Spirit of Discovery ship: Passenger died and 100 injured on Bay of Biscay cruise after severe storm; Saga's 'sincere apologies'

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A passenger on board a cruise died and more than 100 others were injured after the ship was hit by a severe storm.

The Spirit of Discovery cruise ship was travelling back to the UK along the Bay of Biscay on 4 November 2023 when it was battered by storm-force winds. Eight people were taken to hospital once the ship arrived at Portsmouth, Hampshire. 

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At the time passengers told how they had to “hold on for dear life” when the storm lashed at the luxury liner. An interim report by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has now revealed one of the passengers treated in hospital later died from their injuries.

Prior to the ship being whipped by winds, the Spirit of Discovery, operated by Saga Cruises, had to cancel a visit to Las Palmas as the weather worsened and was instead heading towards La Corona when that port was closed because of the conditions. The crew made the decision to return to the UK when the ship's propulsion safety system was activated in the poor weather causing it to veer suddenly to the left, bringing the vessel to a sudden halt.

A passenger on board a cruise died and more than 100 others were injured after the ship was hit by a severe storm. (Photo: AFP via Getty Images)A passenger on board a cruise died and more than 100 others were injured after the ship was hit by a severe storm. (Photo: AFP via Getty Images)
A passenger on board a cruise died and more than 100 others were injured after the ship was hit by a severe storm. (Photo: AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images

The MAIB report states that there were 943 passengers and 503 crew on board when the ship, which had sailed from Puerto del Rosario in Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands, faced force 11 winds and a sea state rated eight for very high. It said: “At about 12:30 on 4 November 2023, the passenger vessel Spirit of Discovery lost propulsion in heavy weather while crossing the Bay of Biscay.

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“This led to the vessel moving violently while the crew restarted the vessel's propulsion. The propulsion issues, storm force conditions and vessel motions continued until the following morning when Spirit of Discovery was able to continue its passage.

During this period over 100 passengers were injured. Eight of the seriously injured passengers were taken directly to hospital on arrival at Portsmouth, England, one of whom later died from their injuries. The MAIB's investigation has considered all aspects of the accident to determine the causes and circumstances of Spirit of Discovery's loss of propulsion in heavy weather and the on-board response, including analysis of the vessel's intended passage, preparations for operating in heavy weather, the on-board response to passenger injuries and damage, and the medical treatment of injured passengers.”

Saga Cruises said in a statement following the incident: “Spirit of Discovery was sadly caught in the challenging weather conditions this weekend, as she started her return to the UK. The ship remained safe at all times but, due to the impact of the storm, some guests sustained injuries.

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“All were treated immediately by onboard medical staff. While the weather is clearly beyond our control, we want to offer our sincere apologies to all those affected who are now safely back, having sailed home in calmer seas.”

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