Corsica-Express-3 Vessel Reviews and Specifications

The Corsica Express 3 is preparing to leave the BluNavy fleet, with ownership expected to shift to the Cypriot firm Pikessea Shipping Ltd. this week. After its recent transfer from Corsica Ferries to BluNavy (BN di Navigazione), this fast ferry is now gearing up for its next journey to Greece. While the exact sale price is yet to be revealed, it is known that BN di Navigazione acquired the ferry for approximately €3 million, following the completion of a deal that included the purchase of the Elba Ferries brand and operational slots from Corsica Ferries. Recently, the Corsica Express 3 has been providing services between Piombino and Portoferraio, as well as Piombino and Bastia.

On August 20, 2024, at around 3:15 p.m., the ferry Corsica Express 3 experienced a fire in its engine room shortly after departing from Piombino, en route to Elba. Approximately thirty minutes into the journey, smoke was detected, prompting the ship to turn back to port. It safely docked at pier 2, where the established emergency protocols were swiftly enacted. Local authorities deployed three fire trucks and three ambulances, including one fully equipped for medical emergencies. A total of 293 individuals were on board, comprising 276 passengers and 17 crew members. The evacuation was carried out efficiently, with all passengers utilizing emergency slides to disembark. Firefighters from the Livorno and Grosseto regions responded with multiple teams, five fire trucks, and specialist units, including divers from both municipalities as well as the Drago helicopter from the Cecina firefighting squad. Fortunately, there were no serious injuries among the evacuees. A man experienced a panic attack, and another sustained minor abrasions while descending the slide; both declined hospitalization. One woman incurred a burn from friction on the slide and was transported to Piombino's emergency room for treatment. By 5:45 p.m., firefighters had managed to bring the fire under control, and passenger evacuation was complete. However, complications arose as the ship's hatch could not be opened due to fire damage to the mechanism, necessitating an external generator. Efforts were initiated to establish temporary lighting within the engine room using smaller generators to facilitate a damage assessment. Yet, concerns lingered that opening the hatch might introduce oxygen, potentially reigniting the fire. Firefighters faced challenges conducting inspections due to temperatures reaching 50 degrees Celsius within the engine room, delaying potential evaluations until late that night or in the coming days. For more details, including photos and videos, visit: https://www.iltirreno.it/piombino/cronaca/2024/08/20/news/piombino-fumo-nella-sala-macchine-del-traghetto-la-nave-torna-in-porto-1.100571340