News Link (in Chinese):
http://sh.eastday.com/qtmt/20101018/u1a813243.html

I have found only 2 new articles to this accident so far, and one of them indicated that the accident might have been resulted from a possible power shortage on CLASSICA. Her reposition cruise to HONG KONG departing today (18 OCT) is cancelled and I believe the upcoming cruises will also be affected.

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Originally posted by HK Cruiser:
By the way, the damage is very significant. How long does it usually take to repair this kind of damage?

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A Costa Cruises vessel sailing in Asia was damaged early today in a collision with a cargo ship, forcing the cancellation of its next voyage.

Industry watcher Seatrade Insider reports the 1,308-passenger Costa Classica collided with the Belgian-flagged vessel near the deep water channel of the Yangtze River as it returned to Shanghai from Cheju, Korea.

The news outlet says several passengers reported to the infirmary with minor injuries. Three passengers were sent ashore for further medical checks.

Seatrade Insider says news images show a gash along the starboard side of the Costa Classica that stretches about 60 feet. The gash is well above the ship's waterline, the news outlet notes.

The Costa Classica docked a few hours after the incident and passengers on the current voyage of the ship were disembarked. The cruise already had been scheduled to end today, and the vessel had been scheduled to set sail later today on a new voyage to Japan, Korea and Hong Kong.

Built in 1991, the 52,926-ton Costa Classica is one of the oldest vessels in the Costa fleet.

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Originally posted by DAMBROSI2:
I think it's going to take a lot longer than cancelling one voyage to fix that.

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I agree. It looks like a minimum of 10 cabins were severely damaged as was the steelwork on the deck above those cabins. The steel may be the quicker fix but I assume getting new/repaired cabins installed would take quite a bit of time.

[ 10-18-2010: Message edited by: lasuvidaboy ]

Italianliners

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Originally posted by DAMBROSI2:
I agree with you Ben, I'm just glad that it didn't get worse. Sometimes these ships just have a bad run. I don't believe in luck, it's just that some ships just happen to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. I'm with you Italianliners, she's a nice looking vessel. She could end up with Ibero or maybe Louis?

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I sailed here sister Costa Romatica they are similar and they are quite bland if you see them with no passengers. But when the passengers are on board they somehow come to life and sparkle. They are great ships.

[ 10-19-2010: Message edited by: DAMBROSI2 ]

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Originally posted by mike sa:
Any bets on whose fault it is ? Must be an element of fault on board both ships surely ?

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The Shanghai Daily News has apparently reported an initial investigation by the Shanghai Maritime Safety Bureau which says that COSTA CLASSICA lost control due to a power glitch just before the collision.

quote:

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Originally posted by mike sa:
Any bets on whose fault it is ? Must be an element of fault on board both ships surely ?

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Do I read this right, that she is going to commence her cruises tomorrow [23 Oct]? Amazing!

She's a strange ship. We had a cabin which was more akin to a furnace, the wooden floor of the bathroom adding to the steam room effect, a dingy buffet area with views of the lifeboats, stairwells that sound like indoor swimming pool changing rooms and a greenhouse structure plonked on top but she also has some lovely areas.

http://www.dfdaily.com/html/3/2010/10/24/529203.shtml

The main damage appeared to center on an accommodations area, Deck 5 midships, one deck above the lowest level of cabins and well above the waterline. Xinmin reported as many as 60 cabins were affected, with 11 sustaining severe damage.

According to the news service, the repairs at CIC were completed in a remarkable 96 hours, and ship surveyors and classification society officials were on hand to inspect and approve the work.

Costa has not provided any official confirmation of the ship’s re-entry to service."

Congratulations are in order I think!