Tosca Ship Details and Seafarer Feedback

During the fierce conditions of Storm Goretti, the vessel 'Tosca', journeying from Dakar to Zeebrugge, deviated from the northbound lane of the traffic separation scheme on the evening of January 8, 2026, as it headed towards Cap de la Hague. After establishing communication with CROSS Corsen, it was confirmed that the ship had lost power and was navigating under its own control (NUC) as it approached the coastline. In response, the maritime prefect instructed the captain to halt the engines, allowing the vessel to gently drift at sea. The southwest winds, coupled with the powerful currents of the Raz Blanchard, facilitated the ship's movement away from the perilous coast. As a precautionary measure, the emergency tug 'VB Abeille Liberté' (IMO: 9308699) was dispatched to the area to standby in case the situation worsened. By the early hours of January 9, with the threats of grounding mitigated, the 'Tosca' successfully restarted her engines and navigated safely off the Bay of Seine, resuming its course toward the port of Zeebrugge, where it ultimately arrived on January 11.

On May 14, 2017, the vehicle carrier "Tosca," which had set sail from Bremerhaven on May 13, reported a serious medical emergency to Belgian authorities. The ship, carrying a crew of 25, was anchored at Zeebrugge outer anchorage when it sought urgent medical assistance for 14 crew members believed to be suffering from food poisoning. In response, the Belgian Coast Guard dispatched a Cayman NH90 helicopter from Coxyde, along with a medical team to assess the situation. Upon arrival, the medical expert determined that two of the affected personnel required immediate evacuation. These individuals were subsequently hoisted aboard the helicopter and flown to Sint Jan University Hospital in Bruges for treatment, while the helicopter returned safely to its base. This incident highlights the crucial role of prompt medical intervention in maritime operations.