Almost ten months after the fire aboard the"Tenacia," owned by Isabella Grimaldi's Grimaldi Investments, is back at the disposal of its charterer, GNV, and will return to service next summer. The ship has been repaired and modernized in the affected areas at the Nuova Meccanica Navale shipyard in Naples, in which MSC holds a shareholding. The fire broke out in the engine room on July 8, 2023, while the ferry was sailing north of Ibiza.
News
QUEEN OF COQUITLAM
The 'Queen of Coquitlam' had to be assisted into Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver by a tug after suffering a mechanical failure on April 21, 2025. The problem with the pitch control has been repaired and testing was conducted before a possible return to service later on the afternoon. The passengers and vehicles were off-loaded around 3:30 p.m., and the company hired three water taxis to shuttle travellers who were booked on other sailings. Two round-trip sailings of the ferry between Langdale on the Sunshine Coast and Horseshoe Bay had to be cancelled.
PAPU MAR
The Argentine Naval Prefecture responded to an emergency declared by the captain of the 'Papu Mar', which was navigating at kilometer 77 of the Paso Banco Chico channel on April 20, 2025. Due to the ingress of water, the nine crew abandoned the vessel and took refuge on a barge, where they were later rescued by the National Maritime Authority. They were safely transferred to the Port of La Plata for medical attention. The 'Papu Mar' remained partially sunken and did not pose a danger to navigation on the main shipping route. The barge, carrying 153 containers, remained attached to the tug, and no cargo losses were reported. The Prefecture was conducting inspections and verifying possible environmental damage through an overflight. Meanwhile, the tug 'Ona Don Lorenzo' was assisting the barge to prevent it from drifting into the navigation channel. Report with photo: https://portalportuario.cl/prefectura-naval-argentina-rescata-a-tripulantes-de-remolcador-que-decreto-emergencia-en-canal-paso-banco-chico/
RYFYLKE
The police bomb squad was called out to Nedstrand in Rogaland on April 16, 2025, at 6:32 p.m., after a suspicious object was found on the 'Ryfylke'. A passenger first found this object and notified the crew, which has followed the procedures and acted completely according to the book by notifying the police and setting up an emergency. The bomb squad assessed the object as not dangerous. The police believed it was placed on the ferry to create fear, and investigated the case. There were no suspects in the case. 12 neighbours were evacuated, but were able to return home after the bomb squad had finished the work. It turned out to be a harmless object without explosives. On April 17 at 03.18 a.m. the police announced that evacuated neighbours could return home. A young person has been arrested, the police informed. He was charged with making serious threats. The person was first questioned as a witness on April 17. The police investigation has led to the man now having the status of a suspect, Repprt with photo: https://www.vg.no/nyheter/i/KM9EK7/bombegruppen-paa-vei-mistenkelig-gjenstand-paa-ferge
FRISIA E-I
On April 16, 2025, at around 11:34 a.m, the ''Frisia E 1' was in collision with another island ferry, the 'Frisia II (IMO: 7723974)', in the Norddeich ferry port (Aurich district) while casting off. The accident caused a hole approximately 30 x 30 centimetres on the port side above the waterline. No one was injured, and no environmental damage was caused. The further investigations were being carried out by the Water Police Emden The ferry has not been operational since the accident. The damagewas repaired in the port. On the morning of April 16, the department of the German Transport Accident Insurance Association responsible for ship safety, was able to release the ship. The 'Frisia E-1' was back in service by 12:30 p.m. The 'Frisia II' also suffered minor damage. Report with photos: https://www.norderney-zs.de/magazin/news/kollision-des-e-kat-mit-der-frisia-ii/
GRANDE BRASILE
The fire damaged ' Grande Brase'will not be repaired. The ship hasleft the port of Antwerp on April 19, being towed by the tug 'Eraclea' (IMO: 9499656), on its last voyage to breakers in Aliaga with an ETA as of May 16. During the preparatory work, the ship's horn was accidentally activated at 2 a.m. and could be switched off only at 7.30 a.m. The police in Beveren was besieged with complaints of the loud noise. The police and local political leaders continued to investigate the issue. While the ship was leaving port, it was assisted by the tugs 'Multragut 7' as steering tug and 'VB Jade' at starboard side. Report with phjot and video: https://x.com/i/status/1913632529115914429 https://www.tugspotters.com/app/content/2025/04/eraclea-met-grande-brasile-naar-turkije/
LITE FERRY FIVE
On April 19, 2025, the 'Lite Ferry 5' ran aground near the port of Jagna in Bohol. The Philippine Coast Guard in Central Visayas (PCG-7) responded to a distress call from the ship, which got stuck enroute to Cagayan de Oro City. It was maneuvering to depart when it drifted into shallow waters due to low tide, approximately 200 meters from the port. The Coast Guard immediately conducted rescue operations, together with Philippine Navy, Jagna Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Bantay Dagat, and local fisherfolks, which lasted the entire night. By the morning of April 20, they have accounted all 506 passengers and crew members aboard, and brought them back to shore on the Port of Jagna. In the meantime, PCG officers have conducted initial inspections on the vessel and found no internal hull damage. The authorities have also dispatched a tug from Cebu to refloat the vessel. Reports with photos: https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/633824/506-passengers-rescued-after-ferry-runs-aground-in-bohol?fbclid=IwY2xjawJyQFtleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHtO-zqL1wWSOn8A4q5poWpw1l2u2349a9JkJ6Ja-0f3pYAu0r7SBgBDd416v_aem_xflaVjhZYDVtr5R_-thNXA https://metrocdodev.com/2025/04/20/random-shots-all-506-passengers-rescued-as-cdo-bound-lite-ferry-5-runs-aground-near-jagna-port/
VIKING POLARIS
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported a gastrointestinal illness outbreak aboard the 'Viking Polaris' during the voyage from April 11 to April 23, 2025. Out of 355 passengers, 28 reported symptoms consistent with acute gastroenteritis, including vomiting and diarrhea. Additionally, four crew members out of 260 were affected. The causative agent of the outbreak has not yet been identified, and stool specimens are being collected for testing. In response to the outbreak, Viking Expeditions implemented enhanced cleaning and disinfection protocols, isolated affected individuals, and consulted with the CDC's Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) regarding sanitation procedures and illness reporting. The VSP is remotely monitoring the situation, including reviewing the ship's outbreak response and sanitation measures. The 'Viking Polaris' was scheduled to arrive in New York on April 23, concluding the 12-day voyage through Canada.
WAN XIANG 699
The death toll of the sinking of the 'Hoing Hai 16' hjas risen to nine, while two others were still missing. The local government of Rizal town in Occidental Mindoro confirmed the number of fatalities on April 20, after one more body was recovered at 9:11 a.m. in the vessel's accommodation area. The identity of the victim has not been disclosed. One body was recovered from the wreck earlier the same day, one more on the afternoon of April 19. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), in coordination with partner agencies, recovered two more bodies on the afternoon of April 18 during the search, The dredging company Bluemax Tradelink Inc., said it will comply with the cease and desist order that will be issued by the provincial government of Occidental Mindoro. The company has all the necessary permits for the dredging operation, which is one of the ways to ease flooding in the area. The area had been dredged by different vessels three to four times before the 'Hong Hai' 16 arrived.
SORLANDET
On April 19, 2025, at about 9 a.m. the captain of the 'Sorlandet' requested assistance from the CROSS Jobourgm after one ofcrew member had fallen ill, when the training ship was sailing approximately six nautical miles off the coast of Flamanville, bound for the Netherlands. The lifeboat 'La Regnouse' of the Dielette SNSM station, took charge of the sick young sailor and two companions. It brought him back to the port of Dielette where he was treated by the firefighters initially. He was then transported to the Pasteur Hospital in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin. On the morning of April 20, 2025, the SNSM brought the two companions back aboard the sail training ship.
DELPHINE
The fire aboard the 'Delphine' has been finally extinguished. Although the fire was brought under control fairly quickly on the day itself, there was still a risk of re-emergence in recent days. This was partly because there were also electric cars on board. The Bruges fire brigade was able to open and ventilate the hold with the burnt-out cars without any problems on April 18. This had to be done carefully, because otherwise there was a chance that the fire would flare up again. First the fire fighters opened the ship's hatches. Then the vessels's ventilation system was gradually activated, which all went off without incident. There was no longer any danger of the fire flaring up again. The deck is accessible again.It is not yet clear when the burned-out cars will be removed from the ship. It is estimated that at least 100 cars have been destroyed.
FRISIA II
On April 16, 2025, at around 11:34 a.m, the ferry ''Frisia E 1' (IMO: 1013250) was in collision with the 'Frisia II', in the Norddeich ferry port (Aurich district) while casting off. The accident caused a hole approximately 30 x 30 centimetres on the port side above the waterline. No one was injured, and no environmental damage was caused. The further investigations were being carried out by the Water Police Emden The ferry has not been operational since the accident. The damagewas repaired in the port. On the morning of April 16, the department of the German Transport Accident Insurance Association responsible for ship safety, was able to release the ship. The 'Frisia E-1' was back in service by 12:30 p.m. The 'Frisia II' also suffered minor damage. Report with photos: https://www.norderney-zs.de/magazin/news/kollision-des-e-kat-mit-der-frisia-ii/
CORNELIGUE
As of Aug 24, 2024, the 'Coneligue' was still resting aground at Moerdijk: Photo: https://www.shipspotting.com/photos/3830435?navList=gallery&category=61&page=1&viewType=normal&sortBy=newest
AQUARIS
On April 21, 2025, the crew of the 'Aquaris' spotted three perpetratos on board, when the tanker was 2.5 nautical miles off Pulau Cula in the eastbound lane of the Singapore Strait. The intruders, armed with knives, were spotted entering the engine control room. The crew was not injured, and nothing was stolen.
ARATERE
Two scheduled sailings of the 'Aratere' have been cancelled due to an electrical fault on April 22, 2024. The 4 p.m. crossing from Wellington to Picton and the return journey scheduled for 8.50 p.m. ave been cancelled to give engineers time to fix the fault in a hydraulic pump. Affected passengers were being moved to the next sailings, which have space available.
GIOVANNI VENTURI
On April 18, 2025, a 42-year-old crew member of the 'Giovanni Venturi' was medevaed by helicopter in the Punta Indio Channel of the Río de la Plata, after collapsing, hitting his head, and beginning to experience seizures. The rescue operation was coordinated by the Argentine Naval Prefecture, which deployed a helicopter and an airplane from the Mar del Plata Air Station to assist the victim. The incident occurred more than 100 kilometers from the city of La Plata when the ship's captain requested immediate assistance due to the serious medical condition of the victim, who was showing signs of possible respiratory arrest. The crew performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), stabilizing him while a radio consultation was established with the air force's medical team. Given the severity of the condition, the medical evacuation protocol was activated, and an aircraft with specialized personnel and a doctor on board was dispatched to the scene. The patient was lifted into a medical basket and transported by helicopter to land. During the flight, the man received initial medical attention, and upon landing at Buenos Aires Air Station, he was taken by ambulance to a medical center for further treatment. Report with phot and video: https://pescare.com.ar/prefectura-aeroevacuo-tripulante-descompensado-en-un-buque-frente-a-la-costa-bonaerense/
SPIRIT OF DISCOVERY
Algerian coastguard units carried out a rescue operation off the coast of Cap Matifou on the evening of, April 18. Three British tourists were medevaced from the 'Spirit of Discovery'. The ship had sailed from Gibraltar and was heading for Malta. It issued a distress signal 16 nautical miles northwest of Cape Matifou after three British passengers were in a dangerous condition. The National Maritime Surveillance and Rescue Operations Center, part of the Coast Guard's Naval Forces Command, immediately launched a two-stage rescue and evacuation operation. An MS-66 helicopter belonging to the 560th Search and Rescue Helicopter Squadron (1st Military Region) and a lifeboat from the Dellys Territorial Coast Guard Group (1st Military Region) were deployed. The patients were taken off and subsequently transferred to the Mustapha Pacha University Hospital (CHU) for medical treatment.
BAYESIAN
The salvage of the "Bayesian," which was due to start on April 20, has been postponed. The highly complex operation to raise the yach off Porticello is now scheduled to begin on April 27, one week later than planned, due to unfavourable weather conditions. However, the question also arises as to whether the Perini Navi shipyard bears any responsibility for the sinking of the yacht. The salvage operation is scheduled to be completed by mid-May. After being raised, the ship will be brought to the port of Termini Imerese near Palermo, where the public prosecutor's office is also located. The cost of the salvage operation is estimated at around US$30 million and will be covered by an international insurance consortium. On April 19 the Dutch crane vessel 'Hebo Lift 10' left the Port of Rotterdam. If weather conditions are favourable, it is expected off Porticello on May 5. Preparatory work on the wreck, including the dismantling of the rigging, is scheduled to begin as early as April 28. The yacht is considered structurally sound, and the 75-meter-high aluminum mast with six rows of spreaders is still firmly in place. After dismantling the rigging, the hull will first be righted and secured against possible fuel leaks. The vessel will then be fully raised. If all goes according to plan, the salvage operation should be completed in about four weeks, i.e., by the end of May. The Bayesian will then be transferred to the port of Termini Imerese, where it will be made available to the judiciary for technical and legal investigations. The salvage operation is considered crucial to determining the causes of the sinking. The Termini Imerese Public Prosecutor's Office is investigating British Captain James Cutfield and two crew members for negligent average and negligent homicide: Chief Engineer Tim Parker Eaton and Deckhand Matthew Griffith, who was on watch on the bridge at the time of the accident. At the same time, the British Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has also launched its own technical investigation, which is currently suspended until the Italian judiciary completes its investigation. Technical experts from both countries will be granted access to the wreck to examine possible structural damage, human error, or technical defects.
AIDADIVA
The "Aida Diva", enroute from Lisbon to Leixões, was diverted to Vigo on April 19 due to a storm. Despite the change of the itinerary, waves of up to six meters caught the ship, and the front crew pool area suffered some damage. Pieces of the paneling tore loose and flew against the ship's side. The pool itself also suffered significant damage and was currently unusable. Numerous loungers were thrown through the air and smashed against the ship's side. Inside the ship, damaged handrails and carpets in the public areas were reported. There was minor in the catering area.The ship safely berthed in Vigo on April 20. Report with photos: https://www.schiffe-und-kreuzfahrten.de/news/aidadiva-sturmschaeden-nach-ueberfahrt-von-lissabon-nach-vigo/355725/
SOLONG
As of April 19, the destroyed container cargo has been removed from the burnt-out hulk of the 'Solong' at the quay in Aberdeen, more than one month after the collision with the 'Stena Immaculate'. The gutted wreck was now waiting for disposal. Photos: https://www.shipspotting.com/photos/3829812?navList=gallery&category=39&page=1&viewType=normal&sortBy=newest