Storm Emilia Turns Short Ferry Crossing into Ordeal In The Strait of Gibraltar

Severe weather caused by Storm Emilia transformed what is normally a one-hour ferry journey between southern Spain and the Spanish enclave on the north coast of Africa into a night-long ordeal. Violent seas in the Strait of Gibraltar disrupted all maritime traffic, forcing one ferry to abandon its crossing and return to port after hours of battling extreme conditions.

Rough Seas Force Mid-Journey Turnaround

The ferry departed late at night despite deteriorating weather conditions, as earlier sailings had already been cancelled. Fully loaded with passengers and vehicles, the vessel encountered heavy waves and strong winds soon after departure. After more than three hours of navigating treacherous seas and repeatedly changing course, the captain made the decision to turn back when it became unsafe to enter the destination port.

Passengers reported that they were only informed of the decision in the early hours of the morning. The return to the departure port proved just as challenging, with further delays experienced while attempting to dock amid rough conditions.

Passenger Distress and Vehicle Damage

Those onboard described the experience as chaotic and distressing. Unsecured chairs slid across decks, passengers struggled to maintain balance, and widespread seasickness added to the discomfort as the ferry pitched violently in the storm. When vehicle owners were finally allowed access to the lower decks, many discovered significant damage to cars and other vehicles, which had been thrown around by the vessel’s extreme movements.

Although no injuries were reported, the incident underscored the risks posed by severe weather at sea. Ferry services across the Strait remained disrupted throughout the weekend, with multiple crossings cancelled and passengers left stranded as operators waited for safer conditions.

Storm Emilia highlighted the vulnerability of maritime transport in the Strait of Gibraltar during extreme weather events. While conditions eventually eased and limited services resumed later, the incident serves as a reminder of the importance of cautious operational decisions to ensure passenger safety during severe storms.