Several hurt as cruise ship, yacht hits dock piling
MSC Cruises and Celebrity Edge also had recent pier/mooring-related incidents.
As several cruise ships broke free from their moorings in the past few weeks, some have had the opposite where they struck the pier or nearby pilings too hard causing damage and numerous injuries.
In the past weeks, MSC Seascape from Miami suffered a blow from mother nature while moored at their private island, Ocean Cay Marine Reserve in the Bahamas. They were properly moored, and passengers were enjoying the island when a strong squall of winds and rain passed over the island causing several of the mooring lines at the bow to break under pressure and the ship went slightly adrift.
There was only one injury.
Celebrity Edge last week suffered that same fate when it was moored in Juneau Alaska and was struck by a rare fast-moving thunderstorm. This was so rare as it was one of the first times Juneau Alaska had been issued a sever thunderstorm warning by the National Weather Service due to the nature and severity of the storm.
Like Seaside, it broke its mooring lines on the starboard side and went a drift. It was quickly brought under control just prior to meeting a Carnival ship, the Carnival Luminosa.
Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter to save money on your next (or your first) cruise. Image source: Dennis Post/Come Cruise With Me
Timeless yacht hits New York City
In New York City on June 21 a little after 4 pm, the 154 foot, 484 gross ton motor yacht named Timeless was maneuvering near a dock on the Hudson River in New York City/Harlem area to drop off 354 passengers from a 69th birthday celebration cruise.
Passengers had rented the yacht to enjoy a birthday celebration and enjoyed the trip and party according to passengers interviewed up until it was time to dock.
According to US Coast Guard Station NYC boat crew members who were on scene, as Timeless was positioning to the pier on her portside, suddenly struck a piling causing the ship to jolt quickly. It apparently drifted swiftly and struck the piling unexpectedly.
This caused the ship to stop suddenly and send a shock wave through the ship and passengers. Passengers reported a sudden shift and many had fallen, were knocked down or had to grab a hold of objects to keep from falling. Nearly 35 passengers were injured, treated for minor injuries and several were transported to the local hospital for further evaluations.
The cause of the accident is still being investigated by the US Coast Guard and NYC authorities, but these incidents can happen quickly and without the ability for the captain to recover.
In my many years of experience in the US Coast Guard and years of boating accident investigations, I can speak on typical causes of striking a dock or nearby mooring/navigational aid pilings by cruise ships or in this case, large motor yachts.
The most common reasons are strong swift uncontrolled water currents, heavy wind gusts, heavy waves/seas when from the ocean, river or bays, mechanical failure or mere captain/pilot error.
These incidents are very rare and end safely with no injuries and no or minimal damage to the ships, pilings or piers.
Dennis Post served over 30 years in the U.S. Coast Guard.
(The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.)
Make a free appointment with Come Cruise With Me's Travel Agent Partner, Postcard Travel, or email Amy Post at amypost@postcardtravelplanning.com or call or text her at 386-383-2472.
