Update on the status of the investigation - MARCO POLO

The occurrence

The ship had a planned route that would go east of Hanö. During the voyage, the ship had gone off course. The ship passed between Hanö and Listerlandet instead of the planned route. The ship had its first bottom contact when it passed the foundation Laxören. Just over ten minutes later, the ship went hard aground sustained with extensive damage. The accident led to a major oil spill in northern Hanö Bay.

Extensive rescue measures and management of oil pollution were initiated, in which e.g., the Coast Guard, the Maritime Administration, the Rescue Service Västra Blekinge, the municipalities of Sölvesborg and Karlshamn, the County Administrative Board in Skåne County and the Civil Contingencies Agency.

The operations were hampered by poor visibility and high seas. The ship's passengers also needed to be evacuated at the same time as the spread of the oil spill was to be limited. The fact that the ship slipped off the ground after a few days and had to be evacuated again complicated the situation further. The mitigation of the oil spill was protracted. The measures at sea were completed at the beginning of November. On land, shoreline clean-up continues.

Due to the extensive damage to the ship's hull, long preparations were required before the ship could be lifted from the ground. On November 2, 2023, the ship was towed to the quay in Stillerydshamnen.

Investigative Measures

Interviews have been conducted, with e.g., the crew, shipping company, and entities involved in management of the oil spill.

An on-board visit was carried out on board the vessel while it was still on the ground. Further, on-board visits have also been carried out as the ship was docked.

Parts of the coastal area that was affected by the oil-spill in northern Hanö Bay have been visited.

An information meeting (fact-finding meeting) has been held.

Further Investigative Measures

The Accident Investigation Authority will now continue to analyze the questions about why the accident could happen and what measures can be taken to prevent a similar event from happening again.

A draft of the final report will be prepared and sent to the parties. The final report is planned to be presented at the beginning of 2025.