Shipwreck Log

On the morning of August 17, the 19 meter long towboat Ciudad de Medellín (MMSI: 627214286) allided on the Magdalena River at Barrancabermeja, Colombia. The Ciudad de Medellín was proceeding on the river when it struck one of the piers of the Guillermo Gaviria Bridge. The impact caused the part of the pilothouse to be torn off. The strong current caused the towboat to take on water resulting in the vessel listing over on its starboard hull. The Ciudad de Medellín would later partially sink.

Reports state that several crew members jumped into the river and swam to rescue boats. Local citizens attempted to aid the crew by throwing life jackets to them. News accounts do not state if any crew members were injured or not during the incident.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident. Witnesses have stated the water levels on the river was high due to heavy rains. There is some speculation that the towboat had steered out of the navigation channel before striking the bridge. Reports state that engineers are inspecting the bridge for damage while traffic continues to proceed over the bridge.

Nordstjernen

August 20, 2025 Paul Hancock

On the evening of August 19, the 80 meter long passenger ship Nordstjernen (IMO: 5255777) ran aground on the Warnow River at Warnemünde, Germany. The Nordstjernen had been reversing out of its berth in Warnemünde when it suffered a mechanical malfunction. The passenger ship’s engine failed to respond to move forward and crashed into the embankment on the opposite side of the river and went aground. The crew was able to resolve the malfunction and proceeded under its own power back to is berth Warnemünde.

Authorities detained the Nordstjernen from further sailings and launched an investigation into the incident. The tug Fairplay 55 (IMO: 9021124) took the Nordstjernen under tow to Rostock where it was inspected for damage and a technical safety survey before the vessel can continue on its voyage. Initial reports state the malfunction was caused by the pneumatic control of the controllable-pitch propeller. No reports of injuries to 31 passengers on board or pollution released.

Falkefjell

August 20, 2025 Paul Hancock

On the afternoon of August 19, the 24 meter long, 150 gt high-speed catamaran passenger ship Falkefjell (IMO: 9605346) became disabled on Vargsundet north of Lille Lerresfjord, Norway. The Falkefjell was underway from Hammerfest to Alta with 10 passengers when the vessel struck a whale. Passengers reported they felt a thud before spotting the whale thrashing in the water. Witnesses stated seeing large amounts of blood in the water before the whale perished and sank below the surface. There were no injuries on the Falkefjell, but the impact had damaged the passenger ship as the vessel had lost engine power and went adrift.

See video at dagbladet.no

Reports stated a service boat from a nearby fish farm, the 193 gt passenger ship Hornøy (IMO: 9768980) and the 13 meter long NSSR lifeboat Utvær (MMSI: 257959900) were to the aid of the disabled Falkefjell. The 10 passengers were transferred off to the Hornøy and proceeded to Hammerfest. The Utvær took the Falkefjell under tow and proceeded to Hammerfest. No details of the extent of damage caused by the incident, but no water ingress was reported.