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On March 26, 2025, the Federal Bureau of Maritime Casualty Investigation (BSU) has published its investigation report on the grounding of the "Mumbai Maersk", while entering the fairway of the New Weser, en route from Rotterdam to Bremerhaven on Feb 2, 2022, during a turning maneuver. The report concludes with safety recommendations, including radio discipline on the Weser waterway, training in Bridge Resource Management and ECDIS at the shipping company Maersk Line A/S, and pilotage on large vessels. On the day of the accident, the ship had chosen the deep-water route away from the coast. While approaching the narrow fairway, the ship's command had been informed by radio that its berth was still occupied, but would soon become available. With a draft of 12.80 meters, the freighter was tide-dependent. Shortly thereafter, the ship was informed that it could now approach the port. The ship immediately turned to return to its original course. During this maneuver,it struck a dumping site for dredged material next to the fairway and got stuck. Tugs refloated the vessel on Feb 4 at 1:14 a.m. In their investigation, the BSU investigators focused on the voyage planning and execution on board the "Mumbai Maersk," sediment management in the German Bight, and the approach planning to Bremerhaven. During the course of the investigation, the turning maneuver and various alternative maneuver scenarios were reconstructed and rehearsed in the ship handling simulator at Bremen University of Applied Sciences. The course of the accident was reconstructed in detail, including recordings from the bridge microphones, radar equipment, and the ECDIS4, as well as radio traffic recordings and the ship's track. Scheduling was tight because the North Sea Terminal Bremerhaven (NTB), where the vessel was due to call, still had to handle the "CMA CGM Lamartine," which had lost one of its anchors during a layover in the German Bight, before entering Bremerhaven, and thus requiring an escort tug. The ship could only proceed slowly. Neither the port pilot nor the maritime pilot who boarded the ship had been informed of this fact beforehand. According to the report, the Bremen Port Operations Office, which assigns the port pilots for their assignments, was apparently unaware of the fact, as was the Weser II/Jade Pilotage Association, which assigns the sea pilots. The navigator on duty at the traffic control center finally set a schedule. The pilot on board the container ship requested information about whether the ship could enter the New Weser or not, as he had to decide whether to turn around and head back toward the North Sea. This action would have disrupted the schedule. The ship was advised to continue at reduced speed. At around 10:25 p.m., however, the captain and pilot decided to turn around because they had to wait for the berth and the navigation channel to become clear. The captain gave the rudder command "hard to port." The maneuver was aided by the rising tide and the prevailing northwest wind. During the maneuver, there were several radio messages, contradictory statements, and commands, including between the pilot and the captain. At 11:05 p.m., the "Mumbai Maersk" got stuck in the mud. The investigation team identified several factors that potentially contributed to the accident. These included the incomplete marking of no-go areas along the route and the overloading of the ECDIS displays, which made unsafe waters unclear and difficult to identify at first glance. The representation of the drift area on the electronic nautical chart was difficult to read, particularly in night mode, due to low contrast and the overlay of a large amount of chart information. The simultaneous performance of several tasks, especially by the pilot, as well as the high volume of communication, meant that not all tasks could be given sufficient attention at all times. According to the report, it would be appropriate to highlight drift areas directly adjacent to the fairway on the nautical charts. The authority also recommended the deployment of a second pilot. Full report: https://www.thb.info/rubriken/maritime-sicherheit/detail/news/bsu-bericht-zur-mumbai-maersk-havarie.html

The recovery of weapons and ammunition from the HMZS 'Manawanui' will begin as the salvage crew has completed the removal of diesel fuel and pollutants eliminating an environmental threat, New Zealand Defense Force officials said on MArch 26. The next phase of the operation focuses on recovering weapons, ammunition, equipment, and debris from the wreck, according to Commodore Andrew Brown, the NZDF Senior National Representative for Operation Resolution. After a brief visit to the Port of Apia to reconfigure the salvors’ barge, it’s back moored over the 'Manawanui'. Salvors have accessed secure compartments to retrieve weapons and ammunition using specialised diving and salvage techniques. The authorities have worked closely with the Samoan Police Service to ensure the safe and secure storage of recovered weapons and ammunition. Some of the ammunition has deteriorated due to prolonged exposure to seawater and is being safely disposed of with assistance from Samoan officials. The remaining weapons, equipment, and debris will be transported back to New Zealand. The Samoan and New Zealand governments are determining the next steps, with independent experts conducting a wreck assessment. The evaluation includes studies of the reef and marine environment surrounding the wreck. The Scientific Research Organisation of Samoa continues to monitor the area and has reported no contamination of seawater or marine life.

An operational briefing has been concluded on March 25, organized by the coordination unit established at the premises of the Port Authority of Portoferraio, during which the operations to recover the 'Fugro Mercator' were examined. The company in charge of the operations has been working since the first light of dawn in a safety framework guaranteed by the naval units of the Coast Guard of Portoferraio. Underwater operators, a tug and a floating pontoon were used, thanks to which the emptying of the on-board tanks of fuel was started, an operation that will be concluded on March 27– and high-capacity floating balloons were positioned to stabilize the trim of the ship. The operation, coordinated by the Port Authority of Portoferraio, was attended by representatives of the shipping company, as well as the Pilots Corporation of the Port of Portoferraio and the Mooring and Boatmen Group of the Island of Elba who, with dedicated men and means and in synergy with the Port Authority, will contribute to the safe conduct of operations. A safety ordinance is also being issued to avoid interactions with maritime traffic in the area. Reports with photos: https://www.tenews.it/2025/03/26/nave-fugro-mercator-iniziate-le-operazioni-di-messa-in-sicurezza-1118547/ https://www.greenreport.it/news/inquinamenti-e-disinquinamenti/54813-allelba-e-iniziato-il-disincaglio-della-nave-oceanografica-fugro-mercator

A tugboat has placed loose tanks on board the 'MSC Baltic III'. The intention is to pump the environmentally hazardous liquids on board into them. Dangerous cargos have been removed. Containers which carried dangerous goods (polymeric beads (plastic nurdles) have been removed from the vessel and were safely secured as of March 23. Meanwhile the Coast Guard was doing everything they can to ensure the salvage of the grounded ship won’t impact fish harvesters as they head out from Little Port. They met with Small Craft Harbours over the weekend of March 22/23 and met with officials from the town of Lark Harbour. The command post consists of 14 people from the Coast Guard, two from Environment and Climate Change Canada, and a representative from Transport Canada.

On March 22, 2025, at around 11:00 p.m., the 'Fugro Mercator', engaged in seabed monitoring operations, ran aground on the reef of the Enfola promontory, near Portoferraio. The vessel, while seeking shelter from the bad weather, got too close to the coast, hitting the shallow water and coming to rest along the rocky cliff in that area. The accident caused water to enter the hull, which was initially contained by the crew, but which subsequently damaged part of the engines, causing a total blackout of the on-board equipment. During the night, under the coordination of the Maritime Directorate of Livorno, the patrol boat 'CP 805' of the Port Authority of Portoferraio intervened, rescuing the crew members and the technical-scientific personnel, 11 people in total of different nationalities, in good health. The transfer operations were made difficult due to the blackout that affected the ship, the proximity to the rocks and the undertow present in the area. The causes of the accident are not yet known: the Coast Guard investigations will determine whether the ship got close to the coast due to the strong wind present yesterday or whether it had technical problems with the propulsion systems. During an operational meeting held the next morning at the Port Authority of Portoferraio, the shipping company was asked, for environmental protection reasons, to remove the ship and the detailed aspects of the activities aimed at its subsequent recovery were examined. Preliminary underwater inspections are currently underway, carried out by a company specialized in the sector, aimed at drawing up an operational plan for the removal of the unit. Monitoring by air and naval means of the Coast Guard has not recorded any marine pollution due to fuel spills. On March 23, a salvage operation was being prepared together with international experts and local officials. Report with photo and video: https://www.agenzianova.com/es/news/Un-barco-de-42-metros-encalla-en-Elba-y-once-tripulantes-son-rescatados/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfwfwNgWRdQ