MSC Lirica accidents and incidents

07 April 2021Coast Guard Medevacs

On April 7, 2021, a 44-year-old male crew was medevaced from the ship being in a warm layup at Port Kerkyra (Corfu Island, Greece).

The man (working on the ship as an electrician) sustained injuries while changing a cooling mechanism valve. He was first checked by the ship’s physician and later EKAB-ambulanced to Corfu General Hospital (Agia Eirini) for medical treatment.

11 March 2021Fire Accident

On March 11, 2021, at 3:42 pm GMT (5:42 pm UTC) the ship reported an onboard fire. The accident occurred while the vessel was in a warm layup status (without passengers) and docked at Port Kerkyra (Corfu Island, Greece). The fire was put out by 6:58 pm (8:58 pm UTC).

The operation was conducted by the cruise liner's fire brigade assisted by Greek emergency response teams (land-based firefighters and 3x Greek Coast Guard tugboats). According to MSC, the fire originated midship-starboard on Deck 6, in one of the ship's lifeboats. The liner sustained only exterior damages (caused by the flames and smoke) including to several lifeboats and partially to the superstructure.

No injuries were reported among the crew. As a precaution measure, on March 12, MSC transferred all the crew to a hotel overnight.

Excepting the crossing to Port Augusta (Sicily Italy) on February 23, MSC Lirica was docked at Corfu's Kerkyra port since January 30, 2021, and manned by only 51 skeleton crew.

September 2015Structural and Technical Issues

(lengthening) In August-November 2015, during its Palermo Sicily drydock refit, the cruise ship was stretched. An ~80 ft / 25 m long prefabricated middle-section was added. The refit resulted in an increased passenger capacity (new cabins), new shops, a Water Park with slides and waterfalls. Following the overhaul, the Lirica ship re-entered service on November 4, 2015, leaving from Genoa Italy on 19-day Transatlantic repositioning cruise to South America (ending in Rio de Janeiro Brazil on Nov 23).

The list of other stretched (elongated) cruise ships includes the fleet mates MSC Armonia, MSC Opera, MSC Sinfonia, the Phoenix Reisen’s Albatros, the RCI's Enchantment of The Seas and the Fred Olsen's boats Black Watch, Balmoral, Boudicca, Braemar.

29 April 2012Ship Collision / Allision

(pier collision) On April 29, 2012, upon maneuvering for docking in call port Civitavecchia-Rome (Italy), strong winds pushed the vessel against the pier.

The ship sustained hull damages in the area between its bow and bulwarks (portside extension above deck level).

The collision was reported to the Italian authorities and the ship was inspected before departure. The last Mediterranean cruise (scheduled for Nov 10) was canceled, allowing the vessel to enter drydock for repairs (November 12-17, 2012). Immediately after the drydock followed a Transatlantic repositioning cruise to Florida, ending in homeport Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale) on Dec 4.

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

25 March 2002Ship Collision / Allision

On March 25, 2002, a near collision situation was reported, involving two MSC vessels – Lirica and the container ship MSC Lauren (12400 TEU capacity). The incident occurred in the Mediterranean waters, south of Sicily, where both ships pass at less than 33 ft / 100 m from each other.

The MSC containership Lauren approached Lirica aft starboard. Apparently, the cargo vessel saluted the cruise vessel this way, also blowing its whistles. However, there was a potential risk for ship collision accident in case of power loss, engine or propulsion-navigation system failure on one of the vessels.

After doing a similar “salute”, in January 2012 the Costa Crociere ship Costa Concordia hit a rock and subsequently sank near the Isola del Giglio, Italy.