A tragic incident unfolded off the Philippines as a fire engulfed the passenger ferry June Aster, claiming at least five lives. The Philippine Coast Guard is conducting search and recovery operations for missing passengers. The ferry, carrying 117 passengers and 17 crew, ignited near Marcilla during its journey from Manila.
A Turkish cargo ship, the Tugberk Imamoglu, sank in the Marmara Sea after colliding with an empty oil tanker, the ALSU. The incident, occurring 18 nautical miles off Silivri, resulted in the disappearance of 10 crew members. Search operations are ongoing, but no survivors have yet been found.
Sascha Meijer, general secretary of Nautilus International, expressed deep condolences for those affected by the tragic passenger ship accident off Cyprus. He praised the efforts of seafarers and emergency responders, emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation into the incident and advocating for justice and safety in maritime operations.
The Indian Coast Guard ship Varad successfully rescued two Chinese survivors from the sunken MV Ocean Winner, which sank in the Bay of Bengal. The survivors, Pan Tonglai and Chen Jianhe, were brought to Paradip, Odisha, after receiving medical attention. Ongoing search efforts continue for the remaining crew members.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is in touch with the families of two Indian nationals missing after the MV AG N Ragnar was attacked near Ukraine’s Odesa port. Four crew members were aboard, with two confirmed safe. Search operations are ongoing, coordinated by Ukrainian and Romanian authorities.
Authorities in Indonesia reported that one individual is missing after a boat carrying foreign tourists sank off the Central Sulawesi coast. The vessel, transporting 11 passengers and two crew members, departed from a dive resort but failed to reach its destination, prompting a search and rescue operation.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is intensifying search and rescue efforts for the 14 missing crew members of the Vietnamese cargo ship Khoi Nguyen 18, which sank near Kagitingan Reef. As of July 28, 2026, the BRP Malapascua is on its sixth search leg, coordinating with nearby vessels for assistance.
In response to an urgent distress call, the European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) ASPIDES launched a search operation in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Under Rear Admiral Andrea Quondamatteo’s leadership, the mission aims to safeguard civilian ships and crews, highlighting the importance of international cooperation in maritime security.
Indonesian maritime services and police are searching for survivors after the interisland ferry KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya sank near Bali on July 3. Six bodies have been recovered, with 29 survivors found, while about 30 remain missing. Witnesses reported the ferry tilting and taking on water before sinking.
The US Coast Guard and the crew of the orange juice tanker Orange Ocean rescued solo sailor Kirill Vladimirovich Mikhaylov 420 miles north of Puerto Rico. The sailor’s vessel burst into flames and sank, prompting a swift response from Coast Guard Sector San Juan and the AMVER network.
The recent NMSAR Board meeting in Kochi, Kerala, organized by the Indian Coast Guard, paved the way for the upcoming SAREX-24 exercise. Defense Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh highlighted the ICG’s vital role in search and rescue operations. National SAR Awards were distributed, recognizing outstanding contributions to maritime safety.
On August 19th, tragedy struck in Palermo, Sicily as the luxury yacht “Bayesian” sank during a violent storm. One man died and six are missing, including British technology entrepreneur Mike Lynch. Eyewitnesses reported the yacht disappearing into the waves, with 15 survivors, including a one-year-old child. Divers are investigating the cause of the incident at a depth of 49 meters.
Search and rescue operations were underway in South Africa for 11 fishermen missing at sea after their ship sank off Cape Town. Nine were rescued by a lifeboat, while five fishing vessels assisted in the operation. The cause of the sinking remains unknown. (Source: Reuters)
Romanian rescue teams are searching for three missing crew members of a cargo ship that sank off the Black Sea coast. The Tanzania-flagged Mohammad Z sank 26 nautical miles off the Romanian Danube village of Sfantu Gheorghe. Eight members were rescued, and efforts continue to locate the missing Syrian nationals.
