American Glory accidents and incidents

04 November 2019Ship Grounding

On November 4, 2019, the just 17-years old cruise ship was scuttled (deliberately sunk by a contractor company) off Delaware Bay (Delaware River's estuary) approx 28 km (17 mi) off Indian River Bay (south of Cape Henlopen / Delaware State Park).

The scuttling was actually celebrated as the vessel became part of an artificial reef project promoted by the Delaware State's Government. According to Delaware Government's Artificial Reef Program, the state has 14 publicly accessible (diving permitted) artificial reef sites located in Delaware Bay and along the state's Atlantic coastal area (where the seabed is featureless - mostly sand or mud). The program is designed to build a habitat for reef fish species (like seabass, scup, tautog, spadefish, triggerfish) via sinking large structures (including shipwrecks) thus providing new snorkelling and sea fishing opportunities. Among the Delaware Artificial Reef's structures (all donated) are concrete products, large rocks, tires, tugboats, ferryboats, decommissioned military vehicles, hundreds NYC subway cars (sunk mainly at Redbird Reef since 1996).

10 May 2004Ship Collision / Allision

On May 10, 2004, the ship hit the pier at Downtown Marina (Beaufort SC).

The collision resulted in destroying a 40 ft / 12 m long section of the dock and two damaged yachts. It was caused by a strong water current pushing the ship's stern into the pier. One of the ship's entrance doors was damaged. Departure was delayed by ~1,5 hours.

Note: Actually, this type of marine accident is called “allision” (striking a fixed object) as opposed to “collision” (striking another vessel).