NORWEGIAN PRIMA

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Accident report in near gronuding incident published

An accident report by the traffic accident investigation committee found out that the 'Norwegian Prima' with 4,600 passengers on board was only about 10 meters away from running aground off the island of Viðey on May 26, 2023, after it had gone off course in a storm and the captain had apparently underestimated the situation. The crew of the tug 'Magni' did everything in their power to prevent a major accident. According to the report, the ship had left the Sundahöfn cruise port in Reykjavík on the evening with the assistance of the tug 'Magni'. A strong wind was blowing from the southwest. The pilot recommended that the captain delayed the departure. The captain decided to stick to the schedule, despite the weather and against the pilot's recommendation. The ship had to be turned around before it could head out to sea. Shortly after the turn, strong gusts of 50 knots came in from the west. At the same time, the captain increased the speed. The ship drifted with the wind eastwards toward the shallows while the tug pulled against it at full speed. At the outer edge of the shipping channel, the 'Norwegian Prima' drifted over a buoy, and it was very lucky that a chain hanging from the buoy did not get entangled in the ship's propeller. It was already clear that the ship was way off course and was in great danger of running aground. The captain, who was sailing into Reykjavík harbor for the first time, tried to countersteer with the ship's propellers, but that wasn't enough. The report stated that only ten meters separated the ship from shoals that would have left less than half a meter of space for the keel. The tug had to be repaired after the incident, but the cruise ship remained undamaged. The report contains recommendations on how such incidents can be prevented. Among other things, there is a recommendation for the shipping company to evaluate all information to supplement its own risk assessment. It is also recommended that the Port of Faxaflói update its workflows to ensure good communication between tugs and pilots. This communication must be in English and understandable to everyone. The government is being asked to extend the powers of pilots so that they can refuse ships to leave under certain circumstances. Finally, the report proposes a risk assessment for all ports where passenger ships anchor. Full report with photos: https://www.rnsa.is/media/5200/hs-norwegian-prima-msi-report.pdf

Cruise ship rescued people from makeshift boat

The 'Norwegian Prima', which departed Galveston, Texas on Jan 26, 2024, turned around the following day in the Gulf of Mexico while the captain announced to the passengers that the crew had spotted a makeshift boat with five to nine people aboard. It appeared to be homemade of plywood and a makeshift sail with plastic bottles hung off the side likely to catch rainwater. The 'Norwegian Prima' sent over one of its tenders and retrieved the people who were brought aboard and given medical attention and food. The captain told the people had been at sea for six weeks since Dec 19, having run out of food and water. They were disembarked in the cruise ship’s first port the following afternoon in Costa Maya and transferred to a waiting ambulance to receive further medical attention on shore. Report with photo and video: https://maritime-executive.com/article/two-cruise-ship-rescues-after-happening-upon-people-adrift-in-small-boats

Cruise ship broke lose from its moorings

The 'Norwegian Prima' broke lose from its moorings due to strong winds, while debarking guests in Galveston, Texas on Jan 5, 2024, at around 7 a.m., causing a temporary closure of the gangways and delaying vessel operations. The strong weather included wind gusts recorded as high as 76 kilometres per hour. Most workers had already taken shelter and were far enough from the berth to remain safe. The vessel did not break completely free and was quickly resecured. Because of the strong weather, debarkation was suspended temporarily, resulting in a delay of approximately two hours. This was due to the breaking of several lines, as well as damage to one gangway used for debarkation. No injuries were reported, and the vessel has been able to depart on its next sailing with only a slight delay.