The cruise ship Coral Adventurer ran aground off Papua New Guinea due to a malfunction in the ship’s ECDIS, which failed to load the chief mate’s modified route plan. This incident unfolded on December 27, 2025, as the vessel approached the small port of Dregerhafen, an area known for its challenging navigation and poorly surveyed waters. The ship had to make two tight turns to enter the harbor, and during the early morning watch, the chief mate adjusted the route in the ECDIS to facilitate the second turn.
At 0512, while approaching the port, the chief mate attempted to activate the new route but encountered delays as the ECDIS conducted a safety check. This process interrupted the transit, causing the Coral Adventurer to miss its first wheel-over point and overshoot its turn, leading it into potentially hazardous waters. The mate switched to manual steering to correct the course, but strong currents at the entrance slowed the vessel significantly.
After increasing the RPM on the thrusters, the chief mate returned to autopilot as the ship approached the second turn. However, the vessel again overshot the turn, prompting another manual adjustment. At this critical moment, the chief mate lost situational awareness, navigating in darkness without proper visual aids. The master arrived shortly before the grounding, but it was too late; the ship struck shallow waters and came to a halt.
Subsequent dive inspections confirmed that the hull remained intact, and the propulsion system was operational. Initial attempts to refloat the ship with a tug were unsuccessful due to engine overheating, but a larger tug eventually managed to refloat the Coral Adventurer by December 30. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau is currently conducting an inquiry into the grounding’s causes.
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