The 'Red Eagle' suffered engine issues short time after it had returned to service after an extended period in dry dock at Falmouth on the morning of April 5, 2025. The issueled to the cancellation of at least two sailings, with the potential for disruption to services all day. The 'Red Eagle' had departed East Cowes at 06:30 a.m., but as the ferry headed to Southampton, an engine issue developed. The vessel came to a complete halt near Netley at 07:10 a.m. The ferry was then slowly making progress up Southampton Water. Red Funnel has cancelled the departures from Southampton until 9.15 p.m. and thesailings from East Cowes until 9.45 p.m. as a result. Foot passengers were being advised to travel on the Southampton-West Cowes high-speed service which was unaffected. Due to a failure of the aft engine high-temperature cooling pump, the vessel remained removed from service the whole weekend while technical teams were trying make the necessary repairs. In the meantime, the 'Red Falcon' and 'Red Osprey' were continuing to sail, offering most passengers previously booked on the 'Red Eagle' the ability to sail either 60 minutes sooner or later than planned.
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LOCH FRISA
On April 7, due to a technical issue with the main engine of the 'Loch Frisa', serving on the route Oban-Craignure', the following sailings had to be cancelled: Departure Craignure - 07:10 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. Departure Oban - 08:30 a.m. and 11:25 a.m. After the issue has been resolved, the vessel departedfrom Craignure as soon as possible.
ISLE OF ARRAN
The 'Isle of Arrans', operating on the route Kennacraig-Port Askaig-Port Ellen, suffered an engine issue on April 7. As a conseuence, the schedule 09:20 a.m. arrival in Kennacraig was delayed by approx. 30 minutes. This had a knock on affect to the 10:00 a.m. departure from Kennacraig, which was diverted to Port Askaig and not Port Ellen as timetabled. The 12:45 p.m. departure took place from Port Askaig.
BARBAROSSA
The 'Barbarossa' was ordered to moor at the Haven Dike in Zwartsluis after toxic phosphine gas was measured in the cargo hold. During a routine inspection by the water police, the CO2 meter went off, after which the fire brigade discovered excessively high phosphine levels.A very high phosphine level was measured in the sailor's home and the cargo hold. The fire brigade decided around 3:30 p.m. that the crew was not safe and had to disembark. They had to sleep elsewhere. The next day, measurements were taken again and no more phosphine was measured. The ship was released and allowed to sail again. More than 10 ships may have been contaminated with phosphine during loading in Amsterdam. The skippers may not have been aware of their toxic gas cargo. The ASV prefers not to disclose which ships were involved. Report with photo: https://www.schuttevaer.nl/nieuws/actueel/2025/04/07/weer-fosfine-incident-in-binnenvaart/
FERMIN LOPEZ
On April 6, 2025, the 'Fermin Lopez' with six crew members on board requested towing assistance due to the fishing gear becoming entangled in the propeller blades. The CCS Almería of Salvamento Marítimo mobilized the SAR vessel 'Salvamar Gienah', which towed the fishing vessel to Motril. In Palma, the 'Salvamar Libertas' has also towed another fishing vessel with an engine breakdown and two crew members on board Report with photo: https://x.com/salvamentogob/status/1909217859483455490
YILDIRIM BEYAZID
A fire broke out on board the "Yildrin Beyazid' on the evening of April 6, 2025, a short distance off Mudanya. .The ferry was en route from Eminönü to Mudanya when the fire broke out at around 7:50 p.m.LT due to a technical failure in one of the engines. The crew of the vessel managed to control the fire, but smoke filled the ship's interior. Despite adverse weather conditions with waves up to three metres, the ferry was able to dock under its own power at the Mudanya pier, using the remaining functioning engine, where all passengers were able to disembark safely. Four passengers were treated in hospital for smoke inhalation, but have since been released. A technical investigation into the cause of the fire has been launched. The BUDO authorities affirmed their commitment to implementing all necessary safety measures to ensure the continued safety of maritime operations. Report with photos: https://www.hurriyet.de/news/aktuelles/feuer-auf-faehre-zwischen-istanbul-und-bursa-sorgt-fuer-chaos-an-bord-133722010
BALTICA
The 'Baltica' suffered water ingress near the pier off Kühlungsborn en route from Kühlungsborn to Warnemünde in the Baltic Sea on April 7, 2025. It was able to return to the pier in time. The captain informed emergency services shortly after 11 a.m. The ship turned around and moored again at the Kühlungsborn pier. The passengers were able to disembark safely. Initially, the ship appeared to be in danger of sinking. However, more than 50 volunteer firefighters were able to pump more water out of the engine room than was entering. This allowed the ship to rise again. The firefighters deployed oil booms around the stricken vessel to prevent any spillage of oil or marine diesel from spreading. Although small amounts of marine diesel leaked into the Baltic Sea, they were able to be removed. Divers were able to inspect the vessel and discovered that the drive shaft had become loose, allowing water to enter the vessel. Attempts were made to repair the damage on site. According to the water police, the "Baltica" is currently not allowed to leave the Kühlungsborn pier. On the morning of April 8 the 'Flunder' of the Baltic Taucher Germany went alongside. Reports with photos and video: https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/mecklenburg-vorpommern/Kuehlungsborn-Ausflugsdampfer-vor-Seebruecke-havariert,aktuellmv136.html https://www.spiegel.de/panorama/kuehlungsborn-fahrgastschiff-baltica-nach-leck-evakuiert-a-453ec83c-8e98-4d67-9785-7a2d44757426 https://www.nordkurier.de/regional/rostock/ausflugsschiff-auf-ostsee-droht-zu-sinken-wasser-laeuft-in-heck-3479539 https://www.gmx.net/magazine/panorama/fahrgastschiff-ms-baltica-droht-sinken-40853554
BUTE
The 'Bute', operating on the route Wemyss Bay.Rothesay, had a technical issue with the rescue boat on April 7, that required further investigations in the port of Rothesay. As a conseuence, the following sailings had to be cancelled: Departure Rothesay - 1:00 p.m. Departure Wemyss Bay - 2:05 p.m. After he technical issue has been resolved, the vessel resume service at 3:00 p.m., departing from Rothesay.
ISLE OF LEWIS
On April 7, due to a technical issue with the 'Isle of Lewis', operating on the route Oban-Castlebay, the schedule 1.30 p.m. departure from from Oban finally departed at 2:45 p.m., one hour and 15 mins late.
GUARDAMAR URANIA
On the morning, of April 6, the Guardia Civil informed the CCS of Salvamento Marítimo in Las Palmas about a cayuco, which was located 15 nautical miles off Arguineguín. The 'Guardamar Urania' located and rescued 23 people. On the afternoon of April 5, the Guardia Civil informed the CCS of Salvamento Marítimo in Tenerife about a cayuco/ seven nautical miles off LaRestinga. The 'Salvamar Adhara' escorted the boat with four occupants to the port. Report with photos: https://x.com/salvamentogob/status/1908823650721055229
MSC HOUSTON V
Salvamento Marítimo has recovered more than 17 reefer containers and a 40-foot container adrift off the coast of Cádiz. The boxes were part of the cargo lost by the 'MSC Houston V' on March 20 in the Cabo Sao Vicente area due to the storm caused by Storm Martinho. The ship had to dock in the port of Vigo after losing between 15 and 20 containers. The 'Salvamar Enif', 'Salvamar Arcturus', 'Salvamar Denébola', and the 'Luz de Mar' were key in the operation. The 'Salvamar Enif' recovered 11 reefer containers. They were deposited in the port of Barbate. The 'Salvamar Arcturus' located and delivered six more to the Tarifa dock (Sagrado Corazón de Jesús). The 'MSC Houston V' left Vigo again on March 28 and arrived in Liverpool on March 31. Report with video: https://x.com/salvamentogob/status/1909181579592671415 https://x.com/salvamentogob/status/1909271297776828570
LIFE SUPPORT
The 'Life Support',has rescued 215 shipwrecked migrants in three missions in the central Mediterranean. The three separate rescues took place in Libyan waters, the NGO Emergency announced on April 5, 2025. However, at least 14 people are missing. The first boat was reported by the emergency response center Alarm Phone at dawn. 93 migrants were on a rubber dinghy that was losing air. The migrants reported they had set off from the Libyan coast on April 4. According to the survivors, this boat also contained the missing people who fell overboard before rescuers arrived. During the mission, the rescuers saw another boat in trouble. All 78 migrants on board were rescued and taken aboard the 'Life Support.' The third mission, also reported by Alarm Phone, involved a rubber dinghy with 44 people on board. The 215 refugees, including 53 women, 83 unaccompanied minors, and nine accompanied by migrants, came from Eritrea, Somalia, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Mali, and Benin. The Italian authorities have assigned Ancona in the northern Adriatic Sea as a landing port.
ASTERION II
On the morning of April 2, 2025, the Heraklion Port Authority was informed that during the docking process of the 'Asterion II' at the port, the main ramp failed to open. Immediately, officers of the Port Authority went to the ship to determine the damage. The ferry was carrying out a scheduled route from the port of Piraeus. 411 passengers, 151 private vehicles, 134 trucks and 12 motorcycles were waiting to disembark. 337 foot passengers, as well as the motorcycles, disembarked safely at the port, while the private vehicles and trucks remained on board the ship. The Central Port Authority of Heraklion banned the ferry from sailing, until the damage was repaired and a certificate of seaworthiness and class maintenance was presented by the monitoring classification society. On April 3, the ferry shifted to Perama for repairs.
ISLE OF CUMBRAE
On April 6, 2025, the ' Isle of Cumbrae', operating on the route Largs-Cumbrae, suffered a hydraulic issue affecting the vessel's aft ramp. The vessel was unable to operate any additional sailings. Spare parts have been arranged. A further update was to be provided on April 7.
LOCH FRISA
On April 7, due to a technical issue with the main engine of the 'Loch Frisa', serving on the route Oban-Craignure', the following sailings had to be cancelled: Departure Craignure - 07:10 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. Departure Oban - 08:30 a.m. and 11:25 a.m. The depature at 1:30 p.m. from from Oban departed at 2:45 p.m., one 1hour and 15 mins late.
SALVAMAR ADHARA
On the morning, of April 6, the Guardia Civil informed the CCS of Salvamento Marítimo in Las Palmas about a cayuco, which was located 15 nautical miles off Arguineguín. The 'Guardamar Urania' located and rescued 23 people. On the afternoon of April 5, the Guardia Civil informed the CCS of Salvamento Marítimo in Tenerife about a cayuco/ seven nautical miles off LaRestinga. The 'Salvamar Adhara' escorted the boat with four occupants to the port. Report with photos: https://x.com/salvamentogob/status/1908823650721055229
RED STAG
An unqualified engineer lost his life aboard the 'Red Stag' due to electrocution while attempting to troubleshoot a mud pump system in Port Fourchon, Louisiana, on Oct 14, 2023. The engineer asked a deckhand about the location of a voltage meter at approximately 05.30 a.m. At 06.40 a.m., the vessel’s master discovered the engineer unresponsive next to an open high-voltage panel in the engine room. Despite immediate emergency response and first aid efforts, the engineer was pronounced deceased at 07.40 a.m. The U.S. Coast Guard investigation revealed multiple contributing factors to the casualty. The primary cause was determined to be a presumed material failure in the mud pump system, but several critical safety deficiencies played significant roles in the fatal outcome. Key factors identified in the investigation included the engineer’s lack of qualifications, failure to follow established company procedures, absence of visual or audible indicators for emergency stop activation, and missing locking devices on the high-voltage panel. The sequence of events began during a routine watch handover on Oct 13 at 11.30 p.m., when the outgoing 1st engineer informed the unqualified engineer that the vessel had been leveled using the mud pump system. The oncoming watch’s duties included engine room cleaning, interior space maintenance, and preparation for mooring stations. While Job Safety Analyses (JSAs) were completed for the assigned tasks, the subsequent attempt to address the mud pump system issue led to the fatal accident. The investigation highlighted how multiple safety barriers failed, ultimately resulting in an unqualified individual accessing energized electrical equipment. In response to the incident, the owner and operator of the 'Red Stag', the Adriatic Marine LLC of Raceland, Louisiana, implemented a fleet-wide Safety Stand-down, emphasizing the critical importance of communication between captains and crews, as well as strict adherence to safety policies and procedures. The investigation concluded without finding evidence of criminal acts, civil penalties, or violations of law by Coast Guard personnel or credentialed mariners. However, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of proper qualification, training, and safety protocols in maritime operations, particularly when dealing with high-voltage electrical systems. Full report: https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Portals/9/DCO%20Documents/5p/CG-5PC/INV/ROIs/RED_STAG_7874488_ROI_Redacted.pdf