Watch: AIS Animation Shows Mediterranean Ship Collision

Photo: Prémar Méditerranée

We’re getting our first look at the track of the Ro-Ro passenger vessel Ulysse before and after it collided with containership CSL Virginia early Sunday morning off the Mediterranean island of Corsica.

The video below was created by VesselTracker using AIS data transmitted by both ships.

The collision occurred before dawn Sunday morning approximately 17 miles (28 km) north of Cape Corsica as the Ulysse was underway from Genoa, Italy to Rades, Tunisia. The CSL Virginia was reportedly anchored at the time of the collision.

As a result, the bow of the Ulysse has become lodged in the hull of the containership, which has leaked bunker fuel. An oil slick has spread more than 15 miles, with a major anti-pollution response now underway led by France and Italy.

The vessels were still connected as of Wednesday afternoon.

No injuries have been reported.

Ulysse is operated by CTN Tunisia Ferries which offers regular ferry service between Genoa and Marseille in France to Tunisia. Built in 1997, the 161-meter vessel has a top speed of about 19 knots.

Check out the AIS animation below and let us know your thoughts in the comments:

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