Pacific Jewel accidents and incidents

21 April 2017Coast Guard Medevacs

On April 21, 2017, a 66-year-old female passenger was medevaced while the ship was off northeastern Queensland Australia's coast. The woman broke both her legs and also sustained hip injuries after falling onboard. The ship was on 4-day cruise (itinerary April 20-24) roundtrip from homeport Sydney NSW to Moreton Island. She was airlifted and transported to Princess Alexandra Hospital (Brisbane QLD).

06 September 2016Crew / Passenger Deaths

On September 6, 2016, a 79-year-old female passenger died from infectious diarrhoea during a gastroenteritis illness outbreak on board. The ship was on 10-night Queensland cruise (itinerary Sept 6-16) from roundtrip from homeport Sydney NSW to Airlie Beach, Yorkeys, Port Douglas, Willis Island, Brisbane.

The elderly woman (Margaret Carlson, from Terrigal, NSW Australia) was travelling together with her daughter (Vanessa D’Souza) and grandson. As gastroenteritis is not a “notifiable” health condition, there is no obligation for the cruise ship to report gastro outbreaks.

20 May 2016Sea Pollution

(law news) On May 20, 2016, the shipowner Carnival Corporation was fined USD 15000 by EPA (Environment Protection Authority, NSW Australia) for breaching the Sydney Harbour’s low-sulphur fuel regulations. The ship was docked at White Bay Cruise Terminal (February 2016) and when the emissions were tested. They showed 3-times higher sulphur levels. According to Port Sydney’s new regulations, cruise vessels docking in Sydney Harbour are required to use low-sulphur fuel (change fuel type) within 1 hour of berthing until 1 hour before departure. Carnival Australia (the company that manages P&O Australia) appealed the fine.

12 August 2012Crew / Passenger Crimes

(sexual / law news) On August 12, 2012, a 50-year-old female passenger filed a lawsuit against P&O Australia for sexual harassment. The incident occurred in November 2011 during a singing competition hosted on the ship, on 10-day South Pacific Islands itinerary from homeport Sydney NSW Australia.

The woman (Kate Strahan, working as a nurse in Sydney) took part in the finals of the singing contest, performing Tina Turner’s song “River Deep Mountain High” (recorded in 1966). After the performance, she was interviewed live backstage. The interview was shown on 3 large-size LED screens to an audience of ~1200 passengers. During the interview, one of the judges touched and kissed her breasts on the screen.

The total claim exceeded AUD 1 million. P&O Cruises dismissed the case, arguing that the incident occurred in international waters (outside Australia).

18 October 2010Propulsion / Power Loss

On October 18, 2010, the vessel developed a propulsion system fault, resulting in reduced cruising speed. One of its stabilisers (retractable fins mounted in the hull beneath waterline) malfunctioned, and the ship had to enter drydock (at Garden Island) for repairs.

The next 3 scheduled cruises were cancelled. Their itineraries were Oct 18 (Vanuatu and New Caledonia), Oct 26 (Melbourne Cup 2010 themed cruise) and Nov 13 (Fiji Islands). All booked passengers received a full refund, plus 25% future P&O Australia cruise booking discount.

27 August 2010Other Incidents

On August 27, 2010, the ship was used for filming a series of "Neighbours" (Australian TV soap opera). Filming sessions took place on Sun Deck 14 (on and around the jogging track and the circus arena).

25 June 2001Propulsion / Power Loss

(Crown Princess) On June 25, 2001, engine problems caused 3-days delayed departure from Copenhagen Denmark, as well as major itinerary changes. Half the 10-day voyage’s call ports were dropped - Tallinn Estonia, Gdansk Poland, Oslo Norway.

As compensation, all passengers were 50% refunded.

20 December 2000Propulsion / Power Loss

(Crown Princess) On December 20, 2000, engine problems resulted in late arrival in call port Cartagena Colombia, and itinerary change (Aruba was replaced with Nassau Bahamas).