Baltic-Arrow Vessel Reviews and Specifications

On March 29, 2026, the 'Baltic Arrow' arrived in Klaipeda after its journey from Frederiksværk, where it was subject to a thorough inspection by the Paris Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) authorities. During the detailed assessment, inspectors identified one deficiency; however, there were no issues significant enough to necessitate the ship's detention. The inspection encompassed various areas of the vessel, including the accommodation and galley, vehicle deck, cargo area, and engine room, among others. Following the inspection, the 'Baltic Arrow' departed Klaipeda on March 30 and is now en route to Riga, with an estimated time of arrival set for March 31.

The grounding incident involving the 'Baltic Arrow' has been scrutinized by marine investigators from the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB), who determined that the vessel became trapped on a riverbank while the pilot attempted to adjust its course ahead of entering the port. On June 25 at 08:49 a.m. BST, the cargo ship, which was ferrying timber from Riga to Wisbech in Cambridgeshire, became lodged in the River Nene. At a speed of six knots, the stern was forced onto the eastern bank by the flood tide, causing the vessel to span across the river. Prior to the grounding, the 'Baltic Arrow' had reduced its speed upon passing the Cross Keys swing bridge at 08:14 as part of its preparations for berthing at the Port of Wisbech. One pilot aboard noted the vessel's slight deviation to the port and attempted a correction, which abruptly swung the bow to starboard. After an extensive effort involving tugboats, the Wisbech Harbour Authority refloated the ship approximately 11 hours later. In response to this incident, the MAIB has urged a review regarding the suitability of vessels transiting to and from the Port of Wisbech. It is important to note that all berths at Wisbech are classified as NAABSA (Not Always Afloat But Safely Aground), meaning that vessels can ground while moored during low tides. The MAIB's report indicated that the pilot may not have recognized the overcorrection until it was too late, and two hours of steering could have led to a lapse in concentration. Additionally, there were noted communication failures within the vessel's bridge team, alongside a lack of proactive measures to prevent similar situations, particularly following an earlier grounding of the sister vessel, 'Baltic Express', in February 2023. In light of these findings, the Wisbech Harbour Authority has initiated an independent inquiry into the incident and is undertaking a review of transit suitability within the port. Furthermore, Galleywood Shipping (Baltic Arrow) Ltd is contemplating the addition of another bridge watchkeeper and assessing the ship's rudder performance to enhance navigational safety.

On the evening of August 30, 2019, at 10:20 PM, the cargo ship 'Lady Nola' encountered trouble while navigating towards Fowey, Cornwall. The vessel, coming from Saint Brieuc, ran aground on rocks close to the Polruan side of the port entrance. At the time of grounding, 'Lady Nola', which was on a route from Le Legue to Fowey, had a crew of six onboard and was transporting a hefty cargo of 2,800 metric tonnes of China clay. The ship remained stuck at the coordinates 50° 19.67' N, 004° 38.46' W until August 31st. Fortunately, the port tug 'Morgawr' and the Fowey Pilot Boat were promptly on the scene, although no support was necessary from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). The vessel successfully floated off at approximately 3 AM on August 31 and was subsequently escorted to the Fowey docks for a thorough underwater inspection. Impressively, there were no reports of pollution following the incident.

In a dramatic early morning incident on August 8, 2018, two individuals required rescue following a collision between the cargo vessel 'Lady Nola' and the 42-foot catamaran yacht 'Robin Hood' in the English Channel. The incident occurred at approximately 4:10 a.m. near Dungeness, prompting a swift response from the Coastguard. After receiving a mayday alert, the Lydd-based search and rescue helicopter was dispatched to the scene, accompanied by the Dungeness and Dover RNLI lifeboats and the Dungeness Coastguard Rescue Team, all mobilizing at the same hour. The collision resulted in the mast of the 'Robin Hood' becoming ensnared with the superstructure of the 'Lady Nola,' leaving the vessels inadvertently tethered. Fortunately, no significant water ingress was reported, although the catamaran sustained minor damage. Upon arrival, the RNLI Shannon class lifeboat 13-02, named 'The Morrell,' dispatched coxswain Adams and two volunteer crew members to ascertain the safety of everyone aboard the catamaran. Their assessment confirmed no injuries among the passengers. With cooperation from the cargo ship's crew, the two RNLI volunteers managed to untangle the vessels. Following a thorough inspection of the catamaran and the well-being of its occupants, Adams opted to navigate the stricken vessel around Dungeness Point. Additional RNLI personnel were transferred onto the catamaran to secure its twin hulls, ensuring a safer towing process. The 'Robin Hood' was ultimately towed to Dover Harbour, where it was safely moored at the visitors’ pontoon. Meanwhile, the 'Lady Nola,' which had been en route from Riga to Shoreham in West Sussex, continued its journey, arriving at 12:30 a.m. The Maritime & Coastguard Agency's enforcement team and the duty surveyor were on site to monitor the unfolding situation, and the Marine Accident Investigation Branch has been notified for further review. For more detailed information and updates, visit the RNLI’s official news page.