Read Authentic Ratings for the Villa-San-Giovanni

On November 22, 2021, the ferry 'Villa San Giovanni' encountered a significant engine failure while navigating through the Strait of Messina, attributed to a fire that broke out on board. The incident prompted an immediate response from the Port Authority, which dispatched multiple rescue vessels, including tugs, the patrol boat 'CP 852', and the firefighting vessel 'M03', to assist in handling the emergency. Additionally, the ferry service 'Caronte & Tourist' joined the efforts. Fortunately, around 20 passengers and crew members were safely evacuated, with no injuries reported during the incident. After the crew collaborated effectively to extinguish the flames, the damaged ferry was towed to Villa San Giovanni for further assessment and repairs. For more detailed coverage and images of the incident, please visit the linked articles: [Meteoweb](https://www.meteoweb.eu/2021/11/incendio-su-traghetto-nello-stretto-di-messina-soccorritori-sul-posto-foto-e-video-in-diretta/1741108/) and [Tempostretto](https://www.tempostretto.it/news/messina-traghetto-villa-s-giovanni-in-avaria-nello-stretto.html).

On November 29th at 8:45 a.m., the ferry 'Villa San Giovanni' departed from Reggio di Calabria with limited maneuverability, making her way towards Messina. By 10 a.m. the same day, the vessel was successfully towed into port by the salvage tug 'Megrez' (IMO: 9334911), ensuring her safe arrival.

On November 27, 2019, a troubling incident unfolded involving the ferry 'Villa San Giovanni' shortly after its 3 p.m. departure from Tremestieri. The vessel experienced an engine malfunction, which resulted in the alarming production of thick black smoke near Gallico and Catonazu, just a mile off the stunning Calabrian coast. Initial fears of a potential fire prompted the ferry to halt and send out a distress signal for assistance. Coordinating the emergency response was the maritime authority of the Strait of Messina. Responding quickly, two Italian Coast Guard boats, the tug 'Megrez' and a specialized fire brigade unit, rushed to the scene. The 22 passengers on board were safely evacuated by patrol boat 'CP 265' and transported to the port of Reggio Calabria for medical assessments. At approximately 5:15 p.m., the ferry was towed into Reggio Calabria by the 'Megrez', where freight units were subsequently unloaded. Fire brigade personnel entered the engine room with respirators to begin a thorough investigation, collaborating with the crisis management team from the ferry operator Caronte & Tourist Spa. Initial assessments indicated that the cause of the smoke was a technical failure rather than an actual fire. For further details, Italian news outlets have shared photos and videos of the event, highlighting the swift rescue operation: [ANSA](http://www.ansa.it/calabria/notizie/2019/11/27/principio-dincendio-su-traghetto_e5e770a9-a898-4478-8ab6-13b0ebbc773a.html), [Tempostretto](https://www.tempostretto.it/news/reggio-calabria-fumo-dallanave-villa-san-giovanni-forse-solo-un-avaria-al-motore-foto.html#06grDa20sQQ8Jyhh.99), [Messina Indiretta](http://www.messinaindiretta.it/stretto-di-messina-fumo-a-bordo-del-traghetto-villa-san-giovanni-salvati-22-passeggeri-video-e-dettagli/), [Stretto Web](http://www.strettoweb.com/2019/11/incendio-traghetto-stretto-di-messina-passeggeri-salvati/932182/).