Read Authentic Ratings for the Ostfriesland

**Title: Ramp Malfunction Leads to Dramatic Fall Into Water for Passengers on 'Ostfriesland' Ferry** On April 26, 2026, at around 2:00 p.m., a troubling incident unfolded on the ferry 'Ostfriesland' while it was docked at the Borkum pier. A technical failure caused the boarding ramp to tilt unexpectedly, resulting in its slide off the pier. This unfortunate malfunction led to three elderly passengers, all women in their 70s, plunging approximately 1.5 meters into the chilly waters, with a temperature registered at just 10 degrees Celsius. Swift action from the crew ensured the rapid rescue of the passengers, who were lifted from the water using slings. Following the incident, two of the women were transported to Emden Hospital as a precautionary measure but were discharged later that evening. The third woman chose to continue her journey to Borkum, undeterred by the ordeal. In response to this incident, the German Social Accident Insurance Institution for the Transport Sector (BG Verkehr) recommended enhanced safety protocols. As a result, ferry operators will now secure vessels with additional ropes to prevent similar occurrences in the future. Moreover, the Emden Water Police Station has launched an investigation, working closely with the ferry operator to ascertain the causes of the malfunction and ensure passenger safety moving forward.

On the afternoon of Dec 28, 2025, the 'Ostfriesland', carrying 178 people, sailing between Borkum and Emden, suffered an engine failure due to a technical defect. The ferry was able to drop anchor outside the shipping channel. The technical defect was repaired using onboard equipment, and the ferry was able to continue its journey to Emden without further incident. Neither passengers nor the environment were harmed.

The 'Ostfriesland' with 156 passengers on board encountered engine trouble and subsequently suffered a bottom touch enroute from Borkum to Emden in the evening Sep 27, 2019. At 6.45 p.m. the engine failed while the ship was opposite of the Ems-Pier at the Geise Dam. After 15 minutes the crew managed to get the engine running again, and the ship entered the port of Emden with own power around 7 p.m. The ship was detained for investigations, but was released again on Sep 28.

On June 6, 2017, at 1:05 p.m. the "Ostfriesland", coming from Borkum, allided with a loading bridge in the port of Emden. During manoevering in the basin the ferry was caught by sudden strong wind gusts which pushed her off course so that she hit the bridge. Two bollards fixed to the bridge were torn off. The bridge was no longer operable after the incident. The ferry suffered only slight damage. The water police Emden launched an investigation.

On May 9, 2017, the "Ostfriesland" encountered engine trouble and had to be taken out of the Borkum-Emden service. She was replaced by the ferries "Westfalen" and"Groningerland". The day over the ship carried out trials in the Ems waters and berthed at the Borkum Quay in the outer port of Emden around 8 p.m.