As the COVID19 pandemic wreaked havoc in the cruise ship industry affecting 2 primary cruises of the carnival which got thousands infected with the virus, the rest of the cruises were either stranded or shut down their operation. But now times have reversed and in a welcoming twist of fate cruise ships are being used as standby floating hospitals for coronavirus treatment, reports PAUL THOMPSON of the DailyMail.
What is it?
Two giant cruise ships are on standby to act as floating hospitals at Tilbury Docks as UK cruise company offers them to the government to help cope with coronavirus crisis, says the report/
- British owners of Spirit of Discovery and Saga Sapphire are understood to have handed ships to government
- No decision has yet been taken to use the vessels but if hospitals are overwhelmed they could be put to use
- With more than 2,000 cabins on the ships that could be used to isolate patients it would free up hospital beds and taken the strain from the NHS.
How did the cruises reach here?
Mail Online understands the Saga Group have written to the Government to offer their cruise ships currently berthed at Tilbury Docks.
The two vessels, along with two foreign registered cruise ships sailed into Tilbury earlier this week.
The British owners of the Spirit of Discovery (pictured in Tilbury today) and Saga Sapphire are understood to have put the vessels at the disposal of the Government should they be needed
No decision has yet been taken to use the luxury vessels but if hospitals become overwhelmed they could be put into action. Pictured is the Spirit of Discovery moving into Tilbury
The Spirit of Discovery and Saga Sapphire (pictured previously) usually sail from Southampton but with no space available were directed to Tilbury
Other Cruises Waiting in the Area
With cruises worldwide cancelled due to the Covid-19 outbreak they are docked in London for the foreseeable future.
Two other cruise ships the Viking Star and Italian owned Astoria are also in Tilbury. A fifth ship Magellan is berthed just outside the busy docks.
The Spirit of Discovery and Saga Sapphire usually sail from Southampton but with no space available were directed to Tilbury.
A tugboat operator at Tilbury said in his 40 years of working he had never seen so many cruise ships berthed at the same time.
‘We heard that they will be used as floating hospitals if they are needed. It does make sense as anyone who has the virus can be isolated in their cabin,’ said a port worker.
‘The only people on the ships are the crew. It is usual as they are berthed where cargo ships normally tie up. Tilbury is a very busy port so to have them here for so long shows how bad the situation is.’
How can they help?
The £346m Spirit of Discovery is Britain’s newest cruise liner having been launched last year and christened by the Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall before its maiden voyage.
It can cater for up to 999 guests and has a crew of more than 400.
Until its schedule was canceled the liner was due to undertake cruises to the Norwegian fjords, Arctic and New England.
The Saga Sapphire usually sails from Southampton but with no space available it was directed to Tilbury alongside the Spirit of Discovery
About the Ships
- The Saga Sapphire, which was built in 1981, has 1152 berths. The Saga Group primarily focuses on the over-50s age group, offering insurance and holidays
- The Saga Sapphire, which was built in 1981, has 1152 berths. The Saga Group primarily focuses on the over-50s age group, offering insurance and holidays.
- It has over 2.7m customers and operates the two cruise ships now in London.
A spokesman for Saga declined to comment.
Statement from the Port Authorities
The Port of Tilbury said: ‘The Port of Tilbury is helping a number of our valued cruise line customers at a very difficult time for the industry.
‘We are currently providing safe and suitable river and inner berth locations for five cruise vessels with two more due in April.
‘These vessels are our regular customers and we are supporting them while their ships are not operational.’
Two other cruise ships the Viking Star and British owned Astoria are also in Tilbury. A fifth ship Magellan (pictured) is berthed just outside the busy docks
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Source: DailyMail
