We mostly think of Vanuatu as a flag of convenience state, not a port of refuge but that is what it has become for the P&O cruise ship Pacific Star. The decision was made to pull into port and fly the passengers home after sustaining damage during a pacific storm with winds of over 50knots and seas over 30ft. The fact that the damage was sustained only hours after departing Auckland has many questioning the Captain’s decision to sail.
ABC News of Australia tells us:
The Pacific Star ran into a wild storm that damaged the ship’s bow, as well as some windows, doors and satellite equipment. Many of the 1,200 passengers on board were sea sick, some questioning why the cruise was not postponed.
The ship canceled a scheduled visit to New Caledonia and made instead for Port Vila from where P and O Cruises is now trying to arrange return flights for its shaken holiday makers who will all receive refunds.
A company spokeswoman says its the first time in 10 years a cruise has been abandoned because of bad weather.
This comes after a long line of maritime incidents this week:
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CAIRO, July 6 (Reuters) – The crew of a ship set on fire in an attack in the Red Sea on Sunday abandoned the vessel and were rescued as it took on water, a British maritime agency said, in...
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A tanker hauling 1 million barrels of oil suffered an explosion while near Libya, its manager said Monday. The Vilamoura is being towed to Greece, where damage will be assessed upon arrival. The blast caused water intake and the vessel’s engine room is flooded, a spokesperson for TMS Tankers said. Exactly what caused the explosion was unclear, they added.
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