Cruise Talk: Norwegian Dawn hit by Freak Wave

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»	Cruise Talk » Cruise Ships » Norwegian Dawn hit by Freak Wave (Page 1)

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Author

Topic: Norwegian Dawn hit by Freak Wave

PamM
First Class Passenger
Member # 2127

posted 04-16-2005 04:26 PM

"Miami, Fla., April 16, 2005 - Last night on her return to New York, Norwegian Dawn experienced extremely rough weather. Although the weather had become slightly calmer at daybreak, the ship was hit by a freak wave that caused two windows to break in two different cabins. There was flooding in 62 cabins and four passengers were hurt with cuts and bruises.

The safety and integrity of the ship was in no way compromised by this incident.

Norwegian Dawn will be diverting to Charleston, South Carolina to conduct repairs. The ship will arrive late on Saturday afternoon. Passengers whose cabins were flooded will be flown home from Charleston.

Once repairs are complete, the ship will continue to New York. At this time, the company is unsure of the exact departure time of Norwegian Dawn from Charleston. The earliest the ship can arrive in New York is Monday morning.

Travel agents with passengers on the April 17th cruise are being contacted to inform them of the delay. NCL has set up a special number, 1-800-625-5672 for passengers to call for updates. In addition, updates will be posted on the Web site.

The company will provide updates as they become available."

From NCL's website.

Pam

Posts: 12176 | From: Cambridge, UK | Registered: Jun 2001 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 04-16-2005 04:30 PM

quote:
Originally posted by PamM:
The safety and integrity of the ship was in no way compromised by this incident...

....only passengers were hurt and there's plenty more where they came from.

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

CGT
First Class Passenger
Member # 3531

posted 04-16-2005 04:39 PM

I've said it before and I'll say it again. This is the problem with big square picture windows built into the hull of a ship! There is a REASON cabins were below decks with PORTHOLES and public rooms with big windows were built ABOVE in the superstructure. If cabins are going to be below decks they should have round smaller portholes that are stronger than big square picture windows.

[ 04-16-2005: Message edited by: CGT ]

Posts: 2760 | From: New York, New York, USA | Registered: Dec 2002 | IP: Logged

Ernst
First Class Passenger
Member # 5369

posted 04-16-2005 04:49 PM

quote:
Originally posted by CGT:
I've said it before and I'll say it again. This is the problem with big square picture windows built into the hull of a ship! There is a REASON cabins were below decks with PORTHOLES and public rooms with big windows were built ABOVE in the superstructure. If cabins are going to be below decks they should have round smaller portholes that are stronger than big square picture windows.
[ 04-16-2005: Message edited by: CGT ]

The reason for portholes is to minimize the stress in the hull, and not so much to withstand more pressure.

Posts: 9746 | From: Eindhoven | Registered: Jan 2005 | IP: Logged

Jonathan
First Class Passenger
Member # 5201

posted 04-16-2005 04:53 PM

Did they say where she was hit by the freak wave?

Jonathan

Posts: 559 | From: Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida | Registered: Nov 2004 | IP: Logged

PamM
First Class Passenger
Member # 2127

posted 04-16-2005 04:53 PM

We don't know which windows smashed. Where Aurora's 2 windows caved in, NCL Dawn has small round port holes; the picture windows starting further along. This of course is only if hit on the fwd/side... if head on, or further aft.. we just don't know yet.

Pam

Posts: 12176 | From: Cambridge, UK | Registered: Jun 2001 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 04-16-2005 05:23 PM

I’m not sure that any ship can be built to withstand ‘freak’ waves?

The QE2 has received structural damaged in a storm, has she not?

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

desirod7
First Class Passenger
Member # 1626

posted 04-16-2005 05:35 PM

NCL Dawn/Star, Aurora, and Vista Class are designed for world cruise sea-keeping qualities.
Had this been the Carnival Fantasy class, Holiday, Horizon, Galaxie, or the older NCL tubs specific for the Caribbean they would have fared far worse.

quote:
Originally posted by Malcolm @ cruisepage:
I’m not sure that any ship can be built to withstand ‘freak’ waves?
The QE2 has received structural damaged in a storm, has she not?

Posts: 5727 | From: Philadelphia, Pa [home of the SS United States] | Registered: Oct 2000 | IP: Logged

CGT
First Class Passenger
Member # 3531

posted 04-16-2005 05:55 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Malcolm @ cruisepage:
I’m not sure that any ship can be built to withstand ‘freak’ waves?
The QE2 has received structural damaged in a storm, has she not?

sure but square picture windows low in the hull are asking for trouble.

Posts: 2760 | From: New York, New York, USA | Registered: Dec 2002 | IP: Logged

Ernst
First Class Passenger
Member # 5369

posted 04-16-2005 05:56 PM

quote:
Originally posted by desirod7:
NCL Dawn/Star, Aurora, and Vista Class are designed for world cruise sea-keeping qualities.
Had this been the Carnival Fantasy class, Holiday, Horizon, Galaxie, or the older NCL tubs specific for the Caribbean they would have fared far worse.

Sorry, but statements like this are just nonsens. There might be differences in how "smooth" the ships behave under certain conditions, but for sure there are NO relevant differences in the ability to withstand storms or high waves concerning the safety or stability of the ship.
Freak waves are rare occurences. Wheter a ship is damaged by a freak wave, and which part is damaged depends very much on the situation - how the wave "hits" the ship / actually freak waves can just appear below the ship - Also high pressure peaks can occure, which easily can destroy cm thick steel plates.

Posts: 9746 | From: Eindhoven | Registered: Jan 2005 | IP: Logged

cruiseshipluver
First Class Passenger
Member # 5104

posted 04-16-2005 10:35 PM

rather unfortunate for those who got hurt and comprimised, but at least anyone didnt die......what about QM2, she is a purpose built transatlantic liner...and she has many square picture windows in her hull low and high in the hull.....could her hull be comprimised from a freak wave in the same as on P&O's Aurora and NCL's Norwegian Dawn ??
cruiseshipluver

Posts: 1797 | From: Barbados--cruiseship capital of the Southern Caribbean | Registered: Oct 2004 | IP: Logged

eroller
First Class Passenger
Member # 1649

posted 04-16-2005 11:51 PM

quote:
Originally posted by cruiseshipluver:
rather unfortunate for those who got hurt and comprimised, but at least anyone didnt die......what about QM2, she is a purpose built transatlantic liner...and she has many square picture windows in her hull low and high in the hull.....could her hull be comprimised from a freak wave in the same as on P&O's Aurora and NCL's Norwegian Dawn ??
cruiseshipluver

I would say absolutely! QM2 has some of the lowest large windows to the sea I've seen. I think these will prove troublesome in the long run. QM2 also has hull balcony cabins fairly close to the water. I see these steel boxes getting completely flooded in rough seas.

QM2 has yet to prove herself in truly rough seas (hurricane conditions). Her day will come.

Ernie

Posts: 7046 | From: Miami, Florida USA | Registered: Oct 2000 | IP: Logged

eroller
First Class Passenger
Member # 1649

posted 04-16-2005 11:59 PM

You can read a first hand account at this link.
Click Here.

Very interesting. I wish I had been aboard!

Even the two crew Jacuzzis on the bow were swept overboard.

Ernie

Posts: 7046 | From: Miami, Florida USA | Registered: Oct 2000 | IP: Logged

desirod7
First Class Passenger
Member # 1626

posted 04-17-2005 12:29 AM

Ernst,

This is NOT nonsense. I got this info from a Naval Architect at SeaTrade whose firm is working on several newbuilds and saw the simulation software of many sea conditions.

quote:
Originally posted by Ernst:
Sorry, but statements like this are just nonsens. how the wave "hits" the ship / actually freak waves can just appear below the ship - Also high pressure peaks can occure, which easily can destroy cm thick steel plates.

Posts: 5727 | From: Philadelphia, Pa [home of the SS United States] | Registered: Oct 2000 | IP: Logged

nycruiser
First Class Passenger
Member # 960

posted 04-17-2005 12:35 AM

This is too bad! My mother's aunt just returned from the Dawn last Sunday and commented to me how calm the sailing was! I can only wait until Monday. I am a travel agent and have sold about 7 cabins this year on the Dawn. I await many cancelllations!

Posts: 665 | From: Westchester County, NY | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

Pascal
First Class Passenger
Member # 5510

posted 04-17-2005 03:38 AM

I think this proves that modern ships, however boxy they might be, have good sea keeping abilities. People who consider cruising on the Dawn should be relived as she handled not so bad such awfull weather.

Posts: 1371 | From: Aix en Provence | Registered: Mar 2005 | IP: Logged

Ernst
First Class Passenger
Member # 5369

posted 04-17-2005 06:11 AM

quote:
Originally posted by desirod7:
Ernst,
This is NOT nonsense. I got this info from a Naval Architect at SeaTrade whose firm is working on several newbuilds and saw the simulation software of many sea conditions.

They for sure behave different in different sea conditions. But their stability range is very similar. Especially in such a sever event I do not see any relevant differences.

Posts: 9746 | From: Eindhoven | Registered: Jan 2005 | IP: Logged

cruiseshipluver
First Class Passenger
Member # 5104

posted 04-17-2005 09:12 AM

quote:
Originally posted by eroller:
Even the two crew Jacuzzis on the bow were swept overboard.
Ernie

WOW, that must have been some weather to completley remove those from the bow!
cruiseshipluver

Posts: 1797 | From: Barbados--cruiseship capital of the Southern Caribbean | Registered: Oct 2004 | IP: Logged

PamM
First Class Passenger
Member # 2127

posted 04-17-2005 09:38 AM

Both crew jacuzzis are showing in the webcam though.

Pam

Posts: 12176 | From: Cambridge, UK | Registered: Jun 2001 | IP: Logged

Ernst
First Class Passenger
Member # 5369

posted 04-17-2005 09:56 AM

quote:
Originally posted by PamM:
Both crew jacuzzis are showing in the webcam though.
Pam

I do not see in this picture, wheter the actual jacuzzis are missing or not. Maybe it is a misunderstanding, and it is just the water which has been spilled out by the wave.

Posts: 9746 | From: Eindhoven | Registered: Jan 2005 | IP: Logged

Jonathan
First Class Passenger
Member # 5201

posted 04-17-2005 10:33 AM

I see what happened the shell of the jacuzzi is there but the actual part where the water and the jets are is gone.

Jonathan

Posts: 559 | From: Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida | Registered: Nov 2004 | IP: Logged

eroller
First Class Passenger
Member # 1649

posted 04-17-2005 11:01 AM

quote:
Originally posted by cruisintoday14:
I see what happened the shell of the jacuzzi is there but the actual part where the water and the jets are is gone.
Jonathan

Exactly. The steel casing/shell is still there, but the jacuzzi itself (the plastic molded part) has been yanked right out of the steel casing and thrown overboard.

Ernie

Posts: 7046 | From: Miami, Florida USA | Registered: Oct 2000 | IP: Logged

Linerrich
First Class Passenger
Member # 4864

posted 04-17-2005 12:07 PM

It's amazing that the bow radar is still in place!

Rich

Posts: 4210 | From: Miami, FL | Registered: Jul 2004 | IP: Logged

Ernst
First Class Passenger
Member # 5369

posted 04-17-2005 12:26 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Linerrich:
It's amazing that the bow radar is still in place!
Rich

That`s also what I tought. Is it retractable, like on some other ships?

[ 04-17-2005: Message edited by: Ernst ]

Posts: 9746 | From: Eindhoven | Registered: Jan 2005 | IP: Logged

PamM
First Class Passenger
Member # 2127

posted 04-17-2005 02:05 PM

Ah yes, the actual innards should be white, not the brown there. I was thinking the whole lot had gone. Amazing how they were sucked out.

Pam

Posts: 12176 | From: Cambridge, UK | Registered: Jun 2001 | IP: Logged

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