Tuesday, January 9, 2024
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In a recent incident, MSC Cruises’ MSC Sinfonia encountered difficulties in strong winds in Syracuse, Italy, causing the ship to break free from its moorings.
The accident occurred on January 6, 2024, during maintenance on the ship in Syracuse, Italy. Wind gusts of up to 46 mph (74 kph) or 40 knots were recorded, exceeding the strong wind threshold of 34 knots.
Despite the severity of the situation, no injuries were reported. After drifting significantly during the incident, the vessel was safely returned to a safer anchorage with the assistance of four tugboats. However, the drift caused damage to nearby ships, piers and marina yacht yards.
The wind blowing directly against the ship’s 13-deck-high side exerted the greatest force, snapping the mooring ropes holding the ship to the dock. The stern of the ship struck a dock and then drifted into an adjacent marina yachting area, impacting several boats and a nearby pier.
Yacht Club Rachios, where most of the damage occurred, expressed regret over the incident, citing concerns that the direction and strength of the winds that day would allow a ship as large as MSC Sinfonia to berth.
The Syracuse Prosecutor’s Office has launched a formal investigation to determine whether negligence was involved and determine who is responsible for damages. The investigation could look into weather patterns, the issuing and dissemination of weather warnings, actions taken by shipyard and cruise line officials, and technical details about how ships are moored.
The full extent of the damage has not yet been confirmed, but the impact reportedly sank several of the yacht club’s small boats and destroyed its dock. The investigation may take weeks or months to complete.
MSC Sinfonia was originally scheduled to resume service on the Mediterranean route on March 24, 2024, but significant damage discovered during inspections could lead to delays. We recommend that guests booked on upcoming cruises stay in close contact with their cruise line to stay informed of any potential adjustments or cancellations.
This incident highlights the unpredictability of strong winds and adverse weather conditions, which can affect cruise ships anywhere in the world.
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