The Acting Coast Guard Captain of the Port for Palm Beach, Fla., Capt. Cynthia Stowe, revoked the Palm Beach Princess’ Coast Guard-issued Certificate of Compliance Dec. 8 after the vessel failed to make required repairs to one of its main propulsion engines.
The vessel is now prohibited from carrying passengers in any U.S. port until its Certificate of Compliance is reinstated. On Sept. 7, the Coast Guard received a report from the Palm Beach Princess regarding an engine casualty during the vessel’s transit from the Bahamas to the Port of Palm Beach. Once the vessel arrived at the Port of Palm Beach, it was met by ship surveyors from Det Norske Veritas, the organization that carries out vessel surveys and ensures the vessel's compliance with U.S. and international laws. DNV completed a survey of the propulsion engine and issued a Condition of Class to the vessel on Sept. 8 certifying the material condition of the vessel until Dec. 8.
On Sept. 11, following the results of the survey, the COTP ordered the vessel to be under the assistance of tugboats of sufficient size and horsepower when departing and returning to the Port of Palm Beach. The order was to remain in effect until the Coast Guard received written notification that repairs had been completed and the vessel’s engine was fully operational.
Monday, after discussion with the vessel’s management and DNV, the Coast Guard learned that the repairs to the Palm Beach Princess’ main engine would not be completed by the Dec. 8 deadline, when the Condition of Class was to expire. As such, the COTP has determined the vessel could no longer operate with passengers aboard at reduced propulsion capability.
Once the vessel completes the repairs to the engine, or provides a suitable proposal, the Coast Guard will re-inspect the vessel.