MSC Opera Crashes into Riverboat in Venice

[geocruiser]

1 hour ago, chengkp75 said:

 

What sidari is referring to is that the ship is "detained" (prohibited from sailing).  This is quite common until the investigation is complete, as the ship is the "crime scene".  Also, until the relevant maritime authorities (Italy) are convinced that the cause of the incident has been rectified, they will not allow the ship to sail.  Detention is also used to ensure that the shipowner has sufficient funds to pay damages caused by the ship, and possibly to create an account to hold the contingency fees.

 

In the shipping world, each ship of a line like MSC is owned by a separate corporation, so the only physical asset of  the corporation is the ship itself, detaining/impounding the ship is the way to ensure there is money to pay for damages.

Chengkp75, Thanks for the info.  I never thought about holding it to insure funds.

 

I think it is a good idea to hold the ship.  Besides making sure that there are  sufficient funds to pay damages caused by the ship.  The authorities need to know that the issue has been solved and it will not happen again,  like docking in Bari.  I couldn't think of letting the ship sailuntil it is safe to dock at another port.

 

[sidari]

Update from MSC UK website.

 

Yesterday ...

MSC Cruises confirms that earlier today the Master of MSC Opera and its DPA received notice of the opening of an investigation by the Prosecutor’s Office in Venice. As per Italian procedural law, this notice is a necessary step for the Prosecutor to be able to conduct the expert’s survey scheduled for later this week. The Master and the DPA – as well as the overall Company – are fully cooperating with the Prosecutor and are providing all the requested information, with the aim of excluding any fault on their part.

 

The Prosecutor similarly served notice to other individuals, not linked to MSC Cruises, who were also involved in the events that led to Sunday’s incident.   

 

Today ... 

 

UPDATE: 04 June 2019 – 14:00 CET

In light of recent events, MSC Cruises is taking a range of measures for Guests on MSC Opera in Venice to ensure any inconvenience due to their cancelled cruise remains minimal.

 

All Guests will receive a full refund of their cruise fare and any pre-booked services.

 

MSC Cruises is offering a further 50% discount on a future cruise before the end of 2020.**

 

Guests who wish to return home earlier than originally planned, can count on our support to identify a convenient return flight or other homebound transportation as applicable.

 

Additionally, Guests are welcome to stay on board until their scheduled disembarkation date. Until then, they can make use of the ship’s facilities, such as entertainment and restaurants, as they will be running as usual. During meal times, drinks – both alcoholic and non-alcoholic – in all restaurants on board will be on the house.

 

In addition to the daily boat transfers to St. Mark's Square, MSC Cruises, is now also offering boat transfers to the beautiful islands of Murano and Burano, Jesolo Beach and Noventa Designer Outlet shopping mall. These boat transfers are offered by MSC Cruises and free of charge.

 

While some Guests have decided to return home, most Guests are taking the opportunity to stay in Venice and explore the islands around.

[Beamafar]

It would seem that MSC is being more than fair to those whose cruise has been impacted by this.  It's interesting that they're time-limiting the 50% discount 'til the end of 2020.  There was no time limit for use of our 50% discount received on Splendida in April 2018.

[broberts]

6 hours ago, Beamafar said:

It would seem that MSC is being more than fair to those whose cruise has been impacted by this.  It's interesting that they're time-limiting the 50% discount 'til the end of 2020.  There was no time limit for use of our 50% discount received on Splendida in April 2018.

 

MSC does not appear to be covering air change fees and/or additional costs involved in last minute alteration of travel plans. That hardly seems "more than fair". Nor is it in keeping with general industry practice.

[8420PR]

 

As per the letter posted in this thread (linked below) they are covering the costs of transportation for guest that would prefer to go home (than stay on the ship).

 

 

[Domen]

Staying in Venice for that long can be boring. But on the other hand as someone had mentioned, you have a free hotel (all inclusive) in Venice and you can see Verona, Florence, Bologna, Ravenna, San Marino or even Piran in Slovenia in one day. It is not the same as cruising the Adriatic, but their offer is fair in my opinion.

[MBP&O2/O]

Not their week is it 😀

 

MSC MATILDA was seen tilting in Liverpool2 dock on Friday (May 24). The docked MSC MATILDA at Liverpool2 which is reportedly carrying millions of pounds worth of goods,ran into trouble in the early hours of Friday morning (May 24). The coastguard sent lifeboats, tugs and a pollution response vessel out to the scene after being contacted by Peel Ports who operate the dock at Seaforth. The crew from the 20-year-old ship, which sails under the Panama flag, reportedly abandoned the vessel at 2am this morning, one witness told the ECHO. The same man said he thought the ship would "capsize" because of the way it was leaning over. A spokesperson for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said: "HM Coastguard was contacted by Peel Ports VTS at around 2.25am today (24 May) to report that a container vessel was listing just outside Gladstone Dock on the River Mersey." "Crosby Coastguard Rescue Team and the RNLI Hoylake all weather lifeboats have been sent to the scene, two tugs and a tier 2 pollution response vessel are on standby as a precautionary measure. MCA’s Duty Counter Pollution & Salvage Officer, Duty Surveyor and the Marine Accident Information Board have been informed. "All ship’s crew onboard are safe and well. ""The vessel is now reported to be back on an even keel following a ballast transfer with unloading due to commence The crew eventually returned to the ship at 8.30am once the vessel was righted. A spokesperson from Peel Ports said: “We can confirm at 2am this morning, Friday 24th May, a container vessel at the Port of Liverpool started to list. We immediately instigated the emergency response procedure under the leadership of the Group Harbour Master. A controlled and safe evacuation of the vessel was completed in the early hours of this morning whilst the vessel was under maritime assessment. “As of 08:00 the vessel was stable and maritime assessments by Port State Control are continuing. “The health and safety of our employees, customers and contractors remains our priority. In line with Maritime Law, State Control need to complete their inspections to ensure the vessel is sail worthy in UK and International waters.” The £400m Liverpool2 container terminal is part of the Port of Liverpool, owned by Peel Ports . Opened in 2016 it is best known for its giant red cranes and means Liverpool can now handle the world's biggest container ships. Source : Liverpool echo

[sidari]

Update on Opera. Captain Investigated for Criminal Damage ... 😮

 

https://www.thelocal.it/20190604/venice-cruise-ship-crash-msc-opera-captain-investigated-criminal-damage

[Beamafar]

Do you know which captain it is, Dave?

[sidari]

Hi Bea ... No sorry, had no info on that. I doubt they will release it for now anyway.

[BermudaBound2014]

21 hours ago, chengkp75 said:

In the shipping world, each ship of a line like MSC is owned by a separate corporation, so the only physical asset of  the corporation is the ship itself, detaining/impounding the ship is the way to ensure there is money to pay for damages.

 

Anyone else find this fascinating? What a way to reduce liability. So in the Costa Concordia incident how liable is CCL as a whole? Or is it just the Concordia corporation by itself (just the ship), thus protecting daddy from lawsuit? 

 

[sidari]

1 minute ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

 

Anyone else find this fascinating? What a way to reduce liability. So in the Costa Concordia incident how liable is CCL as a whole? Or is it just the Concordia corporation by itself (just the ship), thus protecting daddy from lawsuit? 

 

Would have been Costa itself I would reckon.

 

[BermudaBound2014]

1 minute ago, sidari said:

Would have been Costa itself I would reckon.

 

Just for clarification, Do you mean costa itself, Concordia itself, or CCL itself? 

[sidari]

Costa, as Concordia was a wreck and of only salvage value.

[EngIceDave]

And Costa was the owner

 

Concordia didn't own itself

[chengkp75]

1 hour ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

 

Anyone else find this fascinating? What a way to reduce liability. So in the Costa Concordia incident how liable is CCL as a whole? Or is it just the Concordia corporation by itself (just the ship), thus protecting daddy from lawsuit? 

 

This limits the physical assets of what can be seized as security, not overall liability.  So, if the Opera causes damages, someone could not sue in court to detain any other MSC ship due to those damages.  Damage to others is covered by P&I insurance (protection and indemnity), which is owned by the parent company (Costa).  In the case of the Concordia, there were multiple insurances involved.  First was the hull insurance, which paid Costa for the value of the ship (this is commercial, in other words provided by a third party, insurance).  Second was the P&I (protection and indemnity) insurance, which is a mutual insurance paid out by the group of shipowners in the "club".  There will be a maximum annual payout set by the members, and Costa exceeded this with the Concordia.  Over and above these coverages, Costa was on the hook for the remaining cost.  But, since the Concordia was owned by a separate company, a creditor could not seize or detain any other Costa ship, even if they had not been paid, unless the company were to go into bankruptcy, and you start a whole new ball of twine.

[Beamafar]

I'm currently considering a late Spring cruise from Venice next year with 3 new ports (for us) and 2 that we would love to re-visit on the itinerary, but have reservations about doing so as a result of this incident.  I fear that the days of embarking in Venice may be coming to an end.

[sidari]

Things move slow in Italy so you may well be ok.

[BermudaBound2014]

54 minutes ago, sidari said:

Costa, as Concordia was a wreck and of only salvage value.

 

Of course it was.

[sidari]

Well you did ask!

[BermudaBound2014]

27 minutes ago, sidari said:

Well you did ask!

You missed the entire point, but it's ok, Chengkp answered 🙂

[sidari]

I gave you the answer, Costa! prior to Cheng's response.

 

[JimVB]

An update from our daughter who boarded in Bari.  MSC now arranging alternate transport to Bari, indicating they no longer expect Opera to leave Venice on Friday.  Next cruise looking doubtful.

[EngIceDave]

[BermudaBound2014]

6 hours ago, Beamafar said:

I'm currently considering a late Spring cruise from Venice next year with 3 new ports (for us) and 2 that we would love to re-visit on the itinerary, but have reservations about doing so as a result of this incident.  I fear that the days of embarking in Venice may be coming to an end.

 

The first time I sailed into Venice was 2010 on the Ruby Princess. At that time they were talking about limiting all cruise ship access. Fast forward a decade and the Ruby Princess is too big to allow in as Veniza has implemented size restrictions. There has been a pretty active movement from people in Venice to limit all cruise ship traffic (and bnb rentals for that matter). It's safe to say that the Opera incident fueled the flames. My recommendation would be to choose a very small ship or river boat, but don't abandon the idea of Venice entirely. It's single-handedly the most beautiful sail in I have ever experienced.