Cruise Ship Collides with Tanker off Gallipoli

 

A Celestyal Cruises ship suffered structural damage to its bow and was forced to dock at Turkey’s port of Gallipoli after it collided with the Marshal Islands-flagged product tanker STI Pimlico on Saturday June 27th 2015 and at around 1:28 am local time.

Celestyal Cruises informed that all 852 passengers and the 382 members of crew are well and so are the crew members of the tanker. Except that three incidents have been reported, involving minor injuries for two members of crew and one passenger. They received first aid  and their health and well-being are in absolutely no danger.The cruise ship has only suffered some structural damages and awaits inspection from its class surveyor.

This entails that the said damages must be repaired before the ship can continue with its scheduled cruise itineraries. With the safety and care of our passengers as our utmost priority, we will ensure the smoothest possible disembarkation for those on board since the current cruise will have to be cancelled.  The options on offer to our passengers are as follows:

For passengers who were travelling from Istanbul to Piraeus, Lavrio to Piraeus and from Kusadasi to Piraeus will be transported from Gelibolu to Istanbul. A one night or a 2 night complimentary stay at a hotel in Istanbul will be arranged as well as a free shorex excursion. On Monday, passengers will be flown from Istanbul to Izmir where a complimentary overnight stay at a hotel in Izmir or Kusadasi will be arranged. For those staying in Izmir transportation to Kusadasi will be arranged and a complimentary shorex in  Ancient Ephesus will be offered to all passengers. They will then board MV Celestyal Odyssey or MV Celestyal Olympia on Tuesday to join the cruise either from Kusadasi to Lavrio or from Kusadasi to Piraeus, accordingly. Passengers will be fully refunded and offered a complimentary cruise, valid until the end of 2016

For Greek Passengers or for all passengers who were scheduled to disembark in Piraeus will be transported from Gelibolu to Istanbul where a fully complimentary overnight stay at a hotel will be arranged. They will then fly on Sunday or Monday (upon availability) from Istanbul to Athens. A complimentary excursion in Istanbul (highlights of Istanbul) will be offered. Passengers will be fully refunded and offered a complimentary cruise valid until end of 2016

According to reports the 37,000 dwt tanker was reportedly carrying highly flammable naphtha at the time of the collision. Local coastal safety authorities reported that a certain amount of naphtha was discharged after the incident, and a tug has been sent to assist in cooling operations.