Complete Maritime Profile & Reviews of Duncan-Island

On May 24, 2026, at 5:31 p.m. UTC, the reefer vessel 'Duncan Island', which was traveling from Bridgetown to Port Elizabeth with an estimated arrival date of June 6, reported a distressing incident of a crew member falling overboard. This occurred in the South Atlantic Ocean, specifically at coordinates 03°53.5' N 042°39.6' W. Authorities have issued an urgent alert to nearby vessels, requesting them to maintain a vigilant lookout and report any sightings of the missing crew member. The maritime community is rallying to assist in this critical search operation.

On November 30, 2020, a court in Svendborg handed down 12-year prison sentences to four men for their involvement in a significant cocaine smuggling operation. These individuals were part of a scheme that involved the illegal transportation of 100 kilograms of cocaine, which was tossed overboard from the container ship 'Duncan Island' near Langeland. Following the drop, three accomplices in a motorboat retrieved the illicit cargo and attempted to transport it to shore. Although the prosecution sought harsher penalties of 15 years, the judges decided on the 12-year sentences for each defendant. Among the convicted are three Polish nationals and one Russian citizen, alongside a 48-year-old Latvian man who worked as an electrician on the 'Duncan Island.' This vessel, carrying agricultural products from Ecuador bound for Russia, was the scene of the crime, as the electrician was responsible for discarding the four waterproof bags containing the cocaine into the sea. Following the smuggling attempt, law enforcement received a tip-off, allowing them to apprehend the men as they tried to move the drugs by car after landing them ashore. A separate police unit then boarded the 'Duncan Island' south of Gedser, leading to the arrest of the entire crew. Ultimately, with the exception of the Latvian electrician, all crew members were released. At this time, it remains unclear whether the convicted smugglers or the prosecution plan to appeal the court's decision.

A major drug operation has come to light in Svendborg, Denmark, following the discovery of a suspicious nylon bag, wooden blocks referred to as 'dummies,' and a Danish SIM card on the cargo ship 'Duncan Island' on February 15. During the ongoing trial, prosecutors claim that four individuals worked in unison to smuggle an astonishing 100 kilos of cocaine off the vessel as it navigated past Langeland. On November 13, 2020, a police officer testified in court that he uncovered the nylon bag in the ship's engine room, marking a pivotal moment in the investigation. This bag bore a striking resemblance to the one used to package the cocaine, which was later discovered in a Hyundai being driven by two of the suspects at the time of their arrest. Both the bags found aboard the 'Duncan Island' and those in the car's trunk exhibited contamination from lubricating oil, further implicating the crew involved. The prosecution alleges that a 49-year-old Latvian electrician onboard was responsible for discarding the waterproof sacks, believed to contain the narcotics, into the sea off Langeland. Subsequently, two accomplices reportedly set out from Spodsbjerg in a boat to retrieve the dropped drugs. According to the indictment, the trio transported the cocaine back to the Port of Spodsbjerg, where they concealed it in the Hyundai. One of the boat operators remained at the harbor and was apprehended shortly after, while the other two suspects were taken into custody while heading towards Tranekjær. During this operation, the investigator also found wooden blocks in the engine room, which were cut to match the dimensions of the cocaine packages. This led him to believe these were used for planning the packing process of the contraband. Additionally, police discovered two SIM cards and their packaging in a drawer at the electrician's workshop, notably featuring Danish text. The investigator speculated that these SIM cards were likely intended for communicating with associates in Denmark. Authorities had been on high alert, anticipating potential drug drops in the area as the 'Duncan Island' sailed towards St. Petersburg. This vigilance stemmed from a tip-off provided by Swedish customs, hinting that a significant 200 kilos of cocaine could be discarded overboard from a container ship journeying from South America to Russia. The trial is set to conclude on December 3.

On November 6, 2023, legal proceedings commenced in Svendborg concerning a significant cocaine smuggling case linked to the vessel 'Duncan Island', which unloaded over 100 kilograms of cocaine off Langeland in February 2020. Four individuals face charges in this case, including a 48-year-old Latvian crew member of the ship. The prosecution asserts that the crew member discarded the cocaine in four waterproof sacks, which were later retrieved by three accomplices who had navigated into the Langeland Belt. The illegal cargo was intended for ground transport before authorities, alerted to the operation, intervened and apprehended the suspects. Additionally, a separate police unit boarded the 'Duncan Island' in the waters south of Gedser. Although the entire crew was initially detained, only the Latvian sailor remains charged, with all others released. The trial is set for a total of five sessions, concluding in early December.