NORWEGIAN EPIC

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Cruise ship broke lose in Catania, woman fell into the water

On May 30, 2025, at midday, the 'Norwegian Epic' broke away from the pier in Catania in strong winds. At the time of the accident, gusts of wind with speeds of up to 50 kilometers per hour swept across the harbour. The sudden movement of the ship caused a woman to fall from the gangway into the water. Her husband immediately jumped after her, suffering a slight graze on his right leg. Both were promptly recovered by the crew present on the dock and entrusted to the paramedics, who transported them to the Garibaldi hospital for checks. The ship, pushed by the wind, leaned with its starboard side against the port side of the 'Northstar Glory', regularly moored at berth number 7. The impact caused no serious damage to the vessels. The port authority intervened immediately, mobilizing the 'CP 888' and 'CP B169' of the Coastguard, the fire brigade's vessels, the police jet skis and the technical-nautical services. The operations focused on containing the situation, preventing further damage and ensuring the safety of passengers and personnel on the dock. The pier suffered visible damage. Three bollards to which the ship was moored broke loose. Concrete slabs have shifted, and a crack ran along the edge. The area around the bollard was visibly damaged. Port operations were temporarily slowed to allow for safety checks and structural inspections at the pier. The 'Norwegian Epic' initially left the port with tug assistance after the incident and anchored off the coast of Catania. It did not return until the evening to pick up the passengers who had remained ashore. There were chaotic scenes as hundreds of people reboarded. The 'Norwegian Epic' was in the midst a 10-night round-trip sailing from Rome with scheduled stops in Naples, Florence and Cannes. Reports with photos and video: https://www.ilmeteo.it/notizie/catania-nave-da-crociera-rompe-gli-ormeggi-due-turisti-in-mare-paura-al-porto-145039 https://www.tgcom24.mediaset.it/cronaca/catania-nave-rompe-ormeggi-turisti-salvati_98898105-202502k.shtml https://www.cataniatoday.it/cronaca/nave-crociera-rompe-ormeggi-porto-catania-feriti.html https://www.ragusaoggi.it/disastro-al-porto-nave-da-crociera-rompe-gli-ormeggi-passeggeri-finiscono-in-mare-a-catania-troppo-vento-alcuni-aerei-dirottati-a-comiso/ https://crew-center.com/norwegian-epic-breaks-free-moorings-italy-leaving-passengers-stranded

Search for passenger who went over board suspended

An SAR operation was started for Dan McGilvray, 51, a passenger of the 'Norwegian Epic' who went overboard while the ship en route to the Bahamas has been abandoned. on Dec 26 2024. The 51-year-old man went overboard at approximately 3 p.m. as the 'Norwegian Epic' was sailing northbound from Ocho Rios, Jamaica, toward Great Stirrup Cay. Before, he yelled “I can’t take it anymore”, and his elderly mom had in vain tried to grab him to stop him going over. The authorities were immediately notified, and the SAR operation under the guidance and oversight of the Bahamas Rescue Coordination Center was started. The search was ultimately deemed unsuccessful, after which the ship was 'released by the authorities to continue its voyage, after the local Coastguard along with the ship's crew had scoured the water for the missing man but were unable to locate him. The man who went overboard was traveling with a large group, including his family. Bahamas investigators believed that McGilvray, a financial adviser from Denver, may have experienced an adverse reaction to his seizure medication before he climbed over a balcony. Before jumping, he was visibly distressed, and despite attempts to restrain him, he jumped from a balcony into the sea. The ship had departed Port Canaveral, Florida, on Dec 22 on a seven-night Western Caribbean voyage. The vessel was now being diverted to Nassau. Itreturned to the Sunshine State on Dec 28. Reports with photos: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14228815/Norwegian-cruise-ship-overboard-passenger-Bahamas.html https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/distressed-colorado-dad-dan-mcgilvray-jumped-off-cruise-ship-in-caribbean-despite-mom-trying-to-stop-him-report/ar-AA1xaPPb

Leaked audio: Crew threatened with 'prosecution by shoreside authorities' if they leak information

Crew stuck on the 'Norwegian Epic' in Miami on May 6, 2020, have been warned against leaking information from the ship, according to leaked audio obtained from a crew member on board. In an "important announcement" broadcast shipwide , a member of the vessel's leadership team told crew that "the communication of written, verbal, photographic, video, or computer material regarding company, guest, employees' activities, operations, or business without permission of the company is prohibited." The member of the ship's leadership team said "such offenses might lead to dismissal from the ship or even prosecution by shoreside authorities." The person who made the announcement added that the policy was both "effective immediately" and had "always been in place" for "the protection of our crew." He also said that anyone taking pictures should always "ask permission" of their fellow crew beforehand.