The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch ( MAIB) has said that its investigation into the incident involving Saga cruise ship Spirit of Discovery (IMO 9802683) during a storm in the Bay of Biscay, which resulted in around 100 passengers suffering injuries (IMN November 8th), four of them seriously, was a “loss of propulsion of a UK registered passenger vessel in the Bay of Biscay, resulting in multiple passenger injuries during heavy weather”.
The incident occurred when the ship’s propulsion safety system suddenly activated and turned the ship, resulting in injuries to passengers. The ship then waited out the storm for some 18 hours, in high waves, before returning to the UK.
Saga has offered to refund the cost of the voyage to all customers. The cruises were understood to have cost between £3,000 to £6,000.
2019-built, UK-flagged, 58,119 gt Spirit Of Discovery is owned by Saga Cruises V Ltd care of manager V Ships Leisure SAM of Monaco Ville, Monaco. It is entered with UK Club on behalf of Saga Cruises Ltd. As of November 14th it was en route from Lisbon, Portugal (departed November 12th) to Bridgetown, Barbados, ETA November 20th.