Crux-Australis

Strong winds that affected the Magellan Strait forced the 'Crux Australis' in the morning of Oct 16, 2021, to anchor during its repositioning trip to Puerto Natales following a major maintenance during the previous weeks. Due to an abundant presence of algae tow of the four thrusters of the ship were cranked and the assistance of a tug requested to take the ferry to a safe place. On Oct 18 it was to return to Punta Arenas to rectifie the damages as soon as possible and return to the Puerto Natales - Puerto Yungay service. The ferry company deployed the ferry 'Fueguino' to Puerto Natales, in order to carry passengers and cargo that had been awaiting service with an ETA at Puerto Natales in the evening of Oct 18.

In the early morning of Apr 12, 2018, the "Crux Australis" with 61 passengers on board ran aground in the Kirke Pass off Merino Island, while enroute from Puerto Natales to Tortel. Two people suffered minor bruises, and the ship returned to Puerto Natales. The ferry suffered a small crack of eight centimeters length with ensuing water ingress. The ship also transported 60 tons of cargo including vehicles. Spanish report with video: http://www.itvpatagonia.com/noticias/transbordador-crux-australis-sufre-accidente-en-el-paso-del-kirke/