Eastbourne, UK – November 13, 2025: The Finnish-flagged roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) cargo vessel Finnwave experienced a serious incident in the early hours of Wednesday when an engine room fire broke out approximately 11–12 miles (19 km) off the coast of Eastbourne in the English Channel. The blaze resulted in a complete loss of propulsion, leaving the 217-meter vessel adrift in challenging sea conditions.
Timeline of Events
- Distress Call: Around 05:00 local time, the crew issued a Mayday after the fire erupted in the engine room.
- Immediate Response: The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) Eastbourne station deployed its all-weather lifeboat Esme Anderson to assist, battling moderate seas and force five winds.
- Fire Extinguished: By the time rescuers arrived, the crew had successfully put out the fire without injuries or evacuations.
- Anchor Deployment: Unable to restart the engines, the crew worked for over an hour to deploy the ship’s anchor in rough conditions, with RNLI standing by until the vessel was secured.
Vessel Details
The Finnwave, operated by Finnlines, is an ice-class 1A Ro-Ro cargo vessel built in 2012 and refitted in 2018. It boasts:
- Length: 217.8 meters
- Gross Tonnage: 33,816
- Lane Length: 4,192 meters
- Capacity: 111 reefer units
Current Status
After anchoring, HM Coastguard confirmed the vessel was stable and continued monitoring while repairs were underway. No pollution or structural damage has been reported. Investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the engine fire. AIS data suggests the vessel later resumed its voyage and is now moored in Zeebrugge, Belgium.
The Maritime-Hub Editorial Team
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Maritime-Hub. Readers are advised to research this information before making decisions based on it.
