Giant cruise ship smashes into dock after failing to stop
On Tuesday morning, a MSC Cruises ship “deviated from her course” and crashed into a dock on Honduras.
The MSC Armonia, which was in the middle of a cruise to the Caribbean, was aiming for Port Coxen Hole on the island of Roatan when it didn’t slow to a stop and crashed into the dock.
Footage of the incident was uploaded to YouTube, showing the moment when the 59,000 tonne ship made impact with the pier, causing it to crunch under the weight.
One of the witnesses in the video is heard yelling “get out of the kitchen” to a nearby restaurant.
“While manoeuvring alongside, for reasons that are currently still being duly investigated, the ship deviated from her course and grazed the end of the pier,” a spokesman for MSC Cruises said in astatement to Fox News.
“There was never any risk for guests or crew on board,” added MSC. “There was also no impact for the environment.”
When crew members realised the ship was travelling too fast into port, they threw two anchors overboard, reported NPR.
However, the anchors were deployed too late to slow the vessel down but luckily, damage to the ship was said to be minimal.
“As to the ship, the damage was minor,” MSC stated. “She has also since been cleared by Honduran Port State Control authorities to continue her journey as soon as the necessary repairs are concluded.
“At the present time, ship personnel and external experts are still at work to complete such repairs.”
MSC’s statement confirmed that no passengers were injured by the incident and the ship has already left for its next port of call in Belize.