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Tag: Cruise ship

Black Watch

Black Watch

Black Watch

The 205 meter long, 5656 dwt cruise passenger ship Black Watch caught fire while en route to Funchal, Madeira. The fire started in the vessel’s auxillary engine room and was quickly extinguished by the crew. No reports of injuries to passengers or the crew. The crew were able to restore power after a few hours with two of the four main engines operational. The Black Watch was reported to continue its voyage to Funchal where passengers will disembark and fly home to the United Kingdom.

 

Anthem of the Seas

Anthem of the Seas

On February 7, the 347 meter long, 10,500 dwt passenger cruise ship Anthem of the Seas sustained damage off Bayonne, New Jersey. The cruise ship was starting a seven-night voyage to Florida and Bahamas  when it was struck by winds reaching 125 mph gusts and waves reaching 30 feet off Cape Hatteras.  Passengers stayed terrified in their cabin while the storm raged.  The storm proved to be too severe forcing the Anthem of the Seas to turn around and headed back to Bayonne. Reports state four passengers of the 4,500 on board suffered minor injuries. The vessel also sustained minor damage, but was never at risk of sinking.  Authorities have stated an investigation has already been launched into why the cruise ship headed into a storm and possibly put passengers at risk. Owners of the Anthem of the Seas has promised to refund the passengers and a discount on a future cruise.

Le Boréal

Le Boréal

Le Boréal
© Crown copyright 2015

On November 18, the 142 meter long passenger cruise ship Le Boréal became disabled while en route to South Georgia from Ushuaia, Argentina on a 15 day cruise in the South Atlantic Ocean and Antarctica. The Le Boréal had suffered an engine room fire while off the Falkland Islands. The crew was able to extinguish the blaze, but the cruise ship had sustained significant damage resulting with a total loss of all power. Adrift, the Le Boréal was being driven towards Cape Dolphin, East Falkland by a strong northwesterly gale.  With no possibility of restoring power and a risk of going aground, the Le Boréal sent out a distress call and ordered everyone on board to abandon ship.

Authorities on the Falklands Islands received the call and with British Forces dispatched helicopters and vessels to the scene. When rescuers arrived on scene, they found multiple life rafts from the Le Boréal with over 200 persons while a small number still on the deck of the cruise ship.  Rescue helicopters lifted 79 off the deck while the HMS Clyde rescued over 200 people from the life rafts.

Authorities later reported that all passengers and crew had been accounted and were safely taken to the Falklands. Two tugs were dispatched and was able to keep the Le Boréal from going aground. Reports state the tug and salvage crews were to assess the condition of the Le Boréal. No reports of injuries or pollution released.