On the morning of Feb 4, the ferry company Torghatten reported that there were again technical problems with the 'Røsund', sailing between Dryna and Brattvåg. The scheduled departure at 06.55 a.m. from Brattvåg was the first to be postponed due to the problems, with delay on the departures at 07:25 a.m. from Dryna, and 07:55 a.m. from Brattvåg.
News
AUSTRALIAN WARSHIP
On the morning of March 3, 2025, the HMAS 'Chouwes' has rescued the Lithuanian rower Aurimas Mockus off the Queensland coast after he was caught in a tropical cyclone’s 130km/h winds and monster waves about 740 kilometres east of Mackay., while attempting a 12,000km Pacific Ocean crossing from San Diego to Brisbane in his solo rowing boat. He was now safely onboard the HMAS 'Choules' and undergoing a medical assessment. He was expected to return to Sydney’s Garden Island naval base with the ship. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority led the SAR effort. Because of highly unfavourable sea conditions, Mockus’s rowing boat could not be recovered except for two oars and some personal items. Mockus had activated his emergency beacon late on Feb 28 as Tropical Cyclone Alfred sent strong winds and heavy seas. An SAR mission began with a Cairns-based Challenger jet sent to find the rower, failing to spot Mockus on March 1 but it did make contact with the tired rower, who was shovelling water from the boat and asked for help ASAP. Mockus set off on the journey in October and was days away from reaching his final destination after rowing about 70 nautical miles a day. He was bracing for the maximum power of the cyclone on Feb 27, saying he just needed to survive the next two days. The weather conditions later eased but the Coral Sea was still within the category-two cyclone’s influence on March 2, with winds up to 100km/h and five- to seven-metre seas. Reports with photos and video: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/mar/03/navy-ship-on-rescue-mission-for-stranded-ocean-rower-aurimas-mockus-off-australias-east-coast https://www.gva.be/buitenland/golven-van-zeven-meter-hoog-litouwse-oceaanroeier-gered-uit-storm-voor-australische-kust-tijdens-poging-tot-wereldrecord/46837323.html https://www.bairdmaritime.com/security/emergency-services/search-and-rescue/royal-australian-navy-ship-rescues-distressed-boater-in-cyclone-hit-seas
MSC LEVANTE F
On March 1, 2025, at 6 p.m. two Russian ballistic missiles targeted Odessa and slightly damaged the 'MSC Levante F' at berth 2 in the port of Odessa as well as port facilities and some containers in the container yard. Two port employees sustained injuries in the attack, who worked at the Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA) terminal. They were rushed to hospital in stable condition. The damage was currently being investigated on site. Operations at the terminal have been suspended, but were expected to resume shortly. The HHLA handles containers and other goods such as grain there. The freighter was only carrying civilian goods. The container ship sustained some minor damage like broken portholes, mainly from the impact of the shock wave. The crew remained unharmed, and the vessel safely sailed from Odessa on March 4. Odessa only recently had resumed container shipping operations after years of shutdown caused by Russian targeting of civilian shipping. Russia has repeatedly attacked merchant vessels, particularly in the early months of its invasion in 2022, and it has used missile and drone strikes to damage port infrastructure in the Odesa region and along the Ukrainian segment of the Danube. Also the bulk carrier 'Super Sarkas' was damaged, which had more than 21,000 tons of corn and soyabeans for export on board. The Super Sarkas' also sustained minor damage and has also left Odessa as of March 4.
VINIK NO.6
The SS 'United States', being towed by the 'Vinik No. 6', has arrived in Mobile, Alabama, on March 3, after completing the 12-day tranist from Philadelphia. The ship was maneuvered to a berth at the Modern American Recycling Services (MARS) facility in the port for the next phase of the effort to convert her into the world’s largest manmade artificial reef. Captain Mike Vinik, controlling the tug, had previously reported they were making better than anticipated speeds during the approximately 1,800-mile trip. Other than the initial bad weather near Virginia, it was a calm trip and Vinik maneuvered the liner inside the Gulf Stream to reduce resistance. The most spectacular image came as the cruise ship 'Utopia of the Seas', one of the largest cruise ships in the world, altered course for a rendezvous with the 'United States', which arrived off Mobile on the night of March 2 and waited for daylight about two miles off the coast, which the US Coast Guard had required for the dead ship tow. She entered Mobile Bay at midday, and was pivoted into her final position with the assistance of local tugs. The remediation team was ready to continue the efforts to prepare the ship. Removing the remaining fuel and cleaning her tanks is a priority. Externally the loose paint needs to be removed as well as other loose materials. The funnels, radar mast, and cargo kingposts are to be removed along with the windows and portholes. On the interior, all the contaminants need to be removed before final preparation for the reefing to the east near Destin, Florida. It will take up to about a year to make the preparations to reef the ship. Report with photos: https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/liner-ss-united-states-completes-last-voyage-arriving-in-mobile
GUARDAMAR URANIA
On the night of March 3, the crew of the 'Guardamar Urania' rescued the 57 occupants, among them four women and two minors, of a cayuco, which had been located 14 nautical miles south of Arguineguín. The CCS of Salvamento Marítimo in Las Palmas coordinated the response.
URSA MINOR
On Feb 25, 2025, at around 3:14 p.m., the helmsman of the 'Ravenna'(MMSI: 244660905), en route from Zwijndrecht to Antwerp, overlooked the inland vessel 'Ursa Minor', en route from Voerde to Antwerp, during a planned overtaking maneuver and struck it from behind near Tholen off the Prinsesseplaat. The impact caused severe damage to the stern area and the aft living cabin of the 'Ursa Minor'. The latter arrived in Antwerp on March 1 and continued to Ghent on March 3.
KVALOY
The "Kvaløy", serving on the route Småge-Orta-Finnøy-Sandøy and Ona, had to suspend its sailings due to technical problems on March 2. Due to bad weather, no passenger boat has been deployed either. On Feb 3, the ferry returned to operation. with the first trip from Småge at 1.40 p.m.
CHRISTINA O
Aristotle Onassis’ historic ‘Christina O’ is going up for sale, with a price tag of 90 million euros ($93.6 million), having joined the open market with Morley Yachts. The vessel was available for private charter after the 2022 refit. It secures annual revenues of 10 million euros through its leasing and net profits of about 5 million euros. It is actually berthed in Nice, France, awaiting a new owner. The vessel became the stage for The Crown 5, which was released on Netflix in 2022. During its history it hosted guests like Winston Churchill, Marilyn Monroe, Maria Callas, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, John F. Kennedy, Frank Sinatra, Prince Rainier and Princess Grace of Monaco an Onassis’ wife and former First Lady of the US, Jackie Kennedy Onassis. Starting life in World War Two as a Canadian frigate, the Christina O was purchased in 1954 by Onassis. Originally built as an anti-submarine frigate for the Royal Canadian Navy, the 'Christina O' was bought for scrap value by Onassis in 1954, who spent four million dollars refurbishing it into a luxury superyacht at the HDW Shipyard in Kiel. Following his death in 1975 the yacht fell into disrepair until a meticulous restoration project led by a family friend of Onassis.
MSC PREZIOSA
The 'MSC Preziosa' had to return to the port of Hamburg on the morning of March 3, 2025, due to technical problems. After the regular call at the port of Hamburg on March 2, the cruise ship had set off for Rotterdam as planned at around 8 p.m. On March 3 at around 2 a.m. the ship had to turn around because the technical problems, which were affecting the ship's navigation, apparently did not allow it to continue the journey safely. It is already clear that the 'MSC Preziosa' will not be able to keep to its original sailing plan for this week. At around 11 a.m. it was back at the Cruise Center Steinwerder in Hamburg. At least the call in Rotterdam planned for March 4, has to be cancelled. The technical problems on board will probably have to be resolved before the 'MSC Preziosa' can continue the journey. The guest changes planned for Feb 4 in Rotterdam must be rescheduled. There was currently no information about the extent of the problems with the ship's navigation. The original itinerary of the 'MSC Preziosa' was from March 2 to 9 with calls at Rotterdam, Zeebrugge, Le Havre and Southampton before returning to Hamburg. The ship finally left Hamburg-Steinwerder on March 3 at 9 p.m., headed to Zeebrugge with an ETA as of March 5.
MINCK
On March 2, a migrant boat departed in the Walde Lighthouse sector. The CROSS Gris-Nez CROSS deployed the 'Minck' and the PSP 'Pluvier' to assist. In the evening, responding to the request for assistance made by some of the occupants of the boat, the 'Minck' recovered 11 people, while the 'Pluvier' remained in the area to monitor the boat. Later, the 58 people who were still aboard the boat also requested to be rescued and were recovered by the 'Pluvier'. In total, 69 people were rescued and disembarked at the quay in Calais during the night hours. They taken care of by the shore-based rescue services.
NORDIC CROWN
On Feb 2 at 10.57 p.m. the rescue helicopter from Aalborg evacuated a patient from the 'Crown Seaways', en route from Copenhagen to Oslo. The ferry was sailing north of Skagen, when the patient was hoisted. He was then flown to the hospital in Aalborg for further medical treatment.
RAVENNA
On Feb 25, 2025, at around 3:14 p.m., the helmsman of the 'Ravenna', en route from Zwijndrecht to Antwerp, overlooked the inland vessel 'Ursa Minor' (MMSI: 211568560), en route from Voerde to Antwerp, during a planned overtaking maneuver and struck it from behind near Tholen off the Prinsesseplaat. The impact caused severe damage to the stern area and the aft living cabin of the 'Ursa Minor'. The latter arrived in Antwerp on March 1 and continued to Ghent on March 3.
KAMARINA
A barge, towed by the 'Kamarina' en route from Rönne to Sczcezin, struck a lighthouse in Flintrännan near the Öresund Bridge on March 1, 2025, at 4 a.m.. The tug with the barge had passed northbound through Flintrännan south of the Öresund Bridge on the night of Feb 28, but the barge came too far to starboard and hit one of the lighthouses, which was overturned. The barge got stuck on the lighthouse foundation, but according to the Swedish Maritime Administration, it was still possible to pass through the fairway as usual. On March 3, a contracted salvage company was working to come up with a plan for how the barge can be removed, and diving inspections were to be carried out at the accident site. After the barge has been removed and then it must be investigated what is required to replace the lighthouse. The 'Kamarina' was anchored in pos. 54° 15' N 014° 10' E near Malmö as of March 4. Report with photo: https://www.hd.se/artikel/fyr-vid-oresundsbron-har-havererat-blev-paseglad-av-pram/
BAYESIAN
The start of the salvage of the "Bayesian" has been set for April 20 . The complex operation is intended to bring clarity into the cause of the sinking on a water depth of 50 meters deep off the coast of Porticello. The sinking of the yacht on Aug19, 2024, has left many unanswered questions. Experts have speculated about the causes of the rapid sinking. One theory waas that open hull flaps such as the large stern platform or the side boarding platform could have played a role. But even in this case, watertight bulkheads between the lazarette, engine room and cabins should have prevented an immediate sinking - unless one of the bulkhead doors was open. Another hypothesis focused on the wind attack surface of the mast. Even without sails set, the massive mast in combination with hurricane gusts could have caused a strong heeling. This in turn would have partially lifted the hull out of the water and given the wind additional attack surface. The lifting keel of the "Bayesian", which could vary between 4.05 and 9.38 meters in draft, could have further reduced the righting moment in the raised position. The salvage will be carried out by a consortium of insurers led by British Marine. The plan is to first turn the yacht onto its keel and then bring it to the surface using cranes or innovative buoyancy systems. After being raised, the "Bayesian" will be taken to Palermo for a forensic examination. This examination is of crucial importance as an investigation into manslaughter and murder is underway in Italy. At the same time, an inquest into the deaths of four British victims has been opened in the Coroner's Court in Ipswich in the United Kingdom. The findings could have far-reaching consequences for the safety standards of superyachts and possibly lead to changes in design and construction.
SUPER SARKAS
On March 1, 2025, at 6 p.m. a Russian ballistic missile strike damaged the 'MSC Levante F' at berth 2 in the port of Odesa and port facilities and some containers in the container yard. Two port employees sustained injuries in the attack, who worked at the Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA) terminal. They were rushed to hospital in stable condition. The damage was currently being investigated on site. Operations at the terminal have been suspended, but were expected to resume shortly. The HHLA handles containers and other goods such as grain there. The freighter was only carrying civilian goods. The container ship sustained some minor damage like broken portholes, mainly from the impact of the shock wave. The crew remained unharmed, and the vessel safely sailed from Odessa on March 4. Odessa only recently had resumed container shipping operations after years of shutdown caused by Russian targeting of civilian shipping. Russia has repeatedly attacked merchant vessels, particularly in the early months of its invasion in 2022, and it has used missile and drone strikes to damage port infrastructure in the Odesa region and along the Ukrainian segment of the Danube. Also the bulk carrier 'Super Sarkas' was damaged, which had more than 21,000 tons of corn and soyabeans for export on board. The Super Sarkas' also sustained minor damage and has also left Odessa as of March 4.
VESTVIND
The 'Vestvind', en route from Portsmouth, UK, to Nakskov, allided with the middle wall of the southern chamber of the Kiel Canal locks in Brunsbüttel on March 2, 2025, at 9.13 p.m. LT, ahead of its transit of the waterway. The ship remained inside the lock for more than two hours, before the two tugs 'Grossnordsee' (IMO: 9067271) and 'Fairplay-57' (IMO: 9036246) towed it out and pulled it to the Navy dolphins in the canal port of Brunsbüttel, where it remained stationary until March 3 at around 10 a.m. It finally arrived in Nakskov on March 4 at around 9.30 a.m. UTC.
SALVAMAR ADHARA
On March 3, local fisherman spotted a cayuco south of La Restinga (El Hierro). The CCS Tenerife of Salvamento Marítimo mobilized the 'Salvamar Adhara', which locates the boat, which was carrying 45 migrants, among them ten women and four minors. The cayuco was escorted to the port of La Restinga, where the occuptans safely disembarked. Report with photo: https://x.com/salvamentogob/status/1896594436773355582
CORAL PEARL
On Feb 24, 2025, the 'Coral Pearl' was detained in Ningbo with 19 deficiencies, three of which being regarded as seriously and grounds for a detention: 1) Fire safety - Fire prevention structural integrity Not as required 2) Water/Weathertight - Ventilators, air pipes and casings Inoperative 3) Life saving Appliances - Lifeboats Not as required The vessel was released again on Feb 26 and left the port en route to Singapore. The last detention had been on Apr 18, 2023:, in Humen with eight deficiencies for three days. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063576908591