Cruise Ship Lists, Passengers Injured

Crown Princess in New York Photo credit: Princess Cruises

The Crown Princess, Princess Cruises’ 947-ft. vessel that was launched in June, listed heavily yesterday after leaving Port Canaveral, injuring several passengers. Princess Cruises, a unit of Carnival Corp., said, "Crown Princess experienced an unexpected list to the port side as she began sailing north toward her final port of New York.” CNN reported that at least 93 passengers, 16 of them seriously, according to the Cape Canaveral Fire Department.

Before reentering the port, reports said that the Port Canaveral captain issued an order to the ship to stay offshore until inspectors determined if the vessel was safe to enter the port. The Coast Guard said all passengers and crew were accounted for.

Though the cause of the list has yet to be determined, Princess Cruises is “investigating the cause of the ship's sudden list. We can confirm that the watertight integrity of the ship has not been compromised.” The cruiseline terminated the cruise in Port Canaveral, and made arrangements for passengers to return home. The Coast Guard and the National Transportation Safety Board planned to inspect the ship.

The Crown Princess, built at Fincantieri’s shipyard at Monfalcone weighs 113,000 tons, 8,100 dwt. The ship can travel at a maximum speed of 23.7 knots and accommodate 3,600 passengers in 1,547 cabins, as well as 1,205 crew members. Power is generated by four WNSD 12 V46CR diesel engine groups of 12,600 kW and two WNSD 8L46CR groups of 8,400 kW which provide a total of 67,200 kW. Propulsion is provided by two electrical engines, one per shaft, of 21MW each.