Ro-Pax

Ro-Pax runs aground in Gulf of Bothnia

Baird Maritime
Image: MarineTraffic.com/U. Schlenz – Skarven

A Finnish Ro-Pax ran aground in Ekholms Sound in the Gulf of Bothnia between Finland and Sweden on Friday, April 12.

The incident occurred at 07:40 local time when the 65- by 13-metre Skarven became stuck on a shallow portion of the sound.

The grounding left a several-metres-long breach three metres below the waterline. Oil was also observed to be leaking from the vessel but no estimates are available on the total volume discharged.

Rescue boats and water taxis were despatched to the scene to render assistance by ferrying Skarven's passengers to either Mariehamn or its intended destination of Degerby. No injuries were reported among the passengers and crew.

After the passengers were evacuated, the vessel sailed under its own power and entered the port of Svinö at 17:00.

Local authorities have launched an investigation to determine whether the grounding was caused by a technical failure or human error.