Seven Seas Mariner accidents and incidents

18 December 2018Coast Guard Medevacs

On December 18, 2018, a 70-year-old male passenger (Florida resident, suffering cardiac arrest) was medevaced from the ship approx 170 km (105 mi) north of Rockhampton (Queensland, Australia). The elderly man was airlifted by an RACQ CQ Rescue helicopter crew (including a doctor and a critical care paramedic) at ~11 am. In a stable condition, he was flown to Mackay Airport (South Mackay, Queensland), from where taken by an ambulance to Mackay Base Hospital.

The emergency rescue was conducted in rough seas, with gusty winds up to 55 k/h (35 mph), while the ship was en-route from Mooloolaba to Airlie Beach.

The incident occurred during 16-day Australia to Asia cruise (itinerary Dec 15-31) from Sydney NSW to Benoa (Bali, Indonesia), with ports of call in Queensland (Mooloolaba, Airlie Beach, Townsville, Cairns), Papua New Guinea (Alotau, Port Moresby), NT Australia (Darwin) and Indonesia (Komodo Island, Benoa).

10 July 2018Crew / Passenger Deaths

On July 10, 2018, a male passenger was reported missing and overboard while the ship was en route from Victoria BC to Vancouver (Canada), north of Cape Flattery (USA's northwesternmost point, on Olympic Peninsula).

The reviewed CCTV video footage showed the man jumping from cabin balcony (on Deck 8) into the sea at 4:15 am. AIS tracking data showed the ship turning around and circling in the area in search of the missing passenger. Two helicopters and 3 rescue boats were dispatched to search the area. Man's body was found in the afternoon.

The incident occurred during 11-day Alaskan cruise (itinerary June 30 - July 11, themed "Red, White and Blue Frontier") roundtrip from homeport Vancouver to Ketchikan, Wrangell, Juneau, Skagway, Sitka, Prince Rupert, and Victoria BC.

20 June 2018Coast Guard Medevacs

On June 20, 2018, a 55-year-old female passenger (suffering from internal bleeding) was medevaced from the ship approx 40 km (25 mi) southeast of Montague Island (Alaska). The woman and a crew nurse were airlifted by a USCG helicopter team (dispatched from Air Station Kodiak) and transported to Anchorage AK.

During the incident, the ship was on a 10-day Alaskan cruise (itinerary June 20-30) from Seward to Vancouver BC and en-route from Seward to Icy Strait Point.

June 2018Cruise Illness / Virus Outbreaks

In June 2018, CDC reported on itinerary June 20-30, a Norovirus outbreak affected 38 passengers (out of 652, or 5,8%) and 0 crew (out of 457). The ship was on a 10-day Alaskan cruise from Seward AK to Vancouver BC (Canada), with call ports Icy Strait Point, Juneau, Skagway, Sitka, Wrangell, Ketchikan, and Victoria BC (Canada).

09 March 2016Other Incidents

On March 9, 2016, RSSC announced fleet's first female Captain - Serena Melani, the commander / Master of Seven Seas Mariner. She entered service on February 21, 2016.

She was also the first female Captain in the combined NCLH fleet, that besides RSSC Regent also includes the brands Oceania and NCL-Norwegian. Captain Melani (aged 42 at the time) was born in Tuscany Italy, graduated a nautical school and had previously worked on cargo ships (oil tankers, gas carriers and other vessels) before joining RSSC in 2010. For RSSC, she had previously worked as second officer, safety officer, staff (2nd) captain.

December 2009Cruise Illness / Virus Outbreaks

In December 2009, CDC reported on itinerary Dec 2-20, a Norovirus outbreak affected 28 passengers (out of 621, or 4,5%) and 0 crew (out of 435, or 0%).

September 2008Sea Pollution

In September 2008, Juneau AK media reported the vessel violated Alaska’s wastewater discharge permit in the months of May, June and July, with samples showing higher zinc levels.

September 2008Cruise Illness / Virus Outbreaks

August-September 2008, Health Canada reported a Norovirus outbreak affected 33 passengers (out of 620, or 5,3%) and 12 crew (out of 445, or 2,7%). The incident occurred on a 7-day Alaskan cruise (itinerary Aug 27 – Sept 3) from Seward AK to Vancouver BC.

March 2007Cruise Illness / Virus Outbreaks

February-March 2007, CDC reported on itinerary Feb 25 – Mar 9, a Norovirus outbreak affected 38 passengers (out of 614, or 6,2%) and 5 crew (out of 446, or 1,1%). The ship was on a 12-day Panama Canal cruise from Lima Peru to Fort Lauderdale Florida.

15 November 2006Propulsion / Power Loss

In November 2006, booked passengers on 15-day Australia New Zealand cruise (itinerary November 15-30, from Sydney to Auckland) were informed via letters that due to propulsion problems the vessel will be operating at reduced speed.

November 2006Propulsion / Power Loss

During 14-day Sydney NSW to Auckland NZ cruise (itinerary November 15-30), due to propulsion problems (with one of the Azipod units) the ship operated with reduced speed, resulting in itinerary changes (two port calls were cancelled).

01 September 2006Propulsion / Power Loss

On September 1, 2006, while navigating in Alaska on 7-day Vancouver to Whittier itinerary, one of the ship’s azipods (propulsion unit) sustained damage and became inoperational. As a result, the arrival in Whittier AK was delayed with a day. The next scheduled itinerary (Sept 7-14) to Vancouver BC (Canada) was altered.

March 2006Cruise Illness / Virus Outbreaks

February-March 2006, CDC reported on itinerary Feb 28 – Mar 13, a Norovirus outbreak affected 26 passengers (out of 582, or 4,5%) and 13 crew (out of 444, or 2,9%). The ship was on 14-day Panama Canal cruise from Callao Peru to Fort Lauderdale Florida.

February 2005Cruise Illness / Virus Outbreaks

In February 2005, CDC reported an illness outbreak (salmonella) affected a total of 1 passenger (out of 551, or 0,2%) and 20 crew (out of 444, or 4,5%). The ship was on 12-day Caribbean cruise itinerary (Feb 12-24) roundtrip from homeport Fort Lauderdale Florida.

October 2004Propulsion / Power Loss

In October-November 2004, due to propulsion issues (resulting in reduced cruising speed), the ship’s 7-day Mexican Riviera cruise itinerary was changed (Cabo San Lucas dropped on several voyages). The ship was drydocked for repairs in December 2004.

December 2002Cruise Illness / Virus Outbreaks

In December 2002, during 10-day Transatlantic crossing cruise (the Canaries to Ft Lauderdale), an illness outbreak (salmonella) infected 5 passengers and 16 crew.

27 July 2002Propulsion / Power Loss

On July 27, 2002, the ship left port Stockholm Sweden ~6 hours late due to engine problems. As a result, the itinerary (Baltic Sea cruise to Scandinavia and Russia) was changed, with call port Helsinki Finland being dropped.

10 April 2002Structural and Technical Issues

On April 10, 2002, RSSC announced that the vessel enters an unscheduled 24-day long drydock for repairs of its 2 azipods (propulsion units). Three scheduled itineraries (departures April 22, April 26, May 9) were cancelled.