On the early morning hours of Tuesday, the cruise ship ‘Carnival Horizon’, Carnival’s newest vessel, hit the pier 90, while mooring at Pier 88 in the Manhattan Cruise Terminal, causing damages to the dock. However, the extent of the damage to the vessel was minor and, upon investigation, the US Coast Guard cleared the ship to sail on Tuesday evening.
Watchstanders at USCG Sector New York Vessel Traffic Service were alerted of the accident on Tuesday morning. Investigators, Marine Inspectors and a Facilities team from Coast Guard Sector New York were called to the scene, to investigate the extent of the damage to pier and the cause of the incident.
Coast Guard Sector New York personnel conducted an extensive investigation and examinations on the ship and required multiple technical surveys to ensure it was safe to depart the Port of New York and New Jersey on Tuesday evening.
An underwater hull survey and operations testing of essential equipment on the Carnival Horizon were completed, and the vessel was allowed to depart the Port of New York and New Jersey on schedule.
Namely, the USCG personnel found minor structural damage to the bow of the cruise ship, but this damage does not adversely impact navigation safety.
The Coast Guard is working with New York City officials to determine the extent of the damage to Pier 90. Due to restrictions in place on the south side of Pier 90, vessels can no longer moor there until permanent repairs are completed. Coast Guard investigators are coordinating with the National Transportation Safety Board and the Board of Pilots Commission to continue the ongoing investigation into the cause of the incident.
No injuries or pollution were reported as a result of the allision.
This incident comes in addition to some propulsion issues that the ship sustained in mid August while maneuvering, making it to skip a call at Amber Cove in Dominican Republic.
