News

On the afternoon of May 8, 2025, the 'Guardamar Polimnia' rescued 88 people of sub-Saharan origin from two inflatable boats, one of which was located 41 nautical miles northeast of Lanzarote and the second one 27 miles east of Lanzarote. One boat was located northeast of Arrecife, after an emergency call reached the authorities at 4:56 p.m. The boat was located approximately 104 kilometers northeast of Arrecife. The RCC responded quickly and dispatched the 'Guardamar Polimnia'. The crew was able to safely board the 54 shipwrecked people, among them 10 unaccompanied minors, at 9:51 p.m. The rescue ship finally reached the port of Arrecife at 1:05 a.m. The Centro Coordinador de Emergencias y Seguridad (CECOES) reported that not all of the rescued people were in good health: One person had to be taken to the Doctor José Molina Orosa Hospital for further examination. Report withz photo: https://x.com/salvamentogob/status/1920542662542725562

On May 8, 2025, at 9.52 a.m. UTC, the barge combination 'Carisma I/Carisma II' (MMSI: 244010927), enroute from Dordrecht to Emmerich, ran aground on the Rhine in Cologne at river kilometre 688 on a shallow at the Deutzer Plate. The ship was trying to safely make way due to several downstream vessels and temporarily waited on the left bank. Upon resuming its voyage and crossing to the other side of the Rhine, the bow of the vessel encountered a shallow area, causing the vessel to run aground. As a result, the starboard rope jumped from the drum, and the coupled barge began to move to starboard on its own. The crew reacted quickly by attaching an emergency rope between the vessel and the starboard side of the barge. The vessel then reversed at full speed, with the rear barge heading toward a bridge pier. As the barge continued to drift to starboard, the port anchor was dropped to contain the movement. These measures prevented major damage. Nevertheless the 'Carisma' struck two stationary vessels. Their mooring lines were torn loose by the impact. These ships, in turn, collided with an anchored day-trip boat, whose mooring also broke loose and collided with another day-trip boat. A total of five vessels were involved in the accident, besides the 'Rhein Magie' and 'Rhein Vision' (MMSI: 211876680), two moored Viking Cruise ships. All vessels were manned and were quickly brought under control, so no one was injured. Two boats each from the Cologne Water Police and the Water Protection Authority, as well as a fire department and a rescue boat, responded. A radio warning was issued to the shipping traffic. Several restrictions were in place for traffic sailing downstream. The container ship 'Cugini' (MMSI: 244710139) immediately provided assistance. The coupled convoy 'Johanna' also tried to assist, but was unable to approach sufficiently. The water police and the Waterways and Shipping Authority did not grant permission to transfer a rope, While transferring a rope to another bollard, a sailor from the 'Cugini' fell overboard. Thanks to his life jacket and a rope, he was able to save himself and was brought aboard the 'Carisma." The damage is estimated to be in the high six-figure range. Reports with photo and video: https://www.presseportal.de/blaulicht/pm/50510/6030451 https://www.express.de/koeln/massenkarambolage-auf-dem-koelner-rhein-riesenschaden-1020181?fbclid=IwY2xjawKKrohleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETBRaU5WUlB1QmtuMEQ4OWViAR5hZQN01fyFyJTk0Jn8-11fAfsHdU2Y_nGDaI0OMCUAF6-LkfsCTcSM5jGQeA_aem_QJT6spokde4-tgOPlaOT3g https://www.instagram.com/p/DJZEPFaS-BX/

The 'Nadir' of the German aid organization Resqship has arrived at Lampedusa on May 11, 2025, with three dead migrants on board. The victims were two toddlers, around two years old, and a man around 30 years old. 57 migrants who had set out from Libya to cross the Mediterranean to Europe have been rescued. The crew of the "Nadir" was alerted by a radio message to an overcrowded dinghy in distress near the island of Malta. The two children were already dead when the "Nadir" reached the dinghy. The man died despite resuscitation attempts. The boat's engine had failed on the high seas. Since then, the people on board have been exposed to the wind and weather. It was suspected that the children and the man died of thirst. The migrants were coming from African countries such as Gambia, Ghana, Nigeria, and Togo.

The death of a Dutch diver during the salvage of the 'Bayesian' off the coast of Sicily may have been the result of a hydrogen explosion during the use of a cutting torch. Due to the depth at which the work was carried out, hydrogen was used. The victim and his colleagues were busy removing the boom from the sailing yacht. Initially, an attempt was made to dismantle it by loosening bolts. When that failed, it was decided to burn off the boom. This caused the explosion of probably hydrogen bubbles. It was suspected that the diver was hit by a piece of metal. An underwater camera used to film the work failed shortly before the explosion. An autopsy should now provide clarity about why the body was taken to the forensic medicine clinic in Palermo. In the meantime, the judicial authorities in Termini Imerese are preparing a lawsuit about the sinking of the 'Bayesian'. The judicial authorities hope to find out more once the yacht has been salvaged. Three suspects are named in the investigation: the New Zealand captain, the chief engineer and a sailor who was on watch during the night of the storm. They are accused of multiple manslaughter or culpable shipwreck. What they are heavily accused of is that the passengers were still in their cabins when the ship capsized and sank. There was a storm warning active for days, and the storm had already been visible on the weather radar hours before. A British court has reopened a judicial investigation, an interim report of which is expected in the next two months. The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB), which is leading the investigation, plans to release findings on the stability and weather conditions at the time of the incident. Report with photo: https://www.schuttevaer.nl/nieuws/actueel/2025/05/14/dood-nederlandse-duiker-bij-berging-bayesian-mogelijk-gevolg-van-waterstofexplosie/

Due to the ongoing exhaust fault of the 'Argyll Flyer'. serving on the route Gourock-Dunoon, a single vessel service remained in in operation, and the 'Argyll Flyer' has berthed at the Dales Marine Services in Greenock for repairs and will remain off service until further notice. Modification and repair plans were underway. During the amended timetable, a replacement shuttle bus service will operate for these sailings: Mondays - Saturday Departure Gourock – 10:15 a.m. Departure Dunoon – 10:45 a.m. Mondays & Fridays Departure Gourock – 11:15 a.m. Departure Dunoon – 11:45 a.m. In addition to the cancellations above, the following sailings have been cancelled due to the combination of overnight berthing and required crew hours of rest: Departure Gourock – 10:40 p.m. Departure Dunoon – 11:10 p.m.

On the afternoon of May 12, 2025, the CROSS Gris-Nez was informed of a migrant boat leaving the Walde Lighthouse area and deployed the BSAM 'Rhône' to locate and monitor the boat. A Dauphin helicopter of the Navy Base in Le Touquet, on exercise near the area, was also engaged to assist. At the end of the day, the boat suffered engine failure and requested assistance. The crew of the 'Rhône' launched its high-speed boat and took on board the 71 people of the boat. Three of them required medical attention. The CROSS Gris-Nez immediately established a conference call with the Maritime Medical Coordination in Le Havre. All boat people were taken to Calais and cared for by shore based government services. On May 13, the CROSS Gris-Nez was informed of several migrant boat departures. On the morning, a passenger vessel reported a paddleboard adrift with one person on board off the coast of Calais, following an attempt to cross the strait. The BSAM 'Rhône' was deployed to assist and made contact with the person on the paddleboard, who requested assistance. After rescuing the person, the Navy vessel dropped him off at the dock in Calais, where he was taken into care. At midday, the CROSS deployed the 'Ridens' to monitor a boat in the Slack Dunes beach area. Once on site, all persons on board requested assistance. The crew of the rescue ship took on board 61 people, who were dropped off at Boulogne-sur-Mer and taken into care by shore based authorities.

On the evening of May 6, the Syros Port Authority was informed of the emergency approach of the 'Blue 'Sta rPatmos' at the port of Syros, in deviation from its scheduled itinerary, in order to disembark a 72-year-old passenger, who required immediate hospital treatment. Upon the ship's arrival at the port, the patient was picked up by an ambulance and transported to the Syros General Hospital. The ship then continued its itinerary to the port of Patmos.

The 'Cellus' remained stationary at the port of Glückstadt as of May 14 due to the broken gear rings of the gearbox, which needed to be replaced. The Dutch company that manufactures the spare parts is taking a long time. The ship was expected to remain at its current berth until mid-July. The gears were already finished last week, but the parts didn't pass quality control, during which stress cracks were discovered, likely caused by the gears cooling down. The damage will definitely be in the seven-figure range – a considerable sum." Whether and how much of this will be covered by insurance has not yet been determined. The fire departments from Glückstadt and Kollmar as well as the rescue service have held several exercises on the freighter in recent weeks. Report with photo: https://www.shz.de/lokales/glueckstadt/artikel/aussenhafen-glueckstadt-lange-liegezeit-von-schiff-cellus-aus-kollmar-48717998

On May 8, 2025, at 9.52 a.m. UTC, the barge combination 'Carisma I/Carisma II' (MMSI: 244010927), enroute from Dordrecht to Emmerich, ran aground on the Rhine in Cologne at river kilometre 688 on a shallow at the Deutzer Plate. The ship was trying to safely make way due to several downstream vessels and temporarily waited on the left bank. Upon resuming its voyage and crossing to the other side of the Rhine, the bow of the vessel encountered a shallow area, causing the vessel to run aground. As a result, the starboard rope jumped from the drum, and the coupled barge began to move to starboard on its own. The crew reacted quickly by attaching an emergency rope between the vessel and the starboard side of the barge. The vessel then reversed at full speed, with the rear barge heading toward a bridge pier. As the barge continued to drift to starboard, the port anchor was dropped to contain the movement. These measures prevented major damage. Nevertheless the 'Carisma' struck two stationary vessels. Their mooring lines were torn loose by the impact. These ships, in turn, collided with an anchored day-trip boat, whose mooring also broke loose and collided with another day-trip boat. A total of five vessels were involved in the accident, besides the 'Rhein Magie' (MMSI: 211876920) and 'Rhein Vision' two moored Viking Cruise ships. All vessels were manned and were quickly brought under control, so no one was injured. Two boats each from the Cologne Water Police and the Water Protection Authority, as well as a fire department and a rescue boat, responded. A radio warning was issued to the shipping traffic. Several restrictions were in place for traffic sailing downstream. The container ship 'Cugini' (MMSI: 244710139) immediately provided assistance. The coupled convoy 'Johanna' also tried to assist, but was unable to approach sufficiently. The water police and the Waterways and Shipping Authority did not grant permission to transfer a rope, While transferring a rope to another bollard, a sailor from the 'Cugini' fell overboard. Thanks to his life jacket and a rope, he was able to save himself and was brought aboard the 'Carisma." The damage is estimated to be in the high six-figure range. Reports with photo and video: https://www.presseportal.de/blaulicht/pm/50510/6030451 https://www.express.de/koeln/massenkarambolage-auf-dem-koelner-rhein-riesenschaden-1020181?fbclid=IwY2xjawKKrohleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETBRaU5WUlB1QmtuMEQ4OWViAR5hZQN01fyFyJTk0Jn8-11fAfsHdU2Y_nGDaI0OMCUAF6-LkfsCTcSM5jGQeA_aem_QJT6spokde4-tgOPlaOT3g https://www.instagram.com/p/DJZEPFaS-BX/

Two Italian officers have been sentenced to daily fines after releasing large amounts of heavy fuel oil into the sea off Utö in 2019 from the 'Princess Anastasia', now sailing as 'Moby Orli'. The case was heard again by the Helsinki Court of Appeal, which upheld the district court's verdict. The spill was estimated to be between nine and 39 cubic meters, and the oil had time to spread over 40 kilometers all the way to Utö. The ship was en route from Stockholm to Helsinki, when the spill occurred near the Finland Lion lighthouse. The two defendants were sentenced to 100 daily fines each.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released an accident report on April 29, 2025, which determined that a piece of O-ring-type material debris caused a steering system failure that led to the allision of the 'American Mariner' with the Munuscong Channel Junction Light in the St. Marys River near Sault Ste. Marie on March 28, 2024, resulting in the vessel taking on water, though crews successfully stabilized it using pumps. The accident caused approximately $800,750 in damage to the vessel and $1.25 million in damage to the navigation structure. The 'American Mariner' was on its maiden voyage of the season after completing winter maintenance, which included the installation of a new steering control system. During the voyage, the crew noticed intermittent steering system alarms but could not identify their cause, as the rudder appeared to be responding correctly to commands. The incident investigation revealed that the vessel’s No. 1 control motor, responsible for controlling the main hydraulic pump’s stroke, had failed. Upon disassembly, technicians discovered black, pliable debris lodged between the control motor’s rotating gears, preventing proper operation. The steering system returned to normal functionality after the installation of a replacement control motor. Electronic technicians later recalibrated the steering control system, which resolved the alarm issues, suggesting there were also problems with the calibration parameters of the newly installed control system. Full report: https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Reports/MIR2518.pdf

The 'Loch Frisa', serving on the route Oban-Craignure, suffered an issue with the drencher system. As a consequence, the vessel is currently unable to carry any dangerous goods until May 31. CalMac personnel was waiting on the delivery of the required parts for repairs, and a further update was to be provided when they have arrived. Affected bookings were to be contacted directly by the ports. Any customers wishing to travel via Lochaline - Fishnish were required to call Craignure Port (01680 340258 option 2) or Tobermory Port (01688 327089 option 2) directly. http://calm.ac/11

On May 13, 2025, the CROSS Gris-Nez was informed of several migrant boat departures. On the morning, a passenger vessel reported a paddleboard adrift with one person on board off the coast of Calais, following an attempt to cross the strait. The BSAM 'Rhône' was deployed to assist and made contact with the person on the paddleboard, who requested assistance. After rescuing the person, the Navy vessel dropped him off at the dock in Calais, where he was taken into care. At midday, the CROSS deployed the 'Ridens' to monitor a boat in the Slack Dunes beach area. Once on site, all persons on board requested assistance. The crew of the rescue ship took on board 61 people, who were dropped off at Boulogne-sur-Mer and taken into care by shore based authorities.

On the morning of May 4, 2025, the Naxos Port Authority was informed by the Captain of the 'Champion Jet 3' about a failure in one of its four main engine. The ferry was sailing at a reduced speed towards the port of Naxos. The ship was operating a route from the port of Heraklion to Thira, Paros, Naxos, Mykonos, Syros and Piraeus, with 417 passengers and 31 crew members on board. The Naxos Port Authority initially prohibited the departure of the vessel. Upon presentation of a certificate of class maintenance from the monitoring classification society, it was allowed to continue on its route.

On May 8, 2025, at 9.52 a.m. UTC, the barge combination 'Carisma I/Carisma II', enroute from Dordrecht to Emmerich, ran aground on the Rhine in Colgone at river kilometre 688 on a shallow at the Deutzer Plate. The ship was trying to safely make way due to several downstream vessels and temporarily waited on the left bank. Upon resuming its voyage and crossing to the other side of the Rhine, the bow of the vessel encountered a shallow area, causing the vessel to run aground. As a result, the starboard rope jumped from the drum, and the coupled barge began to move to starboard on its own. The crew reacted quickly by attaching an emergency rope between the vessel and the starboard side of the barge. The vessel then reversed at full speed, with the rear barge heading toward a bridge pier. As the barge continued to drift to starboard, the port anchor was dropped to contain the movement. These measures prevented major damage. Nevertheless the 'Carisma' struck two stationary vessels. Their mooring lines were torn loose by the impact. These ships, in turn, collided with an anchored day-trip boat, whose mooring also broke loose and collided with another day-trip boat. A total of five vessels were involved in the accident, besides the 'Rhein Magie' (MMSI: 211876920) and 'Rhein Vision' (MMSI: 211876680), two moored Viking Cruise ships. All vessels were manned and were quickly brought under control, so no one was injured. Two boats each from the Cologne Water Police and the Water Protection Authority, as well as a fire department and a rescue boat, responded. A radio warning was issued to the shipping traffic. Several restrictions were in place for traffic sailing downstream. The container ship 'Cugini' immediately provided assistance. The coupled convoy 'Johanna' also tried to assist, but was unable to approach sufficiently. The water police and the Waterways and Shipping Authority did not grant permission to transfer a rope, While transferring a rope to another bollard, a sailor from the 'Cugini' fell overboard. Thanks to his life jacket and a rope, he was able to save himself and was brought aboard the 'Carisma." The damage is estimated to be in the high six-figure range. Reports with photo and video: https://www.presseportal.de/blaulicht/pm/50510/6030451 https://www.express.de/koeln/massenkarambolage-auf-dem-koelner-rhein-riesenschaden-1020181?fbclid=IwY2xjawKKrohleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETBRaU5WUlB1QmtuMEQ4OWViAR5hZQN01fyFyJTk0Jn8-11fAfsHdU2Y_nGDaI0OMCUAF6-LkfsCTcSM5jGQeA_aem_QJT6spokde4-tgOPlaOT3g https://www.instagram.com/p/DJZEPFaS-BX/

On May 8, 2025, at 9.52 a.m. UTC, the barge combination 'Carisma I/Carisma II', enroute from Dordrecht to Emmerich, ran aground on the Rhine in Cologne at river kilometre 688 on a shallow at the Deutzer Plate. The ship was trying to safely make way due to several downstream vessels and temporarily waited on the left bank. Upon resuming its voyage and crossing to the other side of the Rhine, the bow of the vessel encountered a shallow area, causing the vessel to run aground. As a result, the starboard rope jumped from the drum, and the coupled barge began to move to starboard on its own. The crew reacted quickly by attaching an emergency rope between the vessel and the starboard side of the barge. The vessel then reversed at full speed, with the rear barge heading toward a bridge pier. As the barge continued to drift to starboard, the port anchor was dropped to contain the movement. These measures prevented major damage. Nevertheless the 'Carisma' struck two stationary vessels. Their mooring lines were torn loose by the impact. These ships, in turn, collided with an anchored day-trip boat, whose mooring also broke loose and collided with another day-trip boat. A total of five vessels were involved in the accident, besides the 'Rhein Magie' (MMSI: 211876920) and 'Rhein Vision' (MMSI: 211876680), two moored Viking Cruise ships. All vessels were manned and were quickly brought under control, so no one was injured. Two boats each from the Cologne Water Police and the Water Protection Authority, as well as a fire department and a rescue boat, responded. A radio warning was issued to the shipping traffic. Several restrictions were in place for traffic sailing downstream. The container ship 'Cugini' (MMSI: 244710139) immediately provided assistance. The coupled convoy 'Johanna' also tried to assist, but was unable to approach sufficiently. The water police and the Waterways and Shipping Authority did not grant permission to transfer a rope, While transferring a rope to another bollard, a sailor from the 'Cugini' fell overboard. Thanks to his life jacket and a rope, he was able to save himself and was brought aboard the 'Carisma." The damage is estimated to be in the high six-figure range. Reports with photo and video: https://www.presseportal.de/blaulicht/pm/50510/6030451 https://www.express.de/koeln/massenkarambolage-auf-dem-koelner-rhein-riesenschaden-1020181?fbclid=IwY2xjawKKrohleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETBRaU5WUlB1QmtuMEQ4OWViAR5hZQN01fyFyJTk0Jn8-11fAfsHdU2Y_nGDaI0OMCUAF6-LkfsCTcSM5jGQeA_aem_QJT6spokde4-tgOPlaOT3g https://www.instagram.com/p/DJZEPFaS-BX/

While the 'Yantian Exptess' was anchored southwest of Heligoland on May 12, 2025, a report of the possible fire reached the Maritime Situation Center of the Central Command for Maritime Emergencies on thr afternoon. However, a firefighting team on site could not detect any fire. Initially, the 'Sylt' of the Water Police, the 'Neustadt' of the Federal Police, and the emergency tug 'Nordic' of the Federal Waterways and Shipping Administration sailed to the vessel. Water Police officers boarded the ship and contacted the crew. No smoke was visible at that time. It was unclear why smoke had been reported from one of the loaded containers. Because the overall situation was unclear and the ship was also transporting hazardous materials, the Central Command for Maritime Emergencies assumed overall command of the operation. The Maritime Incident Response Group (MIRG) of the Cuxhaven Fire Department flew to the ship aboard a Federal Police helicopter. The six MIRG firefighters were lowered onto the freighter by cable winch. They examined the container in question and the surrounding area, taking temperature measurements, among other things. Since no abnormalities were found, the Maritime Incident Response Group terminated overall command of the operation and handed the situation over to the responsible traffic control center, "German Bight Traffic," in Wilhelmshaven. The ship weighed anchor and proceeded to Hamburg. It left the piort again on May 14 en route to Rotterdam with an ETA as of May 16.

Due to the lift of the 'Loch Portain' still being out of order, CalMac have amended the Berneray-Leverburgh timetable until May 29. This amended timetable allows the crew to support passengers who require assistance, and meets statutory requirements for crew hours of rest. Replacement parts have been ordered for the lift. Passengers with accessibility requirements were asked to book their travel in advance and make the operator aware of any support they may require. The emergency evacuation procedure requires passengers to exit via the lounges that are two flights up from the car deck. Toilet facilities are also located in the passenger lounge. If accessing the vessel via stairs is not suitable, passengers were asked to travel on the Uig-Tarbert-Lochmaddy service. The 'Loch Portain' will locate to dock on May 30 until June 8 to complete works on the vessel propulsion unit. During this period, the 'Loch Bhrusda' will operate on this route. Please see timetable here: https://www.calmac.co.uk/en-gb/travel/service-changes/bern-lev-amended-timetable/#/

The pleasure boat 'Son Moix', with one crew member on board, suffered a mechanical failure in the Bay of Roses, off Sant Pere Pescador, on May 13. The CCS Barcelona of Salvamento Marítimo mobilized the 'Salvamar Lyra' to assist. The SAR boat took the 'Son Moix' kin tow and safely pulled it to the port of Santa Margarida. Video: https://x.com/i/status/1922256871215312931

On May 7, 2025, at noon , the Port Authority of Patmos was informed of the fall of a person from the 'Dodekkanisos Express' into the sea at the port of Skala. The 34-year-old Greek national, who had boarded the passenger catamaran in order to place luggage of his relatives, realized that the ship had departed and fell into the water when he tried to get to the shore. A patrol boat was deployed for assistance, while the ferry stopped, and the crew dropped a life jacket into the sea. The man reached the shore in good health and the ferry set sail for its scheduled route. A preliminary investigation was being conducted by the Patmos Port Authority.