A passenger cruise ship experienced a significant electrical failure this past Saturday, August 2nd, while sailing in the Ionian Sea, roughly 25 miles southeast of Crotone, Italy. The vessel, which was on an 11-night Mediterranean voyage with over 2,100 guests and 1,000 crew members, suffered a complete power outage that lasted for three hours. This left the ship temporarily drifting at sea. The incident occurred during a day at sea, before a scheduled stop in Messina, Sicily.
Impact on Passengers and Crew Response
The electrical failure resulted in the loss of all non-essential systems, including lighting, air conditioning, toilets, and kitchen facilities. With temperatures approaching 80°F, conditions on board became uncomfortable for passengers, who also had to be served cold meals for dinner due to the lack of functional kitchens. Despite the difficult circumstances, many passengers praised the crew’s professionalism and communication throughout the incident. The ship’s emergency generators activated as designed, ensuring minimal essential systems like emergency lighting, fire detection, and communications remained operational.
Restoration of Power and Voyage Status
The vessel’s engineering crew worked with shoreside support to gradually restore power. After approximately two hours, some power was restored, but the ship remained stationary for a period before regaining full propulsion. A spokesperson for the parent company confirmed the power failure was due to a “technical issue” but did not provide further details on the cause or the repair process. The ship’s voyage, which began in Ravenna, Italy, on July 28 and is scheduled to end in Civitavecchia-Rome on August 8, is currently en route to Naples. It is not clear if it was able to meet its scheduled stop in Messina.
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Source: New York Post
