Working Conditions Aboard the Niki

On September 13, 2023, in the late afternoon, the tanker 'Niki' was successfully refloated after a challenging situation. However, the vessel encountered significant stability issues as a result of the incident, which had caused a hole measuring approximately 1.5 meters in its bow. Over the subsequent hours, the crew worked diligently to stabilize the ship. Once secured, 'Niki' made its way to Termini Birese at a reduced speed. The tanker reached the port jetty and was berthed at 6 p.m. on September 14, and as of September 17, it remains at the port in a stationary position, under observation and awaiting further inspection.

On the morning of September 11, 2025, at 6:18 a.m., the cargo vessel 'Niki' encountered trouble shortly after departing Porticello harbour. The ship, which has a crew of eight on board and was transporting farmed sea bream, ran aground on the Formica rocks, known for their treacherous underwater terrain that rises from depths exceeding 50 meters to just beneath the surface. This incident occurred 18 minutes into its journey to the port of Ténès. In response to the situation, maritime authorities quickly deployed patrol boats to the site to aid the crew and assess environmental risks, particularly potential leaks of pollutants. Concerns grew regarding possible damage to the Formica rocks, a crucial habitat that supports rich marine ecosystems and is significant for its archaeological features, attracting underwater exploration enthusiasts. Emergency services took swift action to mitigate the situation. Firefighters worked tirelessly to remove water that had entered the vessel through two breaches. The tugboat 'Sea Dream', along with various rescue units including firefighters, a shore support team, and divers, contributed to the efforts to stabilize and keep the 'Niki' afloat. On the afternoon of September 13, Coast Guard patrol boats arrived at the scene with sirens wailing, conducting a coordinated evacuation of individuals still aboard the ship. Remarkably, despite the evacuation efforts, the 'Niki' managed to remain afloat. For further updates and visuals on the recovery operations, you can follow the links: [Himeralive](https://www.himeralive.it/porticello-cargo-greco-incagliato-sulla-secca-della-formica-operazioni-di-recupero-in-corso-foto/), [Rainews](https://www.rainews.it/tgr/sicilia/articoli/2025/09/porticello-peschereccio-incagliato-allaltezza-dello-scoglio-formica-1f6d8afd-cb61-4b3d-a020-1b0a05632fb2.html), [Newsicilia](https://newsicilia.it/palermo/cronaca/ancora-incagliato-il-peschereccio-finito-contro-gli-scogli-nel-palermitano/1035222/), [Qds](https://qds.it/cargo-greco-niki-pericolo-naufragio-imminente-secca-formica/), and [Itaca Notizie](https://itacanotizie.it/qds/cargo-greco-niki-pericolo-naufragio-imminente-secca-formica/).