Collision - Shipwreck Log

On the evening of January 5, the Gris-Nez Regional Operational Surveillance and Rescue Center (CROSS) received a report two fishing vessels collided in the English Channel off the coast off Fécamp, France. Authorities state the 24 meter long, 189 gt fishing vessel Vauban CN807008 (IMO: 8543383) was struck by another fishing vessel (name not disclosed). The Vauban suffered damage to its port bow holed with uncontrolled water ingress.

French authorities dispatched the 18 meter long SNSM lifeboat SNS 089 Cap Fagnet (MMSI: 227003620) along with a Dauphin helicopter from the French Navy. The helicopter arrived on the scene and hoisted 3 of the 6 crew off the Vauban. These crew members would be transferred to the other fishing vessel involved in the incident. The remaining crew members on the Vauban would stay on board to run dewatering pumps delivered by the lifeboat.

An hour later the helicopter was on site again. Two of the 3 crew members on the Vauban needed medical attention. These crew had suffered smoke inhalation from the exhaust from the dewatering pumps. Two crew from the SNSM lifeboat were winched aboard the Vauban to assist. Assisted by telemedicine physicians from Le Havre, the crew were provided medical treatment. Their conditions improved and there was no need for evacuation.

Authorities had the Vauban towed back to Fécamp where it would be met by local fire and rescue services who offered additional support to control the water ingress. The cause of the collision was not disclosed.

Sans Souci

January 3, 2026 Paul Hancock

On the early morning of January 1, the 82 meter long self-propelled passenger ship Sans Souci (MMSI: 269055879) collided with a pilot boat on the Elbe River near the entrance to the lock to the Kiel Canal at Brunsbüttel, Germany. The Sans Souci was headed to Kiel from Hamburg with 69 passengers and 23 crew when it approached Brunsbüttel. Conditions were rough on the Elbe with winds reaching 40 knots and waves around 3 meters making the transfer of a pilot quite difficult. During the transfer of the pilot, the pilot boat bumped into the Sans Souci resulting in multiple cabin windows being smashed. Water began to flood the unoccupied passenger cabins. To slow down the water ingress, the vessel entered the southern Brunsbüttel lock.

The vessel would pass into the Kiel Canal where authorities detained the Sans Souci until repairs could be completed. Afterward being certified seaworthy, the vessel proceeded on its journey to Kiel. One passenger would not continue on the journey suffering shock during the incident. Reports state the vessel will require additional cleanup for those cabins that suffered water ingress.

Collision off Florya

December 31, 2025 Paul Hancock

On December 30, the 141 meter long, 7786 dwt tanker Kalbajar (IMO: 9821471) collided wit the 115 meter long, 6239 dwt tanker Alatepe (IMO: 9104873) in the Sea of Marmara at the Küçükçekmece anchorage off Florya, Turkey. Both tankers were anchored close to shore when strong winds caused the anchor of the Kalbajar to drag. The Kalbajar drifted towards the Alatepe until the two vessels collided. While the collision did not result in damage or any pollution released, the Kalbajar’s anchor chain became tangled in the propeller of the Alatepe.

Authorities were alerted who dispatched tugboats and a response team to the scene. The tugs stood by as the Kalbajar was able to restart the vessel’s engine, untangle the anchor chain and proceeded under its own power to deeper water where it drop anchor in a safer location. Unfortunately, the Alatepe would run aground during the incident. The following day divers conducted an underwater inspection of the hull and begin operations to refloat the tanker.

Authorities report the Kalbajar was in ballast while the Alatepe had some 2,500 tons of chemicals on board. There were no reports of injuries to the 14 crew on the Kalbajar and no injuries to the 17 on the Alatepe.