A massive cruise vessel carrying more than 6,400 passengers and 2,000 crew members lost propulsion while sailing off the coast of Italy, reports Marine Insight.
The incident occurred early in the morning about eight nautical miles from Ponza, when an electrical fault caused the ship to come to a sudden stop. The loss of propulsion raised concern among those on board, though onboard generators continued to power essential services.
Emergency response mobilizes swiftly
The Italian Coast Guard immediately dispatched patrol boats and a helicopter to monitor the situation. Tugboats from nearby ports were also placed on standby to provide assistance if required. Coast Guard officers boarded the ship to confirm conditions, verifying that while propulsion was affected, critical systems remained operational, ensuring the safety of passengers and crew.
By early afternoon, engineers restored partial propulsion, allowing the vessel to proceed at a reduced speed of about 15 knots. Escorted by the Coast Guard, the ship reached Naples roughly eight hours later than scheduled. Passengers disembarked safely, and technical teams began a full inspection to determine the cause of the fault and carry out necessary repairs.
Passenger impact and next steps
The disruption delayed disembarkation and affected the embarkation of new guests waiting to board in Naples. Prior to the incident, the vessel had successfully completed calls at several Mediterranean ports, including Sicily, Malta, Spain, France, and northern Italy. Following the arrival, technicians carried out extensive diagnostics to ensure the ship’s readiness before continuing with its next cruise itinerary.
Did you subscribe to our daily Newsletter?
It’s Free Click here to Subscribe!
Source: Marine Insight
