Monte-Doro

Due to a strong gale which swept Corsica, the "Monte d'Oro" could not dock at L'Ile-Rousse in the morning of March 13, 2018, and was diverted to Ajaccio. The ferry had left the port of Marseille in the night of March 12 with about 40 passengers and 15 trailers and was to reach the port of L'Ile Rousse at 7 a.m. But given the strong west wind that had blown for 24 hours in Corsica, the ferry could not dock as planned. The ferry company chose to divert the ship to the port of Ajaccio, where it docked in the afternoon. All passengers have been informed and had the choice to leave tonight for Marseilleor Bastia aboard the "Piana" or sail to Ajaccio with the "Monte d'Oro". On March 13 winds reached 60/70 km / h on the east coast of Cap Corse, and 40/50 km/h on the Balagne.

In the night of Apr 30 the "Costa Diadema" observed two red fire rockets from an unidentified boat that did not meet the VHF calls. The semaphores Cape Camarat and Dramont also observed pyrotechnic distress signal in the same area. The "Monte d'Oro", enroute from Ile Rousse to Marseille, was tasked by the CROSS MED attempt to relocate the ship and try to get in touch via VHF. Weather conditions were very difficult with WNW winds of 35 knots and waves of 2,50 meters. Meanwhile, the CROSS Med received a call referring to two friends on two sailboats of six and nine meters length clueless off the island of Levant. The CROSS was able to establish telephone contact with the two boats. The skippers, sick and obviously inexperienced, were unsure about their position and used flares to request immediate assistance. CROSS alerted the SNSM stations Hyeres and St. Tropez, and a Dauphin helicopter of the Navy Base in Hyères took off which managed to locate one yacht to 3:45 a.m. and the second at 4:07 a.m. Sheltered by the "Monte d'Oro" and under the supervision of the helicopter of the Navy, the SNSM boat from Hyères took the first yacht in tow at 4:34 a.m. and was accompanied by the ferry to the port of Cavalaire The helicopter returned to refuel in Hyères, and the ferry resumed its way to Marseille. The SNSM boat from St. Tropez located the second yacht at 4:54 a.m. The helicopter took off again at 5:25 a.m. At 5:41 a.m., the yacht was taken in tow by the boat of the SNSM station Saint Tropez - Bailli de Suffren II and towed to port.