Norwegian Epic Wipes out Dock in Puerto Rico

[jdb in AZ]

oops

https://www.msn.com/en-us/video/vir...ship-wipes-out-dock-in-puerto-rico/vi-BBTx6QL

 

[UncleMike101]

That was a new docking facility.

 

[diznymom]

Epic Fail?

 

[Dug720]

Epic Fail?

To say the least. Wow.

 

[lorimay]

OMG!

 

[Van Houten]

Epic was supposed to do an Eastern Caribbean loop (USVI/BVI/GSC), but because of propulsion failures came limping to San Juan instead. At least one tug boat was there helping to guide the ship to the dock, and likely caused the bow to push toward the pier as it was pulling the aft.

 

[Kennywood]

Norwegian needs to call Farmers. After all, they know a thing or two because they've seen a thing or two.

 

[bumbershoot]

That’s sad.

 

[diznymom]

Norwegian needs to call Farmers. After all, they know a thing or two because they've seen a thing or two.

 

[Cruising Engineer]

That was a new docking facility.

Obviously they constructed it in the wrong place, relative to the ship's point of view.

 

[starvenger]

Epic Fail?

Well played.

 

[truck1]

Epic was supposed to do an Eastern Caribbean loop (USVI/BVI/GSC), but because of propulsion failures came limping to San Juan instead. At least one tug boat was there helping to guide the ship to the dock, and likely caused the bow to push toward the pier as it was pulling the aft.

The official story is that she got caught in a cross wind as she was approaching. However, I think that's just a story. When you watch the video you can see the ship edging closer, and its not until she almost hit the bollard pier, that her bow thrusters kicked in and by then it was too late. Who ever was on the thrusters shut them down, and she got the 2nd pier, and they kicked on again. Some one on the bridge wasn't paying attention to there special awareness. Or more then 1 person actually. I can think of at least 3 people that have some splainin to do.

Upon further review, make that 4-5 people.

 

[jrabbit]

...Or more then 1 person actually. I can think of at least 3 people that have some splainin to do.

Oh Gilligan!!!


At least when the Dream (or was it the Fantasy) backed into the "dock" in Nassau last year, it didn't sink like the one in PR did.

 

[DCLPrincess]

It's good to know that we all have bad days.

 

[truck1]

Oh Gilligan!!!


At least when the Dream (or was it the Fantasy) backed into the "dock" in Nassau last year, it didn't sink like the one in PR did.

(Mary Ann or Ginger?)

True. Thought they did render it unusable for a while. But if your going to do it, do it right.

In this case, and I went back and watched it again and read the report on it, this is my take on what happened.

For a reason or reasons that have not been disclosed, the Epic was having propulsion issues which required her to make an itin change. When she entered the harbor, she was accompanied by 2 tugs to assist. On the bridge should have been, the Capt, the local pilot, who would help guide the ship thru the channel to the dock, (every ship gets one coming and going from any port) and a tug pilot. The tug pilot should have been coordinating with the Capt and the pilot to help maneuver the ship in. The Capt or Acting Capt, should have been on the port wing controls as she neared the pier. As she came in, the bow started to drift towards the 1st bollard pier that was totaled.Its anyones guess if it was the wind or drift. After she hit the pier, the bow thrusters kicked in, and started to push the bow out. The minute they started to get a bite and hold the ship, they were shut down. The bow, then started to drift in again and the thrusters were turned back on,, the ship made contact a second time, totaling the 2nd pier, and stared to get close to the 3rd. Again the thrusters got shutdown, but then quicker this time turned back on to hold her off the3rd pier. You can see in the video how many time and how long they were on for.

1 of several things happened. Or a combination.
The power issue could have affected the bow thrusters, shutting them down at the worst possible time.
Someone wasn't paying attention on the bridge, and allowed her to get too close before applying power to the bow thrusters. As far as I can tell, her stern thrusters were never vectored to port to help keep her out.
The wind could have over powered the available ships power, which lead to the impacts.

With that said, the tug pilot should have been screaming long before for the tugs to get the ship into a stabil position. If not the Capt, should have been yelling at the tug pilot for help, knowing he was having power issues. The local pilot would have been out of the equation at that point, other to say were getting real close to the pier, which the bow and stern look out should have been saying also. But theres at least 4 people that should have seen they were getting close and at least 2 that should have been able to rectify it.

Her approach, reminds me a lot of the Century ship that took out the piers in Alaska. In which case if they did try that, they should have known better then to try it on a ship that has issues.

 

[mmmears]

Epic oops.

 

[UncleMike101]

Obviously they constructed it in the wrong place, relative to the ship's point of view.

Aha!!!
An engineering failure.........

 

[g_ppetto]

I kept hearing the audio from Galaxy Quest and pictured everyone on the bridge leaning to one side.

 

[jdb in AZ]

So whose insurance company is liable: Norwegian's, Puerto Rico for building the dock in the wrong place, or tug pilot error?

 

[dcassetta]

Oh Gilligan!!!


At least when the Dream (or was it the Fantasy) backed into the "dock" in Nassau last year, it didn't sink like the one in PR did.

It was the Dream, and I believed that they blamed the incident on letting Goofy drive the ship!

We were on her less than a week after it occurred, and the dent was so sad, but about a week after that you couldn't even see it anymore. I don't know if they pounded out the dent or filled it but it was repainted and the ship looked brand new. Here's several images from Scott's blog - https://disneycruiselineblog.com/2017/09/disney-dream-sustains-damage-stern-collision-pier-nassau/