Second update – February 16, 2025

• With the crew rescued, the focus shifts to assisting with the salvage effort, and marine environmental and hazards response.

• Weather in the area continues to be a factor as we work to assess the situation and determine the next steps.

• Canadian Coast Guard crews and Eastern Canada Response Corporation representatives are establishing a staging area in Lark Harbour, NL.

• An emergency zone (2 nautical miles) has been established around the incident area to facilitate operations and support marine safety.

• Additional Canadian Coast Guard crews and equipment are en route. The CCGS Jean Goodwill will transit to the site from Canso, NS as weather permits and the CCGS Henry Larsen is standing by in Corner Brook, NL to facilitate operations.

•Overflights to assess the situation are expected to take place today, pending weather conditions.

• The owner of the MSC Baltic III has been cooperating and responsive, and a team from the salvage company contracted by the owner are expected in the area today to assess the situation.

Further updates will be provided as they are available and as the situation evolves.

First update – February 15, 2025

•On Saturday morning, February 15, the Marine Communications and Traffic Services in Port aux Basques received a MAYDAY from the cargo ship MSC Baltic III located approximately 12 nautical miles outside the entrance to Bay of Islands, NL. The vessel reported a loss of power.

•Weather and sea conditions in the area are unfavourable and the vessel was unable to secure an anchor and ran aground in Wild Cove west of Lark Harbour.

•There were 20 people on board. All crew have been safely airlifted from the vessel by a Cormorant helicopter.

•Canadian Coast Guard is working closely with our response partners.

•The cause and extent of the incident are not yet known.

Further updates will be provided as they are available and as the situation evolves.

Canadian Coast Guard press release