The ro-ro passenger ferry Queen of Capilano collided on February 2 while departing Snug Cove for West Vancouver. The 96-meter vessel made unintended contact with several moored boats before striking the dock in Queen Charlotte Channel.While the dock and the smaller vessels sustained damage, initial assessments indicated that the ferry remained operational. The Queen of Capilano continued its scheduled crossings, but later experienced a mechanical failure affecting its propulsion system. No injuries were reported, and authorities confirmed there was no environmental impact from the incident. An investigation has been launched to determine the underlying cause, with mechanical issues and weather conditions among the possible contributing factors. Officials are expected to provide further details as the inquiry progresses.

On February 1, 2025, at Brunsbüttel, Germany, the 150-meter-long container vessel Bernhard Schepers collided with the new north lock of the Kiel Canal. The ship, entering the lock in dense fog, struck the central tail and gate niche.While no injuries or pollution were reported, the lock gate sustained damage, making it inoperable. As a result, the Bernhard Schepers remains stuck in the lock chamber. Repair efforts are believed to be underway, though authorities have not released specific details regarding the work. The authorities confirmed that investigations into the incident are ongoing. The Bernhard Schepers was not damaged, and no hazardous materials were released. Further updates on the status of the lock and the vessel's departure are anticipated soon.

A significant firefighting operation is underway at Aberdeen’s South Harbour, where crews are battling a persistent fire aboard the MV Lowlands Diamond. The blaze was first reported on Monday, January 27, and has continued for over two days.Emergency services have successfully contained the fire within the vessel’s cargo hold. Firefighters are currently offloading cargo to fully extinguish the flames, a process expected to take several more days. Specialist marine firefighting teams are providing assistance in this complex operation. A senior fire officer described the incident as “complex and unusual” but assured that there is no wider danger to the harbour or surrounding areas. Multiple fire crews remain at the scene, closely monitoring the situation.The MV Lowlands Diamond, a Panama-flagged vessel, had docked in Aberdeen on January 22. Authorities have confirmed that all crew members are safe and accounted for. An investigations into the cause of the fire are expected to commence.        

The cargo vessel Guang Rong ran aground late on Tuesday, January 28, after adverse weather conditions caused it to drift dangerously toward the shore.The vessel, over 100 meters long and used for transporting granulated stone, had been anchored in the harbor of Marina di Carrara when strong winds and rough seas dislodged its anchor. The ship was carried by powerful currents until its stern collided with the pier in Massa. The Marina di Carrara Harbour Master’s Office, coordinated by the Livorno Coast Guard’s Regional Maritime Rescue Centre, responded swiftly. A helicopter from Sarzana’s air unit was deployed, and tugboats were alerted. All the 12 crew members, were successfully evacuated and brought ashore without injury. Authorities, including the Coast Guard, local police, and the Fire Department, continue to monitor the situation. At dawn, the Livorno Maritime Directorate announced that the Coast Guard’s Diving Unit from Genoa would assess the hull and oversee security measures for eventual removal operations. Investigations into the incident and necessary recovery steps are ongoing.    

A Russian nuclear-powered icebreaker, 50 Let Pobedy, sustained damage to its hull lining while assisting a trapped vessel in Arctic waters, state news agency RIA reported.The incident occurred on Sunday night, 26 Janaury in the Kara Sea. Despite the damage, the vessel remains operational, with no impact on its reactor or critical systems. No injuries were reported. The icebreaker continues to navigate the Northern Sea Route under normal conditions. Authorities have not disclosed the extent of the hull damage, but the vessel remains in service. Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident are ongoing.        

The Hong Kong-flagged container ship ASL Bauhinia was abandoned in the southern Red Sea early Tuesday, 28 January, following a fire onboard, maritime sources confirmed. The cause of the incident remains unknown.The 1,930-TEU vessel, owned by Shanghai-based Asean Seas Line, was en route from Jebel Ali to Aqaba via the Suez Canal, with a scheduled port call in Jeddah on January 29. The fire erupted approximately 226 kilometers northwest of Hodeidah, Yemen. All Chinese crew members were safely rescued by a nearby vessel, with no injuries reported. Security consultancy Diaplous Maritime Services warned that the drifting vessel poses a navigational hazard, while Ambrey suggested the explosion may have involved hazardous cargo.Thick smoke was observed from the forward section of the ship. The ASL Bauhinia remains adrift as investigations continue to determine the cause of the fire .          

A fire broke out in the engine and generator rooms of the dry cargo ship Firuze G. docked at Sanayi Pier in Samsun Port on 28 Janaury. The fire, suspected to have been caused by a generator failure, prompted a swift and coordinated response from emergency teams. Firefighters, police, and the Provincial Disaster and Emergency Directorate (AFAD) were immediately deployed to the scene. The Samsun Metropolitan Municipality Fire Department led efforts, supported by two firefighting tugboats, 15 vehicles, and 50 personnel. After 2.5 hours of intensive work, the fire was successfully extinguished. Cooling operations are ongoing to prevent re-ignition. Samsun Governor confirmed that all 33 crew members were safely evacuated without injuries. Drone footage captured the firefighting efforts from above, showcasing the scale of the response. Authorities commended the teams for averting further damage and ensuring no casualties occurred.    

On January 25, 2025, a fire erupted in the engine room of the combined chemical and oil tanker KRITI CAPTAIN while it was moored at Port-la-Nouvelle, France.The fire was promptly brought under control and extinguished by local firefighting teams, preventing further escalation. The tanker has since been relocated to an anchorage off Port-la-Nouvelle, where it remains under monitoring.Tugboats are positioned nearby to provide any necessary assistance as authorities investigate the cause of the incident and assess the condition of the vessel.

Four individuals were rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard on Thursday night, 23 January, following a collision between two fishing vessels approximately 10 miles south of Block Island, Rhode Island.The incident occurred at about 8:30 p.m., prompting a distress call to Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound via VHF-FM channel 16. The collision involved the scalloper Vanquish and the trawler Mattie and Maren II. While Vanquish reported no injuries or damage among its six crew members, Mattie and Maren II reported severe flooding in the engine room. Crews from Coast Guard Station Montauk and Air Station Cape Cod were dispatched immediately. The Station Montauk motor lifeboat (MLB) crew reached the scene at 9:15 p.m., attempting to assist with dewatering efforts using a P-6 pump. However, the deteriorating weather, including 23 mph winds and 4–6-foot seas, hindered efforts.The four crew members aboard Mattie and Maren II donned survival suits and prepared emergency equipment before being transferred to the MLB. They were safely transported to Station Montauk without injury.Vanquish returned to New Bedford, Massachusetts. Sector Long Island Sound issued a safety advisory for the adrift vessel, and the collision’s cause remains under investigation.  

A collision occurred at Muara Sampara Morosi Port on Friday, January 24, 2025, at 18:53 WITA, between the Vessel (MV) Lumoso Harmoni and MV Pancaran Glory. MV Lumoso Harmony, assisted by three tugboats, struck the right side of MV Pancaran Glory while maneuvering to dock. The collision caused a 2.92-meter-long scratch on MV Pancaran Glory’s right side, above the waterline. Fortunately, no casualties were reported. Initial inspections have focused on the upper hull, but an underwater survey is required to assess potential damage below the waterline. This will take place once divers are available. Early findings suggest the bulwark and bulbous bow of MV Lumoso Harmoni were involved in the collision. Precautionary measures have been taken to ensure the vessel's safety. An investigation is ongoing to determine the cause of the collision and assign responsibility. Authorities are monitoring the situation closely, with further updates expected.    

A major fire erupted aboard the wind turbine vessel Les Alizés on Friday afternoon, 24 January, while it was docked at the Wagenborg Terminal in Eemshaven. The fire originated in a technical space due to onboard batteries. Despite initial efforts by the crew to extinguish the flames, it became apparent that the batteries could not be controlled. To prevent escalation, the batteries were promptly disconnected and removed from the ship. Firefighters, in collaboration with the crew, submerged the batteries in water basins on the quay to eliminate the risk of re-ignition. The fire was subsequently brought under control. As a precaution, around 100 crew members not involved in firefighting were evacuated to the quay. No injuries were reported, and the extinguishing process was deemed successful due to swift and coordinated actions.    

Source: The Manitoulin, a Canadian freighter carrying 17 crew members, has become trapped in ice on Lake Erie near Buffalo, New York. The vessel, which was departing Buffalo after unloading its cargo of wheat, found itself immobilized in rapidly forming ice due to sub-zero temperatures. The U.S. Coast Guard responded promptly with icebreaking equipment to aid in freeing the 663-foot long freighter. As of Thursday, the cutter Bristol Bay was on its way from Erie, Pennsylvania, to assist the Manitoulin. Despite the challenging conditions, there were no reports of damage to the Manitoulin, and all on board remained safe. Typically, Great Lakes freighters can navigate surface ice during winter, but occasionally encounter ice that proves too difficult to break through, a Coast Guard representative noted. Paul Angelillo, a search and rescue specialist, commented on the unusual severity of the winter, pointing out that such conditions have not been seen in recent years, which has caught many by surprise. The Coast Guard continues its efforts to break up the ice surrounding the freighter, working diligently to ensure the safety and timely release of the vessel.

A 105-meter-long dry cargo ship, BURAK, experienced an engine failure on 22 January, near Kepez in the Dardanelles Strait while en route from Italy to Tuzla. The incident prompted immediate action coordinated by the Çanakkale Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) Center. To ensure the safety of the vessel and surrounding navigation, the Çanakkale VTS deployed the tugboats TÜRKELİ and KURTARMA-18 to provide assistance. Under expert supervision, the ship was successfully guided to a safe anchorage at Karanlık Liman. The prompt response of the maritime authorities and escort vessels prevented potential risks in the busy waterway.  

Source: United States Coast Guard successfully coordinated a rescue operation that saved four U.S. citizens after their vessel sank in the Atlantic Ocean north of the Dominican Republic on January 21, 2025. The individuals were aboard the sailing vessel Mariposa, which was reportedly struck by a submerged rock and capsized due to subsequent waves. The rescue mission involved the collaboration of a Coast Guard aircrew, the crew of the El Coquí container ship, and fisherman from the fishing vessel Bonanza. After receiving an emergency signal, Coast Guard Sector San Juan dispatched an Air Station Miami HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircraft to locate the survivors. Fishermen from the Bonanza successfully retrieved the boaters from their life raft and transported them to the U.S.-flagged container ship El Coquí. The survivors, who were planning to sail from St. Croix to Texas with a layover in Key West, are expected to reach Jacksonville, Florida, aboard the container ship, with no reported medical issues. The operation highlighted the importance of registered emergency signaling devices, which played a crucial role in the quick and effective rescue. The Coast Guard emphasized the role of proper emergency equipment and the value of having registered emergency beacons for facilitating rescue missions at sea.