point', which was moored at the Vieques pier in Puerto Rico, after arriving from Ceiba with passengers onboard. At 9:15 p.m., Sector San Juan watchstanders received an initial notification of the incident reporting a port engine room fire aboard the vessel and that all passengers onboard were safely disembarked from the vessel. The crew used a portable fire extinguisher that was deemed ineffective and proceeded to activate the vessel's installed system, which successfully extinguished the fire. Fire Department crews arrived on scene to assess the safety of all spaces. The 'Breezy Point' conducts routine round-trip voyages between the municipalities of Ceiba and Vieques, Puerto Rico. The US Coast Guard Sector San Juan marine investigators and vessel inspection teams were investigating the fire. There were currently no reports of marine pollution or reported injuries.

The 'Atlântida’ was fired upon offshore of Cabo Delgado, northern Mozambique, in an area where terrorist groups are still active, an official source from the Russian Embassy in Maputo confirmed on May 16, 2025. The ship, which was carrying out marine research work, was returning to the port of Maputo when it came under attack on May 10 at around 3 p.m.LT, more than three miles off the coast of the island of Tambuzi, at the Quirimbas archipelago, by two unknown vessels, which did not come into contact with the ship, and opened fire. The ship then headed for more distant waters, escaping the vessels.

The 'Conscience' is to be towed to another port in the Mediterranean for repairs, Foreign Affairs Minister Ian Borg said on May 18. The shipowner provided a tug which arrived alongside the 'Conscience' on May 16., with the purpose of towing it. This operation could commence on May 18, as weather conditions become favourable, On the morning, preparations were underway for the vessel to be towed from Hurd’s Bank The Government of Malta, through the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, the Ministry for Home Affairs, Security and Employment, and the Ministry for Transport, Infrastructure and Public Works, in coordination with the Armed Forces of Malta, the Police, Transport Malta and the Harbour Master, has been working to seek solutions for the vessel, which has been anchored outside Malta’s territorial waters, while ensuring that national security is safeguarded. A surveyor dispatched by the Maltese government described the damage as minor, and the government offered to pay for repairs just as long as they were done at sea. The 12 individuals on board will be repatriated by first being granted entry into Malta, from where they will board outbound flights. Six other individuals had been onboard the vessel at the time of the incident: they were brought to Malta and flown out of the country on May 5. The 'Conscience' is operated by aid group Freedom Flotilla and it was planning to make a run into Palestine to deliver food aid to Gaza, breaking an Israeli blockade. It was to make a stop in Malta to pick up several activists, aming them the Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, before proceeding to Gaza.

On May 19 the sailing yacht 'Aljaraz' with two crew members on board, suffered mechanical problems and requested towing assistance off Puerto Sherry. The CCS Cádiz of Salvamento Marítimo mobilized the 'Salvamar Suhail', which took the boat in tow and safely pulled it to Puerto Sherry. Report with photo: https://x.com/salvamentogob/status/1924477836678590844

The Russian authorities hav released the 'Green Admire' again, after briefly detaining it in Russia's territorial waters on May 118. The tanker had departed from Sillamäe en route to Rotterdam with an actual ETA as of May 24 on the evening of May17 en route to the Gulf of Finland. following a previously agreed-upon maritime route through Russian waters, a corridor established jointly by Russia, Estonia, and Finland for navigational safety rather than adherence to strict national boundaries. Despite the longstanding agreement, the Russian Federation halted the tanker, marking a notable escalation in maritime enforcement. Estonia Navy Deputy Commander stated that Russia has declared certain dangerous sea zone areas for shipping. Russian authorities brought the tanker to Gogland, a Russian-controlled, heavily militarized island northwest of Sillamäe. To prevent a similar situation, the Estonian authorities announced that all maritime traffic to and from the port of Sillamäe will now be directed exclusively through Estonian territorial waters.

On the evening of May 16, 2025, the ‘Ina XL’ sank in the port of Antwerp at the waiting dock for barges at the Noordkasteel Bridge. Divers were called to assist in refloating the pusher tug. Only part of the wheelhouse remained above the water. Report with photo: https://www.flows.be/binnenvaart/2025/05/sleepboot-ina-xl-gezonken-aan-noordkasteelbrug-in-antwerpen/?gdpr=deny

On the early morning of May 19, most of the crew of the' Cuauhtémoc' arrived in Mexico.172 cadets and two officers from the Heroic Naval Military School, as well as a captain, an officer, and three enlisted men, belonging to the crew of the sail training ship, arrived at the port of Veracruz. The sailors had been bussed from the site on May 18 at around 6 p.m. for a flight at 11 p.m. The city of New York provided a convoy of public buses to escort the crew to the John F. Kennedy International Airport. A handful of crew members remained aboard the ship, Two cadets have remained in hospital in New York, receiving specialized medical care, while their condition was reported to be stable. The team of investigators on the ground in New York City with the National Transportation Safety Board, which s comprised of experts in nautical operations, marine and bridge engineering and survival factors, which was assembled in New York City to conduct a safety investigation is expected to hold a news conference on May 19 at 3 p.m. Report with photos: https://edition.cnn.com/us/live-news/brooklyn-bridge-mexican-navy-ship-05-18-25-hnk

On the morning of May 18, 2025, a fire broke out aboard the 'Scot Stuttgart', which was moored at Puerto Nuevo Channel’s N Wharf. in Puerto Rico. At 3:43 a.m., Sector San Juan watchstanders received an initial notification of the incident reporting a port generator fire in the vessel’s engine room. The crew used the ship’s installed fire suppression system to extinguish the fire. At approximately 5:55 a.m., dense black smoke was reportedly observed in the same engine room. Suspecting the fire had reignited and as a precaution, the crew isolated the space, and the vessel’s installed fire suppression system was used for a second time. Following the second attempt, responding local firefighters confirmed the fire was successfully extinguished. The US Coast Guard Sector San Juan marine investigators and vessel inspection teams were investigating the fire. There were currently no reports of marine pollution or reported injuries.

The STS 'Leeuwin II' is finally being repaired after being smashed by the 'Maersk Shekou' at Fremantle Port during a storm nine months ago. The diesel engine and steering gear were functional, and that the ship was seaworthy. On May 19, 2025, the ship was escorted by a tug from its B Shed quayside home to the Australian Marine Complex at Henderson, where the 3vessel was drydocked to be repaired and refitted. The hull was in pretty good shape, but the point where the mast was attached would be a critical focal point when she’s inspected in the dry dock. 3000 lineal metres of Douglas Fir have been ordered from Canada and kilometres of wires and rope from around Australia, with the goal is to have the ship back in the water for the start of the summer sailing season. The discussions with insurers were in the final stages and the total price of the damage was yet to be determined. The 'Leeuwin II' is expected to return to the water in December. Report with photos: https://www.perthnow.com.au/news/fremantle/sts-leeuwin-ii-iconic-tall-ship-smashed-in-container-ship-catastrophe-leaves-fremantle-to-begin-repairs-c-18740833