Discover the Eckero: Ratings & Maritime News

On April 1, the Swedish National Accident Investigation Board initiated an inquiry into the allision involving the Coast Guard vessel 'KBV 202' and the 'Eckerö'. Spearheading the investigation, Daniel Söderman noted that 'KBV 202' had recently undergone a significant overhaul, which included a complete replacement of its propulsion system. After the engines were ignited in Grisslehamn, the vessel exhibited uncontrollable movement. The decision to conduct this investigation stems from the potential lessons that could be gleaned regarding design and commissioning processes in similar maritime modifications.

On the evening of March 4, the Coast Guard patrol vessel 'KBV 202' managed to maneuver itself to a new berth in Grisslehamn, effectively clearing the way for Eckerö Linjen's traffic to Åland. The crew achieved this by circumventing the control system, allowing the ship to operate under its own power. This move was crucial as it enabled Eckerö Linjen to resume its normal operations after a brief disruption. The patrol boat's relocation came in light of significant ice conditions, which prompted the Coast Guard to utilize a Grisslehamn berth instead of their usual home port in Gävle. The incident unfolded around 10 a.m. on March 4, when 'KBV 202' was preparing to return to Gävle. During the engine startup procedure, the vessel unexpectedly failed to halt, leading it to drift away from the quay and dangerously close to the docked 'Eckerö.' The Coast Guard has reported the incident to the Swedish Transport Agency and is cooperating with the Police Authority, which has opened an investigation alongside the Coast Guard's internal review. A sobriety test conducted on the crew of 'KBV 202' resulted in no complaints, ensuring the vessel’s operational integrity. This incident highlights the importance of safety protocols in maintaining maritime operations in challenging winter conditions.

On March 4, a significant maritime incident unfolded in Grisslehamn involving the Swedish Coast Guard vessel 'KBV 202' (IMO: 4645224) and the ferry 'Eckerö', which operates the Grisslehamn-Åland service. The accident occurred just prior to the ferry's scheduled departure for Åland at 10 a.m., when the Coast Guard ship collided with the moored ferry multiple times before crashing into the quay at full speed. This resulted in a substantial hole in the bow of 'KBV 202.' Fortunately, no injuries were reported among the crew or passengers. The ferry suffered damage on its port side above the waterline. Following the incident, Eckerö Line announced the cancellation of all departures at 10.00 a.m. and 01.30 p.m., with further updates later confirming that all March 4 departures would be suspended. Passengers disembarked safely and were transported away from the port by bus. Repair efforts on the ferry's hull commenced the evening of the incident, with personnel from the Swedish Transport Agency present to oversee the work. Eckerölinjen coordinated the repairs closely with the Transport Agency. After thorough inspections, regular ferry services resumed on March 5. The dock that 'KBV 202' struck underwent an X-ray examination to confirm structural integrity. The incident has been reported to the Swedish Transport Agency and the local Police Authority, which are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the accident. As of March 5, further assessments of the damage on the Coast Guard vessel were ongoing, and it remains stationary in Grisslehamn, likely requiring salvage operations to remove it. The cause of the accident remains unclear.

A search operation is currently ongoing for a man who went missing after leaping overboard from the ferry 'Eckerö' on the evening of March 1, 2026. The incident occurred while the vessel was navigating Swedish waters, as confirmed by surveillance footage that captured the moment of the jump. Upon the ferry's arrival in Eckerö, the captain promptly notified the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Turku regarding the situation. This alarming event unfolded shortly after the ferry left Grisslehamn, where the individual was last seen aboard. In response, a rescue helicopter dispatched from Turku, alongside the coastguard unit from Mariehamn, began an extensive search operation for the missing man, with the 'Eckerö' also participating in the search efforts. Although surveillance confirmed the individual's jump into the water, the Swedish MRCC sought medical guidance on survival time in cold waters, and unfortunately, extensive search attempts yielded no results. Despite thorough efforts, authorities have acknowledged the grim reality that, according to survival laws, the likelihood of the individual still being alive is alarmingly low.

An alarming incident occurred aboard the Eckerö on October 13, 2023, leading to injuries for two individuals and damage as a car was crushed by a malfunctioning hanging deck. According to a report released by the Swedish Accident Commission on September 30, 2024, the accident was primarily caused by the failure of the automatic control system for the hanging tires. Further compounding the situation were significant deficiencies in the manual safety controls for the suspension decks. The sailor responsible for operating the hanging deck had not engaged with this task for an extended period, highlighting serious concerns about inadequate staff training. Additionally, the design and installation of the suspension deck were deemed to have inherent vulnerabilities, which contributed to the mishap. Repairs performed on the platform also fell short, allowing cable slack to pose risks under load pressure. In response to these findings, Eckerölinjen has been granted until January to rectify the issues, ensuring that both the systems are operational and that crew members receive appropriate training to prevent future incidents.

On December 7, 2014, the Eckerö ferry encountered a significant mishap upon its arrival at the port of Grisslehamn. A critical wire supporting the vessel's roll-on/roll-off (roro) ramp snapped unexpectedly, resulting in the ramp crashing down onto the quay in a matter of seconds. Fortunately, no one was injured, although a nearby vehicle narrowly avoided being struck by the falling ramp. The incident involved 188 passengers and 65 vehicles, all of whom faced a two-hour delay before they could safely disembark. During this time, the crew provided coffee and snacks to those inconvenienced. In response to the accident, the Eckerö had to reposition itself to enable vehicle exits through the stern ramp, as all normal operations were suspended for the day. Efforts to repair the damaged ramp were initiated promptly, with plans for the repairs to be completed within the week. Meanwhile, loading and unloading activities will continue using the stern ramp until further notice. The Eckerö resumed its regular service on December 8 at 10:00 a.m. local time from Grisslehamn, although the scheduled 8:30 a.m. departure from Eckerö was canceled as a result of the previous day's incident. For further coverage and photos, refer to the following sources: [Nyan](http://www.nyan.ax/nyheter/?news_id=86882), [Aftonbladet](http://www.aftonbladet.se/nyheter/article19981476.ab), [Norrteljetidning](http://norrteljetidning.se/nyheter/nyheter/1.2752759-bilramp-gick-sonder-pa-eckerolinjen), [Ålandstidningen](http://www.alandstidningen.ax/nyheter/ms-eckero-staller-alla).

On the morning of September 3, 2010, a safety drill aboard the ferry 'Eckerö' (IMO 7633155) resulted in injuries to two crew members while docked at Grisslehamn port. Following the incident, the injured individuals were promptly transported to Norrtälje hospital for medical evaluation. In light of the emergency, local police have initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the event. The mishap occurred during a scheduled port state control conducted by Finnish authorities, when a crank failure occurred while the lifeboat was being lowered. This unfortunate accident led to a delay of approximately 30 minutes for the ferry's service to Eckerö, inconveniencing around 500 passengers. However, Eckerölinjen has assured that there will be no further disruptions for subsequent sailings.