We prepared 25 eerie photos of the creepiest ghost ships ever found on the high seas. Mystery, fear, enigma encompass the seafaring ghost ships, or phantom ships tales that have been passed around throughout centuries by sailors, anglers and others.
In 2020 the International Maritime Organization (IMO) database listed 438 ships worldwide, with 5,767 crew members, abandoned since 2004; not all cases are referred to the IMO, so the actual number is larger, but unknown. In 2020, by August 470 seafarers on 31 vessels had been abandoned.
Why there are abandoned ships at sea?
Ships are frequently abandoned by their owners if it becomes less expensive than continuing to operate, paying debts, port fees, crew wages, etc. The abandoned ships may remain, often with their crews as hostages, in a port for extended periods, with the crew unpaid, and possibly dangerous cargo onboard.
The abandonment of a vessel follows after the crew and the people responsible have done everything they could to prevent the danger and ensure the safety of everyone onboard. The Master is the one to give the order to abandon the vessel, after all safety attempts have been attempted.
Photos of Abandoned Ships at Sea
