- Cruise Ship Detaches from Moorings and Collides with Cargo Vessel
- Minor Injuries Reported Among Passengers
- Ship to Remain in Palma for Technical Evaluation After Storm Incident
During a tempest in Mallorca, Spain, a cruise ship detached from its moorings and collided with a cargo vessel.
After the event, Southampton-based P&O Cruises passengers recalled “being pushed ashore by tugs while confined to our cabins.”
A “small number” of passengers are being treated for “minor injuries” on board, according to P&O.
It was stated that the ship will remain in Palma to enable a technical evaluation.
The commander informed passengers earlier that there was “no structural compromise.”
People aboard the ship captured images and videos of the incident, which depicted an emergency response and floating detritus.
Gavin McCoy said the “unexpected drama” happened during “the local fire department and crew were conducting an emergency drill.”
At approximately 11:00 BST, “a sudden rain and wind storm tore us away from our dockside moorings, severing tethering lines, water hoses, and causing the walkway to collapse into the sea,” he stated.
Mr. McCoy continued, “Ingy and I were sitting by the window in the coffee shop when we noticed the blue dockside reception tents flapping in the wind.”
“We have strayed far from the berth and collided with a nearby cargo ship.”
The storm is likely one of the catastrophic thunderstorms that will affect the Balearic Islands.
The captain told passengers over the PA system that Deck 5 sustained minimal damage but was structurally sound.
A spokesperson for P&O Cruises stated that the company was “aware of an incident involving Britannia on Sunday morning” and was “working to evaluate the situation.”
Mr. McCoy reported that everyone was safe and that there was “no problem on the ship other than a few scrapes and bumps to one or more lifeboats”
“The numerous passengers on excursion coaches will be able to board again,” he added.
P&O stated that passengers will have access to onboard amusement and activities while technical teams evaluate the ship.
The cruise began in Southampton and is scheduled to return on September 1.
This is the second occasion in recent weeks that bad weather has caused an emergency on a Southampton ship; on August 4, the Queen Mary 2 broke free from its bow mooring line and drifted off the quay.
