Norman Atlantic

Norman Atlantic Update

December 30, 2014 Paul Hancock

There is still some confusion about how many survivors were rescued and how many are still missing from the ro-ro ferry Norman Atlantic. Authorities stated that 400 people were rescued from the ferry, but some of those rescued were not on the vessel’s passenger list. Some news agencies report that could be upwards to 38 people still missing and could have perished when smoke and flames trapped them below deck.

Reports do confirm that a lifeboat was launched with 49 persons which was picked up by the cargo ship Spirit of Piraeus. The vessel arrived in Bari with the survivors. Reports state some were taken to hospital for treatment for hypothermia, carbon monoxide poisoning and burns.

Reports state the death toll from the fire reached 10 people as nine bodies were recovered from the sea.

Survivors have made the following statements to the press about the incident:

“Everyone there was trampling on each other to get into the helicopter” – Christos Perlis told AP
“Our feet were buring and from the feet up we were soaked” – Christos Perlis told AP
“First children, then women and then men. But the men, they started hitting us so they could get on first.” – Christos Perlis told AP
“There was no queue or order. No respect was shown for children.” – Irene Varsioti
“We were soaked from the water they doused to extinguish the fire. Our feet froze. People were forced to move closer to the fire to keep warm…We waited outside for hours.” – Aylin Akamac
“We experienced the Titanic. The only thing missing was that we didn’t sink” – Saadet Bayhan
“It was hell” – Dimitra Theodossiou
“We were asleep when the smoke entered out cabins. Flames and smoke were engulfing people from all sides” – Robert Mane

December 29, 2014 Paul Hancock

The 186 meter long, 7800 dwt passenger ro-ro ferry Norman Atlantic caught fire in the Adriatic Sea off the coast of Albania. The Norman Atlantic was en route to Ancona, Italy from Patras in difficult sea conditions. The ferry was dealing with waves reaching 5 meters and winds reaching force 8 making the crossing uncomfortable for the 478 persons, 422 passengers and 56 crew.

During the early morning hours, the crew was alerted to a fire that had broke out on the lower vehicle decks. The ferry had some 128 trucks among some 200 vehicles. It is believed that one of the trucks had scraped against the vessel causing sparks and ignited the fire.

The crew attempted to contain the fire closing the fire doors, but this was unable to stop the flames. The Norman Atlantic requested assistance with vessels in the area responding to her aid. However, the sea conditions prevented transferring passengers off the ferry.

The flames quickly spread through the vessel reaching the upper decks. The blaze engulfed the length of the vessel as black smoke forced the 477 persons on board outside. Passengers reported that the deck with lifeboats were hot enough to cause shoes to melt. Eventually flames would reach the lifeboats destroying them. One lifeboat was launched with 40 passengers and later recovered.

Authorities dispatched rescue vessels, but the sea conditions were extremely difficult. Even with four cargo vessels, multiple Coast Guard patrol boats and Navy vessels responding, rescue efforts focused on helicopters lifting passengers and crew off the vessel. During the following hours some 190 were rescued off the vessel. Authorities stated that rescue efforts would continue throughout the night. Reports state one person perished and another eight persons had suffered injuries.

As the fire disabled the Norman Atlantic, tugs were dispatched to take the ferry under tow to Brindisi. Four tugs arrived on scene and began towing operations.

Conflicting reports state that abandon ship order was not given until 4 hours after the fire started. Many passengers state that their cabins had filled with smoke and no alarm had gone off. Many made their way to the lifeboats not aided by the crew.