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On Dec 20, 2024, at around 8:00 a.m., the 'Rix Explorer', en route from Odense, lided with the quay in Rostock during the docking maneuver. There were minor deformations on the sheet pile wall of the quay, and the bulbous bow of the ship was damaged. The water police Rostock launched an investigation. Human error by the Latvian captain in connection with the unfavourable wind conditions were probably the cause of the accident. The Ship Safety Department of the Federal Association of Transport, Postal Logistics and Telecommunications (BG Verkehr) was notified and issued a detention order until the ship's class was confirmed by the monitoring classification society. The Federal Bureau of Maritime Accident Investigation, the Warnemünde Traffic Control Center and the Rostock Port Authority were informed. The investigations were ongoing.

The 'Theodore Too', which partially sank in St. Catharines at the Ontario Shipyard, has been righted refloated with a crane on the afternoon of Dec 19, but there is still more work to do. The owner company thanked the Ontario Shipyards for their immediate assistance and expertise in refloating it. The Canadian Coast Guard's Urgent Response Team provided equipment to mitigate any environmental concerns while refloating the vessel.The cause of the sinking was unclear. The 'Theodore Too' had been a longtime fixture in the Halifax harbour and since arriving in Ontario, it had made more than 20 stops along the St. Lawrence River, Lake Ontario and Lake Erie. The owner Blair McKeil — who is also the CEO of Breakwater Financial — purchased the tug in 2021 from the Halifax-based tourism company Ambassatours Gray Line. The replica was built in Dayspring, N.S., and launched in 2000, delighting fans of the children's TV show that aired on CBC between 1993 and 2001. Reports with photos and video: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/theodore-tugboat-safely-righted-1.7415557 https://www.thealbertan.com/atlantic-news/theodore-tugboat-replica-refloated-after-partially-sinking-at-ontario-dock-owner-9983492 https://toronto.citynews.ca/video/2024/12/19/theodore-too-righted-and-floated-after-partially-sinking/

The Mosel river will remain closed to cargo shipping in Jan 2025, despite the success of a temporary lock helping to free vessels trapped on the river after an accident, navigation authorities said on Dec 19. The temporary lock will not permit a reduced level of cargo shipping to operate on the river while repairs to a damaged lock start in the new year. A resumption of normal shipping along the Mosel could be possible in early February. Repairs are likely to last until spring 2025. A temporary lock opened on Dec 16has been more successful than expected and 26 of the trapped vessels have now been freed. Around nine trapped ships are expected to be freed each day against initial expectations of five to six vessels daily, with all vessels expected to leave by the end of December. But the Mosel will be closed to shipping when the last trapped vessels leave and the temporary lock will not permit a reduced level of cargo shipping to operate while repairs to the damaged lock are carried out, starting in January.

A fire hit the 'Hynz 31' in the vicinity of Manila Bay on the afternoon of Dec 19, 2024. Thick black smoke was billowing from the foreship. The Philippine Coast Guard deployed the BRP 'Sindangan' and the BRP 'Suluan' to respond to the incident. One of the Coast Guard vessels moved into position and started spraying water on the dredger. The fire was extinguished at around 4:30 p.m. It was yet unknnown what caused the fire and if there were injuries. The vessel had been idle in the Bay since Nov 26. The Manila Coastguard station will be leading the investigation. Report with video: https://maritime-executive.com/article/video-philippine-coast-guard-responding-to-dredger-on-fire-in-manila-bay

The crew of the 'Arvia' spotted distress flares from a fishing boat, which was drifting at night having lost power, this week. Because the battery on the fishing boat had completely died, the owner hadn’t been able to call for help, so had resorted to sending up distress flares. The 'Arvia' was brought close to the fishing boat, where they were able to donate a new battery to the owner. This restored power to the boat, allowing it to return home.

A court in annexed Simferopol has arrested Leonid Volegov, the captain of the 'Volgoneft-212'. He was accused of violating traffic safety rules and operating maritime transport. He has been placed in pretrial detention until February 17, 2025. The regional Investigative Committee of the Russian occupied Crimea recalled that the captains of both the 'Volgoneft-239' and 'Volgoneft-212' were charged under Part 1 of Article 263 and Part 2 of Article 263 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, respectively (violation of traffic safety rules and operation of maritime transport, as a result of which a crew member died on one of the vessels). The 'Volgoneft-212' was overloaded, carrying 100 tons of fuel oil more than its carrying capacity allowed, besides sailing without valid certificates in an area prohibited for such ships. The captain of the 'Volgoneft-239' was placed under house arrest for two months. On Dec 19, satellites recorded a 100 square kilometre fuel oil slick 5-10 kilometres off the coast of Anapa. The fuel oil that leaked from the 'Volgoneft-212' drifted southeast and stretched for several kilometers along the Black Sea coast. Another slick of 1.8 square kilometres has been spotted in the Kerch Strait. Experts believed that the fuel oil will most likely be washed ashore in the next 1-2 days. New slicks of fuel oil may appear on the coast between the villages of Volna and Vityazevo near Anapa, as well as on the Taman Peninsula and on the coast of Crimea occupied by Russia. 4,300 tons of fuel oil and possibly other oil products could spill into the waters of the Kerch Strait. On Dec 17, residents of the Krasnodar Territory of the Russian Federation began publishing footage of beaches blackened by fuel oil and dying birds. Rescuers and volunteers have so far managed to collect more than 3.300 tons of soil contaminated with fuel oil from the beaches of the territory. 130 kilometers of the coast in Krasnodar Krai were surveyed for possible oil spills. About 10.7 kilometers have been cleared so far. The Ministry of Emergency Situations reported that about 5,000 rescuers and volunteers were involved in the cleanup of the fuel oil spill. 200 units of equipment were being used. On Dec 18, about 80 tons of fuel oil were collected on the beaches of Anapa. In total, 49 kilometers were contaminated after the shipwrecks. In addition to rescuers, 20 veterinarians and volunteers have been involved in the work. 30 birds have been rescued, and a search was underway for affected birds on the coast. A state of emergency was declared in Anapa after the shore was contaminated with oil products.

The 'Moby Zaza", serving on the route Porto Vecchio-Golfo Aranci, which had left the Corsican port on Dec 18, 2024, at 6 p.m., only docked after midnight in Olbia instead of Golfo Aranci, due to the breakdown of a generator. At 10:15 p.m., the engines suddenly stopped at the entrance to Isola Bianca. A blackout occurred, blocking many of the passengers who were inside the elevators. After restoring electricity, the captain reassured that the passengers would be disembarking within 20 minutes, Tugs assisted the ferry in front of the entrance to Isola Bianca and towied to the port of Olbia, instead of Golfo Aranci, where the disembarkation was scheduled, and where some commuters had parked their cars.The ship berthed with a delay of two, and passengers were able to disembark only at around midnight. Reports with photos: https://www.unionesarda.it/en/sardinia/engines-off-and-people-stuck-in-elevators-new-odyssey-on-the-ship-from-corsica-guldbbdj https://www.shippingitaly.it/2024/12/19/moby-zaza-alla-deriva-tra-la-corsica-e-la-sardegna-e-rimorchiato-a-olbia/?fbclid=IwY2xjawHSF7lleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHX14zOgo6pniD6SqnKz4I6oh9Jwz1s4yNeQIe8N7Sig0NlzNKHWJsrDt_Q_aem_mjvLeXNkFJ0xRH4EYVB9gQ

The 'Isle of Innisfree' allided with the dock upon its arrival at Fishguard on Dec 20, 2024, resulting in a hole above the waterline at the port side stern. The new Dublin-Fishguard route was hastily established in response to the ongoing closure of Holyhead due to storm damage, which was not expected to reopen until Jan15, 2025, at the earliest. As the ferry approached Fishguard on its inaugural voyage, it encountered difficulties during the docking process. While the exact cause of the accident was yet to be determined, the ferry had contact with the port structures. No injuries have been reported, but the damage has necessitated immediate emergency repairs. The ferry operator was assessing the damage and carrying out these. Vehicles will be allowed to board once the vessel is deemed fit to sail. The intention was for the ship to depart for Dublin as soon as is possible. Report with photo: https://pembrokeshire-herald.com/104362/ferry-accident-mars-inaugural-voyage-on-new-dublin-fishguard-route/?fbclid=IwY2xjawHThutleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHSlX33HTVMUz16748isleypdLjUATKfrEJAu7LwFjf0PaVJO_TPI2oFLjQ_aem_8-NZ7fvPCkYz5Lb3Q_vatw

During the departure manoever in Holyhead on Dec 7, 2024, at 0230 a.m., the “Ulysses” allided with a dolphin amid stormy weather with winds gusting above force 10 , brought by the storm Darragh, which collapsed as a result. No injuries were reported, and all relevant authorities have been informed, but Holyhead Port is was closed to marine traffic, and it was expected that the port wizkd remain closed until Dec 10 at 6 p.m. at the earliest, while a thorough assessment was being conducted. Report with video: https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/video-shows-moment-holyhead-port-30623145

The 'Glen Sannox' will begin timetabled sailings on Jan 13, 2024, CalMac has announced. A soft launch of the ship is expected in the week of Jan 6, with occasional sailing once or twice a day, before the full passenger timetable launches the following week. The vessel will enter official passenger service on the Arran route after successful tests and crew familiarisation over the past month, and run on the busiest route on the CalMac network, operating between Troon to Brodick. It had been scheduled for delivery in 2018 but endured considerable delays due to major challenges in design and construction, in what became a long-running political row. Costs on the ferry increased from an initial contract price of £97m to more than £400m, £45m of which were government loans never fully recovered.

An outbreak of norovirus has affected 83 passengers and 12 crew members of the 'Rotterdam' during its current voyage that started on Dec 8, 2024, and lasts unti Dec 20, The ship departed on its 12-night roundtrip cruise from Fort Lauderdale with calls at Curacao, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, and Jamaica. The vessel also transited through the Panama Canal and spent a day at the newly renamed and private RelaxAway at Half Moon Cay, jointly operated by Holland America Line and Carnival Cruise Line, both owned by Carnival Corporation. While calling in Montego Bay on Dec 18, the medical team aboard the ship reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that it was experiencing an outbreak of suspected norovirus. The ship with 2,192 passengers and 953 crew on board was now under close observation by the CDC. Holland America Line has taken immediate steps to contain the outbreak by intensifying cleaning and disinfection procedures as outlined in its outbreak prevention and response plan.

A worker fell two meters down into the hold of the 'Ciudade de Albufeira', which was docked at the fishing pier in Muros, on Dec 19, 2024, and was injured. At 2.30 pm. the rescue services were alerted, and a medical team was mobilized to the port. who had suffered a fall of about two meters. The members of the GES de Muros, the local police and Civil Guard officers collaborated in the response. The man was stabilied and then transported by a medical helicopter to Santiago for further medical care.

A court in annexed Simferopol has arrested Leonid Volegov, the captain of the 'Volgoneft-212'. He was accused of violating traffic safety rules and operating maritime transport. He has been placed in pretrial detention until February 17, 2025. The regional Investigative Committee of the Russian occupied Crimea recalled that the captains of both the 'Volgoneft-239' and 'Volgoneft-212' were charged under Part 1 of Article 263 and Part 2 of Article 263 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, respectively (violation of traffic safety rules and operation of maritime transport, as a result of which a crew member died on one of the vessels). The 'Volgoneft-212' was overloaded, carrying 100 tons of fuel oil more than its carrying capacity allowed, besides sailing without valid certificates in an area prohibited for such ships. The captain of the 'Volgoneft-239' was placed under house arrest for two months. On Dec 19, satellites recorded a 100 square kilometre fuel oil slick 5-10 kilometres off the coast of Anapa. The fuel oil that leaked from the 'Volgoneft-212' drifted southeast and stretched for several kilometers along the Black Sea coast. Another slick of 1.8 square kilometres has been spotted in the Kerch Strait. Experts believed that the fuel oil will most likely be washed ashore in the next 1-2 days. New slicks of fuel oil may appear on the coast between the villages of Volna and Vityazevo near Anapa, as well as on the Taman Peninsula and on the coast of Crimea occupied by Russia. 4,300 tons of fuel oil and possibly other oil products could spill into the waters of the Kerch Strait. On Dec 17, residents of the Krasnodar Territory of the Russian Federation began publishing footage of beaches blackened by fuel oil and dying birds. Rescuers and volunteers have so far managed to collect more than 3.300 tons of soil contaminated with fuel oil from the beaches of the territory. 130 kilometers of the coast in Krasnodar Krai were surveyed for possible oil spills. About 10.7 kilometers have been cleared so far. The Ministry of Emergency Situations reported that about 5,000 rescuers and volunteers were involved in the cleanup of the fuel oil spill. 200 units of equipment were being used. On Dec 18, about 80 tons of fuel oil were collected on the beaches of Anapa. In total, 49 kilometers were contaminated after the shipwrecks. In addition to rescuers, 20 veterinarians and volunteers have been involved in the work. 30 birds have been rescued, and a search was underway for affected birds on the coast. A state of emergency was declared in Anapa after the shore was contaminated with oil products.

On Dec 19, 2024, at 10 p.m. a fire broke in the car deck of the 'Moby Ale Due', en route from Porto Torres to Genoa. The fire started from the engine of a refrigerated truck and was extinguished by the ship's own firefighting system, and the ship returned to the industrial dock of Porto Torres less than two hours into the voyage. Once docked, firefighters and the port authority boarded the ship and carried out an inspection. Once the checks were approved, the passengers spent the night on the ship in cabins free of charge, and disembarked at first light to take the bus provided by Moby to Olbia, from where they were able to leave on another ship to Genoa, the 'Moby Tommy'. Report with photo and video: https://www.unionesarda.it/de/sardinien/angst-um-268-passagiere-der-moby-fahre-feuer-in-der-garage-das-schiff-kehrt-nach-porto-torres-zuruck-ippxzyg2

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Marine investigators are looking into the allision of the 'Ulysses' in Holyhead, which damaged one ne of the berths at Terminal 3 - used by Irish Ferries - was damaged in Storm Darragh. Ferry services to Dublin have been cancelled until at least Jan 15, 2025. When storm Darragh hit on Dec 6-7, two separate berthing incidents occurred affecting the Terminal 3 berth used by Irish Ferries. A part of the berth structure collapsed, rendering it unusable, when hit by the starboard side stern of the 'Ulysses'. MAIB inspectors are in the process of making enquiries to better understand the circumstances which may have contributed to the incident. Next steps will be determined once the evidence has been reviewed. All relevant authorities were informed of the incident. A thorough assessment into the extent of the damage and repairs required was ongoing. The closure of the port for ferry services hit the transport of goods, post and passengers in the key run-up to Christmas. Report with photo: https://uk.news.yahoo.com/marine-investigators-looking-holyhead-incident-180314434.html

The 'Gem Star 2' servicing the Grenadine islands, will soon be back on the water after it went adrift on Dec 15 due tp a rope entangled in the propellers, which damaged the engine as the ship was making its way to Canouan after a trip to Carriacou.On Dec 16 at 3 a.m. the ship was towed to Canouan after being adrift for about eight hours since 7.30 p.m. with 400 people aboard. Two small pieces of replacement equipment were awaited on Dec 18, and most of the damage has already been addressed.

A norovirus outbreak struck the 'Ruby Princess', sickening 103 passengers and 12 crew members during a voyage to Hawaii and Mexico, which started on Dec 2, 2024 in San Francisco. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed the outbreak, with passengers reporting diarrhea and vomiting as the primary symptoms. The ship returned on San Francisco on Dec 19. While the exact cause of the outbreak was still under investigation, norovirus was identified as the likely culprit. Princess Cruises responded to the outbreak by intensifying cleaning and disinfection protocols across the ship. They also isolated sick passengers and crew members to prevent a further spread.

The salvage operations of the 'AMT Challenger', stranded on the beach of Sotteville-sur-Mer since Dec 8 after breaking lose from the 'Boka Glacier', have been suspended. They were to be resumed after Christmas. The weather forecasts announced between Dec 19 and 22, marked by the presence of northerly winds and a strong swell, lead to a delay in the final preparatory work for towing the barge off the beach. After an initial inspection, the salvage plan was submitted to the maritime prefecture of the Channel-North Sea and the prefecture of Seine-Maritime. The inspection of the 24 ballast tanks and their sealings were still in progress and have therefore had to be suspended until the weather conditions are more favourable. Beach ban orders have been issued by the mayors of Veules-les-Roses, Sotteville-sur-Mer and Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer. It is therefore still prohibited to approach the barge. Report with photo: https://actu.fr/normandie/sotteville-sur-mer_76683/la-barge-amt-challenger-va-passer-noel-sur-la-plage-de-sotteville-sur-mer_62023122.html

On Dec 19, 2024, Torghatten Midt reported that the connection Skei - Gutvik has been canceled until further notice due to technical problems of the 'Leka'. It was not known when the ferry will be back on schedule. Work was underway to obtain a spare vessel and the connection was expected to resume this afternoon. In fact the route was resumed with a departure at 1:40 p.m. from Skei.