What Crew Members Say About Fener

The Suez Canal Authority (SCA) has made an official statement concerning the situation of the 'Fener', a vessel that has been stuck off the Port Said coast for over two weeks. They emphasized that the ship lies outside their legal jurisdiction, which prevents them from launching salvage operations without a formal request from the ship's owner or relevant legal parties. The SCA has warned the shipowner of potential liabilities linked to environmental or economic issues stemming from this escalating situation. Located five miles west of the northern entrance to the Suez Canal in the Mediterranean Sea, the 'Fener' does not currently threaten navigation in the waterway. As of now, the SCA has reported that no requests for technical aid or salvage operations have been received from the vessel's owner or any legal representatives. In response to this incident, the SCA continues to keep a close eye on the 'Fener,' utilizing a specialized marine salvage team to monitor the vessel's condition and safeguard against environmental risks, particularly any potential fuel leakage. Additionally, the SCA has reached out to the owner through their designated shipping agent, insisting on the vessel's rapid removal and formalizing the owner's accountability for any subsequent economic or environmental effects. On January 28, at the request of the shipping agent, the SCA provided an extensive technical report detailing the vessel’s status, confirming that there are no signs of fuel leakage at this time.

On January 17, the cargo vessel Fener (IMO: 1234567) was found to be more than 90% underwater after it ran aground near Port Said. Following a retreat of the sea and the calming of storm conditions, only the ship's bow, adorned with a flagpole, and its flooded stern were visible. Fener had set sail from East Port Said with a cargo of 4,000 tons of salt, bound for territorial waters. However, the situation took a turn when the captain reported a critical breach in the hull leading to significant flooding. Upon issuing a distress signal to the Suez Canal Authority, permission was granted for the vessel to be run ashore to mitigate further risks. For photographic evidence and further details, visit: https://www.elbalad.news/6838398.

On January 13, 2026, the cargo vessel 'Fener,' carrying a crew of 12, was purposefully run aground in the western anchorage area north of Port Said, approximately five miles from the Suez Canal's northern entrance. The decision to ground the ship followed deteriorating weather conditions after its arrival from Istanbul on January 9 to load a shipment of salt destined for Giurgiulesti. The vessel anchored at position 31° 17' N 032° 18' E while waiting for improved conditions. Unfortunately, a technical failure in the propulsion system left the crew unable to control the ship's direction, with currents and winds carrying it towards the shore. Upon receiving a distress report indicating a breach in one of its holds, which led to significant water ingress and a list of approximately 10 degrees to starboard, the master took precautionary measures to ground the vessel and prevent it from sinking entirely. The 'Fener' now rests on the shoreline with its stern submerged, subjected to crashing waves. In response, the Suez Canal Authority (SCA) mobilized two tugs and three Bahar-class marine launches, successfully rescuing the crew. Among them, one crew member required medical attention for a dislocated shoulder and was treated at the SCA-affiliated canal mooring and lights hospital. Despite the incident, navigation through the Suez Canal remained uninterrupted. The SCA's crisis and disaster management center is actively monitoring the situation. Reports indicate that as of September 15, the ship was completely flooded with its stern submerged. For more detailed coverage, including photos and videos, visit these links: [Egypt Today](https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/1/144478/Suez-Canal-Authority-rescues-FENER-vessel-crew-after-distress-call), [El Balad](https://www.elbalad.news/6833963), and more.