Passenger Ship 'Baltica' Stabilized After Stern Leak Forces Emergency Return

The vessel, recently inspected and certified, remains afloat through emergency measures as it awaits towing for damage assessment in Rostock.

The 'Baltica' experienced a sudden technical failure on April 7, 2025, causing water to flood its engine room through a leak at the stern.
The captain aborted the voyage shortly after departure, returning to Kühlungsborn where all passengers were safely evacuated without injuries.
Emergency responders, including 53 firefighters, used pumps to remove water and deployed oil barriers to prevent environmental contamination.
Preliminary investigations suggest a dislodged drive shaft may have caused the leak, though the ship had passed a technical inspection in March 2025.
Efforts to stabilize the vessel continue, with plans to tow it to Rostock for further inspection and repair expected to proceed by April 9, 2025.