The luxury cruise ship Silver Ray came under scrutiny from Italian maritime authorities and environmental groups after sailing close to one of Italy’s most treasured natural landmarks. The ship passed within 500 meters of the Faraglioni of Capri — the iconic rock formations that rise from the Tyrrhenian Sea and symbolize the southern Italian island.
The incident, which occurred on May 3, 2025, was confirmed by the Italian Coast Guard. Commander Francesco Potenzieri led the investigation, using onboard AIS (Automatic Identification System) transmissions and the Pelagus monitoring platform to reconstruct the vessel’s route, confirming that the ship violated maritime ordinances mandating a minimum distance of 500 meters from the coastline.
As a result, the ship was fined €1,032 and the captain received a formal warning from the Campania Maritime Authority, GreenMe reports. While the penalty may seem minor, authorities insist it serves as an official disapproval, and a clear message about the importance of respecting navigation codes along the Campanian coast.
Environmental watchdogs were quick to respond. Members of Legambiente’s Capri chapter, Nabil Pulita, were the first to raise the alarm, capturing photos and video of the incident and submitting them to the Coast Guard. The group is now calling for the urgent establishment of a Marine Protected Area around the island.
