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On Aug 22, 2026, Rafael Cayetano Blanco, a 38-year-old lifeguard aboard the 'MSC World America', was arrested at Port Miami for allegedly engaging in sexual activity with a 17-year-old passenger. MSC Cruises immediately dismissed him, and law enforcement detained him following an investigation by local and federal authorities into the incidents, which took place inside the crew member's cabin during an ongoing voyage. He was held at the Metro West Detention Center in Miami-Dade County with an immigration hold in place. Blanco and the teenage passenger first met on the ship and exchanged phone numbers on Aug 16. The affidavit alleged that the minor visited Blanco's cabin later that night and again onAug 19, during which sexual encounters occurred. Following the ship's arrival at Port Miami, law enforcement officers boarded the vessel and questioned the suspect. After receiving his Miranda warnings, Blanco allegedly admitted to the encounters. The vessel had departed from Miami on Aug 15 for a 15-day round-trip itinerary, returning briefly to port on Aug 22, before continuing its journey toward Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic.

The 'Wei Xiao Tian Shi' was drifting semi-submerged in the Mozambique Channel in pos. 27° 55.94' S, 038° 09.35' E on Nov 8, 2026. At 11 a.m., the containership 'COSCO Denmark' (IMO: 9516478) has altered course and arrived on scene to assist.

On Nov 7, the 'Dodekanisos Express' was scheduled to depart from the port of Leros to carry out an approved itinerary covering the route Kos – Symi – Kalymnos – Symi – Kos – Leros – Symi – Kalymnos. During an inspection by Port Authority officials, it was discovered that no provision had been made for a double or alternative crew, even though the voyage—lasting a total of 13 hours and 30 minutes—exceeded the maximum daily working hours permitted for the crew. Consequently, the Leros Port Authority suspended the vessel's departure. The Leros Port Authority is initiating the process for imposing the prescribed administrative sanctions. Meanwhile, the vessel has been granted authorisation for a single, one-off voyage—without passengers or cargo—to the port of Rhodes.

A collision took place in early November 2026 off the coast of Cebu, involving the 'Rasalas' and the 'TB Taiyuan' near the Lauis Ledge Lighthouse (a significant lighthouse located in the channel off Talisay City, Cebu). The busy entrance to the port of Cebu was temporarily blocked and rendered impassable. Other vessels in the area had to be diverted via a wide detour through the Hilutangan Channel into the northern channel of Cebu, resulting in significant delays to regional maritime traffic.

Throughout the night of Nov 7-8, the Golden Globe Race (GGR) Control remained in constant contact with a Navy doctor and the MRCC Brazil, while also maintaining direct contact with the 'Barroso' to support the rescue operation. The GGR had been unable to establish contact with Guy de Boer overnight. As the wind shifted, the 'Spirit' had appeared to be following the changing wind under windvane self-steering, turning north before heading east at around 04.00 a.m. UTC. She had been sailing at 5.7 knots, away from Rio de Janeiro. The track raised concern that the skipper might be asleep or unable to manage the yacht, although his condition could not be confirmed. At 07.00 a.m. UTC, Guy de Boer called the GGR control. He sounded very groggy and at times incoherent, but said he was okay, confirmed he had received satellite telephone messages and understood that a helicopter was coming. He subsequently lowered all sails and allowed the 'Spirit' to drift in preparation for its arrival. The wind was approximately 20–25 knots, and the sea state was 1.5–2 meters. The eastward course had increased her separation from the 'Barroso', requiring the corvette to continue steaming east and delaying an earlier helicopter arrival estimate of 06.00 a.m. UTC. The helicopter launched at approximately 10.10 a.m. UTC with its flight crew and two Navy divers on board. The outbound flight took approximately 50 minutes, and at 11.38 a.m. UTC the skipper was hoisted aboard the helicopter. Meanwhile the crew of the 'Barroso' was steaming towards the 'Spirit' to close the distance. The rescue plan had called for the two divers to be lowered into the water to board yacht, assisting Guy’s evacuation by winching to the helicopter before returning to the 'Barroso'. Messages asked Guy to prepare for evacuation and lower his boarding ladder to help the divers aboard. The GGR YB satellite tracking was set at 15-minute intervals, and de Boer had deployed his EPIRB. Although he had been asked to leave his satellite telephone switched on, incoming calls had not connected. Medical personnel were aboard the 'Barroso', and the organisers were awaiting an initial report on his condition. The corvette was expected to head to Rio de Janeiro had been considered a likely destination. De Boer had first reported the accident on Nov 3 Nov, describing a fall inside the cabin on Nov 2, where he struck his head, lost consciousness, and sustained other injuries. He was directed to MSOS medical assistance, and Dr Spike Briggs advised against continuing the race, recommending that he seek medical attention ashore. After reporting some improvement the following day, further balance problems prompted a decision to head towards Rio de Janeiro. Shortly after 4.00 p.m. UTC on Nov 7, Guy de Boer requested immediate evacuation, reporting that he could no longer use his left arm, stand or maintain his balance, and was unable to eat. GGR immediately relayed the request to Brazil’s Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC Brazil), supplying his position, safety documentation and medical information to support the response.