Cargo Ship MV Bonita Towed to Guernsey After Engine Failure at Sea
French and UK maritime teams coordinate international effort to assist stranded vessel
Guernsey, 23 June 2025 — A significant maritime operation was carried out off the coast of Guernsey after a large cargo ship, MV Bonita, suffered an engine breakdown and required emergency towing to safety. The 64-metre (210-foot) general cargo vessel experienced mechanical failure early Friday morning while en route from the Netherlands to Guernsey’s St Sampson’s Harbour.
According to the Guernsey Coastguard, MV Bonita radioed for assistance at approximately 05:20 BST on Friday, when it was located about five miles north of Guernsey. The vessel, laden with a cargo of sand, had been sailing across the English Channel when it encountered the engine issue that rendered it incapable of navigating independently.
Initial onboard attempts to fix the fault proved unsuccessful. Given the vessel’s position and the nature of the breakdown, external assistance was deemed necessary. The Guernsey Coastguard swiftly coordinated with regional maritime agencies, and a French emergency towing vessel (ETV) was promptly dispatched from Cherbourg to assess the situation and provide preliminary support.
Despite the French ETV’s arrival and presence, it was determined that a more robust towing operation was required to bring MV Bonita into harbour safely. As a result, a tugboat from the south coast of England was mobilised and set course for the disabled vessel. The towing operation began later on Friday, with crews working under challenging marine conditions to secure and tow the stranded cargo ship.
After nearly a full day at sea, the MV Bonita was successfully towed into St Peter Port Harbour in the early hours of Saturday, arriving at approximately 03:15 BST. The operation was executed without any reported incidents or injuries, and the Guernsey Harbour Authority confirmed that no pollution was caused during the tow or as a result of the breakdown.
“This was a well-coordinated multi-agency response to what could have escalated into a more serious situation,” said a spokesperson from the Guernsey Coastguard. “The safety of the crew and the protection of the marine environment were our top priorities throughout the incident. We’re grateful for the swift assistance from our French and British maritime partners.”
MV Bonita, which is understood to be a regular cargo transporter in the region, was carrying construction-grade sand intended for delivery to Guernsey’s St Sampson’s Harbour. Its breakdown north of the island presented a potential navigation hazard in one of the busiest shipping zones in the world. However, due to the early alert and rapid response, maritime traffic was only minimally disrupted.
The ship’s crew, who remained onboard throughout the operation, are said to be safe and in good condition. The vessel is now docked at St Peter Port, where engineers are assessing the damage and working on repairs to its propulsion system.
Maritime authorities will conduct a formal investigation into the cause of the engine failure, though initial assessments suggest it may have been due to a critical component malfunction within the engine room. The ship’s operators have not issued an official statement but are reportedly cooperating fully with the relevant maritime safety officials.
The incident serves as a reminder of the vital role played by international maritime coordination in safeguarding shipping routes and responding to emergencies at sea. With growing shipping activity around the Channel Islands, authorities continue to emphasize the importance of preparedness, inter-agency cooperation, and investment in maritime safety infrastructure.
The MV Bonita will remain in port until it is deemed seaworthy once again. No timeline has been given for its return to service.
