Thursday, April 4, 2013

Carnival Triumph Breaks Free In Freak Storm

The news just keeps getting worse for Carnival Triumph, laid up in Mobile, Alabama since February after an engine room fire left the ship stranded at sea and it arrived in the Port of Mobile under tow.

Heavy rain accompanied by strong winds in excess of 70 mph yesterday caused Carnival Triumph to break free from a dock where it has been undergoing engine repairs and a guard shack two docks away was blown into the water.

Carnival Cruise Lines released a statement Wednesday afternoon that "Due to strong winds in Mobile, Alabama, Carnival Triumph, which was docked at a Mobile shipyard, broke away from its moorings. The ship drifted and is currently resting against a cargo vessel. Tug boats and the U.S. Coast Guard are on site."

While at least one news outlet reports that the ship sustained a gash on the starboard side of its stern and that dock workers may have fallen into the water during the storm, no injuries have been confirmed and damage to the ship is said to be limited. Approximately 600 crewmembers and 200 contractors were aboard the vessel at the time of the incident and are safe and have been accounted for. It has since been reported that Carnival Triumph was moved to the Mobile Cruise Terminal where it is moored and tugboats remain alongside as a precaution.

No comments: