Discover the Lilleoere: Ratings & Maritime News

The fast ferry 'Lilleøre' is set to take to the waters once again, resuming its service on October 2nd, connecting Sælvig on Samsø with Aarhus. After being out of commission since September 16 due to a damaged bearing in its gear mechanism, the vessel was initially expected back in service by September 22. However, the severity of the damage necessitated repairs in Germany, prolonging its absence. The 'Lilleøre' kicked off its first journey from Sælvig at 6:30 a.m. on the day of its return. Nevertheless, passengers should be aware that there will be further disruptions on October 6th and 7th. During these dates, the ferry will undergo a scheduled service inspection that requires it to be out of operation. Cancellations will affect the 3:15 p.m. departure from Sælvig and the 4:30 p.m. from Aarhus, with alternative commuter transport provided in place of the ferry service. Due to unforeseen circumstances, the essential service inspection could not be conducted earlier while the 'Lilleøre' was at the shipyard, as technicians were not available. This thorough inspection is necessary to ensure the ferry remains safe and reliable for its passengers.

Recent assessments by the technicians at Grenå Shipyard have identified that the vibrations reported in the catering area of the Lilleøre ferry were caused by a damaged bearing within the ship's gear system. Unfortunately, this issue cannot be rectified in Denmark, leading to the decision to send the faulty bearing to a repair facility in Germany. As a result, the Lilleøre will not be resuming operations on the previously anticipated date of September 22 but is now expected to return to service during week 41. In the interim, Samsø Rederi has arranged for a commuter bus service running from Monday to Friday, departing from Hou at 6:45 a.m. and from DOKK1 at 4 p.m. Passengers seeking alternative travel options are advised to utilize the Hou-Sælvig route during the ferry's repair period.

The 'Lilleøre', a key ferry operating between Sælvig and Aarhus, is currently out of service after technical problems were identified on board. Passengers reported notable vibrations in the ferry's catering area, raising concerns about potential escalation if the issue went unresolved. Consequently, the ferry was withdrawn from its route on September 15, 2025, and is now docked in Sælvig awaiting further inspection at a shipyard. Operators have aimed to have the ferry back in operation by September 22. In the meantime, Samsø Rederi has arranged for a commuter bus to run Monday through Friday, with departures at 6:45 a.m. from Hou and 4:00 p.m. from DOKK1. Passengers looking to travel have been redirected to the Hou-Sælvig route temporarily.

The captain of the ferry 'Lilleøre' has faced legal repercussions for unsafe navigation, having operated the vessel at a risky speed of 26 knots in dense fog north of Tunø on July 27, 2021. During this incident, the Samsø ferry did not emit any fog signals and failed to reduce its speed. A near-collision occurred between the 'Lilleøre' and the yacht 'Gulnare', piloted by Martin Barnkob and his spouse. Thankfully, the 'Gulnare' managed to avert disaster by altering course at the last moment. Although the East Jutland Police have concluded their investigation and imposed a hefty fine on the captain, they have declined to disclose the fine's amount to the Barnkobs as they were not officially involved in the legal proceedings. Following the event, the ferry did slow down and activated its fog horn, but it did not stop to check on the wellbeing of those aboard the 'Gulnare'.