A dramatic incident unfolded at the port of Catania, Sicily, on May 30, when the Norwegian Epic, a vessel operated by Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), broke away from the pier amid strong winds. This resulted in a passenger falling into the water from the gangway during the disembarkation process.
According to a statement from NCL, crew members quickly responded and rescued the guest, who sustained only minor injuries. The individual was evaluated by the onboard medical team and later transported to a local hospital for further examination.
The cruise ship had been docked during a scheduled stop on its 10-day Mediterranean itinerary, which began May 24 from Civitavecchia, Italy, with planned visits to Italy, Greece, Malta, and France.
Meteorological conditions played a significant role in the incident. AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Tyler Roys reported wind gusts of up to 45 miles per hour coming from the east-northeast. While such conditions are more typical of winter, they occasionally occur during late spring.
As a safety measure, embarkation and disembarkation were temporarily suspended until conditions stabilized and the ship could be safely re-secured. “Our crew were actively attending to our guests until they were able to re-embark the ship,” said the cruise line. “The safety of our guests and crew is our top priority.”
This isn’t an isolated event. Wind-related pier separations have occurred before, including Carnival Magic’s collision with a Jamaican pier in February 2024, and similar incidents involving MSC Sinfonia and Norwegian Prima earlier this year.
Cruise lines continue to evaluate and update safety protocols to manage unpredictable weather events and ensure passenger safety in port.
