On the night of March 19, numerous departures of migrant boats were reported to the CROSS Gris-Nez, which initially engaged the 'Ridens' in the Dunkirk Channel to monitor an overloaded, precarious boat that had left the west port of Dunkirk at 11:30 p.m., with approximately 40 people on board. At around 3:00 a.m., the boat picked up a new group of people on the coast of Gravelines. The 'Ridens' rescued three people in difficulty in the water, then a group of 12 people aboard the boat requesting evacuation. Among those rescued, one was unconscious. The CROSS Gris-Nez immediately deployed the French Navy's Dauphin helicopter based in Le Touquet, with a medical team from the SMUR from Boulogne-sur-Mer on board, as well as the lifeboat 'SNS 276- Notre-Dame des Flandres', based in Gravelines. The unconscious person was treated by the medical team, which was hoisted aboard the 'Ridens'. The medical treatment was unsuccessful in resuscitating the person, who was declared deceased. The 15 people were disembarked at the port of Gravelines by the lifeboat and taken care of by the emergency services on land. An investigation was opened by the Dunkirk prosecutor's office. The 'Ridens' continued to monitor the boat as it made its way towards the United Kingdom with approximately 80 people on board. After coordinating the rescue of two migrants who had fallen overboard and were evacuated to Boulogne-sur-Mer, the CROSS Gris-Nez continued to monitor the boat on which the two rescued individuals had attempted to board earlier on the morning. At midday, following a request for assistance from the migrants, the patrol boat 'Jeanne Barret' rescued the occupants of the boat and initially took 11 people on board, including one unconscious person, while the lifeboat 'SNS 076-Président Jacques Huret' from the Boulogne-sur-Mer SNSM station reinforced the resources on site. While the 'Jeanne Barret' rescued the migrants from the precarious boat, the lifeboat, after having arrived on the scene, provided medical care to the person who had regained consciousness and two other migrants. All 50 people rescued from the boat were taken to Boulogne-sur-Mer by mid-afternoon and treated by land-based rescue services. On March 19, 2025, shortly after 9:00 a.m., the CROSS Gris-Nez was informed that a group of people attempting to board an rubber boat for an attempt to cross the Strait of Dover was in difficulty in the Equihen beach area. The boat had set sail an hour earlier near Hardelot-Plage. The 'Jeanne Barret', initially deployed by the CROSS Gris-Nez for surveillance, and the National Gendarmerie's RHIB 'Ouranos' were dispatched to the scene. Once on site, two people were detected in the water. One was rescued by the 'Ouranos', suffering from hypothermia, and the other, rescued by the 'Jeanne Barret', was in cardiorespiratory arrest. Both people were evacuated to Boulogne-sur-Mer for treatment by on-shore emergency services. The person in cardiorespiratory arrest was declared deceased despite the intervention of rescue services at sea and on land. At the same time, the CROSS Gris-Nez deployed the semi-rigid 'SNS 6295 Président Jacques Lebrun' from the SNSM station in Boulogne-sur-Mer and the VCSM 'Aber Ildut' to search for possible victims at sea. Other surveillance operations were still underway off the coast of Pas-de-Calais.
News
SM KESTREL
On March 18, 2025, at around 1 a.m., the 'SM Kestrel', was in allision with the anchored bulk carrier 'Diamond Star II' (IMO: 9449273) at the western anchorage of Gibraltar, while the unloaded LNG tanker was manoeuvring to depart. There were no injuries, no pollution has been caused and neither of the two vessels suffered any significant damage. Both vessels remained at the anchorage, and were to be attended by relevant surveyors from their respective Class and Flag at the earliest opportunity. A Port State Control from GMA surveyors will also be carried out at the earliest opportunity. The 'Diamond Star II' was stationary in pos. 36° 09' N 005° 23' W, the 'SM Kestrel' in pos. 36° 08' N 005° 23' W as of March 20. Report with photo: https://www.gbc.gi/news/lng-tanker-comes-contact-anchored-bulk-carrier-western-anchorage
RAGNA
The 'Ragna', which sails on Randers Fjord between Mellemrup and Voer, was sidelined in Voer due to engine problems on March 16, 2025. The 67-year-old ferry had its engines replaced three years ago, but it is one of the engines that is currently causing problems with its temperature which cannot be kept down. The ferry company's employees, together with mechanics, have been working to fix the technical problems, but unfortunately they have not been resolved yet. Customers must take a 20-kilometer detour to take the ferry company's other connection, the cable ferry 'Udbyhøj', instead.
MALAU
A firearm and 600 rounds of ammunition were seized from the 'Malau' at the Suva Harbour. The Fijian Navy ship RFNS 'Timo' had intercepted the ferryand escorted it to Suva on March 18, 2025, at 3.35 a.m. (UTC+13). where the gun and ammunitions were seized. The gun had proper documentation from Tonga but the recipient in Fiji did not posses a licence for the firearm. The reasons behind the interception of the ferry, which was en route from Tongatapu to Suva for maintenance, remained unclear. The necessary documentation for the export of the firearm and ammunition had been provided. The ship was not detained by the Fiji Navy. Neither the captain, nor the crew are under custody.
STENA IMMACULATE
Crowley have praised the crew of the 'Stena Immaculate' for their response after the 'Soling' hit the ship. Cal Hayden, vice president, Crowley global ship management said: "Before being forced to abandon ship, the crew had the dedication and presence of mind to ensure fire monitors were active in order to provide boundary cooling water to the adjacent cargo tanks- Their heroic action limited damage to only the cargo tanks impacted due to the allision. We remain fully committed to supporting the UK response to the striking of the Stena Immaculate and any environmental remediation. Our deepest gratitude and respect goes out to our 23 mariners from the Stena Immaculate for their exceptional bravery and quick action during the recent allision to their ship in the North Sea. Their decisive efforts and teamwork to execute critical fire and emergency duties helped to save lives, protect the integrity of the vessel and minimize the impact on the environment. Against disastrous circumstances, the crew had the operational focus to ensure fire monitors were active in order to provide boundary cooling water, which resulted in limited impact to just one of the 16 cargo holds. Their dedication to safety — not only for themselves but for others — sets a powerful example for the entire industry. Thank you for your courage and dedication." Report with photo: https://www.thisisthecoast.co.uk/news/local-news/stena-immaculate-crew-praised-for-collision-response/
PICO TRESMARES.
The 19 fishermen of the 'Pico Tresmares', who were rescued by the crew of the longliner 'Avó Músico' on March 17, were in good health. They will be disembarked as soon as possible. Upon arrival, they will likely be questioned regarding the fire that could not be extinguished and which forced a rapid evacuation of the fishing vessel. She uses the port of Vacamonte as its usual hub before resuming operations off the coast of Chile.. The vessel, although part of the Galician group Pombo, responded to the distress call from the captain of the 'Pico Tresmares'. Upon arriving at the scene of the accident, the 19 crew members were in the life raft, in good condition despite the heavy rain. The 'Avó Músico' arrived at the position at night and waited until dawn to see the situation of the 'Pico Tresmares', but the Celeiro longliner, attached to the Vigo Shipowners' Cooperative (ARVI), had already sunk. The Maritime Accident and Incident Investigation Commission (CIAIM) will be responsible for investigating the causes of the sinking, which occurred in international waters. The 'Pico Tresmares' had departed Vacamonte on Feb 23 for the fishing area. Report with photos: https://www.laopinioncoruna.es/galicia/2025/03/18/naufragio-pico-tresmares-buque-hundido-115426874.html
SNS276
On the night of March 19, numerous departures of migrant boats were reported to the CROSS Gris-Nez, which initially engaged the 'Ridens' in the Dunkirk Channel to monitor an overloaded, precarious boat that had left the west port of Dunkirk at 11:30 p.m., with approximately 40 people on board. At around 3:00 a.m., the boat picked up a new group of people on the coast of Gravelines. The 'Ridens' rescued three people in difficulty in the water, then a group of 12 people aboard the boat requesting evacuation. Among those rescued, one was unconscious. The CROSS Gris-Nez immediately deployed the French Navy's Dauphin helicopter based in Le Touquet, with a medical team from the SMUR from Boulogne-sur-Mer on board, as well as the lifeboat 'SNS 276- Notre-Dame des Flandres', based in Gravelines. The unconscious person was treated by the medical team, which was hoisted aboard the 'Ridens'. The medical treatment was unsuccessful in resuscitating the person, who was declared deceased. The 15 people were disembarked at the port of Gravelines by the lifeboat and taken care of by the emergency services on land. An investigation was opened by the Dunkirk prosecutor's office. The 'Ridens' continued to monitor the boat as it made its way towards the United Kingdom with approximately 80 people on board. After coordinating the rescue of two migrants who had fallen overboard and were evacuated to Boulogne-sur-Mer, the CROSS Gris-Nez continued to monitor the boat on which the two rescued individuals had attempted to board earlier on the morning. At midday, following a request for assistance from the migrants, the patrol boat 'Jeanne Barret' rescued the occupants of the boat and initially took 11 people on board, including one unconscious person, while the lifeboat 'SNS 076-Président Jacques Huret' from the Boulogne-sur-Mer SNSM station reinforced the resources on site. While the 'Jeanne Barret' rescued the migrants from the precarious boat, the lifeboat, after having arrived on the scene, provided medical care to the person who had regained consciousness and two other migrants. All 50 people rescued from the boat were taken to Boulogne-sur-Mer by mid-afternoon and treated by land-based rescue services. On March 19, 2025, shortly after 9:00 a.m., the CROSS Gris-Nez was informed that a group of people attempting to board an rubber boat for an attempt to cross the Strait of Dover was in difficulty in the Equihen beach area. The boat had set sail an hour earlier near Hardelot-Plage. The 'Jeanne Barret', initially deployed by the CROSS Gris-Nez for surveillance, and the National Gendarmerie's RHIB 'Ouranos' were dispatched to the scene. Once on site, two people were detected in the water. One was rescued by the 'Ouranos', suffering from hypothermia, and the other, rescued by the 'Jeanne Barret', was in cardiorespiratory arrest. Both people were evacuated to Boulogne-sur-Mer for treatment by on-shore emergency services. The person in cardiorespiratory arrest was declared deceased despite the intervention of rescue services at sea and on land. At the same time, the CROSS Gris-Nez deployed the semi-rigid 'SNS 6295 Président Jacques Lebrun' from the SNSM station in Boulogne-sur-Mer and the VCSM 'Aber Ildut' to search for possible victims at sea. Other surveillance operations were still underway off the coast of Pas-de-Calais.
DIAMOND STAR II
On March 18, 2025, at around 1 a.m., the LNG tanker 'SM Kestrel' (IMO: 9917579), was in allision with the anchored 'Diamond Star II' at the western anchorage of Gibraltar, while the unloaded LNG tanker was manoeuvring to depart. There were no injuries, no pollution has been caused and neither of the two vessels suffered any significant damage. Both vessels remained at the anchorage, and were to be attended by relevant surveyors from their respective Class and Flag at the earliest opportunity. A Port State Control from GMA surveyors will also be carried out at the earliest opportunity. The 'Diamond Star II' was stationary in pos. 36° 09' N 005° 23' W, the 'SM Kestrel' in pos. 36° 08' N 005° 23' W as of March 20. Report with photo: https://www.gbc.gi/news/lng-tanker-comes-contact-anchored-bulk-carrier-western-anchorage
SIYANIE SEVERA
A Russian naval force consisting of four ships was close to rounding Skagen Reef on the afternoon of March 19, 2025, heading towards the Great Belt. The Royal Navy, along with NATO allies, had conducted a coordinated operation to monitor the Russian naval task group since entering the English Channel on March 16. The Type 23 frigate HMS 'Somerset', the minehunter HMS 'Cattistock' and the RFA 'Tidesurge' had participated in the monitoring operation, which began south of Portsmouth. The operation involved both naval assets and aerial surveillance, including a RAF P8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft from RAF Lossiemouth. The ships were on their way back from Syria, where they have picked up military equipment that is no longer needed after the Russian-backed President Assad's regime fell in Dec 2024. The ships have been continuously shadowed by aircraft and warships from the NATO countries they have passed, a task that was taken over by units from the Danish Navy when the naval force have passed Skagen. The convoy consisted of the destroyer 'Severomorsk', the landing craft 'Aleksandr Shabalin', and the cargo ships 'Sparta IV' and 'Siyanie Severa', both of which sailing for the Russian Navy. The naval force was on its way to St. Petersburg with the 'SParta IV' having an ETA as of March 24, where equipment from Syria has previously been brought ashore. The Russians are negotiating with the new rulers in Syria for permission to continue using the strategically important naval base in Tartus. The Russians are prepared to pay for the base with Russian oil. The status of these negotiations was unknown. Report with photos: https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news/2025/march/19/250319-royal-navy-shadow-russian-task-group-returning-from-syria-in-the-channel
SOLONG
The fire on board the 'Solong has been extinguished' on March 18, more than a week after the ship collided with the tanker 'Stena Immaculate'. Measuring of the temperatures on board was going on as of March 19. The British Coastguard has been talking about small pockets of fire since March 12, which have been burning until this day. Plastic pellets have been observed off the east coast of England, south of the collision site. The British Coastguard has started a clean-up operation. They have also issued an appeal to report any plastic pellets that people come across. The fire on the tanker has been extinguished since last week, and a salvage team from Boskalis has boarded the ship several times since MArch 13, inspecting the cargo tanks, engine room and bridge. Boskalis wants to prepare the ship to pump out the kerosene and take it to a port. When that would be possible was not yet known.
STENA IMMACULATE
The fire on board the 'Solong has been extinguished' on March 18, more than a week after the ship collided with the tanker 'Stena Immaculate'. The British Coastguard has been talking about small pockets of fire since March 12, which have been burning until this day. Plastic pellets have been observed off the east coast of England, south of the collision site. The British Coastguard has started a clean-up operation. They have also issued an appeal to report any plastic pellets that people come across. The fire on the tanker has been extinguished since last week, and a salvage team from Boskalis has boarded the ship several times since MArch 13, inspecting the cargo tanks, engine room and bridge. Boskalis wants to prepare the ship to pump out the kerosene and take it to a port. When that would be possible was not yet known. Both vessels remained in the area, with the 'Stena Immaculate' at anchor 12 miles off Withernsea, and the 'Solong' about 20 miles further south, off Mablethorpe. One sailor from the 'Solong' – named as 38-year-old Filipino national Mark Angelo Pernia – remained missing and presumed dead. The captain, Vladimir Motin, 59, of St. Petersburg, Russia, appeared at Hull Magistrates’ Court on the morning of March 15, charged with gross negligence manslaughter and was remanded in custody. Members of the public have been asked to report nurdle finds to the Humber Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre on 0344 382 0580 or email zone8@hmcg.gov.uk. Report with photos: https://uk.news.yahoo.com/clean-operation-under-way-pellets-162521587.html
SEACAT INTREPID
On the morning of March 13, 2025, the 'Seacat Intrepid' suffered a loss of power in the port of Wick, resulting in a low-speed impact with the harbour wall and a fishing boat that was moored alongside. No-one was injured in the incident, which happened in the outer harbour, whilst setting sail for routine operations to the Beatrice offshore wind farm. The potential damage was being assessed. Seacat will undertake an investigation into the root cause of the failure.
ISLAND OCEAN
On March 18, the Norwegian Maritime Authority released a report on what happened when a man died in a work accident on board the 'Island Ocean' at the quay in Hareid. The investigations showed that the man was working on repairing a platform under a crane on deck and was crushed against a railing when the crane was started. The Directorate has not concluded what caused the accident, and was awaiting the police and the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority's investigation. The shipping company has now introduced new procedures around the use of the crane on deck to avoid people staying in the area when it is in operation. Reports with photos: https://www.nrk.no/mr/person-skal-vere-skadd-i-arbeidsulykke-i-hareid-pa-sunnmore-1.17336138 https://www.nrk.no/mr/nye-rutinar-etter-dodsulykke-pa-bat-1.17345209
RIDENS
On the night of March 19, numerous departures of migrant boats were reported to the CROSS Gris-Nez, which initially engaged the 'Ridens' in the Dunkirk Channel to monitor an overloaded, precarious boat that had left the west port of Dunkirk at 11:30 p.m., with approximately 40 people on board. At around 3:00 a.m., the boat picked up a new group of people on the coast of Gravelines. The 'Ridens' rescued three people in difficulty in the water, then a group of 12 people aboard the boat requesting evacuation. Among those rescued, one was unconscious. The CROSS Gris-Nez immediately deployed the French Navy's Dauphin helicopter based in Le Touquet, with a medical team from the SMUR from Boulogne-sur-Mer on board, as well as the lifeboat 'SNS 276- Notre-Dame des Flandres', based in Gravelines. The unconscious person was treated by the medical team, which was hoisted aboard the 'Ridens'. The medical treatment was unsuccessful in resuscitating the person, who was declared deceased. The 15 people were disembarked at the port of Gravelines by the lifeboat and taken care of by the emergency services on land. An investigation was opened by the Dunkirk prosecutor's office. The 'Ridens' continued to monitor the boat as it made its way towards the United Kingdom with approximately 80 people on board. After coordinating the rescue of two migrants who had fallen overboard and were evacuated to Boulogne-sur-Mer, the CROSS Gris-Nez continued to monitor the boat on which the two rescued individuals had attempted to board earlier on the morning. At midday, following a request for assistance from the migrants, the patrol boat 'Jeanne Barret' rescued the occupants of the boat and initially took 11 people on board, including one unconscious person, while the lifeboat 'SNS 076-Président Jacques Huret' from the Boulogne-sur-Mer SNSM station reinforced the resources on site. While the 'Jeanne Barret' rescued the migrants from the precarious boat, the lifeboat, after having arrived on the scene, provided medical care to the person who had regained consciousness and two other migrants. All 50 people rescued from the boat were taken to Boulogne-sur-Mer by mid-afternoon and treated by land-based rescue services. On March 19, 2025, shortly after 9:00 a.m., the CROSS Gris-Nez was informed that a group of people attempting to board an rubber boat for an attempt to cross the Strait of Dover was in difficulty in the Equihen beach area. The boat had set sail an hour earlier near Hardelot-Plage. The 'Jeanne Barret', initially deployed by the CROSS Gris-Nez for surveillance, and the National Gendarmerie's RHIB 'Ouranos' were dispatched to the scene. Once on site, two people were detected in the water. One was rescued by the 'Ouranos', suffering from hypothermia, and the other, rescued by the 'Jeanne Barret', was in cardiorespiratory arrest. Both people were evacuated to Boulogne-sur-Mer for treatment by on-shore emergency services. The person in cardiorespiratory arrest was declared deceased despite the intervention of rescue services at sea and on land. At the same time, the CROSS Gris-Nez deployed the semi-rigid 'SNS 6295 Président Jacques Lebrun' from the SNSM station in Boulogne-sur-Mer and the VCSM 'Aber Ildut' to search for possible victims at sea. Other surveillance operations were still underway off the coast of Pas-de-Calais.
QUEEN HARMONY
The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) in Perak has detained the 'Queen Harmony' on March 17, 2025, at around 3:30 p.m. The authorities found that the vessel had anchored approximately 13 nautical miles northwest of Pulau Jarak, but had neither obtained any anchor permit from the Malaysian Marine Department nor reported its arrival in Malaysian waters. The case was being investigated under the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952, which imposes a maximum fine of around $21,000 USD or imprisonment of up to two years. A failure to report the arrival may result in an additional fine of up to around $1,050 USD. The bulk carrier has an Egyptian captain and 20 crew members, among them one Russian, two Ukrainians, and 17 Filipinos. Two crew members have been taken to the MMEA Perak Headquarters for further investigations.
FEDOR URIUPIN
Ukrainian reconnaissance forces have targeted air defence systems, a Russian Mi-8 helicopter and the 'Fedor Uriupin' in temporarily Russian occupied Crimea over the last few days. Some radar systems were hit, in particular, Podlyot (2 systems), Niobiy (two systems), Kasta (three systems), Imbir (one system), Nebo (one system), S-300 (one system); Nebo-M (one system), Protivnik (one system) and Mys (one system). The S-300 anti-aircraft missile launcher, command posts of the ST-68 radar and Kasta radar, and three Pantsyr-S1 anti-aircraft missile and gun systems came under attack. The reconnaissance forces also struck the C4236-project tug and a Mi-8 helicopter. Report with video: https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2025/03/19/7503553/
SOLONG
The shipping company Ernst Russ, which owns the 'Solong', stated on March 18: “We can confirm that a number of containers on board Solong contain plastic nurdles. We understand that no containers holding nurdles have been lost over the side. What we understand may have occurred, is that intense heat during initial firefighting efforts caused one or more of the openings of some of the smaller containers to open, resulting in the release of some contents.” The firm said it had “proactively deployed assets to mitigate any long-term impact on the marine environment” and was liaising with the British Coastguard. Conservation groups have said the nurdles, which are not toxic, can have a devastating effect on animals, including seals, puffins and fish, if they are eaten. Members of the public have been warned not to touch the pellets, which can be covered in other pollutants. Nurdles have begun to appear on Brancaster Beach, in Norfolk, and the RSPB confirmed they have washed up at the charity’s reserve at nearby Titchwell. So far, there have not seen any visible signs at the Blakeney Point Nature Reserve. The inter-tidal salt marshes at Stiffkey were to be assessed next. Steve Rowland, RSPB area manager, said pellets were washing up along miles of Norfolk coast, including the charity’s reserve at Titchwell, an area is internationally important for birds and wildlife. A etrieval operation" was under way between Old Hunstanton and Wells-next-the-Sea in Norfolk - as well as other parts of The Wash - where miles of the pellets have been found. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) hoped lower tides in the coming days would help aid the recovery – a small window of six or seven days – to clear most of the stuff off the beaches. The risk is birds might ingest some of this stuff. Both vessels remained in the area, with the 'Stena Immaculate' at anchor 12 miles off Withernsea, and the 'Solong' about 20 miles further south, off Mablethorpe. One sailor from the 'Solong' – named as 38-year-old Filipino national Mark Angelo Pernia – remained missing and presumed dead. The captain, Vladimir Motin, 59, of St. Petersburg, Russia, appeared at Hull Magistrates’ Court on the morning of March 15, charged with gross negligence manslaughter and was remanded in custody. Members of the public have been asked to report nurdle finds to the Humber Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre on 0344 382 0580 or email zone8@hmcg.gov.uk. Reports with photos: https://uk.news.yahoo.com/clean-operation-under-way-pellets-162521587.html https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c981r44e3k9o
AVO MUSICO
On March 17, 2025, the 'Avo Músico'' rescued the 19 crew members of the longliner 'Pico Tresmares', which had sunk in the South Pacific, approximately 1,000 miles west of La Serena, Chile, after a fire broke out in the vessel's engine room on the morning. It had spread rapidly and beyond control. The fishing vessel requested assistance from the RCC of Salvamento Marítimo in Madrid. The Chilean rescue was in charge of coordinating the SAR operation, which alerted vessels in the area during the stormy night. The 'Avo Músico' which was four sailing hours away, diverted to the scene. Upon arriving at the scene of the accident, the 19 crew members were in the life raft, in good condition despite heavy rain. The 'Avó Músico' arrived at the position at night and waited until dawn to see the situation of the 'Pico Tresmares', but the Celeiro longliner, attached to the Vigo Shipowners' Cooperative (ARVI), had already sunk. The castaways remained aboard the "Avo Músico" awaiting the transfer in the coming hours to another vessel belonging to the same company, the 'Illa Gaveira' (IMO 9098268), which was 960 nautical miles north-northwest of the scene. They will be disembarked as soon as possible. Report with photos: https://www.laopinioncoruna.es/galicia/2025/03/18/naufragio-pico-tresmares-buque-hundido-115426874.html Longliner sank after fire - crew rescued
