Baltica

On April 8 the tug 'Bock' (IMO: 8680820) was called from Rostock to Kühlungsborn, being contracted to take the disabled 'Baltica' in tow and assisted in pulling it to the Tamsen Shipyard in Rostock, along with the tug 'Fairplay 56' (IMO: 9036234), on April 9 at 9 a.m., escorted by the diver ship 'Flunder' (MMSI: 211223950), for permanent repairs of the shaft seal and the damaged engine room. After the propeller shaft had become lose, water had entered the aft of the ship through the shaft tunnel. Reports with photo and video: https://www.ndr.de/fernsehen/sendungen/nordmagazin/Havarierte-MS-Baltica-wird-nach-Rostock-geschleppt,nordmagazin128180.html https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/mecklenburg-vorpommern/Nach-Havarie-Baltica-wird-von-Kuehlungsborn-nach-Rostock-geschleppt,aktuellmv140.html https://www.ostsee-zeitung.de/lokales/rostock/ms-baltica-schlepper-bringt-havariertes-schiff-nach-rostock-WFA5XRNT25EYDHX5EJAZZZRSP4.html https://www.stern.de/gesellschaft/regional/mecklenburg-vorpommern/unglueck-auf-der-ostsee--havariertes-ausflugsschiff--baltica--in-rostock-eingetroffen-35625222.html

After the emergency services were able to prevent the 'Baltica' from sinking, the next steps for the ship must now be determined. The salvage operations was almost complete, according to the water police. However, the ship remains under observation for safety reasons on the morning of April 8. The leak has been sealed. The private diving and salvage company Baltic Taucher is now taking care of the next steps and has deployed the 'Flunder' (MMSI: 211223950) to the pier Kühlungsborn. The ship will now undergo an expert assessment. Whether it will be towed away on April 8 was currently unknown. The water police have not yet issued a towing permit. Hazardous substances have leaked from the ship during the incident. Report with photo: https://www.n-tv.de/regionales/mecklenburg-vorpommern/Bergungsarbeiten-an-Baltica-fast-abgeschlossen-article25687992.html

The 'Baltica' suffered water ingress near the pier off Kühlungsborn en route from Kühlungsborn to Warnemünde in the Baltic Sea on April 7, 2025. It was able to return to the pier in time. The captain informed emergency services shortly after 11 a.m. The ship turned around and moored again at the Kühlungsborn pier. The passengers were able to disembark safely. Initially, the ship appeared to be in danger of sinking. However, more than 50 volunteer firefighters were able to pump more water out of the engine room than was entering. This allowed the ship to rise again. The firefighters deployed oil booms around the stricken vessel to prevent any spillage of oil or marine diesel from spreading. Although small amounts of marine diesel leaked into the Baltic Sea, they were able to be removed. Divers were able to inspect the vessel and discovered that the drive shaft had become loose, allowing water to enter the vessel. Attempts were made to repair the damage on site. According to the water police, the "Baltica" is currently not allowed to leave the Kühlungsborn pier. On the morning of April 8 the 'Flunder' of the Baltic Taucher Germany went alongside. Reports with photos and video: https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/mecklenburg-vorpommern/Kuehlungsborn-Ausflugsdampfer-vor-Seebruecke-havariert,aktuellmv136.html https://www.spiegel.de/panorama/kuehlungsborn-fahrgastschiff-baltica-nach-leck-evakuiert-a-453ec83c-8e98-4d67-9785-7a2d44757426 https://www.nordkurier.de/regional/rostock/ausflugsschiff-auf-ostsee-droht-zu-sinken-wasser-laeuft-in-heck-3479539 https://www.gmx.net/magazine/panorama/fahrgastschiff-ms-baltica-droht-sinken-40853554