On February 11, Philippine authorities revealed that the ferry Trisha Kerstin 3, which sank on January 26, may have been overloaded, contributing to at least 52 fatalities. Investigations indicated that the crew failed to warn passengers as the vessel began to list, raising serious concerns about safety regulations and oversight.
Carnival Cruise Line faces scrutiny in Australia due to a campaign by the Maritime Union of Australia (MNU), which led to an inspection by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority. The MNU alleges poor working conditions and low wages for crew members, while Carnival claims the union’s actions are a recruitment tactic.
The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has released its report on the April 25, 2024, collision between the crude oil tanker Apache and the trawler Serinah in the Firth of Clyde. Both vessels failed to adhere to collision prevention regulations, resulting in Serinah sinking rapidly, though all crew members were unharmed.
On February 18, 2025, a fire broke out in the engine room of the towing vessel Thor, pushing two barges down the Delaware River. The captain, noticing smoke and a metallic odor, instructed the crew to investigate. They encountered heavy smoke and worked quickly to contain the situation and call for help.
Over a decade after the 2012 ferry collision in Hong Kong, the Coroner’s Court has reopened the investigation into the tragic incident involving the Lamma IV and Sea Smooth ferries. Survivors and victims’ families seek accountability, as the court reviews design flaws and safety regulations despite lacking authority to impose charges.
Latvian police found no evidence linking a docked ship in Liepaja to damage of an underwater telecom cable connecting Latvia and Lithuania. Investigations continue amid heightened tensions in the Baltic Sea, following multiple outages since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Arelion confirmed three severed cables, with restoration efforts underway.
Finnish authorities are investigating significant damage to a telecommunications cable caused by the anchor of the cargo vessel Fitburg. Seized after underwater surveys revealed drag marks, the incident is being treated as potential sabotage, with crew members detained. The investigation raises alarms about security threats in the Baltic Sea.
Investigators from the UK’s Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) are probing an incident where thousands of bananas washed ashore near Southampton after 16 containers fell overboard. Initial findings indicate inadequate securing of the containers contributed to the disruption, prompting an examination of cargo securing practices and environmental impacts.
U.S. Senator Ron Wyden is investigating fuel smuggling linked to cartels between the U.S. and Mexico. He has contacted seven maritime shipping companies to understand their vetting processes. With stolen crude becoming a major revenue source for cartels, Wyden emphasizes the need for the industry to combat these illegal operations.
The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) reported a cargo fire aboard the bulk carrier Atlay on June 27, 2025, during scrap metal loading at Albert Dock, Hull. Detected by the master, the fire prompted immediate evacuation preparations and firefighting responses. Investigations suggest an undischarged battery may have ignited the blaze.
Nigeria’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has detained 20 Filipino seafarers following the discovery of 20 kilograms of cocaine concealed in their vessel’s cargo. The crew, aboard the Panama-flagged bulk carrier Nord Bosporus, is reportedly being treated well as investigations continue. Communication with the Philippines’ Department of Migrant Workers is ongoing.
Safety officials in the UK are investigating the death of 32-year-old Lee Hulse, a rig worker who fell from a crane aboard the Valaris 121 in the North Sea. Police confirmed the incident, which occurred on November 14, is not deemed suspicious. Valaris and Shell expressed condolences and support for Hulse’s family.
An 80-year-old Australian woman was found deceased on Lizard Island after being inadvertently left behind by the Coral Adventurer cruise ship. She had separated from her hiking group to rest but did not return in time. The incident is under investigation by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority.
Inspectors are set to board the P&O cruise ship Arvia after a tragic lift shaft accident claimed the life of a crew member. The Marine Accident Investigation Branch will assess the situation at the next port. The cruise company has extended condolences and support to the deceased’s family and friends.
On Thursday, the Swedish coast guard intervened with a Liberia-flagged bulk carrier accused of discharging waste into the Baltic Sea. Civil Defence Minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin remarked on the coast guard’s proactive surveillance in combating environmental crimes, stressing the importance of protecting the marine ecosystem from illegal dumping activities.
