Ferry MARCO POLO at 0325 UTC Oct 22 ran aground some 5 nm SW of her destination port, Karlshamn, Sweden, in Pukavik Bay, Baltic. Ferry with some 40 passengers was en route from Trelleborg, with Klaipeda Lithuania being next port after Karlshamn in her itinerary. Passengers were evacuated and disembarked at Karlshamn. Understood ferry suffered hull breach, oil leak reported. As of 1035 UTC Oct 22 ferry was still aground, with several rescue and patrol boats around.
Ferry strayed off fairway and sailed into shallows, full speed. Reason yet unknown.
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