The Sassnitz Water Police have taken over the investigation into the cause of the grounding of the "Iberica Knutsen on May 22 at approximately 5:20 a.m., while approaching the port, off the Mukran ferry port. As part of the accident investigation, an investigation has been initiated against the responsible ship's master. A detention order has been issued until the on-board investigations and the inspection of the ship's hull have been completed. The Sassnitz Water Police was conducting the ongoing investigation into the cause and circumstances of the incident- With the assistance of several tug s, the vessel was safely towed to the Sassnitz roadstead. No injuries were reported. No cargo was lost and no environmental impacts were reported. Report with pphoto: https://www.nordkurier.de/regional/ruegen/lng-tanker-lief-in-der-ostsee-vor-ruegen-auf-grund-3606531
News
ANKORVA
The 'Akorva' was being broken up at the local scrap metal yard EMR Erith in May 2025: https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1272096398256957&set=a.488324753300796
GLEN SANNOX
On May 23, the 06:30 a.m. sailing of the Glen Sannox' from Troon was delayed due to a technical issue with the steering gear that required investigating, and the Troon berth was temporarilly unavailable. The 07:30 a.m.sailing from Brodick operated be the 'Alfred' was at risk to be delayed. After the technical issue has been resolved, the delayed 06:30 a.m. sailing from Troon was loadedto and depart as soon as possible. The 07:30 a.m. sailing from Brodick operated be the 'Alfred' was also loaded in order to depart as soon as possible.
HULK
Just a few days after the tugs "Bülk" and "Kitzeberg" were put up for sale, there were interested buyers from abroad. The "Bülk" has already left Kiel and has berthed at a shipyard in Assens on May 5, 2025. The buyer is the shipping company Oceanteam from Trieste. They have already renamed the tug "Hulk." Many of their approximately 50 tugs were built or operated in Germany before. The shipping company operates in northern Italy, Slovenia, and Montenegro. The "Kitzeberg" found a potential buyer from Tanzania who are plannign to operate the tug in West Africa under the name "Kitzeberg." The buyer was awarded the contract on May 19.
ISLE OF LEWIS
The 'Isle of Lewis', serving on the route Oban-Castlebay, suffered a technical issue impacting the port side main engine on the morning of May 18. Initially, the scheduled 12:40 pm. departure from Oban was delayed, before the service had to be cancelled completely. In order to provide a suitable berth for repairs and contractor attendance, the vessel was reposition to Stornoway on the evening of May 18, where it arrived on the morning of May 19. The service remained cancelled as of May 20. After repairs, the vessel was expected to return to service on the morning of May 21. The vessel made passage from Stornoway and operated a delayed service.
PEDRO BENZAL
On May 20, 2025, a fire broke out on the 'Pedro Benzal' eight nautical miles southeast of Faro Calaburra. All four crew members were rescued with assistance from the fishing vessels 'San Pedro' and 'Sa Rata', which were in the area. The SAR helicopter Helimer 220 and the SAR boat 'Salvamar Alnitak' were mobilized to transfer the skipper to Fuengirola. Patrol boats of the Guardia Civil and the 'Salvamar Alnitak' tried to extinguish the fire. Report with photo: https://x.com/salvamentogob/status/1924856638038474758
NCL SALTEN
The 'NCL Salten', enroute from Aalesund with 16 crew memberson board, went off course and ran aground on the morning of May 22, 2025, at around 5 a.m. in theTrondheims Fjord near Lauset in pos. 63° 24' N 010° 04' E. and got stuck hust a few metres from houses ag the shore. The Coastal Administration, tried in vain to pull the ship free at 9 a.m. The shipping companyiwas now working to get tug capacity and will make another attempt tonight when it's high tide. The crew of the ship has been informed of a criminal suspicion by the police after questioning, but it is not known what they are suspected of at this time. The anti pollution ship 'Stjernoy' (MMSI: 257058890) and the utility vessel 'OV Hekkingen' (MMSI: 257111020) proceeded to the grounding site. The lifeboat "Une Amundsen" assisted the fireboat in the morning hours while awaiting a tug outside Trondheim, Kleivan. Report with photos: https://www.aftonbladet.se/nyheter/a/vg2dPj/stort-fartyg-har-gatt-pa-grund-i-norge-pa-villastrand?fbclid=IwQ0xDSwKb6qBjbGNrApvqSmV4dG4DYWVtAjExAAEendPdRhy7tX2UkBuq42nBvH8hmb5ekybdS9J4HzvwTAb2fvFuBYM1c_0QsmM_aem_NL0Xx22B2uHPUzOWM_32yw
COSTA FAVOLOSA
During the 'Costa Favolosa's last Northern Europe cruise, several guests complained of symptoms of a gastrointestinal illness. The Costa Cruises shipping company responded immediately with a comprehensive hygiene plan and assured that the situation is under control. The seven-dacruise, which departed from Hamburg on May 3, t2025, took the ship to Le Havre and South Queensferry and to Newhaven near Edinburgh. On May 18,, a comprehensive disinfection campaign was launched in the Scottish port after several passengers reported typical symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. In an official message to guests, the shipping company announced increased cleaning measures. Passengers were asked either to stay in their cabins or to temporarily leave the ship to ensure efficient hygiene procedures. Captain Valentino Savarese appealed to passengers to practice thorough hand hygiene and avoid physical contact as much as possible. Restroom use should also be limited to their own cabin. The exact number of passengers affected remained unclear. Costa Cruises emphasized that the situation is under constant monitoring. The cruise will continue as planned. The full 19-day cruise began on May 3 in Marseille and ended on May 22 in Hamburg.
FREMANTLE HIGHWAY
The firefighting and rescue operation of the burning 'Fremantle Highway' was difficult due to poor communication between the various emergency services and slow decision-making. This was concluded by the Dutch Safety Board (OVV). The fragmentation of the various services was 'at the expense of the speed of action. The fire on the ship carrying electric cars, among other things, broke out late in the evening of 25 July 2023, 27 kilometres off the coast of Ameland. The Coast Guard started fighting the fire, but did not know that the fire was spreading and the people on board were in danger. It was only when the special helicopters reached the ship after two and a half hours that it became clear that almost the entire ship was on fire and a rescue operation was necessary. The fire caused a lot of smoke and seven crew members saw no other way out than to jump from a great height from the ship. They were seriously injured and one of them did not survive the jump. 16 people were taken off the ship by helicopter. They had all inhaled heavy smoke. When the victims were taken to Groningen Airport Eelde, the emergency services there were not prepared for their arrival, which caused delays in transport to hospitals. The OVV stated that 'emergency aid in the North Sea must be put in order as soon as possible'. Communication between the Coastguard and the partners on land in particular must be improved. 'The Safety Board has regularly pointed out in recent years that the Coastguard Centre is insufficiently capable of taking control when it has to collaborate with other parties. 'It does not help that several ministries share the administrative responsibility for the Coastguard.'
CITY OF LOUISVILLE
On May 6, 2025, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released findings regarding the grounding incident of the ''City of Louisville' on July 29, 2023, while pushing 11 barges upbound on the Mississippi River near Thebes, Illinois. The grounding resulted in substantial damage to the tug’s bottom plating and engine room, causing flooding in multiple spaces. The incident also led to approximately 30 gallons of gear oil being released into the river. While no injuries were reported, the vessel sustained an estimated $2 million in damage. According to investigators, the pilot, who was alone on watch in the wheelhouse, left the helm unattended for approximately five minutes to go to the port side of the wheelhouse. During this brief absence, the vessel missed a critical course change to starboard along the recommended route. The investigation revealed that the vessel was equipped with a pilothouse alerter system, designed to warn both the wheelhouse and other vessel spaces if the operator becomes unresponsive. However, investigators discovered the system’s power supply was disconnected, though they could not determine when this occurred. In their recommendations, the NTSB stressed the importance of proper alerter system protocols, stating that “established procedures for the operation and use of the system should be outlined in the company safety management system.” They emphasized that alert intervals should be based on navigational risks and proximity to hazards. Full report: https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Reports/MIR2519.pdf
JULIE OF LADRAM
On May 18, 2025, the 'Julie of Ladram-E 271' started its last voyage from Brixham to the river Thames, enroute to the EMR breakers yard in Erith, under tow of the 'Sophia D'.
LOCH FRISA
On 21 May 21 , the 'Loch Frisa', operating on the route Oban-Craignure, suffered a technical issue with the engine,As a consequence, the 8:00 p.m. service departing Oban was delayed. After the issue with the vessel’s engine has been resolved, the 'Loch Frisa' departed Oban approximately 10 minutes late.
SALETA
On the morning of May 21, 2025, the hospital ship 'Juan de la Coa reported that a crew member of the 'Saleta', sailing 10 nautical miles northwest of Avilés, required medical evacuation. The CCS Gijón of Salvamento Marítimo mobilized the SAR helicopter Helimer 211, which hoisted the patient and transported him to El Musel, where an ambulance was waiting.
ACHAEOS
On May 20 at noon , the Port Authority of the Argosaronic Gulf was informed by the Captain of the 'Acheos' that during its scheduled route from the port of Aegina to the port of Piraeus, it experienced a malfunction in one of its four main engines. The ship sailed at a reduced speed to the port of Piraeus, where it safely disembarked 146 passengers. The Port Authority of the Argosaronic Gulf prohibited the ship from sailing until the damage was repaired and a certificate of class maintenance was presented by the classification society that monitors it.
ILSE-MARIE
The 'Ilse-Marie', that ran aground on a sandbank in front of the port of Stavoren on the afternoon of May 22 , has been refloated and berthed in the marina of Stavoren with own power. The ship, which is carrying a load of gravel, came loose on the evening after part of the cargo was transferred to another ship. The operation was completed around 8:30 p.m. The vessel was temporarily moored at the Cruise Pier,, where the transferred load was loaded again on the morning, of May 23, and will move to the Hubert Quay during the day, where it will remain until May 2'5. The ship will probably leave on the evening when the wind has dropped. The 'Ilse-Marie' did not sustain any significant damage. There was only some water in the forecastle near the bow thruster. Because there was no leakage, environmental damage was also avoided. Rijkswaterstaat was on site to monitor the situation and provide support. The cause of the grounding is not yet known. Report with photo: https://www.schuttevaer.nl/nieuws/actueel/2025/05/22/binnenvaartschip-ilse-marie-vastgelopen-voor-havenmond-stavoren/
FRIGG SYDFYEN
The ' Frigg Sydfyn', operating between Als and Bøjdenran aground at Bøjden on May 22 2025, at 7 o'clock a.m. with 50 passengers on board immediately after the departure from Bøjden and ended up stuck against the pier and the beach due to strong winds. A pilot boat has tried to pull the ferry free, but without success. A tug was called from Svendborg to Bøjden to refloat the ferry.After more than eight hours, it successfully freed the ferry. Report with photos: https://www.tvsyd.dk/soenderborg/jens-kristian-er-fanget-pa-strandet-faerge-folk-er-frustrerede-95eba
CIC ROLACO
Repairs of the 'CIC Rolaco' at the Steubenhöft in Cuxhaven have been completed after more than two months. The bulk carrier left the port again on May 21 at around 08:30 a.m. for trials in the German Bight. After these were successful, the ship proceed to Portlanded as next destinationwith an ETA as of May 23.
SALVAMAR FENIX
On the night of May 20, 2025, The sailboat 'Arya Tara' ran aground in Cala Sardinera, Jávea, with two crew members on board. The 'Salvamar Fénix' was mobilized by the CCS Valencia of Salvamento Marítimo and refloated the boat. It was safely towed to the port of Jávea. A patrol boat of the Guardia Civil transported one crew member to shore, while the skipper remained on board for the operation.
EGURBI VII
On May 21, 205, the 'Egurbi VII, with two crew members on board, reported that it had a rigging entangled in the propeller and requested assistance near Tazones. The CCS Gijón of Salvamento Marítimo mobilized the SAR boat 'Salvamar Rigel', which took the yacht in tow and safely pulled it to the port of Gijón.