Chichagof Dream accidents and incidents

07 July 2008Ship Grounding

(MS Spirit of Glacier Bay) On July 7, 2008, at ~8 am, the ship ran aground on a silt bar while navigating in Glacier Bay National Park (Alaska). It had to wait in Tarr Inlet over 9 hours for the incoming tide to break free.

The ship's hull was not breached and no injuries were reported. The USCG deployed 1 aircraft and 2 boats to the site, One National Park Service boat was also dispatched from Glacier Bay.

All passengers were offloaded to a USCG vessel and transported ashore. On July 8, the cruise ship was refloated and continued towards Ketchikan AK under its own power. While en-route, the crew discovered a crack in the hull, with water ingress rate 10 US gallons / 38 litres per hour. The vessel was diverted to Wrangell Alaska where the hull crack was repaired. The ship's next 4 pre-scheduled cruises were cancelled to allow drydock repairs. On July 25 were officially cancelled all the remaining scheduled for 2008 Alaskan cruises.

08 November 2007Ship Grounding

(MS Spirit of Glacier Bay) On November 8, 2007, the ship hit an uncharted underwater object while navigating near Virginia Beach VA. To avoid sinking, the Captain deliberately ran aground the vessel by moving it into the shallows.

To assist the cruise ship, the USCG dispatched vessels from Portsmouth VA and Elizabeth City NC, as well as police and fire boats from Virginia Beach VA.

The ship was carrying a total of 66 passengers and crew. No injuries were reported.

08 November 2007Ship Grounding

(MS Spirit of Nantucket) On November 8, 2007, to prevent sinking, the ship was deliberately run aground by its Captain near Virginia Beach VA. The boat was on 10-day US East Coastal cruise and en-route from Alexandria VA to Charleston SC.

It started to take on water after striking an underwater object at ~5:30 am. The collision resulted in below waterline hull damage (2x12 inch / 5x30 cm gash). The vessel was carrying a total of 61 passengers and 5 crew. No injuries were reported.

The ship was evacuated and the cruise cancelled. Passengers were offered to continue the voyage as bus tour or return home and receive a refund based on the current voyage's remaining time).

July 2004Cruise Illness / Virus Outbreaks

(MS Nantucket Clipper) On July 24, 2004, the ship reported a Norovirus outbreak (gastrointestinal illness) with infected 6 passengers (out of 51, or 11,8%). All sick suffered from Norovirus symptoms (predominantly vomiting and diarrhoea) and were quarantined to their cabins for 48 hours.

The cruise itinerary (July 1-26) ended in port Buffalo New York.

January 2003Cruise Illness / Virus Outbreaks

(MS Nantucket Clipper) on January 1, 2003, during Caribbean holiday cruise, to the CDC was reported a Norovirus outbreak (gastrointestinal illness) with infected 5 passengers (5,8% of all) and 5 crew (14,7% of all). All sick suffered from Norovirus symptoms (stomach cramps, predominantly vomiting and diarrhoea) and were quarantined to their cabins.

The ship was on Caribbean voyage starting December 28 (2002) from Charleston SC.