Cruise cancelled after lifeboat deaths

//Cruise cancelled after lifeboat deaths

Passengers on the Thomson Majesty, on which five crew members were killed during a lifeboat drill on Sunday, are being flown home.
The ship’s current cruise has been cancelled as investigations into the incident continue, and no date has been given for when the vessel will be able to leave port in La Palma in the Canaries.
A Thomson spokesman said this morning: “We are continuing to work closely with the ship owners and managers, Louis Cruises, and relevant authorities to determine exactly what happened. As investigations continue, and in the absence of a guaranteed departure time, we have made the difficult decision to cancel the remaining three days of the current seven-night cruise itinerary.
“Customers will be offered a full refund of the cost of the cruise element of their holiday. Travel plans have now been finalised and we will be repatriating customers today and tomorrow on specially-arranged Thomson Airways flights.
“We fully understand that this is disappointing news for our customers and we have despatched a specially trained team to assist with travel plans and provide support to those affected by the incident.”
Of the 1,413 passengers affected, 818 are flying home today and the remaining 595 will travel tomorrow.
Investigations into the accident, which occurred as a lifeboat was being lifted back onto the ship, will be carried out by authorities in Spain and from Malta, the ship’s port of registry.
The UK-based Marine Accident Investigation Branch has confirmed it will take no part in the inquiry. A spokesman told me: “The MAIB has a remit to investigate accidents to or on board UK-registered vessels worldwide and other vessels in UK territorial waters. It may also investigate other accidents where the UK has a substantial interest.
“The

[Thomson Majesty] accident involved a non-UK registered vessel and occurred outside UK territorial waters. It is for this reason, and the fact that no UK nationals were injured as a result of the accident, that the MAIB is not conducting a safety investigation in this case.”
By | 2017-06-15T15:59:38+00:00 12 February 2013|Cruise News|0 Comments

About the Author:

John Honeywell is a travel writer specialising in cruise ships and cruise travel. Winner of CLIA UK's Contribution to Cruise award 2017.

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