Following the collision between Tui Cruises’ “Mein Schiff 3” and two container ships in Bremerhaven, the cruise ship – which entered service in 2014 – is apparently heading to the shipyard Lloyd Werft in Bremerhaven for repairs.
The contract for the Lloyd Werft was revealed by a source familiar with the matter who wished to remain anonymous. Official confirmation is still pending. For purely logistical reasons, however, the Lloyd Werft – situated not far from the Columbuskaje, where the cruise ship moored again on Sunday evening following the incident – would be the obvious choice.
A Tui Cruises spokeswoman told HANSA on Monday afternoon that the company was currently still focusing on determining the exact scope of the necessary repair work. When asked, she did not provide any details regarding the choice of a repair yard.
As previously reported, the “Mein Schiff 3” collided with two container ships early on Sunday evening after casting off near the Stromkaje. The collision with the “MSC Victorine” in particular caused damage running into millions. Numerous lifeboats and tender boats belonging to the “Mein Schiff 3”, tender cranes, the ship’s side, as well as the bridge and the outer hull of the cruise ship on the starboard side were severely damaged.
At least three lifeboats destroyed
Under the international SOLAS regulations for safety at sea, lifeboats are a necessary and integral part of the lifesaving equipment that must be carried on board. Following the destruction of at least three lifeboats, there are currently not enough of the required boats available. For this reason, and due to the assessment of the damage, the ‘Ship Safety’ department has imposed a sailing ban on the vessel. The planned 20-day cruise to the Canary Islands was cancelled on Monday morning and the 2,428 passengers were disembarked. No one was injured in the collision.
According to the Kieler Nachrichten, citing nautical experts close to the investigators tasked with determining the exact cause of the accident, the planned start of the winter programme is expected to go ahead as scheduled with the “Mein Schiff 3” calling at Kiel. Accordingly, the ship can still be deployed, even with a reduced number of lifeboats following emergency repairs. However, in accordance with SOLAS regulations, the shipping company must reduce the number of passengers on board. The “Mein Schiff 3” is designed to carry a maximum of 2,506 passengers.
Rescue and tender boats manufactured by Fassmer were originally installed on board the “Mein Schiff 3” by the Meyer Turku shipyard. It is as yet unclear how quickly replacements for the destroyed fibreglass-reinforced plastic boats can be procured.
Meanwhile, the police are now investigating the captain of the “Mein Schiff 3”. A police spokeswoman told the dpa news agency that administrative offence proceedings had been initiated against him. The investigation is therefore examining whether the captain breached his duty of care. The police did not initially provide further details, such as exactly what the possible breach of the duty of care relates to. The broadcaster RTL had previously reported on the matter.
