All nine Indian seafarers on board the ' Yara J' were safe, and the vessel has arrived at the port of Constanta, the Embassy of India in Bucharest said on Oct 17. The confirmation came after India’s Ambassador to Romania, Manoj Mohapatra, spoke with Romanian authorities, including SAR Romania and MRCC Constanta, as well as the CSO of the chemical tanker. Three Indian nationals, Shri Sahil Sandhu, Shri Ashwini Kumar and Shri Harman Singh, departed for India the same day. The Embassy provided all necessary support and assistance to facilitate their return and expressed their sincere gratitude to the Romanian authorities, Constanta County Hospital, and the Romanian rescue teams for their assistance, cooperation and support.
News
MISJE VERDE
Both the captain and the pilot of the 'Misje Verde' were appealing the verdict following the accident off Tjörn. They were both convicted of, among other things, causing death to another and negligence in maritime traffic, but wanted to be acquitted of liability. Since the incident, both the captain of the ship and the pilot who was on the ship have denied responsibility, but the Gothenburg District Court ruled that they should be convicted. Now they have both submitted their appeals. The captain did not believe that the prosecutor has proven that he failed in "good seamanship" and the pilot claimed, among other things, that the pleasure boat, which was in collision with the 'Misje Verde', was periodically not visible on the radar. He also wants the Court of Appeal to await the investigation carried out by the Swedish Maritime Accident Investigation Board so that conclusions from it will be available at the Court of Appeal hearing. Their investigation was not expected to be completed until just before the end of May2027. The Swedish Accident Investigation Board was collecting facts until the New Year, which would then be followed by the analysis phase.
MSC ARIA III
The 'MSC Aria III' was detained in Shenzhen on Oct 19, 2026, with two detainable defienices: 11113 - LIFE SAVING APPLIANCES - Launching arrangements for rescue boats (no responsibility of RO) 07116 - FIRE SAFETY - Ventilation (no responsibility of RO).
OLYMPIC 1
On Oct 20, 2026, the 'Olympic 1' requested the immediate medical evacuation of a crew member 25 nautical miles south of Málaga. The CCS Tarifa of Salvamento Marítimo deployed the SAR boat 'Salvamar Alnitak' and the helicopter Helimer 222 to the tanker. The patient was hoisted aboard the helicopter, which transferred him to Málaga airport, where an ambulance was waiting to take him to the hospital for further medical care.
AQUACHARM
On Oct 18, 2026, the 'Aquacharm' allided with an under-construction wharf, while berthing at the port of Dung Quat. The impact tore an approximately five-metre section of the bow above the waterline. No pollution has been reported. The bulk carrier had arrived at Dung Quat on Oct 14, loaded with 170,856 tonnes of iron ore from Port Hedland and 22 crew members, among them five South Koreans, one Japanese national and 16 Filipinos, on board. On Oct 18 at 4:45 p.m., the pilot contacted the officer on duty at the Dung Quat VTS to instruct him to board the vessel and assist with navigation to dock at Pier 10 as planned. At approximately 5:45 p.m., while the 'Aquacharm' was manoeuvring towards berth 10, it struck a 50-metre extension being constructed between berths 10 and 11. A large section of the new berth extension was heavily damaged. While berth 10 was affected, the port’s other 11 berths remained operational, with production continuing without disruption. The extent of the wharf damage was still awaiting formal assessment. The ship suffered a large breach on both sides of the bow above the waterline and more damage at the port side foreship. An investigation has been opened into the incident. Preliminary accounts stated that the captain had ailed to control its speed due to communication errors. However, the Dung Quat border guard station stated that the speed had been communicated to the pilot multiple times. The Quang Ngai Maritime Administration required an enhanced emergency readiness to protect the vessel, while it remained at its berth. A tug has been directed to remain on standby with the vessel around the clock, with the authorities requesting a plan for securing the vessel before the onset of heavy weather. Operations were focused on offloading the ore from the vessel. Reports with photos: https://baomoi.com/tau-cho-hon-170-000-tan-quang-sat-va-vao-cau-cang-o-dung-quat-mui-tau-rach-khoang-5m-c56314139.epi https://vantage-logistics.com/port-maritime-accidents-managing-risks-and-maintaining-port-operations https://www.vietnam.vn/de/tau-cho-hon-170-500-tan-quang-sat-va-cham-cang-chuyen-dung-o-dung-quat https://www.vietnam.vn/de/kip-thoi-xu-ly-vu-tau-hang-va-cham-cau-cang-dung-quat-quang-ngai https://yuenan.com/news-185377/
DONNY S
The Sarter Marine Towing Company has asked a court to dismiss a Wisconsin lawsuit, which was seeking removal of the 'Donny S' from Baileys Harbor, denying the state’s allegation that it owned the tug. The company filed its response on Oct. 14 in a case brought by the state and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Other defendants included Jeremy Schultz, identified in the lawsuit as the tug’s owner; Michael Cole; and Iron Works Construction, where the vessel was initially moored. The complaint, filed at the Door County Circuit Court, asked the court to declare the grounded ship a public nuisance and order its removal. If the defendants failed to remove it, the state was seeking authorisation for the DNR to undertake the work at their expense. The Sarter Marine denied knowledge of DNR violations and previous efforts to have the tug removed, and also disputed the allegation, that the defendants failed to remove the vessel despite years of notice. Its response argued that any alleged damages resulted wholly or partly from third parties outside its control. According to the complaint, Schultz acquired the steel tug in 2021, after it had been permanently laid up. A previous survey described the vessel as being in unsatisfactory condition, because hull repairs had not been completed, with its remaining value largely tied to scrap, deck equipment and fittings. The complaint stated that the Sarter Marine contacted the Coast Guard in March 2021 about towing the vessel from Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, to Baileys Harbor. The Coast Guard had approved the tow the following month under specified weather conditions. The tug was subsequently brought to a dock associated with Cole and Iron Works Construction. Possible plans cited in the complaint included taking the vessel to a scrapyard or converting it into a floating restaurant and kayak-rental operation. Between November 2021 and May 2022, the vessel broke free from its mooring and ran aground about 580 feet fromthe shore in approximately four feet of water. The state alleged that Schultz failed to move the tug despite repeated DNR requests. The agency began issuing citations for unlawful obstruction of navigable waters in Oct 2022. According to the complaint, at least 33 citations were issued through Feb 2024, totaling more than $20,000. The complaint also identified potential environmental hazards aboard the vessel, including residual fuel and grease, asbestos-coated piping, lead- or cadmium-based paint, polychlorinated biphenyls and tributyltin-based antifouling agents. It did not establish that those materials were leaking from the tug. The DNR began holding stakeholder meetings in 2025 to discuss a solution. The town of Baileys Harbor and Door County passed resolutions, seeking action on the vessel, with county officials calling for inspections to evaluate hazardous materials and structural and environmental risks. The Schultz, Cole and Iron Works Construction had not responded to the lawsuit as of Oct 15. No hearings were scheduled.
TRAVERSE ANTWERP
The 'Traverse Antwerp' was arrested in Singapore, after its arrival from Son Duong Port, on Oct 16, 2026, at 2.24 p.m. at the Eastern Bunkering Anchorage B - Grid 5817D. The arresting solicitor listed was the law firm Titanium Law Chambers LLC. The vessel was added to the list of vessels under Sheriff’s arrest in Singapore’s court system. No details were provided regarding the reason behind the arrest. As of Oct 21, the ship remained moored in pos. 01° 17' N 103° 59' E.
WINSLOW GRIESSER
During a routine law enforcement patrol, a Coast Guard Air Station Miami HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircraft detected a suspect go-fast vessel transiting in Atlantic Ocean waters north of Isabela, Puerto Rico, on Oct 10. Coast Guard watchstanders at Sector San Juan diverted the 'Winslow Griesser' to interdict the suspect vessel. Once on scene, the Coast Guard Cutter stopped the vessel, seized the contraband and embarked the three men who were aboard. On Oct 19, the 'Winslow Griesser' offloaded 489 pounds seized cocaine in San Juan, and transferred three suspects, among them two Dominican Republic nationals and one Chinese, to the Homeland Security Task Force San Juan law enforcement authorities at the Coast Guard Base San Juan, Puerto Rico, who were then taken in custody by federal agents, pending further investigation. Report with photos: https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/4628865/coast-guard-offloads-55-million-in-seized-cocaine-in-san-juan-puerto-rico/
GLEN SANNOX
The 'Glen Sannox', serving on the Interisland service Berneray - Leverburgh, suffered an issue with the starboard side mezzanine deck on the morning of Oct 13. As a consequence, the 'Glen Sannox' departed from the port of Tarbert at 06:05 a.m. with a delay of 30 minutes and an ETA in Lochmaddy as of 07:55 a.m. Until Nov 15, foot passengers were required to embark via the vehicle deck first at Stornoway and were thus asked to check in at least 45 minutes prior to departure.
GUARDAMAR POLIMNIA
On Oct 20, a merchant ship sighted a rubber boat, which was requesting assistance, about 80 nautical miles west of Cape Bojador. The CCS Las Palmas of Salvamento Marítimo mobilised the 'Guardamar Polimnia', which rescues 27 Maghrebi and sub-Saharan males, among them five minors, from the inflatable. The migrants were then transferred to Arguineguín. Video: https://x.com/salvamentogob/status/2112586760069005401/video/1
DAMKERORT
The 'Damkerort-SC 12' was disabled by a propulsion damage about seven nautical miles north-northeast of Heligoland on Oct 20, 2026, at around 9:30 a.m., with four crew members on board. At that time, there were southeasterly winds of force 6, gusting to force 7 and a sea state of 1.5 to 2 meters. The fishermen notified the MRCC in Bremen, which alerted the lifeboat 'Theo Fischer' of the DGzRS, which had just docked in the port of Heligoland to temporarily replace the 'Hermann Marwede', which is usually stationed there. At approximately 10:45 a.m., the 'Theo Fischer' managed to take the cutter in tow and pulled it against the wind and waves towards the island. To make it easier to navigate into Heligoland's southern harbour, the sea rescuers took the fishing cutter alongside for the final leg. By 1:00 p.m., the 'Damkerort' was safely secured in the harbour.
SULINA
The 'Sulina' was detained for the third time within less than a year, this time on Oct 13 in Damietta Egypt with 14 deficiencies, 13 of which being regarded as serioulsy and grounds for a detention: 1) Certificate & Doc - International Air Pollution Certificate Missing 2) Certificate & Doc - Internatiinal Ship Security certificate Entries missing 3) Certificate & Doc - International Anti-douling system certificate Missing 4) Certificate & Doc - International Sewage Pollution Prevention Missing 5) Certificate & Doc - Internation Oil Pollution Prevention Missing 6) Certificate & Doc - Cargo Ship Safety Radio Missing 7) Certificate & Doc - Cargo Ship Safety equipment Missing 8)) Certificate & DOc - Cargo Ship Safety contruction Missing 9) Certificate & Doc - Ballast Water Management Certificate Missing 10) Certificate & Doc - Document of compliance Missing 11) Certificate & Doc - MaritimeLabour certificate Entries missing 12) Certificate & Doc - Safety management Certificate Entries missing 13) Certificate & Doc Other (Certificates) Other The vessel was released again on Oct 19 and sailed for Lebanon. The last detentions were on May 12 in Burgas with 16 deficiencies for four days with a ban to Paris MoU ports, on Feb 27, 2026, in Aliaga with 24 deficiencies for five days and on Nov 3, 2025, in Heraklion with 41 deficiencies for 102 days. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1HBmGBaWFK/
REM ANDES
A fire broke out aboard the 'Rem Andes' off the coast of Grande Isle, Louisiana, on Oct 12, 2026, at 9.55 a.m. 46 were on board at the time of the incident, and abandon-ship operations were initiated. 38 non-essential crew members disembarked into life rafts and were transferred to nearby Good Samaritan vessels. A Coast Guard C-27 Spartan aircraft aircrew from Air Station Clearwater diverted to assist. The Coast Guard Aviation Training Center Mobile deployed an HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircrew, and the Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter. Offshore supply vessels that responded to assist safely transferred all crew members, who had boarded the life rafts, to Port Fouchon. The agency's SAR aircrews were dispatched to the scene to ensure that all of the survivors who departed the vessel were properly accounted for. One of the two Good Samaritanss docked in Port Fouchan at around 8 p.m. Eight crew members remained aboard the ship to fight the fire and conduct damage assessments. The fire aboard was extinguished at 2.45 p.m. The ship continued to broadcast AIS through the day, drifting slowly northeast at a position some 90 nautical miles south of Whiskey Island, Louisiana. On Oct 16, the ship regained speed, and on Oct 19, it finally berthed in Gulfport. The ship had been engaged in running survey tracklines on the deepwater U.S. continental shelf for at least the past year, operating out of Gulfport and Port Fourchon. It passed its last U.S. Coast Guard port state control inspection in late 2025 with no issues recorded. Reports with photo and video: https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/4624061/coast-guard-good-samaritans-assist-with-vessel-fire-offshore-grand-isle/ https://www.expressen.se/tv/nyheter/varlden/kastar-sig-i-vattnet-eld-pa-norskt-fartyg/ https://www.nola.com/news/boat-42-people-grand-isle/article_ebd15545-3ff2-4ab7-900e-c857a7a78dec.html https://www.fox8live.com/2026/10/12/coast-guard-assists-rescue-46-people-burning-vessel-south-grand-isle/ https://www.rivieramm.com/news-content-hub/us-offshore-supply-vessels-rescue-crew-support-ship-salvage-90246 https://www.dvidshub.net/video/1026172/coast-guard-assists-with-vessel-fire-offshore-grand-isle
WINSLOW GRIESSER
During a routine patrol on the afternoon of Oct 16, the aircrew of a Coast Guard HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircraft detected a 30-foot grossly overloaded makeshift vessel, approximately 70 nautical miles northwest of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. Coast Guard watchstanders at Sector San Juan diverted the 'Winslow Griesser' to interdict the boat, and directed the launch of an MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Borinquen to provide overhead rescue support. Due to safety of life at sea concerns, the Coastguard Cutter safely embarked all the migrants from the boat, among them 55 men and four women, who claimed to be Dominican Republic nationals, and six men and a woman who claimed to be Haitian nationals. Following the interdiction, the 'Winslow Griesser' rendezvoused with the Dominican Republic Navy vessels 'Bellatrix' and 'Acrux' in the Mona Passage and completed the repatriation of 63 migrants. Three others remained in federal custody facing further investigations and charges of illegal attempted re-entry to the United States under 8 U.S.C 1326. Report with video: https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/4628883/coast-guard-repatriates-63-aliens-to-dominican-republic-following-unlawful-voya/
ARGYLL FLYER
The 'Argyll Flyer', serving on the route Gourock-Dunoon, suffered engine issues on Oct 16, which required investigations and repairs. As a consequence, all sailings were cancelled until further notice. The ferry shifted to the Garvel Clyde Shipyard in Greenock for repairs, where it remained stationary as of Oct 20. A shuttle bus operated at quarter past the hour from Gourock to McInroy's point and at quarter to the hour from Dunoon to Hunters Quay. After the technical issue was resolved, the ferry left Greenock on Oct 20 in order to resume its service with the 4:00 p.m. sailing from Gourock.
ABLE
On the late night of Oct 19, the 'Able' disappeared from the radar, and it was believed that the ship has finally sunk, almost two weeks after the attack on Oct 6 in Bulgaria’s EEZ, about 70 nautical miles from Byala. Air Force and Navy teams had inspected the ship on Oct 9 and reported extensive damage from a fire and that the engine room was flooded. The ship was loaded with barley, bound from Romania bound for Turkey. The inspection had failed to find any drone fragments. Despite being down at the stern and listing, the Able continued to drift in the Black Sea. On Oct 14, at 1.10 a.m., the 'Able' drifted out the Bulgarian exclusive economic zone, when the ship was about 33 nautical miles east of Ahtopol.
INYALAZI
The 'Inyalazi' (IMO: 8317679) partially sank at her tug basin mooring in the port of Durban on the night of Oct 20, 2026, with her stern submerged underwater, close to the SAS 'Durban-M 1499', a historic, wooden-hulled Ton-class minesweeper, which was built in 1958 for the South African Navy. After retiring in 1985, it had served as a floating museum exhibit at the Durban Maritime Museum moorings, before partially sinking on June 29, 2020. The cause of the latest sinking has not been announced by Transnet National Ports Authority. The Schottel-driven 'Inyalazi' was built at Southern African Shipyards in Durban in 1984 as 'Piet Aucamp' and was renamed in the mid 1990s. Report with photo: https://africaports.co.za/#12042

