Read Authentic Ratings for the Cecilia-Payne

On October 26, 2025, the passenger ferry 'Cecilia Payne', operated by Balearia, encountered a mishap while attempting to dock at the port of Algeciras. The vessel, arriving from Ceuta, allided with the quay, resulting in noticeable damage to its hull. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries among the passengers onboard. In response to the incident, the Algeciras Bay Port Authority activated its safety protocols. Technical experts were promptly dispatched to evaluate the situation, ensuring that there was no risk of fuel leaks or any structural concerns that might jeopardize port safety. Balearia announced intentions to initiate an internal inquiry to investigate the circumstances surrounding the allision. In the meantime, passengers were initially kept onboard for safety precautions before being safely disembarked. Despite the incident, operations at the port of Algeciras remained unaffected. As of October 28, the 'Cecilia Payne' had been grounded pending the outcome of the investigation, with plans to charter another vessel to maintain service continuity.

On March 16, 2019, Baleària made the decision to suspend sailings of the 'Cecilia Payne' ferry on the Ibiza-Palma route following a technical issue involving malfunctioning doors. In light of this disruption, the ferry company has proactively offered affected passengers alternative travel options, including the opportunity to board the 'Hypatia of Alexandria.' Moreover, passengers can choose to reschedule their travel dates or opt for a refund as the sailings were unexpectedly canceled in the afternoon, with the vessel remaining docked in Ibiza.

On February 20, 2019, at approximately 9:50 a.m., a maritime incident occurred involving the ferry 'Cecilia Payne' and the fishing vessel 'Virginia' just 1.5 miles off the coast of Alcúdia. Both vessels had set sail simultaneously, navigating parallel courses when the ferry's significant swell caused the 'Virginia' to capsize. The fishing boat, a traditional llaüt measuring 7.50 meters and roughly 35 years old, experienced partial submersion as a result of being overwhelmed by the waves. The vessel's skipper, Paco Souto Flaquer, was fortunate to be rescued from the keel by the nearby fishing boat 'Lince II,' which arrived on the scene first to provide assistance. The 'Salvamar Saiph' from the Salvamento Marítimo station in Alcúdia played a crucial role in the rescue operation, effectively retrieving the fisherman from the precarious position. By 2 p.m., the wreck of the 'Virginia' had been safely secured with air balloons, and it was subsequently towed back to port by fellow fishing vessels 'Nou Vista Alegre,' 'Aguileño,' and 'Es Batlets.' Meanwhile, a diver from Alcúdiamar dedicated several hours to preparing the vessel for righting in the four-meter deep water. Interestingly, the 'Cecilia Payne' continued on its route to Ciutadella without its captain being aware of the incident. Following the event, Baleària, the ferry's operator, announced an investigation in collaboration with the maritime captaincy to review the circumstances surrounding the capsizing. For further details, Spanish media have reported on the incident, including photographic and video evidence, on various outlets.

On the evening of August 13, 2018, the ferry Cecilia Payne arrived in Palma de Mallorca with over 700 passengers on board, but not without incident. Following a malfunction in the air conditioning system, three individuals required medical assistance for heat strokes. The ferry had just come from Ibiza when passengers experienced discomfort due to rising temperatures inside the vessel. In response to the situation, the ferry operator Baleària distributed snacks and drinks to affected travelers while work was undertaken to rectify the air conditioning issue. Passengers described chaotic scenes during the voyage, emphasizing the struggle against the unusually high heat levels on board. As a gesture of goodwill, Baleària extended an apology to all passengers and committed to refunding their ticket costs. Thankfully, the air conditioning repairs were completed overnight, allowing the Cecilia Payne to depart Palma as scheduled at 8:00 a.m. on August 14, ensuring passengers could continue their journeys in a more comfortable environment.