MSC Splendida accidents and incidents

14 September 2022Crew / Passenger Injuries and Overboards

(overboard/rescued) At ~4 am (2:00 UTC) on September 14, 2022, while navigating off Reggio Calabria's coast (en route from Siracusa to Taranto), a 24-year-old male crew jumped overboard.

The ship conducted search and rescue operation, successfully completed in ~1 hour as the man was found and retrieved alive. Reportedly, the Man Overboard signal (Mr Mob) was sounded via the PA system thrice then the ship stopped. The area was scanned with searchlights for ~30 min, then a lifeboat was lowered after the man was heard calling for help. ~30 min later, MSC Splendida's Master (Captain Stefano Battinelli) announced that the man was secured and well.

The man (Brazilian national) was employed as a dancer. Reportedly, he intentionally jumped overboard after an argument with his girlfriend. A police investigation was conducted at Port Taranto, where local authorities boarded the ship, reviewed CCTV footage and questioned witnesses. After recovery, the man was sent back to Brazil.

The incident occurred during a 7-day Mediterranean voyage (itinerary Sept 9-16, roundtrip from homeport Civitavecchia-Rome) visiting Genoa, Marseille, Siracusa (Sicily) and Taranto.

December 2021Cruise Illness / Virus Outbreaks

(Coronavirus) On December 26, 2021, the ship berthed at Port Santos (Sao Paulo, Brazil) with a total of 20 COVID-positive cases - 15 passengers (out of 2549) plus 5 crew (out of 1251), all of whom were asymptomatic.

The infected and their close contacts were quarantined in an isolated deck location and accommodated in balcony staterooms. The infected crew were disembarked in Santos and isolated in a local hotel. The next voyage was not impacted.

The liner was operating a 7-day "South America Holiday Cruise" (Dec 19-26) roundtrip from homeport Santos with call ports Punta del Este (Uruguay), Buenos Aires (Argentina) and Montevideo (Uruguay).

March 2020Cruise Illness / Virus Outbreaks

(Coronavirus) On March 23, 2020, at ~ 2 PM, a female crew was medevaced from the ship navigating near Sardinia Island (Italy). Since March 20, the woman (Lido Buffet attendant) was experiencing Coronavirus symptoms (fever and breathing problems) and her condition was worsening.

MSC Splendida was returning back to Europe from the UAE (being previously homeported in Dubai), with scheduled arrival and crew-passenger debarkation in Marseille Fos Port (France) on March 24.

18 March 2015Crew / Passenger Deaths

On March 18, 2015, two cruise vessels – Splendida and Costa Fascinosa – were docked in Port La Goulette (Tunisia/North Africa) when terrorists opened fire on cruise tour buses visiting Bardo Museum in Tunis. The attackers shot at the tour bus with Splendida cruise passengers, of which 12 were killed (1 British, 3 French, 2 Spanish, 1 Belgian, 3 Japanese, 2 Colombian) and 13 were injured and hospitalized (7 French, 1 Belgian, 4 Japanese, 1 South African). Two passengers of Spanish origin (a pregnant woman and her boyfriend) were initially reported missing but were found on the next day safe and uninjured, hiding inside the museum.

The terrorists were dressed in police uniforms. They targeted both (Costa and MSC) cruise line buses after they arrived and started offloading passengers at the parking in front of the museum. The terrorist group was affiliated with the ISIS organization. During the terrorist act were killed all 22 people, among those tourists, Tunisian police officers and civilians. Around 50 were injured. Of the terrorists, 2 were killed by the police during the attack, and 9 others were killed on Mar 28 during a police raid.

Following the accident, all shore excursions in Tunis were suspended, passengers returned on board and medical and crisis teams deployed on the site. MSC’s Executive Chairman Vago also arrived in Tunis to assist the affected and to consult with the Tunisian authorities.

The ship left Tunis at 7 am on Mar 19, en route to the next call port Barcelona Spain. The cruise company announced that all future MSC ship calls in Tunis are officially canceled. The following itinerary changes were implemented, substituting Tunisia with Valletta Malta (on Splendida and MSC Divina), Palma de Mallorca (on MSC Fantasia) and Sardinia Italy (on MSC Preziosa).

06 March 2013Ship Collision / Allision

On March 6, 2013, the vessel was docked in call port La Goulette (Tunis), when strong winds caused it to slip its mooring ropes and subsequently crash into the rocks in the harbor.

The collision resulted in a 10 x 3 ft hole (3 x 1 m) stern-hull damage. The ship left port on the same day and was repaired in the next call port Messina Sicily.

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

24 July 2010Crew / Passenger Deaths

On July 24, 2010, at ~1 pm, a 62-year-old female passenger fell overboard and died in call port Genoa Italy. The woman (of Spanish origin) was traveling together with her husband and some friends.

The accident occurred during passenger disembarkation from the ship when one of the steps of the gangway (telescopic bridge connecting the vessel with the quay) gave way. She died instantly after her head struck the dock, then the body fell into the water. Her husband (aged 63) suffered a concussion and broken leg and was taken to the San Martino hospital.

Another 60-year-old male passenger also fell and hit the pier, sustaining only minor injuries (bruises).