A notable incident involving cruise ships occurred recently due to inclement weather conditions. High winds have posed challenges to several vessels as they navigated through busy ports.
Cruise Ship Collision Amid High Winds
On January 5, 2023, a collision took place in Ushuaia, Argentina. The Atlas Ocean Voyages’ World Voyager struck the Viking Octantis while the latter was docked. Fortunately, at the time of the incident, there were no guests aboard the World Voyager, and no crew members sustained injuries.
Details of the Incident
- Date: January 5, 2023
- Vessels Involved: World Voyager and Viking Octantis
- Location: Ushuaia, Argentina
- Weather Conditions: Winds gusting up to 54.1 mph
- Injuries: None reported
Heavy rain and blustery conditions were reported at the time, significantly affecting visibility. Wind gusts reaching 54.1 mph were documented shortly after 2 p.m., with additional strong winds noted later in the afternoon.
Response from Atlas Ocean Voyages
Following the incident, Atlas Ocean Voyages confirmed the lack of passengers on board. They stated that the ship was inspected and continued on its scheduled itinerary, conducting a 10-night Antarctica cruise.
Recent Similar Incidents
This collision is not an isolated case. Earlier in June 2022, a Cruise ship operated by Celebrity Cruises was dislodged from its moorings in Juneau, Alaska, due to a sudden wind squall. Additionally, a Norwegian Cruise Line ship separated from its pier in Catania, Sicily, during strong winds in May 2022, leading to a guest accidentally falling into the water.
These incidents highlight the impacts of extreme weather on maritime operations, calling attention to safety protocols for cruise lines in adverse conditions.
