Seven crewmembers were rescued from the sea after jumping from a cargo ship as it developed a severe list off the coast of Lebanon on Sunday, October 25.
The Panama-flagged general cargo ship Seahorse was carrying timber from Turkey and had been approaching Sidon. Nine others, including the captain, remained on board.
Lebanese Civil Defence (LCD) said its teams accompanying the ship recovered the seven crew and stayed in contact with the captain.
The agency said the vessel had grounded that morning while moving from Sidon towards Beirut because of water ingress. It said the response was coordinated with the Joint Search and Rescue Coordination Centre.
At first, the captain advised authorities that the situation remained under control and no assistance was required. He requested help later, as the list worsened and the seven crew entered the water, afraid the vessel might capsize.
Responders found 3.5 to four metres of water in the number five cargo hold, with the ship's inclination making movement aboard extremely difficult. Emergency pumping reduced the level to 50 to 60 centimetres.
Authorities said a malfunction had occurred and the crew had failed to detect the incoming water, but did not identify the system involved.
Initial accounts blamed shifting timber for the list. Later accounts suggested the ship may have grounded on approach to Sidon, where the maximum draught is eight metres.
The vessel was said to have reached a draught of nine metres after flooding and cargo movement.
Though still listing after pumping, Seahorse was judged stable enough to proceed to Beirut. On Monday, October 26, LCD said that the ship had arrived and was lying alongside one of the quays, with timber discharge under way.
Authorities said the cargo was being unloaded to further improve stability. Lebanese Army naval personnel and Beirut’s fire brigade supported the operation.
Port state inspection records showed deficiencies dating back to 2013, including at each of the vessel's last six inspections since December 2025.
Built in 1997, Seahorse is owned by Seahorse Marine Shipping and managed by Lebanon-based Safer Management.