News

On July 7, 2023, the Coast Guard’s Office of Investigations and Casualty Analysis published a report of investigation (ROI) to Marine Casualty Reports regarding the demasting of the 'Grace Bailey' in Penobscot Bay, Rockland, Maine resulting in the loss of life of one passenger and injuries to five other passengers on Oct 9, 2023. The Coast Guard Northeast District Commander convened a formal investigation into this tragedy. The investigation team compiled and issued nine safety recommendations and two administrative recommendations. A Commandant’s final action memorandum (FAM) detailing the Coast Guard response and actions on each recommendation is included with the ROI.

A massive fire, along with several other errors, had set plans back somewhat, but on Aug 1, 2025, the 'Thalassitis' finally sets sail on is maiden voyage from Piraeus to Crete. The ferry will, however, sail only on a roll-on/roll-off basis, without carrying passengers.

The 'Joseph Doyle' and a boat crew of the USCG Station San Juan assisted four mariners aboard the disabled 75-ft-m/v 'Sueño I', with four crew members on board, off Carolina, Puerto Rico, on July 30. The Dominican Republic nationals were on a voyage from Tortola to Saman, when the vessel suffered electrical problems and was disabled. Coast Guard watchstanders in San Juan received a distress communication reporting the 'Sueño I', which was adrift approximately 12 nautical miles northeast of Carolina, Puerto Rico. Coast Guard watchstanders issued an UMIB to alert vessel traffic in the vicinity of the ongoing distress situation. They also diverted the 'Joseph Doyle' to render assistance. Once on scene, the cutte crew established a tow of the 'Sueño I' to San Juan Harbor, where the boat crew took over the tow and brought the vessel to the safety of the Coast Guard Base San Juan, where it was moored. T crew made arrangements for repairs. Report with photo: https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/4260824/coast-guard-surface-units-assist-4-mariners-aboard-disabled-vessel-sueo-i-off-c/

On the early morning of July 31, the Heraklion Port Authority was informed that during the arrival at the port, the 'Blue Star Chios' suffered a ramp failure occurred. The ferry was operating a scheduled route from the port of Thira with 276 passengers, 35 private vehicles, five trucks and nine motorcycles on board. The Central Port Authority of Heraklion initially prohibited the departure of the ferry. After the presentation of a certificate of repair of the damage and maintenance of seaworthiness from the classification society that monitors it, it was allowed to continue sailing to Sitia-Kassos-Pigadia Karpathos-Rhodes with 364 passengers, 60 private vehicles, 10 trucks and 12 motorcycles.

On July 31, 2025, at around 3:00 p.m., the CROSS Jobourg received a Mayday alert that a semi-rigid pleasure craft was in distress and sinking off the Chausey archipelago. Since it was nearby, the "Jolie France" was immediately diverted to assist the vessel. The 11 shipwrecked people, including three who had fallen overboard, were safely recovered aboard the "Jolie France." They were taken to the dock in Granville and did not require medical assistance. At the same time, , the CROSS engaged the lifeboat 'SNS 17-12 - Notre Dame du Cap Lihou II' from the Granville SNSM station to tow the semi-rigid boat, as well as the 'SNS 719 - Père Delaby' from the SNSM station Chausey to recover the various debris at sea and the liferaft.