News

Due to the strong winds with gusts of of 80 knots and heavy rains in the Bay of Cadiz, the ferry “Volcán de Timanfaya” (IMO: 9281334) has broken its stern moorings in the port of Cadiz on the morning of March 8, 2025, and has hit the “Villa de Tazacorte”, causing damage to its hull and paint. The RCC of Salvamento Marítimo in Cádiz mobilized the SAR ship 'María Zambrano' and contacted the port authorities, which mobilized pilots and two more tugs. The situation could be brought back to normal. The “Volcán de Timanfaya” was undergoing engine maintenance at the time of the incident.

On March 9, a migrant boat departure was reported to the CROSS Gris-Nez off Malo-les-Bains, which initially engaged the lifeboat 'SNS 276-Notre-Dame des Flandres' from the Gravelines SNSM station to monitor the boat, then joined by the 'Abeille Normandie'. Following the request for assistance from some of the boat's occupants, the 'Abeille Normandie' recovered 37 people on board. Following this recovery, the emergency tug requested medical assistance for one person. The CROSS then set up a conference call with the Toulouse maritime medical consultation center (CCMM) and the 'Abeille Normandie'. Following this conference call, it was recommended that the person be brought back to the quay to be taken care of on land by the land rescue services. The 'Abeille Normandie' then dropped off the 37 migrants at the quay in Boulogne-sur-Mer.

The 'Virak', sailing on the route Forøy–Ågskardet, suffered a technical fault on March 9, 2025, and was sidelined in Ågskardet for troubleshooting. As a consequence, a sailing from Jektvik to Forøy was offered by the ferry 'Ørnes' on March 10 with a departure from Jektvik at 11:00 a.m., arriving in Forøy at approximately 1:15 p.m., and from Forøy at 1:30 p.m., with an arrival in Jektvik at 3:45 p.m. Depending on developments on the 'Virak', further trips throughout the day will be continuously considered.

On March 9, 2025, a migrant boat departure was reported to the CROSS Gris-Nez off Malo-les-Bains, which initially engaged the 'SNS 276-Notre-Dame des Flandres' from the Gravelines SNSM station to monitor the boat, then joined by the emergency tug 'Abeille Normandie'. Following the request for assistance from some of the boat's occupants, the 'Abeille Normandie' recovered 37 people on board. Following this recovery, the ship requested medical assistance for one person. The CROSS then set up a conference call with the Toulouse maritime medical consultation center (CCMM) and the 'Abeille Normandie'. Following this conference call, it was recommended that the person be brought back to the quay to be taken care of on land by the land rescue services. The 'Abeille Normandie' then dropped off the 37 migrants at the quay in Boulogne-sur-Mer.

The Canadian Coast Guard remained focused on the fuel aboard the 'MSC Baltic III' and the prevention of environmental damage. While there was daily activity, weather and ice conditions were impacting the operations about 50 % of the time, and many days teams are not able to get aboard the vessel. The focus was not on speed but on minimizing the impact of the incident. The operation may involve a combination of overland and a barge alongside first to remove the fuel oil and then the cargo. Lose ice has clogged the remote cove An ice class tug and barge arrived in Corner Brook carrying tanks some of which will be put onshore for eventual use as they remove the approximately 1.7 million liters of heavy fuel and marine gas oil onboard. The fuel oil in the tanks will need to be heated before it can be pumped off the ship. However, the salvage teams have determined the cranes aboard the ship are operational which will be helpful for the cargo operations. The Coast Guard believed the majority of the required equipment was now onsite for the operation. Accessing the vessel from the shoreside with heavy equipment requires upgrades to a road into the area. The operation is in the final approval stages from Canada for the roadwork. A draft plan showed that it would take approximately two weeks of work to make the road usable for the trucks and other equipment. The salvage operation might also build a walkway to the bow of the vessel to increase access. The salvage teams have confirmed that the vessel has significant hull and structural damage although it is now resting solidly on the seabed. There is flooding in the three of the holds, the tanks, and the engine room.