A passenger ferry operating in the Strait of Gibraltar was forced to return to port after encountering unexpectedly severe sea conditions, leaving dozens of vehicles damaged but no injuries reported.
The ro-ro ferry Ciudad de Mahón departed Algeciras late Saturday night for Ceuta, already several hours behind schedule, as strong Force 7 winds associated with Storm Emilia swept through the area. Shortly after sailing, the vessel encountered heavy pitching and rolling in large swells that exceeded forecasts for the route.
In the early hours of Sunday, the ferry was struck by a particularly powerful wave that caused the ship to heel sharply, briefly lifting its propellers clear of the water. Following the incident, the master made the decision to abandon the crossing and return to Algeciras as a precaution.
The sudden motion caused vehicles on the car deck to break free and slide across the deck, colliding with one another and sustaining extensive bodywork damage. Passenger footage later showed cars piled at awkward angles, with bent panels and smashed lights visible throughout the deck.
While no passengers or crew were physically injured, several vehicle owners were left shaken by the experience. The ferry remained at sea for several hours before returning, and docking was delayed further due to berth availability at Algeciras. Passengers were allowed access to food while waiting to disembark.
According to local reports, Ciudad de Mahón had been assigned to the route because of its larger size compared to the vessel normally used, with operators believing it would better handle adverse weather. Both the ship’s master and port authorities had approved the departure.
Ferry operator Balearia later said that conditions near Ceuta’s port entrance proved more severe than anticipated, preventing a safe approach. The company has offered compensation to passengers whose vehicles were damaged.
Following a full inspection and an improvement in weather conditions, Ciudad de Mahón has since been cleared to resume service. As of Monday, the ferry had returned to its regular schedule between Algeciras and Ceuta, with no further investigations planned.
