ST. KITTS-Coastguard averts disaster after MV Addie K runs aground.

BASSETTERRE, St. Kitts, CMC-A major maritime disaster was narrowly avoided early Sunday morning when the MV ADDIE K, a Ro-Ro/Passenger vessel registered under the flag of St. Vincent & the Grenadines, ran aground and began taking on water near the rugged coastline between Sandy Point and Newton Ground, St. Kitts.

The vessel, which was reportedly en route to Nevis, encountered severe difficulties and issued a distress call around daybreak. The Search and Rescue (SAR) alert was promptly answered by the St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force Coast Guard (SKNDF-CG), whose rapid and expert intervention was credited with preventing a full-scale maritime tragedy.

Upon arrival at the scene, Coast Guard officers immediately assessed the vessel’s condition and discovered damage to the hull of the boat. They launched a critical operation to pump seawater from the ship to the bilge level. This urgent measure helped stabilize the ADDIE K and prevented it from capsizing or sinking just meters from shore. The Addie K, built in 1973, has an estimated length of 42.12 meters and a width of 9.71 meters.

The situation, described by eyewitnesses as “tense but controlled,” saw emergency teams working in high coordination. Divers equipped with underwater gear carried out hull inspections while others deployed repair tools and emergency equipment to stabilize the vessel.

To reduce the ship’s weight and minimize further risk, cargo was hastily offloaded, and preparations were made to tow the damaged vessel to a secure location for repairs. A tugboat was reportedly dispatched to haul the ship away from the reef-laden waters.

In an official statement, the SKNDF Coast Guard praised the teamwork and swift response of its officers:

“Thanks to a swift, coordinated response and expert execution by our crew, the situation is now stabilized. No injuries were reported,” said a statement from the SKNDF.

Investigations are continuing into what led the ADDIE K off course, and maritime authorities are urging all vessels to exercise heightened caution in navigating coastal routes around the Federation.