Cruise Ship Incident Being ‘Fully Investigated’

September 17, 2012

[Updated with video] Minister of Transport Walter Roban provided an update on the Norwegian Star Cruise Ship incident that occurred on Friday [Sept 14], saying it is “being fully investigated to document the actions that were taken by all persons and entities concerned and involved prior, during and after the squall passed over the Dockyard area.”

“I would like to be clear in stating that the intent of the post mortem or investigation is not to determine cause or apportion blame, it is to determine how we can be better prepared to deal with and respond to a similar situation should it occur in the future,” said Minister Roban.

Minister Roban said: “The investigation will be lead by the Department of Marine & Ports Services and they are now in the process of gathering additional technical information.

“The Norwegian Star was berthed portside at Heritage Wharf in Dockyard with its bow facing east when the severe squall with thunderstorm moved through the Dockyard area. This resulted in the vessel coming away from the berth and its bow swinging into “Grassy Bay”.

“As the Norwegian Star’s bow came away from Heritage Wharf berth the vessels began to bodily drift westward and the stern of the Norwegian Star did make contact with the stern of the Explorer of the Seas that was berthed at King’s Wharf. On initial inspection the damage is considered to be minimal but a comprehensive inspection by the ships Classification Society will be undertaken.

“Divers were also put in the water to inspect the Norwegian Star’s underwater hull and its propulsion units and no damages were reported. The ship eventually departed at 6:30 pm,” continued Minister Roban.

The Bermuda Weather Service said the forecast for Friday has called for rain showers with a risk of thunder, however the low unexpectedly intensified and a very active thunderstorm cell passed directly over the Island from approximately 2-3pm producing the gale force winds and heavy rains which caused extensive flooding throughout the island.

Minister Roban’s full statement follows below:

Good afternoon.

The Ministry of Transport released a press statement early Friday evening that provided information on the sequence of events related to the incident with the cruise ship Norwegian Star that was berth at Heritage Wharf in Dockyard. And in our statement we mentioned that we will provide additional information as it becomes available.

Without having to recount all of the details and sequence of events I can confirm this incident is being fully investigated to document the actions that were taken by all persons and entities concerned and involved prior, during and after the squall passed over the Dockyard area.

I would like to be clear in stating that the intent of the post mortem or investigation is not to determine cause or apportion blame, it is to determine how we can be better prepared to deal with and respond to a similar situation should it occur in the future.

The investigation will be lead by the Department of Marine & Ports Services and they are now in the process of gathering additional technical information.

The Norwegian Star was berthed portside at Heritage Wharf in Dockyard with its bow facing east when the severe squall with thunderstorm moved through the Dockyard area. This resulted in the vessel coming away from the berth and its bow swinging into “Grassy Bay”.

As the Norwegian Star’s bow came away from Heritage Wharf berth the vessels began to bodily drift westward and the stern of the Norwegian Star did make contact with the stern of the Explorer of the Seas that was berthed at King’s Wharf. On initial inspection the damage is considered to be minimal but a comprehensive inspection by the ships Classification Society will be undertaken.

Divers were also put in the water to inspect the Norwegian Star’s underwater hull and its propulsion units and no damages were reported. The ship eventually departed at 6:30 pm.

As stated on Friday we are very fortunate no one was injured during this incident as the ship’s gangway was out to accept returning passengers.

I again personally thank all of the individuals that immediately responded to this incident and were involved in the operation to secure the vessel. This includes Marine & Ports personnel, WEDCO management, the Dockyard line crew, the security officers who played a vital role in managing the passengers that were waiting to board the vessel and members of the local boating community that assisted in some areas. Some of these individuals went into action unprompted in the midst of driving rain and high winds to lend assistance.

One of the more difficult or harder tasks was to retrieve all of the ship’s mooring lines by hand before the ship could be brought back alongside the wharf and it was probably over 2500 feet of line that was retrieved by hand.

I would also like to add that I am extremely pleased with the Dockyard Community and their willingness to rally together in times of need. This was highlighted both during this event and the preparation for recent Hurricane “Leslie”. One can clearly see that the residents and tenants are always willing to assist out of “real concern.” They never come back with their hand out expecting to be paid; their assistance was offered in order to protect “our” common interest, the infrastructure that we have built together and affords all to benefit from its existence. Even the shop keepers and restaurants continued to pass out information and ensure passengers that no one would be left behind and they should remain calm.

In the midst of a potential calamity Bermudians came together with our partners on both cruise lines and ensured a safe ending to the incident.

We look forward to the investigation and recommendations we can deploy to make sure we maintain a safe and quality experience for our visitors and resident in all our ports.

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Comments (3)

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  1. Terry says:

    Sh#t happens.
    It all falls on the Captain who takes ultimate responsibility.
    Tite lines.

  2. concerned ambassador says:

    Really?!?! I wish someone would come out and tell us what they are doing to generate interest from the cruise lines. We are losing ships left, right and center and it seems nothing is being done.

  3. William says:

    When i was much younger , the ships during a hurricane or storm had the motor running ….seems to me once at port the Pilots must turn the ship back over to the captain and crew… i have seen the lines snap , storms are some non compliant Things lol…
    they do not discriminate
    who you are , where you are from , how much money you have or where your next meal is coming from,…. They treat everyone with magnanimity.