UPDATE: Re-floated: Norwegian cruise ship runs aground near Bermuda
Norwegian Dawn re-floated off Channel reef
By Simon Jones From The Royal Gazette
A cruise liner carrying more than 3,500 passengers and crew ran aground in the North Channel off Bermuda.
The Norwegian Dawn had just left Dockyard when she temporarily lost power and ploughed into the reef.
Divers and a tug boat were immediately sent to the stricken 965ft vessel to assess the damage.
The Royal Gazette understands that the ship was hard against the reef but there were no reports of leaks to the vessel.
Two tug boats started to try to pull the Dawn off the reefs and free the vessel at about 10.30pm.
The tugs, Powerful and Edward M Stowe, were at full power trying to pull the Dawn from the stern.
The vessel was successful refloated after 11pm and is expected to head for Heritage Wharf, Dockyard, this morning for observation after a night spent anchored on the Crescent.
The Dawn, which has been a regular caller to Bermuda for many years, arrived in Bermuda on Sunday for a two-night stop from Boston.
She had just left King’s Wharf on her return journey when the incident occurred at 6.10pm.
News of the grounding quickly made news across the world, with USA Today and other American and British media outlets reporting on the incident.
A statement by Norwegian Cruise Line said: “On Tuesday, May 19, at approximately 5pm Eastern Standard Time, Norwegian Dawn temporarily lost power as the ship was departing King’s Wharf, Bermuda.
“The ship’s propulsion was affected and, at which time, the vessel made contact with the channel bed.”
According to the cruise line, all passengers and crew on board the vessel were safe and power was back up on the ship and all on-board services were continuing as scheduled.
“The ship’s team is currently assessing the situation and we will provide more information as it becomes available,” Norwegian said.
Norwegian cruise ship runs aground near Bermuda
From FOX8 Cleveland
The Norwegian Dawn cruise ship has run aground near Bermuda, an official with Department of Marines and Ports told CNN.
None of the people on board are injured and the ship isn’t taking on water, according to initial reports, Chief Maritime Operations Controller Denis Rowe said.
Petty Officer Lanola Stone of the Coast Guard in Massachusetts told CNN the ship had 3,737 people on board — 2,675 passengers and 1,062 crew members.
Norwegian Cruise Line said the ship still had power and its team was assessing the situation.
“Norwegian Dawn temporarily lost power as the ship was departing King’s Wharf, Bermuda. The ship’s propulsion was affected and, at which time, the vessel made contact with the channel bed. All guests and crew are safe,” spokeswoman Vanessa Picariello said.
Twitter user Rachel Hansen posted photos from the ship. In one, it appears crew members are being lowered in a small vessel into the Caribbean water to inspect the ship.
Hansen, a 19-year-old student at Coastal Carolina University, said passengers remain “pretty calm” as crews investigated the incident. Other crew members locked watertight doors on the ship’s fourth level, she said.
Rowe said the ship is stable and there appeared to be no damage or pollution to the water.
Tug boats and a dive team were headed to the scene, he said.
The incident happened Tuesday evening in the island’s North Channel.
The Norwegian Dawn originally sailed from Boston to Bermuda, according to Norwegian Cruise Line’s website. It is 965 feet long and weighs 92 tons.
Stone said it’s unclear if the ship will continue to its next destination or if the passengers will need to disembark.
For more on this story go to: http://fox8.com/2015/05/19/norwegian-cruise-ship-runs-aground-near-bermuda/
