CMV Columbus accidents and incidents

20 July 2020Other Incidents

On July 20, 2020, CMV's parent company SQTL (South Quay Travel & Leisure Ltd) was placed into administration / filed for bankruptcy. The UK-based company traded as "Cruise and Maritime Voyages" (trademarked brand, aka CMV). As Joint Administrators (evaluating SQTL's financial position) were appointed Paul Williams, Phil Dakin and Edward Bines of Duff & Phelps Ltd.

SQTL-CMV's cruisetour packages were protected by ABTA (number V9945). SQTL-CMV's fly-cruise packages are protected by ATOL (number 4619). All CMV cruise bookings (fleetwide/all ships) were effectively cancelled.

In June, SQTL-CMV entered into emergency talks with potential investors and lenders. Unfortunately, the company's efforts to secure funding and stay afloat during the Coronavirus crisis failed. The future of the CMV ships (some SQTL-owned, some chartered) remains unknown.

18 March 2020Other Incidents

(Coronavirus issues) On March 18, 2020, CMV conducted un unique operation (industry's first passenger transfer at sea) swapping the Australian and European passengers between the ships Columbus and Vasco da Gama. CMV Columbus was on 120-day "Grand Round the World Cruise 2020" (itinerary January 6 - May 5) roundtrip from Tilbury-London. CMV Vasco da Gama was on 71-day World Voyage from Fremantle to Tilbury-London (itinerary February 12 - April 23). 

The operation was originally planned to be conducted at Port Phu My (Saigon Vietnam), where both vessels were scheduled to dock for loading provisions and refuelling while exchanging passengers. However, on March 17, CMV announced that it had received permission for the operation to be carried out off Phuket Island's coast instead.

CMV's decision followed numerous flight cancellations and seaport- and border closures globally. So to repatriate all cruise ship passengers as close to home as possible, CMV decided to swap Vasco da Gama's European nationals to Columbus, in the same time transferring the Columbus' Australian and New Zealand nationals to Vasco do Gama.

Carrying 907 passengers (602 UK nationals) and 619 crew, Columbus proceeded toward the UK (via Suez Canal), with a technical stop in Colombo (Sri Lanka) and planned debarkation in Tilbury-London on April 14.

Carrying 952 passengers (including 798 AU and 108 NZ nationals) and 552 crew, Vasco da Gama proceeded directly toward Australia, with planned docking and passenger debarkation in Fremantle on March 27. The ship returned to the UK (docked in Port Tilbury-London) on May 1.

13 October 2019Coast Guard Medevacs

On October 13, 2019, a police helicopter medevaced a male stowaway suffering a mental health condition. The cruise ship contacted the Devon and Cornwall Police at ~9 am. The man was discovered hiding onboard when the liner was docked at Tresco Island (Scilly Isles, England, port stay 10 am - 7 pm),

The helicopter met the cruise ship at 3:30 pm in Penzance (Cornwall, England). According to the police officers, man's mental health was "significantly deteriorating". He was transported to Treliske's Royal Cornwall Hospital. 

The incident occurred during 10-day "British Isles and Cities Discovery" cruise (itinerary Oct 6-16) roundtrip from homeport Tilbury-London to Holland (Rotterdam), Scotland (Kirkwall, Orkney Island, and Tobermory, Isle of Mull), Ireland (Belfast, Dublin), England (Tresco Island, Guernsey Island) and France (Honfleur).

30 May 2019Structural and Technical Issues

On May 30, the cruise liner reported a collision with an unspecified submerged object upon leaving Amsterdam. Amsterdam Port Authorities inspected and cleared the vessel to resume the scheduled voyage. However, during the night of May 31, while navigating in North Sea, the liner suffered rudder issues (steering problems), presumably as result of the earlier collision with the unknown object. After crew divers checked for under waterline hull damages, the ship turned back and docked in Ijmuiden (on June 2, ~5:30 pm) assisted by 2 tugboats.

After ~36 hours, on May 31 the current cruise was officially canceled by passengers were allowed to stay onboard and enjoy for free all amenities. As compensation, CMV provided all passengers with full refunds plus additional free CMV cruise and reimbursement of any travel expenses. By June 4, all passengers were brought back (via charter buses) to London.

The accident occurred at the beginning of 7-day "Majestic Fjordland Cruise (itinerary May 30 - June 6) roundtrip from homeport Amsterdam (Holland) to Norway (Eidfjord, Flam, Bergen) and England (London-Tilbury Port).

(CruiseMapper emailed accident report by Richard Griffiths) Columbus is currently (June 2, 4 pm) sitting in Ijmuiden (port city in North Holland, Netherlands) due to propulsion problem after hitting an object. The Norway Fjiord cruise was cut short and passengers were bussed to Tilbury-London.

On June 7, Christian Verhounig (CMV's CEO and Chairman) confirmed that the vessel will be back in service on June 15. Next table shows the canceled cruise (next-scheduled 10-day itinerary themed "British Isles Discovery") as ports sequences and times.

On June 13, CMV announced the cancelation of the next-scheduled 12-day "Iceland and Northern Isles Cruise" (itinerary June 15-27).

All bookings were provided with 2 options:

• Transferring the reservation to any CMV itinerary (up to 15 nights in length) departing from October 1 (2019) onwards with 50% discount.
• Canceling the reservation with full refund plus 30% discount on future CMV cruise (up to 15 nights in length).

Both options were subject to availability and valid until July 12, 2019.

03 February 2011Structural and Technical Issues

(P&O Pacific Pearl) On February 3, 2011, the ship experienced a series of system malfunctions. Among the reported by passengers cabin issues were leaky ceilings (also in the main stairwell), toilet blockages, running water failures (also in public areas, affecting bars and cafes services).

27 January 2011Structural and Technical Issues

(P&O Pacific Pearl) On January 27, 2011, the ship Atrium’s crystal chandelier (3 m / 10 ft wide) broke from the ceiling. It fell 3 decks through the Atrium and shattered, crashing onto tables in the Lobby’s cafe area (Plaza Deck 5). The incident occurred at ~2:30 am. Luckily, due to the late hour, no one was in the area. The chandelier was installed during the ship’s refit in Singapore (Nov 2009).

11 March 2010Ship Collision / Allision

On March 11, 2010, while maneuvering for berthing at port La Paz (Tarlac, Philippines), the ship crashed into (bumped) a Korean general cargo vessel. The accident was due to rough currents and strong winds.

After hitting the vessel, the cruise ship hit a steel bar on the pier. The bow was damaged. No injuries were reported. The March 12 departure (to Hong Kong China) was delayed for quick repairs.

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

23 June 2009Crew / Passenger Deaths

(Ocean Village One / overboard) On June 23, 2009, a 42-year-old male crew fell overboard while the ship was docked in homeport Palma de Mallorca Spain. The incident occurred around noon when the man (of Indian origin) accidentally fell from the ship and died instantly.

04 October 2008Crew / Passenger Deaths

(Ocean Village One / overboard) On October 4, 2008, a 71-year-old male passenger fell overboard and died during a Mediterranean cruise. Reportedly, in an attempt to spot his grandchildren, the elderly man leaned over the railing on Deck 14, tumbled and fell into the water. The accident occurred while the ship was docked in call port Dubrovnik Croatia. Unfortunately, during the fall the man hit a lifeboat, fracturing his skull and spine.

09 July 2008Crew / Passenger Injuries and Overboards

(Ocean Village One) On July 9, 2008, a male passenger suffered a serious injury (lost his left leg) due to an infection. The incident occurred during a 7-day Western Caribbean cruise from homeport Bridgetown Barbados, while the ship was docked in call port Belize City. The man burned his feet on the pool deck’s metal surface while sunbathing. According to his own statement, his feet got stuck and soon after started to sizzle. When he wrenched them up, the skin fell off. He was disembarked and flown home, but his limb had to be amputated below the knee due to infection spread.

21 June 2006Crew / Passenger Deaths

(Ocean Village One) On June 21, 2006, a male passenger’s body was pulled lifeless out of Deck 12’s Crystal swimming pool. The ship’s medics attempt to revive the man were unsuccessful. The incident occurred during a Mediterranean cruise. The dead body was offloaded in call port Civitavecchia-Rome (Italy).