Norwegian Epic Incident Leaves Passengers Stranded

The Norwegian Epic unexpectedly broke loose from its moorings while docked in Catania, Italy, sparking a sea emergency and leaving hundreds of cruise guests temporarily stuck ashore with limited information.

The incident occurred shortly after 1 p.m. local time when loud cracking noises rang out across the harbor as the ship’s mooring lines failed. Eyewitnesses reported seeing concrete bollards tear away from the pier and collide with the vessel’s side as strong winds swept through the area, worsening the situation.

Emergency teams and port authorities responded swiftly, particularly after a female passenger fell into the water during an attempt to reboard the ship. She was safely rescued without injuries.

As conditions at the port worsened and the ship could no longer remain safely docked, the captain opted to take the vessel out to sea temporarily until it was safe to return.

The damage sustained was located on the ship’s aft port side, specifically affecting the external skirt. Fortunately, the watertight hull remained intact, and the vessel’s overall structural integrity was not compromised.

Preliminary assessments suggest that the mooring infrastructure itself may have played a role in the incident. The toe-down bollards, which help secure the ship, may have been either under-engineered for the weather conditions or degraded over time. Maritime experts and cruise enthusiasts are now urging a formal investigation into the state and safety of the mooring equipment at Catania’s terminal.

Meanwhile, hundreds of guests who had gone ashore earlier were left waiting in hot, uncomfortable conditions with little shade or support. Many reported a lack of clear instructions or updates from Norwegian Cruise Line, noting that the absence of ground announcements and reliance on the onboard app (which requires ship Wi-Fi) made it nearly impossible to receive accurate information.

The lack of coordination led to widespread confusion, with some guests told to return at varying times—5 p.m., 6 p.m., or not at all. The ship eventually returned to dock around 6:30 p.m., where crowds had gathered, and long queues formed as passengers reboarded.

The Norwegian Epic is currently sailing a 10-day Mediterranean itinerary that started on May 24 from Civitavecchia (Rome) and is set to conclude on June 3.