A cruise ship carrying 2,428 passengers and 922 crew members collided with two container ships while departing the German port of Bremerhaven on Sunday, October 25. No injuries were reported, but the damage was serious enough to force the cancellation of the entire cruise.
The vessel, Mein Schiff 3, operated by TUI Cruises, was preparing to begin a 20-day voyage to the Canary Islands when the accident occurred at approximately 5:30 p.m. local time.
According to German authorities, a powerful gust of wind pushed the large cruise ship toward two container vessels moored along the harbor, despite assistance from tugboats.
The collision caused significant damage to both the cruise ship and one of the container vessels.
Container Ship Suffers Major Damage
One of the vessels involved, MSC Victorine, sustained a large tear along its port side, reportedly measuring approximately 10 meters.
Several lifeboats aboard Mein Schiff 3 were damaged, along with equipment used to lower them into the water and sections of the ship’s exterior.
Fortunately, authorities reported no injuries and no water entering any of the damaged vessels.
The cruise ship returned to the terminal shortly after the incident, where technical teams began examining the damage.
Thousands of Passengers See Their Vacation Canceled
At the time of the collision, Mein Schiff 3 was carrying 3,350 people, including passengers and crew.
Many passengers had already settled in for what was supposed to be a three-week vacation.
However, following an initial inspection, TUI Cruises announced on Monday, October 26, that the voyage would not continue.
The company confirmed that the ship requires repairs at a shipyard before it can safely return to service.
Passengers were informed that their cruise had been canceled and were instructed to make arrangements to return home.
Video Captures the Collision
Video footage circulating online shows the enormous cruise ship moving close to the docked container vessels before making contact.
The footage, verified by the German Press Agency (dpa), captures the moment the ships collide as tugboats attempt to assist the cruise liner.
German maritime authorities are investigating the circumstances of the accident, including the effects of strong winds and the ship’s movements during departure.
All three vessels involved were initially prohibited from departing the harbor pending further inspections.
Repairs and Investigation Continue
TUI Cruises has not yet announced when Mein Schiff 3 will resume operations.
The company expressed regret over the canceled voyage and the disruption to passengers’ travel plans.
Although nobody was injured, the collision demonstrates how quickly difficult weather conditions can turn a routine port departure into a serious maritime incident.
Sources: Tagesschau | NDR | Seatrade Cruise News | TUI Cruises | German Maritime Police
By NJ RADAR Team