On the night of Saturday, December 13, 2025, a routine trip of the passenger and vehicle ferry “Ciudad de Mahón” operated by “Balearia” turned into a maritime nightmare due to the powerful “Emilia” storm that swept through the Strait of Gibraltar; the company now holds responsibility for what happened to the “captain of the ship.”
The ship had departed from the port of Algeciras heading to Ceuta around 10 PM, delayed by three hours from its schedule due to earlier canceled trips as a result of bad weather conditions.
The company specifically chose this ferry, which is larger than the usual vessels on the route between Algeciras and Ceuta, as it was considered more capable of withstanding adverse weather conditions. The sailing was approved by the ship’s captain and port authorities, as the conditions at departure were relatively acceptable, according to what the company leaked to the press, while no explanatory statement or apology has been issued so far.
The Responsible Captain
The company reportedly stated that conditions were acceptable after leaving Algeciras, but things quickly deteriorated in the heart of the strait, where the ship faced easterly winds of force 7 and waves reaching heights of 3-4 meters, worse than what weather forecasts indicated on the Spanish mainland.
The trip, which usually takes only one hour, lasted a full five hours of extreme tension and discomfort, from 10 PM until 3 AM on Sunday. Passengers, numbering around 700, reported violent shaking and strong lateral rolls, making them “unable to remain in their seats.”
Unsecured furniture slid across the floors, and seasickness spread among everyone, with limited information provided by the crew regarding the developments of the situation.
In the early hours of dawn, a giant wave struck the ship, causing a sharp temporary tilt and partially lifting the propellers out of the water, leading to a brief engine shutdown. The captain then decided to change course and return to Algeciras immediately for purely safety reasons, explaining that the maritime conditions near Ceuta were worse than expected, making a safe approach for docking impossible, according to information relayed from the “company.”
The most significant material damage occurred in the lower garage of the ship, where dozens of vehicles broke free from their ties due to the violent shaking and collided with each other. These collisions caused severe damage to the cars, such as dented bodies, severe scratches, and accumulation at unnatural angles. Passengers shared videos and images showing the chaos inside the garage, prompting a wave of complaints.
An Informal Response from “Balearia” and Compensation Procedures
According to the Spanish newspaper “Direct8,” “Balearia” acknowledged its full responsibility for the incident, explaining that the decision to return was based solely on safety criteria and made by the “captain.”
The same source reported that the company began contacting affected passengers to offer an official apology and address compensation claims. It pledged to compensate vehicle owners for all damages, in cooperation with the insurance company to assess losses and arrange necessary repairs. The company also refunded the full ticket price to all passengers.
No Investigation
Despite the company’s admission of responsibility, the authorities did not launch any formal investigation, and after a thorough technical inspection, “Ciudad de Mahón” returned to service on Monday, December 15, to secure its multiple daily trips. As for the passengers, they were able to reach Ceuta on subsequent trips after the storm subsided.
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