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On the morning of Feb 28, the crews of the 'Salvamar Adhara' and 'Salvamar Acrux' escorted two cayucos with 70 and 76 sub-Saharan people on board, among them eight women, to the port of La Restinga. The assistance was coordinated by controllers from the Maritime Rescue Centre of Salvamento Marítimo in Tenerife. And with the collaboration of the LS Mike 02 of the Cruz Roja Tenerife. Report with photo: https://x.com/salvamentogob/status/1895388674386215310

On Feb 27, 2025, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has issued an investigation report into the grounding of the 'Corsair', retrieving the pilot from the outbound container m/v 'Rio Grande, on Point Lonsdale Reef after misinterpreting its course on the evening of Oct 5, 2023, after it had departed Port Phillip. The transfer of the pilot to the launch took place offshore, about 4.2 km south-west of Point Lonsdale. Port Phillip Sea Pilots (PPSP) was the pilotage service provider and operator of the pilot launch, which commenced its return to the entrance of Port Phillip at about 11.07 p.m., intending to return to the pilot station at Queenscliff, inside the bay. At about 11.10 p.m.,, about 2.3 km south-west of Point Lonsdale, the coxswain commenced a slow course alteration to port of about 18º. The 'Corsair' was about 760 metres from Point Lonsdale Reef when it steadied on a course towards the reef. The 'Corsair' was west of the location intended by the coxswain and subsequently ran aground on Point Lonsdale Reef at 11.13 p.m.., sailing at a speed of 24 knots. It was found that the coxswain of Corsair misinterpreted the leading lights marking the entry to Port Phillip and navigated to the west of their intended course through the entrance. The return to Port Phillip following offshore pilot transfer was a routine activity which had been performed by the coxswain on many occasions. On this night, their perception of navigational lights on Shortland Bluff was probably influenced by their expectations of what they would normally observe. The likelihood of human error can be reduced by using protective systems of technology, other crew resources, and procedure. In this instance, the coxswain’s navigation of the 'Corsair' back to the entrance was predominantly visual with limited reference to onboard equipment to confirm the vessel’s approach. The other crew member, a deckhand, was also not actively involved with the vessel’s navigation. A vessel’s safety management system provides the structures and guidance to support a consistent approach to vessel operations. It was found that the pilot launch safety management system and procedures could be improved with guidance to the launch crew on operational practices for navigation through the entrance to Port Phillip and the effective use of the launch’s equipment and deckhand. It was also found that training material for launch coxswains contained limited detail on course content and assessment criteria, and training records were incomplete. There was also no refresher crew training in navigational practices. Although not considered to have influenced this occurrence, additional findings were made on the potential for review by Safe Transport Victoria of the local knowledge certification requirements for masters of domestic commercial vessels operating in Port Phillip Heads. Full report: https://safety4sea.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/ATSB-Grounding-of-pilot-launch-PV-Corsair-2025_02.pdf

On the morning of Feb 28, the crews of the 'Salvamar Adhara' and 'Salvamar Acrux' escorted two cayucos with 70 and 76 sub-Saharan people on board, among them eight women, to the port of La Restinga. The assistance was coordinated by controllers from the Maritime Rescue Centre of Salvamento Marítimo in Tenerife. And with the collaboration of the LS Mike 02 of the Cruz Roja Tenerife. Report with photo: https://x.com/salvamentogob/status/1895388674386215310

Court proceedings over the death of 36-year-old Antonis Karyotis, who drowned after being pushed off the 'Blue Horizon', now sailing as 'Lefka Ori', in September 2023, concluded on Feb 27, 2025, after 17 sessions. A verdict was expected later in the day. Karyotis had been attempting to board the ferry as it was about to depart from the port of Piraeus, bound for Iraklio, when he was allegedly pushed by three crew members into the sea. The ship then sailed off, leaving Karyotis to drown in the swirling waters created by the ferry’s propeller. The vessel did not return to port until 40 minutes later, when ordered by the prosecutor. The prosecutor has recommended a guilty verdict for all four defendants – the captain and three crew members –, stating that their actions were inhumane, and emphasized that none of them attempted to help Karyotis, and accused the crew of deliberately pushing him into the water. One crew member faces homicide charges with possible intent, while the others are charged with aiding the crime. The captain is also charged with breaching maritime safety regulations and abuse of power. The trial gained attention thanks to a viral video filmed by passengers, which contradicted the defendants’ attempts to downplay the incident. The video, showing Karyotis being pushed into the sea, played a crucial role in bringing the case to court.

On Feb 27, 2025, the Spanish flagged 10-m-fishing vessel 'Foque Uno' wiith two crew members on board, requested urgent assistance due to water ingress in Sant Antoni (Girona). The CCS Barcelona of Salvamento MArítimo mobilized the 'Salvamar Sirius' to the scene, which helped bail out the vessel and tows it to the Port d'Aro dry dock for repairs.