News

On Aug 29, 2025, a fire broke out in the galley on deck 5 of the 'Iona', during the sea day en route from Haugesund to Southampton, UK. Itat ignited in a deep fryer. The galley and the Pearl and Coral restaurants had to be evacuated. The crew's onboard fire brigade was deployed, and additional team members were on standby at the muster stations. The fire was brought under control after about 15 minutes using the ship's own extinguishing equipment. An alarm for the guests was unnecessary, but some areas were evacuated as a precaution. The 'Iona' was returning from a seven-day Norway cruise and berthed in Southampton on Aug 30, embarking guests for the next cruise towards Norway, with a first call at Stavanger on Sep 1.

The Yongsan Police arrested a man in his 60s who claimed to be a survivor of the 'Sewol' shipwreck on Sep 1, 2025, for possessing a weapon in front of a government building after requesting a meeting with the presidential office. The Yongsan Police Precinct announced on Sep 2 that it had arrested and questioned the man on charges of possession of a weapon in a public space. The police apprehended him in front of the main gate of the Ministry of National Defense in the Yongsan District, central Seoul. The man confronted police who attempted to subdue him for approximately 20 minutes, and demanded that he be able to meet with the presidential office to ask for improved treatment for 'Sewol' survivors. A taser gun was also used during the arrest. The man received first aid for the injuries and met with presidential office personnel at the Civil Affairs Office.

The 'Spencer' has repatriated 191 migrants to Haiti on Sep 2, 2025, following an interdiction approximately 40 nautical miles north of Cap Haitien, Haiti. The 'Spencer'’s crew had notified Coast Guard Southeast District watchstanders on Aug 29 of an overloaded vessel disabled in international waters. Once aboard the Coast Guard cutter, the migrants were processed to determine their identity and provided food, water, shelter, and basic medical attention before repatriation to their country of origin or return to the country of their departure. Report with photos: https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/4291448/coast-guard-repatriates-191-aliens-to-haiti/

The 'Vicente Pinzon' broke lose from its berth after the mooring cables snapped at the Port of Itajaí in Santa Catarina on Aug 27, 2025, short time after its arrival en route from Navegantes. The container ship drifted into the fast-flowing river, prompting the swift deployment of several tugbs to bring the vessel under control and re-berth it. The ship remained stationary in port as of Sep 2.. Report with video: https://uk.news.yahoo.com/tugboats-race-stop-runaway-cargo-120000708.html

The 'Marie Maersk' was now headed to Cape Town, maintaining a speed of 17 knots and an ETA as of Aug 31. Still on board were the fire specialists who helped the crew get the fire under control, and who were now observing the containers in order to be able to intervene quickly if the fire flares up again. It was being expected that the damaged containers will be unloaded in Cape Town, and that the 'Marie Maersk' will then continue its voyage. Maersk has not yet decided whether the 'Marie Maersk's original destination - Tanjung Pelepas - would be maintained. In fact the ship dropped anchor off Cape Town and resumed the voyage the same day. As of Sep 3, the 'Marie Maersk' showed Tanjung Pelepas as destination with an ETA as of Sep 14.