Reviews & Ratings for the Maersk-Vilnius

On January 25, 2026, at 12:45 a.m., the 'Maersk Vilnius', while anchored off the coast of Cavite City (position 14° 31.08' N, 120° 47.43' E), was targeted by intruders. A group of unidentified perpetrators boarded the vessel and took advantage of unsecured items on the ship, resulting in theft. Fortunately, the crew members remained unharmed during this incident. After the unsettling events, the 'Maersk Vilnius' continued its journey and successfully docked in Manila on January 28.

On April 26, 2020, the container vessel 'Maersk Vilnius' found itself in distress following a fire incident, leaving the ship adrift east of Guadeloupe, France. The vessel was on a journey from Freeport to Port Elizabeth when trouble struck. In response to the emergency, the offshore tug 'Alp Defender' (IMO: 9737242) was dispatched from Trinidad to provide assistance. By April 29, the tug successfully reached the beleaguered 'Maersk Vilnius' and commenced towage operations, steering the container ship toward Panama for essential repairs. Remarkably, the crew of 22 aboard the Maersk Vilnius managed to restore power on the vessel, ensuring that electricity was once again available for the refrigerated containers. Luckily, the crew members were reported to be in good health. For additional details, refer to the Danish report complete with a photo: https://maritimedanmark.dk/?Id=43460.

On June 11, 2016, at exactly 11 a.m., the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) received an urgent Mayday distress signal from the 66-foot sailing catamaran, 'Michelle Rose,' carrying eight crew members—six women and two men. The vessel was reported to be taking on water while navigating off the coast of Durban. Initially estimated to be a mere few nautical miles from the bustling Durban Port, the distress call was intercepted by Telkom Maritime Radio Services. The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) promptly instructed the Durban TNPA to activate the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) Durban. Telkom Maritime Radio Services proceeded to alert other vessels in the vicinity, urging them to divert and assist if possible. Subsequent updates indicated that the 'Michelle Rose' was approximately 20 nautical miles south of Durban, about five nautical miles offshore amidst 4 to 5 meter swells and 20-knot south-westerly winds near Umkomaas. The catamaran was en route from Cape Town to Richards Bay, with plans to continue to the Seychelles, having previously stopped at Simonstown and East London. However, they were now confronted with flooding in several bulkheads and compartments. Despite the crew's efforts to use water pumps to manage the flooding, the situation remained dire, prompting the captain to issue the Mayday call. In response, the NSRI Durban team launched the lifeboat 'Eikos Rescuer II' and directed the container ship 'Maersk Vilnius' to the scene, while a shore team stood by on land. Additionally, a TNPA Ports rescue helicopter was put on alert. The yacht's crew prepared to abandon ship if the situation escalated. Upon arrival at the scene, the 'Maersk Vilnius' positioned itself alongside the catamaran to provide support while the NSRI navigated through the challenging sea conditions, reaching the site at 1:33 p.m. The crew discovered 'Michelle Rose' low in the water, with one female crew member suffering from motion sickness—a condition that was addressed with hydration support. To further alleviate the vessel's weight, the catamaran's crew discarded their fresh water supplies, facilitating the ongoing tow effort led by NSRI Durban. The Subtech tug 'Indongeni' was placed on standby to assist, but NSRI continued the towing operation. Despite battling rough and confused seas, NSRI successfully towed the 'Michelle Rose' into Durban Port by 7:33 p.m. The NSRI rescue craft 'Megan II' was launched to aid in maneuvering the distressed catamaran to a safe mooring spot. Thanks to the TNPA's quick coordination, a berth was arranged for the catamaran at the container terminal, where it received necessary repairs. The rescue operation concluded at 10:30 p.m., with all crew members on board safe and unharmed.