Yacht transporter tilts, nearly capsizes in Majorca, Spain

A faulty ballasting system is believed to have caused a cargo ship to list heavily and end up partially submerged at the Port of Palma de Majorca in Spain’s Balearic Islands on Monday, June 8.

The incident occurred shortly after the Curacao-flagged Super Servant 4, which is operated by US-based Spliethoff Group subsidiary DYT Yacht Transport, arrived at the port with a cargo of five small luxury yachts after having sailed out of Port Everglades, Florida, approximately two weeks prior.

Investigators said that, as Super Servant 4 was manoeuvring to dock at the port’s loading area, the ballasting system’s starboard pump had failed, causing the entire 12,000-tonne vessel to list to starboard with only its mooring lines preventing it from capsizing.

A number of nearby tugs rushed to the scene to render assistance after the crew sent out a distress call. The tugs’ crews tied ropes to Super Servant 4 and successfully pulled the vessel back into an upright position.

No injuries were reported from the incident.

The extent of damage suffered by the yacht transporter and its cargo is still being determined.