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Investigation launched into cruise ship incident

Photo by Maureen SullivanThe Norwegian Star is shown shortly after high winds ripped it from the dock at Heritage Wharf, Ireland Island.

The Island is “very fortunate” that no one was injured when the cruise ship Norwegian Star broke from Heritage Wharf in a sudden squall, Transport Minister Walter Roban said this afternoon.“In the midst of a potential calamity, Bermudians came together,” Mr Roban added, noting that the ship’s gangway had been out to accept returning passengers.An investigation will shed light on the exact circumstances that caused the ship to swing out into Grassy Bay shortly after 2pm on Friday, when a cell of violent weather took the Island by surprise.Mr Roban said the dock itself, “because of its quality, also contributed to saving us from a calamity — not just for one ship, but for two”.The Norwegian Star made contact with The Explorer of the Seas when the squall pushed it out, snapping the ship’s mooring lines. No damage was sustained by the bollards at port.“The investigation will be led by the Department of Marine and Ports Services and they are now in the process of gathering additional technical information,” Mr Roban added.The Minister also thanked local mariners and members of the community in Dockyard for their assistance in the 45-minute incident.Meanwhile, the Norwegian Star, currently being inspected in New York, is due next Wednesday, on schedule.