On March 8, 2026, the Indian Coast Guard vessel Anagh evacuated nine fishermen off Tamil Nadu after their boat, St Joseph, collided with the Vietnam-flagged MS Solis. Rescued from turbulent waters, the fishermen were taken to Vizhinjam harbour for urgent medical attention, with two suffering serious injuries and two still missing.
On March 1, the Vietnamese tanker SAND, en route to Iraq, received a distress call from the burning MKD VYOM. Captain Bui Duc Tuan decided to divert and assist. Navigating through the night, the crew rescued all 21 sailors from the lifeboats, showcasing remarkable courage and solidarity in a dangerous situation.
The crew of the Russian LNG carrier Arctic Metagaz has been rescued alive after abandoning ship due to a fire in the Mediterranean. Maltese authorities confirmed that all crew members were located safely in a lifeboat, following the vessel’s distress call amidst speculation of a possible drone attack.
Two merchant vessels and a fishing boat are aiding the South African Maritime Safety Authority in the search for missing crew members from the tugboat Leo, which sank overnight. Of the 18 crew members, 12 were rescued, one confirmed dead, and five remain unaccounted for amid challenging sea conditions.
The Department of Migrant Workers and the Philippine Embassy in Finland commended 19 Filipino crew members of the Cymona Eagle for their heroic rescue of Finnish rower Jari Saario. After his boat was damaged in a storm, the crew navigated treacherous conditions to save him, showcasing exceptional seamanship and humanitarian spirit.
Turkish firefighters used an innovative ladder truck rescue to save six crew members from the sinking Sea Star Tilos ferry at Altinova Shipyard. All crew were safely evacuated without injury, but the unique twin-hulled vessel later sank, raising environmental concerns about possible pollution in the surrounding waters.
On February 10, 2026, a harbour pilot fell into the sea while boarding the Emerald Princess cruise ship near Kauai. Quickly rescued by the pilot boat crew, he appeared unharmed. The incident led to the cancellation of the ship’s visit to Nawiliwili Harbour due to hazardous sea conditions.
On Tuesday, a container feeder crew rescued solo sailor Demetris Lappas from his disabled yacht, Alcyon Blue, off Bermuda. After engine failures and severe weather left him dizzy from diesel fumes, he activated his EPIRB. The Bermuda Islander reached him first, navigating rough seas to bring him safely aboard.
On Monday, the Spanish rescue agency, Salvamento Maritimo, successfully rescued seven fishermen off A Coruña’s coast. The fishing vessel Abra de Muxia responded to a distress call after the crew of the Itoitz abandoned ship due to dangerous conditions. Fortunately, all crew members were unharmed during the operation.
Rough sea conditions are complicating salvage efforts for the tank barge Defiant, which ran aground at San Juan’s harbor entrance. Trapped between rock formations, the barge is facing heavy surf, with waves reaching 10 to 12 feet. Authorities are monitoring for potential fuel spills as they await calmer weather.
On Monday morning, a merchant tanker rescued three individuals from a distressed sailboat 450 miles east of Daytona Beach, Florida. The Coast Guard received an EPIRB alert and dispatched an HC-130 aircraft. Despite severe conditions, the tanker Radiant Pride successfully evacuated the crew, showcasing the spirit of mutual aid at sea.
A Zodiac Maritime tanker, Horten, rescued a Belgian rower after his boat, City of Liverpool, capsized in the Atlantic Ocean during the World’s Toughest Row Race. The rower, caught in 13 to 15-foot seas, deployed his life raft. The crew located and saved him after nearly 24 hours in distress.
On Wednesday night, the US Coast Guard Sector San Juan and the crew of the Liberian-flagged tanker Horten rescued 47-year-old Benoit Bourguet, who capsized during the World’s Toughest Row Race. After deploying his life raft and activating his emergency beacon, Bourguet was found dehydrated but safe after nearly 24 hours at sea.
The Coast Guard rescued a crew member from the missing MBCA Amejara on Tuesday morning. The vessel, carrying 11 passengers and four crew, was last seen off Sarangani municipality. Authorities have mobilized resources to locate the remaining missing individuals, as the boat had departed without proper clearance from the Coast Guard.
A local fishing vessel, Leguga, responded to distress calls from the burning Silver Dorado, rescuing 12 crew members from the water. Alongside, vessels like Raka and Maverick joined the effort, ensuring all 21 fishermen were safely accounted for. Paramedics confirmed no injuries, showcasing the community’s swift solidarity in crisis.
