Italy: Cruise ship breaks moorings in Ravenna

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

On September 17, the Viking Sea broke away from its moorings in the port of Ravenna in Italy. The ship went adrift after high winds caused its lines to part.

Viking Sea moored at the outer harbour of the Port of Ravenna at about 3am on Saturday morning.

The Ravenna Port authority said an extremely powerful wind struck the port later that morning.

The high winds caused the cruise ship’s lines to part and Viking Sea drifted away from its moorings.

Crew had to quickly drop the ship’s anchor to control its drift and a harbour tug intervened to help.

The ship travelled about 60m from its berth and was helped back to its original position by several tug boats.

Passengers were aboard the ship during the incident but were unaffected, according to the Ravenna Port Authority.

The Port Authority said: “A heartfelt thanks to the harbourmaster, pilot, tugs and longshoremen for the prompt response given, allowing us to to face a totally exceptional situation with safety and speed.

“Thanks also to the terminal operator and to the whole port community who understood the difficulties caused by these exceptional weather conditions.”

A Viking Cruises spokesperson told Express.co.uk: “On Saturday 17 September 2022, the Viking Sea became briefly unmoored in high winds while departing Port Ravenna.

“Port authorities quickly intervened, and the ship was returned to the pier. No damage was caused, nor were injuries of any kind reported, and the ship is expected to continue its journey without further delay.”

Viking Sea is a 900 passenger cruise ship and was built in 2016. The ship is around 750 feet long.

The ship has several restaurants and bars onboard as well as a fitness centre and Nordic Spa.

The city is around two and a half hours drive from Ravenna with Florence a similar distance away.

In July, a Norwegian cruise ship got around Venice’s tough ban by anchoring outside the Venice Lido.

The ship then launched several motor boats to drop off 1,500 passengers in the historic city.

Venice’s ban came after years of protests from environmentalists who felt the ships damaged the city’s lagoon.

Source: Read Full Article