Strong winds hit the West End of Bermuda yesterday causing NCL Star to break free of its mooring and minor collision with RCCL Explorer of the Seas.
NCL Star was docked next to the Explorer of the Seas in Bermuda Dockyard, and the two ships collided when the Star broke its moorings as winds hammered the island in the afternoon. To provide assistance tug boats were tasked to attend the scene. There is minimal damage to the NCL Star and there are no reported injuries.
Minister of Transport Walter Roban said: “Shortly after 2:00pm the Norwegian Star that was berthed portside at Heritage Wharf in Dockyard with its bow facing east had two mooring headlines broken as a severe squall with thunderstorm moved through the Dockyard area. This resulted in the vessel coming away from the berth and its bow swinging into the Great Sound.
“At 2:04 pm the Norwegian Star called Bermuda Radio and requested immediate tug boat assistance and reported it had broken mooring lines. The Commissioner’s Point weather reporting station showed 45 knots of wind.
“The local Branch Pilot Anthony Robinson assigned to Pilot the Explorer of the Seas was enroute to Dockyard on the Tender Bermudian and he was transferred to the Norwegian Star to assist with the operation.
“The stern of Norwegian Star did make contact with the stern of the Explorer of the Seas that was berthed at King’s Wharf and the damage is considered to be minimal.
“Divers were also put in the water to inspect the Norwegian Star hull and its Azipod propulsion units and no damages were reported. An initial inspection of Heritage Wharf has been completed and there is no damage to report,” concluded Minister Roban.
Spokesperson from Norwegian Lines said: “At approximately 1:30pm ET today, a high wind squall caused Norwegian Star’s aft mooring lines to break while the ship was docked in Bermuda. There were no injuries, and after a short time of being at anchor, the ship re-docked alongside at the pier.
“Norwegian Star is on a seven-day cruise to Bermuda that departed New York on Sunday, September 9. At this time, the ship is expected to depart Bermuda as scheduled today.”
Source: bernews.com
