Baltica: Towed to Safety After Near-Sinking Incident

Baltica, a passenger ferry operating in the Baltic Sea, faced a significant crisis over the weekend as it suffered severe water ingress near the pier off Kühlungsborn while en route to Warnemünde on April 7, 2025. Quick actions by the captain and emergency services enabled the vessel to return to the pier, allowing all passengers to disembark safely. Emergency responders, including over 50 volunteer firefighters, were pivotal in pumping out the water, which was entering the engine room more quickly than it could be expelled. They also deployed oil booms to contain minor leaks of marine diesel into the surrounding waters, effectively preventing further environmental spillage. Initial inspections revealed that a loose drive shaft was the culprit behind the vessel's distress, prompting urgent repair considerations.

Following the incident, Baltica was placed under the watchful eye of the water police, who prohibited the vessel from leaving the Kühlungsborn pier due to ongoing safety assessments. By the morning of April 8, efforts to seal the leak were reported almost complete, and the private diving and salvage company, Baltic Taucher, was brought in to oversee the next stages of the vessel’s recovery. That same morning, the tug 'Bock' was contracted to transport Baltica to Tamsen Shipyard in Rostock for comprehensive repairs, alongside a second tug, 'Fairplay 56,' and escorted by the diver ship 'Flunder', which was also deployed to assist with the tug operations.

As Baltica makes its way to dock for urgent repairs, questions remain regarding the extent of the damages sustained and the implications for the vessel's operational capacity moving forward. There is also an ongoing investigation regarding the small amounts of hazardous substances that were reported to have leaked during the incident, adding another layer of complexity to the incident’s aftermath. With repairs underway, maritime authorities will be closely monitoring the situation to ensure safety and compliance with environmental regulations.