Tanzanian Ship Remains Stranded Off Mombasa Beach For Sixth Week

MV Dan, a Tanzanian-flagged cargo ship remains stranded off Mombasa, in the waters of the Indian Ocean for more than a month.

It ran aground on May 18, 2026 while sailing from Dar es Salaam and making a port call in Mombasa to refuel.

The reason for the accident remains unclear and can only be ascertained once it floats again and reaches a port for inspections.

After the ship grounded, a multi-agency team brought together by the Kenya Maritime Authority, the Kenya Navy and the Kenya Coast Guard Service sprung into action.

Coast guard officers boarded the vessel and continue to guard it, on a 24 hour shift basis until the vessel is slavaged.

16 crew memers and 4 private security guard remain onboard the ship.

Officials confirmed that food supplies and other necessities are being provided to them from time to time.

The Kenya Maritime Authority held two meetings with the representatives of SLA Maritime, the owner of the ship regarding rescue effort.

The plan focusses on using tugboats to free the vessel during high tide.

However, two high tides have passed since the vessel got stuck but salvage effort could not continue as the owner could not find a tugboat in time, not even from Dar es Salaam.

The local authorities inspected the ship to check for any signs of pollition. Crew members also pumped the fuel onboard into the upper tanks.

If the ship is not removed in time, Kenyan law allows the government to confiscate or take possession of the vessel and dispose of it as it deems appropriate.

MV Dan is one among several such vessels that have run aground the Kenyan coast in the last few years and remain to be salvaged.