Watch: One Of The World’s Largest Cruise Ships Struck By Luxury Yacht In Bahamas

A luxury yacht named Aurora hit Royal Caribbean’s cruise ship Allure of the Seas while it was docked in Nassau, Bahamas, on Wednesday. Videos of the incident, recorded by passengers, have been widely shared on social media.

The yacht reportedly lost power and began drifting uncontrollably toward the cruise ship, which was tied to the dock during a four-day Bahamas cruise. As the yacht approached, passengers rushed to the railings to watch it come closer.

In one video, a loud thud is heard as the yacht makes contact with the ship’s port side, scraping along the hull and striking one of the lifeboats.

The Allure of the Seas, one of the largest cruise ships in the world, weighs 225,282 gross tons, measures 1,187 feet long, and has 18 decks. The ship can accommodate up to 6,800 passengers and over 2,000 crew members.

Video Credits: Daniel McCurrie/YouTube

The yacht suffered major damage in its mast and radar domes, with some equipment falling into the water. The cruise ship, however, sustained only minimal damage. It remains unclear if anyone on the yacht was injured.

The captain of the Allure of the Seas made an announcement after the incident, informing passengers that departure from Nassau could be delayed for inspections.

The ship was able to leave about an hour later and resumed its itinerary, spending a day at sea before its scheduled return to Miami on December 13.

Passengers who were not near the port side of the ship during the collision reported that they did not feel or hear anything. Some only became aware of the incident after the captain’s announcement.

In a video shared online, a passenger can be heard asking the yacht’s crew, “Are you okay?” Another video shows a small boat approaching the yacht, possibly to assess the damage or assist those onboard.

Video Credits: Cruising with Thomas/YouTube

Social media users and cruise enthusiasts have been actively discussing the incident. Commander Don Goldstein, a retired United States Coast Guard officer, explained that when a moving vessel strikes a stationary one, the incident is technically referred to as an “allision”.

Royal Caribbean has not yet released a statement regarding the collision. However, the Allure of the Seas continued its voyage.

Earlier in October, a passenger fell overboard during a Taylor Swift-themed cruise, and just days ago, a pipe burst on one of the ship’s stateroom decks, causing flooding.

The Allure of the Seas is scheduled for a $100 million refurbishment in 2025, which will include upgrades to its pool deck, water slides, and dining areas.

It remains unclear if this collision will add to the planned repair work. Investigation is underway to determine the cause of the incident.

References: Royalcaribbeanblog, the street

Source: Maritime Shipping News