News

A new fuel slick has been spotted on the surface in the Kerch Strait near the site where the 'Volgoneft 239' shipwrecked. On March 31,the ecologist Georgy Kavanosyan released a synthetic aperture radar image of the Kerch Strait, showing what appeared to be a long slick at the entrance to the strait. The site corresponds to the location of the bow section of the 'Volgoneft 239'. A second environmental scientist, Igor Shkradyuk, estimated that the leak was likely in the range of hundreds of liters per day ,and that it would likely continue through the warm months of the year as the fuel cargo heated up and seeped out. Government agencies were not telling what was happening with the spilled fuel oil. Russia's Ministry of Emergency Situations said on April 4, that it continues to monitor the wreck sites daily, and it claimed that no additional fuel leaks from the tanker has been recorded. Russia's environment ministry (Rosprirodnadzor) has filed a new claim for compensation for damages against the owners of the 'Volgoneft 239' and 'Volgoneft 212'. The total claim comes to about 85 billion rubles ($1 billion), split between the Kama Shipping and Volgatransneft CFC. The two companies have one month to pay for the damages, after which the ministry will initiate a lawsuit.

arrived Bhavnagar Anchorage 07.04.25

The 'Red Eagle' suffered engine issues short time after it had returned to service after an extended period in dry dock at Falmouth on the morning of April 5, 2025. The issueled to the cancellation of at least two sailings, with the potential for disruption to services all day. The 'Red Eagle' had departed East Cowes at 06:30 a.m., but as the ferry headed to Southampton, an engine issue developed. The vessel came to a complete halt near Netley at 07:10 a.m. The ferry was then slowly making progress up Southampton Water. Red Funnel has cancelled the departures from Southampton until 9.15 p.m. and thesailings from East Cowes until 9.45 p.m. as a result. Foot passengers were being advised to travel on the Southampton-West Cowes high-speed service which was unaffected. Due to a failure of the aft engine high-temperature cooling pump, the vessel remained removed from service the whole weekend while technical teams were trying make the necessary repairs. In the meantime, the 'Red Falcon' and 'Red Osprey' were continuing to sail, offering most passengers previously booked on the 'Red Eagle' the ability to sail either 60 minutes sooner or later than planned.

On April 7, due to a technical issue with the main engine of the 'Loch Frisa', serving on the route Oban-Craignure', the following sailings had to be cancelled: Departure Craignure - 07:10 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. Departure Oban - 08:30 a.m. and 11:25 a.m. After the issue has been resolved, the vessel departedfrom Craignure as soon as possible.

The 'Isle of Arrans', operating on the route Kennacraig-Port Askaig-Port Ellen, suffered an engine issue on April 7. As a conseuence, the schedule 09:20 a.m. arrival in Kennacraig was delayed by approx. 30 minutes. This had a knock on affect to the 10:00 a.m. departure from Kennacraig, which was diverted to Port Askaig and not Port Ellen as timetabled. The 12:45 p.m. departure took place from Port Askaig.

The 'Barbarossa' was ordered to moor at the Haven Dike in Zwartsluis after toxic phosphine gas was measured in the cargo hold. During a routine inspection by the water police, the CO2 meter went off, after which the fire brigade discovered excessively high phosphine levels.A very high phosphine level was measured in the sailor's home and the cargo hold. The fire brigade decided around 3:30 p.m. that the crew was not safe and had to disembark. They had to sleep elsewhere. The next day, measurements were taken again and no more phosphine was measured. The ship was released and allowed to sail again. More than 10 ships may have been contaminated with phosphine during loading in Amsterdam. The skippers may not have been aware of their toxic gas cargo. The ASV prefers not to disclose which ships were involved. Report with photo: https://www.schuttevaer.nl/nieuws/actueel/2025/04/07/weer-fosfine-incident-in-binnenvaart/

On April 6, 2025, the 'Fermin Lopez' with six crew members on board requested towing assistance due to the fishing gear becoming entangled in the propeller blades. The CCS Almería of Salvamento Marítimo mobilized the SAR vessel 'Salvamar Gienah', which towed the fishing vessel to Motril. In Palma, the 'Salvamar Libertas' has also towed another fishing vessel with an engine breakdown and two crew members on board Report with photo: https://x.com/salvamentogob/status/1909217859483455490

A new fuel slick has been spotted on the surface in the Kerch Strait near the site where the 'Volgoneft 239' shipwrecked. On March 31,the ecologist Georgy Kavanosyan released a synthetic aperture radar image of the Kerch Strait, showing what appeared to be a long slick at the entrance to the strait. The site corresponds to the location of the bow section of the 'Volgoneft 239'. A second environmental scientist, Igor Shkradyuk, estimated that the leak was likely in the range of hundreds of liters per day ,and that it would likely continue through the warm months of the year as the fuel cargo heated up and seeped out. Government agencies were not telling what was happening with the spilled fuel oil. Russia's Ministry of Emergency Situations said on April 4, that it continues to monitor the wreck sites daily, and it claimed that no additional fuel leaks from the tanker has been recorded. Russia's environment ministry (Rosprirodnadzor) has filed a new claim for compensation for damages against the owners of the 'Volgoneft 239' and 'Volgoneft 212'. The total claim comes to about 85 billion rubles ($1 billion), split between the Kama Shipping and Volgatransneft CFC. The two companies have one month to pay for the damages, after which the ministry will initiate a lawsuit.

On April 7, 2025, the CCS of Salvamento Marítimo in Las Palmas coordinated the medical evacuation of a crew member from the 'Pacifist', en route from Port Carttier to Singapore, which was moored on the southern anchorage of Las Palmas. The Helimer 201 SAR helicopter was deployed and hoisted the patient, who was transported to the Doctor Negrín Hospital in Las Palmas for medical treatment.

The 'Baltica' suffered water ingress near the pier off Kühlungsborn en route from Kühlungsborn to Warnemünde in the Baltic Sea on April 7, 2025. It was able to return to the pier in time. The captain informed emergency services shortly after 11 a.m. The ship turned around and moored again at the Kühlungsborn pier. The passengers were able to disembark safely. Initially, the ship appeared to be in danger of sinking. However, more than 50 volunteer firefighters were able to pump more water out of the engine room than was entering. This allowed the ship to rise again. The firefighters deployed oil booms around the stricken vessel to prevent any spillage of oil or marine diesel from spreading. Although small amounts of marine diesel leaked into the Baltic Sea, they were able to be removed. Divers were able to inspect the vessel and discovered that the drive shaft had become loose, allowing water to enter the vessel. Attempts were made to repair the damage on site. According to the water police, the "Baltica" is currently not allowed to leave the Kühlungsborn pier. On the morning of April 8 the 'Flunder' of the Baltic Taucher Germany went alongside. Reports with photos and video: https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/mecklenburg-vorpommern/Kuehlungsborn-Ausflugsdampfer-vor-Seebruecke-havariert,aktuellmv136.html https://www.spiegel.de/panorama/kuehlungsborn-fahrgastschiff-baltica-nach-leck-evakuiert-a-453ec83c-8e98-4d67-9785-7a2d44757426 https://www.nordkurier.de/regional/rostock/ausflugsschiff-auf-ostsee-droht-zu-sinken-wasser-laeuft-in-heck-3479539 https://www.gmx.net/magazine/panorama/fahrgastschiff-ms-baltica-droht-sinken-40853554

The 'Bute', operating on the route Wemyss Bay.Rothesay, had a technical issue with the rescue boat on April 7, that required further investigations in the port of Rothesay. As a conseuence, the following sailings had to be cancelled: Departure Rothesay - 1:00 p.m. Departure Wemyss Bay - 2:05 p.m. After he technical issue has been resolved, the vessel resume service at 3:00 p.m., departing from Rothesay.

On April 7, due to a technical issue with the 'Isle of Lewis', operating on the route Oban-Castlebay, the schedule 1.30 p.m. departure from from Oban finally departed at 2:45 p.m., one hour and 15 mins late.

On the morning, of April 6, the Guardia Civil informed the CCS of Salvamento Marítimo in Las Palmas about a cayuco, which was located 15 nautical miles off Arguineguín. The 'Guardamar Urania' located and rescued 23 people. On the afternoon of April 5, the Guardia Civil informed the CCS of Salvamento Marítimo in Tenerife about a cayuco/ seven nautical miles off LaRestinga. The 'Salvamar Adhara' escorted the boat with four occupants to the port. Report with photos: https://x.com/salvamentogob/status/1908823650721055229

Salvamento Marítimo has recovered more than 17 reefer containers and a 40-foot container adrift off the coast of Cádiz. The boxes were part of the cargo lost by the 'MSC Houston V' on March 20 in the Cabo Sao Vicente area due to the storm caused by Storm Martinho. The ship had to dock in the port of Vigo after losing between 15 and 20 containers. The 'Salvamar Enif', 'Salvamar Arcturus', 'Salvamar Denébola', and the 'Luz de Mar' were key in the operation. The 'Salvamar Enif' recovered 11 reefer containers. They were deposited in the port of Barbate. The 'Salvamar Arcturus' located and delivered six more to the Tarifa dock (Sagrado Corazón de Jesús). The 'MSC Houston V' left Vigo again on March 28 and arrived in Liverpool on March 31. Report with video: https://x.com/salvamentogob/status/1909181579592671415 https://x.com/salvamentogob/status/1909271297776828570

Sold to Breakers

On April 3 and 4, 2025, two rescue operations were coordinated by the CROSS Gris-Nez. On the night of April 3 , the CROSS was informed of a migrant boat leaving Wimereux beach. The 'Abeille Normandie' was deployed to locate and monitor the boat. Once in contact with the boat, its occupants made a request for assistance. The 'Abeille Normandie' then recovered the 66 occupants. On the early night, the CROSS was once again informed of the departure of a boat off the coast of Audresselles. The CROSS engaged the 'Abeille Normandie' again. Once on scene, the crew recovered 49 people. Several other people still on board the boat refused the assistance offered by French resources and continued their journey under surveillance. In total, 115 people were rescued and taken to the port of Boulogne-sur-Mer, where they were taken into care by land-based rescue services.

On the morning of April 2, 2025, the Heraklion Port Authority was informed that during the docking process of the 'Asterion II' at the port, the main ramp failed to open. Immediately, officers of the Port Authority went to the ship to determine the damage. The ferry was carrying out a scheduled route from the port of Piraeus. 411 passengers, 151 private vehicles, 134 trucks and 12 motorcycles were waiting to disembark. 337 foot passengers, as well as the motorcycles, disembarked safely at the port, while the private vehicles and trucks remained on board the ship. The Central Port Authority of Heraklion banned the ferry from sailing, until the damage was repaired and a certificate of seaworthiness and class maintenance was presented by the monitoring classification society. On April 3, the ferry shifted to Perama for repairs.

On April 6, 2025, the ' Isle of Cumbrae', operating on the route Largs-Cumbrae, suffered a hydraulic issue affecting the vessel's aft ramp. The vessel was unable to operate any additional sailings. Spare parts have been arranged. A further update was to be provided on April 7.

On April 7, due to a technical issue with the main engine of the 'Loch Frisa', serving on the route Oban-Craignure', the following sailings had to be cancelled: Departure Craignure - 07:10 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. Departure Oban - 08:30 a.m. and 11:25 a.m. The depature at 1:30 p.m. from from Oban departed at 2:45 p.m., one 1hour and 15 mins late.

On the morning, of April 6, the Guardia Civil informed the CCS of Salvamento Marítimo in Las Palmas about a cayuco, which was located 15 nautical miles off Arguineguín. The 'Guardamar Urania' located and rescued 23 people. On the afternoon of April 5, the Guardia Civil informed the CCS of Salvamento Marítimo in Tenerife about a cayuco/ seven nautical miles off LaRestinga. The 'Salvamar Adhara' escorted the boat with four occupants to the port. Report with photos: https://x.com/salvamentogob/status/1908823650721055229