Port authorities are undergoing investigation after a brand new cruise ship has broken its moorings and collided with another vessel.
Seabourn Encore was unable to leave Timaru, New Zealand, as scheduled last Sunday evening as a southerly wind gusted up to 45 knots and caused the stern moorings to fail on the cruise ship.
The vessel then swung and around and collided with the Milburn Carrier II, causing damage to the hull of the cement carrier, but no-one was injured in the incident.
A maritime NZ spokesman said it had been detained by the Harbourmaster ‘under his jurisdiction’ and there was no clear timeframe on its possible departure.
He furthered that investigators would be talking to the skippers of both vessels and a surveyor would be travelling to Timaru to examine the cement ship, Milburn carrier II, which the Seabourn Encore collided with.
Passengers returning from a day ashore in South Canterbury were taken by bus to an unknown location as the emergency unfolded.
The ship went on to sail that evening and a Seabourn spokesman stated that ‘the ship (was) fully operational. Seabourn Encore was inspected and cleared to sail by authorities and departed for its next scheduled port call in Akaroa, New Zealand, around midnight local time.’
Our cruise community has had their say on the matter too: ‘One line remained attached and was let out to try to control the speed at which Encore turned. A friend onboard said the listing was worrying, but captain and crew were superb’. You can read more of what our cruise community have to say here.
But what are your thoughts on the news? Have you ever experienced or witnessed a cruise ship collision? Do you think the situation was handled effectively? Have you sailed with this luxury line in the past? Leave us your comments!
