Norwegian Epic Breaks from Moorings, Guest Falls F...

Passengers aboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Epic skilled a chaotic afternoon on Might 30, 2025, when the ship broke free from its moorings whereas docked in Catania, Italy.

The incident occurred simply after 1 p.m. native time as company have been reboarding the vessel following a port cease within the Sicilian metropolis.

Movies and eyewitness experiences point out that the ship’s traces snapped one after the other with loud cracks, sending some company, who had been on the gangway, tumbling into the water.

“Impulsively, we heard this loud bang,” mentioned one passenger. “One after the other, the concrete nubs within the floor that maintain the ropes have been pulling out of the bottom and went flying into the ship,” mentioned one passenger.

Native media reported that robust winds have been a contributing issue within the incident.

Certainly, the Italian Meteorological Service had issued a average wind warning, which signifies sustained wind speeds of 26 to 39 miles per hour or frequent wind gusts of 35 to 57 miles per hour.

Whereas the precise trigger remains to be underneath investigation, experiences point out that the mooring factors on the dock might have failed underneath stress, mixed with mechanical strain from the ship’s motion.

Port authorities and emergency responders acted shortly to tug two people from the water after a feminine passenger fell into the water and her husband jumped in to rescue her.

Norwegian Cruise Line confirmed that one visitor within the technique of disembarking fell from the gangway into the water and each passengers have been taken by ambulance to the native hospital.

“On-duty crew members have been capable of instantly help the visitor from the water and see that they have been evaluated by the medical group,” mentioned a spokesperson for the cruise line to Cruise Hive.

“It was decided that they sustained minor accidents and have been transported to an area hospital for additional examination and remedy.” 

Because the ship floated away from the dock and into the harbor, crew members suggested company nonetheless on land to return to town and verify again later.

As soon as Norwegian Epic regained management and returned to port, authorities delayed reboarding till the winds died down.

Passengers reported being advised they’d be capable of embark by 4 or 5 p.m., however excessive winds continued into the early night, additional delaying the method.

“The disembarkation and embarkation course of was paused till climate situations improved and the ship was capable of safely dock once more,” mentioned Norwegian Cruise Line to Cruise Hive.

A visitor shared that the ship lastly started the reboarding course of at 7:15 p.m., six hours after the incident.

Cruise Delayed in Catania

Norwegian Epic can accommodate over 4,000 passengers and is crusing a 10-night round-trip voyage from Civitavecchia (Rome).

Learn Additionally: Docking a Cruise Ship – How Is It Done?

After visiting Santorini, Athens, and Olympia, Greece, in addition to Malta, the 155,873-gross-ton ship arrived in Catania at 8 a.m. The decision was meant to conclude at 6 p.m., and at press time, 9 p.m. native time, the ship stays in port.

She is scheduled to reach in Naples, Italy, on Might 31, adopted by visits to Livorno (Florence), Italy, and Cannes, France, earlier than concluding on June 3, 2025.

Throughout the incident, passengers caught on land took to social media to share their frustration, together with a scarcity of communication from the crew in port or by way of the Norwegian Cruise Line app.

“Everyone seems to be caught on the port, little or no data from NCL, a few of us have been ready right here since midday. Little or no water, older people are sizzling, there’s not sufficient water or seats,” shared one visitor.

Norwegian Cruise Line responded to the experiences and mentioned, “Throughout this interruption, our crew have been actively attending to our company till they have been capable of re-embark the ship. As at all times, the protection of our company and crew is our prime precedence.” 

Regardless of the delay, damaged mooring traces should not unusual. In March 2025, a Holland America Line ship needed to skip a port after the lines broke on Rotterdam throughout tough swells.