Complete Maritime Profile & Reviews of Cormorant-Ii

On March 6, 2025, at 5 a.m., the passenger vessel 'Cormorant II' ran aground near Punta Suárez, located on Española Island in the Galapagos province. The ship was carrying 13 passengers and 14 crew members at the time of the incident. Following a distress call from the captain, the Ecuadorian Navy swiftly initiated a Search and Rescue (SAR) operation. Both a Coast Guard vessel and a Navy ship were promptly dispatched to the grounding area. Additionally, the nearby passenger ship 'Galaxy Orion' (IMO: 9093050) played a crucial role in the evacuation of all individuals on board. Officials are currently assessing the situation to develop a strategy for refloating the vessel, which had departed from Baquerizo Moreno on March 5 and was headed to Cristobal, with an expected arrival date of March 10. For more details and photographs, visit the sources here: [KCH Comunicacion](https://kchcomunicacion.com/2025/03/06/un-barco-con-27-ocupantes-se-quedo-varado-en-la-isla-isabel-galapagos-este-jueves-6-de-marzo/) and [ShipSpotting](https://www.shipspotting.com/photos/3862113?navList=gallery&category=61&page=1&viewType=normal&sortBy=newest).

In a surprising turn of events, the ferry 'Cormorant II' sank just one day after it was successfully refloated on June 27, 2023. The vessel had been stranded on Isla Española for four months prior to the refloating operation, which was meticulously carried out by Subtech S.A.C. under stringent environmental guidelines set by the Ecuadorian Navy and the Galápagos National Park. The operation began at 12:50 PM and was completed by 3:08 PM without any incidents, marking a significant achievement in maritime salvage. However, on the morning of June 28, while attempting to maneuver the ferry to safety, unforeseen complications led to its sinking at a depth of 65 meters. Thankfully, there were no reported injuries or casualties from this incident. The initial salvage mission prioritized ecological preservation in accordance with national maritime regulations and International Maritime Organization (IMO) safety standards, ensuring measures were in place to protect the delicate environment of the Galápagos Islands. In light of the sinking, a joint investigation has been initiated by the Port Captaincy of Baquerizo Moreno, the Galápagos Government Council, and officials from the National Park to ascertain the cause of the incident and evaluate any potential environmental repercussions. For related reports and photographs, visit: https://www.primicias.ec/sucesos/barco-turismo-varado-cormoran-galapagos-isla-espanola-99533/ and https://ecuador221.com.ec/desencallan-barco-cormorant-ii-en-la-isla-espanola/