Dramatic ferry stop: 500 passengers stranded on the Baltic Sea!

Dramatic ferry stop: 500 passengers stranded on the Baltic Sea!

An unexpected adventure on the Baltic Sea awaited passengers of the hybrid ferry “Berlin” today, which was traveling from Rostock to Gedser. Due to a mechanical failure, the ship, which was only 20 meters from the Danish coast, had to turn around and return to its home port. Captain Jörg Ellner reported that around 500 passengers were forced to leave the ferry and change to the “Copenhagen”, which ultimately led to a delay of a whopping seven hours, as Moin.de describes.

Reactions on board were mixed. While some passengers viewed the experience as an exciting adventure, others were more distressed by the long waiting times. The situation on the car deck was particularly difficult to endure, where the passengers had to stay in the car for over an hour without any information. The crew tried to inform travelers by going from car to car as the loudspeaker announcements did not reach everywhere.

Mechanical problem under control

The defect affected a bow visor and could not be repaired within an hour - the cause was a defective locking pin. Fortunately, the safety of the ship and passengers was never at risk, according to Scandlines spokeswoman Anette Ustrup Svendsen. While the ship's technology was being repaired, the passengers were provided with food and drinks. Normally unloading the ferry only takes six minutes, but due to the circumstances, trucks and cars had to turn backwards off board or on the deck, which further slowed the situation. In addition, there was no room for any more passengers on the fully occupied ferry “Copenhagen” after its return.

The hard-working team on the “Berlin” also prevented a longer downtime, so that a specialist company was not needed for the repairs in Rostock. The defect was repaired around 9 p.m. and the ferry continued its journey again. An incident that under other circumstances would have caused a much greater uproar was brought under control quickly and professionally.

Safety always in focus

Such incidents nevertheless shed light on the importance of safety regulations on board ferries. Important rules must be followed when boarding and during the crossing to ensure the safety of all passengers. Passengers are not allowed to stay in their vehicles during the journey and smoking is only permitted in designated areas. The speed limits on board are also between 10 and 15 km/h, which also ensures that all passengers are well protected during the crossing, as Freightlink.de notes.

In the context of these events, a remarkable police exercise took place on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, when two inflatable boats circled a Scandlines ferry that was on its way to Rostock. This exercise, in which a SWAT team simulated approaching and boarding a ferry, gave passengers an added thrill. The Scandlines ferry had informed about the exercise in advance so that the travelers did not panic. Nevertheless, it was an interesting distraction from the actual travel plans, as safety always comes first, as NDR.de reported.

Whether it's adventure or unexpected twists and turns, there's never a dull moment at sea. Our ferries not only offer transport from A to B, but also stories and experiences that will be remembered.