Costa Cruises Flagship Damages Pier in Italy After Crashing During Technical Stop

An Italian cruise ship reportedly damaged both itself and shoreside equipment on a nearby pier in Savona, Italy, on January 22, 2021, according to news reports.

The ship in question is the Costa Smeralda, the flagship of the Italian cruise line Costa Cruises. According to reports, the accident occurred when the ship was attempting to dock in Savona. Photos and video of the scene show the Costa Smeralda approaching the dock at a quick pace before one of the ship’s lifeboats was caught on a shoreside crane. Once the lifeboat was caught, it was heavily damaged and ripped from the ship.

As the damaged lifeboat was ripped from its position, its movement damaged another lifeboat on the Costa Smeralda before landing in the water. The Smeralda’s maneuver also damaged the port terminal’s silo system and several shore cranes, which were pushed off of their rails.

Initial reports indicate that the cause of the accident is unclear. Police, port authority personnel, and other law enforcement agencies were reportedly at the scene and beginning to investigate the crash. Though the damage to the ship is relatively minor, lifeboats are considered essential safety equipment on cruise ships, so it’s unlikely that the Costa Smeralda will sail again anytime soon.

There were no passengers on board the Costa Smeralda at the time of the crash, and no injuries were reported. The Costa Smeralda, which was delivered in 2019, is the flagship of Costa Cruises. Costa is a subsidiary of Carnival Cruises, the international cruise behemoth with headquarters in Doral, FL. At the time of its completion, the Costa Smeralda was the fifth-largest cruise ship in the world, measuring 1,105 feet (337 meters) long and weighing 185,010 tons.

Costa Cruises Delays Restart of Operations

In a remarkable coincidence, the accident occurred on the same day Costa Cruises had decided to postpone the restart of operations until March 13, 2021. The company said it had delayed restarting cruises because current health restrictions imposed by the Italian government would prevent guests from being able to fully enjoy the experience at different ports. Costa has said that it is reaching out to guests and travel agents who are impacted by the postponement.

The Costa Smeralda was scheduled for several cruises on or after March 13, when Costa Cruises had planned to resume operations, but it’s unclear how this accident will impact those plans.

Injured in a Cruise Ship Accident? Call Vucci Law Group Today

Though nobody appears to have been injured in this accident involving the Costa Smeralda, passengers and crew alike could have been hurt had things gone differently. Cruise lines have a responsibility to protect both their passengers and their crew members. When these companies fail in that responsibility, they need to be held accountable for their actions.

If you’ve been injured in a cruise ship accident, get an experienced cruise injury lawyer to help you with your case. Get a free consultation from Vucci Law Group today by calling (866) 404-3415 or visiting our contact page.

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