A fishing vessel sank off Drogheda, Co Louth, early this morning, triggering a rapid rescue by the Irish Coast Guard helicopter R116. After detecting an EPIRB signal, the crew located two individuals in the water using advanced night vision technology. Both were rescued and transferred to medical care, emphasizing the operation’s success.
Reports from Bangladesh describe a “brutal robbery” on the cargo ship Shejyoti at Mongla port. On May 26, 14 armed robbers boarded, tying up the crew and stealing around $40,000 in fuel and $18,000 in equipment. Three crew members were injured and required First Aid during the incident.
The Indian Coast Guard has successfully rescued 21 of the 24 crew members from the MSC ELSA 3, a Liberia-flagged container vessel that issued a distress call near Kochi. The ship, tilted at 26 degrees, posed significant risks, prompting urgent salvage operations to prevent environmental damage and ensure crew safety.
Maritime authorities in Singapore and Indonesia coordinated a successful rescue of crew members from the capsized fishing vessel Pacific Memory II, which collided with a tanker near the Singapore Strait. Survivors described chaos as the vessel swayed violently, with one clinging to a lifejacket for hours before help arrived.
Three crew members of the Bayesian superyacht are under investigation for negligence following its sinking off Porticello, Sicily, which resulted in seven deaths. Captain James Cutfield, chief engineer Timothy Parker Eaton, and deckhand Matthew Griffiths face potential criminal charges. The investigation highlights failures in emergency response during a severe storm.
On April 28, the containership Maersk Sana experienced a critical incident in the Atlantic, injuring three crew members. One is in critical condition at a Bermuda hospital. The vessel, drifting after machinery issues, was reportedly 354 nautical miles east of Bermuda when an engine explosion occurred, though this is unverified.
The crew of the offshore support vessel Star Apollo, stranded in Indonesia since October 2024, is facing unpaid wages and poor living conditions. With the help of the ITF, they are seeking assistance to return to India. The escalating issue of seafarer abandonment highlights the need for better enforcement of maritime regulations to protect vulnerable crew members.
The 20 Filipino crew members of a ship under investigation in South Korea for alleged cocaine smuggling will receive additional legal assistance from the DMW, Philippine embassy, and Migrant Workers office. Secretary Cacdac assures their well-being and legal defense while onboard the MV Lutina. Families are also being supported during the investigation.
The Philippine Coast Guard swiftly responded to a fire on the Castphill XV near Patungan Maragondon, Cavite. BRP Boracay rescued seven crew members, with minor injuries. CGSS Maragondon later saved five more crew members. The vessel was en route to Palawan carrying various goods. An investigation is ongoing to determine the cause of the fire.
Two recent outbreaks of norovirus on Cunard Line and Seabourn Cruises ships have left over 200 crew members and passengers feeling ill. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 183 out of 2,853 guests and 14 out of 1,232 crew members on Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 experienced symptoms of the virus.
Family members of crewmembers abducted from the product tanker BITU River off the west coast of Africa are pleading for help. Ten crewmembers were taken by pirates while the vessel was en route to Cameroon. The families are seeking assistance from the Indian government to secure the safe return of their loved ones.
The geophysical survey vessel Fugro Mercator ran aground off the north coast of Elba, Italy on March 22. The Italian coastguard responded swiftly, ensuring the safe evacuation of all 11 crew members. A salvage operation is now being planned in collaboration with international experts and local authorities to address the situation and minimize environmental impact.
A crew stranded on a beached cargo ship in the Humber estuary is receiving essential supplies and donations of sweets from concerned locals. The ship, H&S Wisdom, got stuck on a sandbank after traveling from Rotterdam. Efforts to refloat the vessel are set to begin soon, with support from rescuers and the community.
Security consultants and ReCAAP have warned of increased piracy activity near the Straits of Malacca and Singapore, with 62 vessels robbed in 2024. Most incidents occurred west of Pulau Cula, Indonesia, involving armed pirates stealing spare parts. Recent cases show a rise in violence, prompting calls for enhanced vigilance and patrols to combat the crime wave.
The Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Mr. Arsenio Dominguez, expressed his relief at the release of the 25-member crew of the MV Galaxy Leader, who had been held captive for over a year. The crew was taken hostage in November 2023 while passing through the Red Sea.
