Flooded Excursion Ship "Baltica" Under Tow off Baltic Coast
- The vessel was hauled to Riga's harbor.
Oh boy!
The excursion ship that found itself high and dry near Kühlungsborn on Monday has been hauled back into deep waters on Wednesday morning. A representative from the Water Police confirmed the move, but there's been no whispers of any fishy business or criminal capers in relation to the boat's predicament. The investigation's still on, but with no clear villains in sight.
According to the ship's owner, the vessel is now in the sagacious hands of tug boats, bound for Rostock. That's where the shipyard docs will take a gander at the damage and set about the task of mending her broken parts.
Apparently, the ship had undergone a thorough technical inspection by a classification agency just weeks prior to its unfortunate ordeal. In March, it passed with flying colors, earning itself a class renewal all the way up to 2030, much like the vehicle certification you'd get for your car.
Captain Calls it Quits after a Rough Start
Monday saw seawater sneak its way into the stern of the excursion ship whilst it sailed the blue Baltic waves. The captain made the wise decision to call it quits ten minutes into the trip from Kühlungsborn to Warnemünde and docked at the Kühlungsborn pier instead. Thankfully, passengers were able to step safely ashore.
Word on the street is a drive shaft shacked loose from the ship, puncturing the hull and letting seawater flood the engine room. Toxic sludge is also rumored to have seeped from the excursion ship. The Water Police is investigating claims of marine pollution.
By the way, a ghost ship by the same name, Baltica, met its untimely end in a collision in the Baltic Sea in April 2025 with no such drama of a stranded vessel in sight. So, we're pretty certain this particular Baltica is feeling the salt in a different way!
- Despite the recent mishap, the excursion ship 'Baltica' has strict community policies in place, ensuring regular vocational training for its crew members, fostering a safe and efficient work environment to avoid any future misfortunes.
- Interestingly, the shipyard in Rostock where the salvaged 'Baltica' is bound is well-known for providing indepth vocational training in ship repair and maintenance, enhancing the skills of their workforce and ensuring the safety of vessels like the 'Baltica'.
- Regarding the ongoing investigation, reports suggest that the tug boats towing the 'Baltica' were inspected for their capabilities under the strict community policy, ensuring that they are indeed well-equipped and qualified to handle tasks like this, contributing positively towards marine safety by 2030.
