Passenger dies as 30ft wave strikes Spirit of Discovery during massive storm
The Spirit of Discovery, operating for Saga Cruises, sailed her maiden voyage on July 10, 2019 after Camilla, Suchess of Cornwall, christened it at the Port of Dover in Kent
A passenger on board a cruise died and more than 100 others were injured after the ship was battered by a 30ft wave, a report has revealed.
The Spirit of Discovery liner was travelling back to the UK along the Bay of Biscay on November 4, 2023 when it was battered by storm-force winds. Eight people were initially raced to hospital once the ship arrived at Portsmouth, Hampshire.
Speaking at the time, passengers told of how they had to "hold on for dear life" when the monster storm lashed at the luxury liner seeing it "veer and shutter to a halt". Now, an interim report by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has now revealed one of the passengers treated in hospital later died from their injuries.
Prior to the ship being whipped by winds, the Spirit of Discovery, operated by Saga Cruises, had to cancel a visit to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Gran Canaria, as the weather worsened and was instead heading towards La Corona, Spain, when that port was closed because of the conditions.
One passenger died and around 100 others were injured after the impact ( Image: Richard Reynolds)
The new report states that there were 943 passengers and 503 crew on board when the ship, which had sailed from Puerto del Rosario in Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands faced force 11 winds and a sea state rated 8 for very high.
The MAIB document says: "At about 1230 on 4 November 2023, the passenger vessel Spirit of Discovery lost propulsion in heavy weather while crossing the Bay of Biscay. This led to the vessel moving violently while the crew restarted the vessel’s propulsion.
"The propulsion issues, storm force conditions and vessel motions continued until the following morning when Spirit of Discovery was able to continue its passage.
"During this period over 100 passengers were injured. Eight of the seriously injured passengers were taken directly to hospital on arrival at Portsmouth, England, one of whom later died from their injuries."
The report continues: "The MAIB’s investigation has considered all aspects of the accident to determine the causes and circumstances of Spirit of Discovery’s loss of propulsion in heavy weather and the on-board response, including analysis of the vessel’s intended passage, preparations for operating in heavy weather, the on-board response to passenger injuries and damage, and the medical treatment of injured passengers.’
The interim report states that the investigation is nearly complete and a full report will then be issued for consultation with the parties involved. Passengers onboard the vessel described the terrifying moment they were told to either "remain seated or lie down" as they were forced to "hold on for dear life".
People were "thrown" by the force of the emergency stop and pictures show books, tables and other furniture flung to the ground as the intense storm gripped the ship.
A spokeswoman for Saga said all guests on the trip had been offered a full refund and added: "Our thoughts and deepest sympathies remain with the family of our guest who died following the storm in the Bay of Biscay last year. We are continuing to work with the Marine Accident Investigation Branch, supporting their investigation."
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