Sea Princess encounters difficulties off Port Zante

By VonDez Phipps
Reporter-SKNVibes.com

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – The Sea Princess cruise vessel encountered ‘technical difficulties’ as it attempted to dock at Port Zante this morning (Nov. 4) which resulted in passengers being ferried to the nearby marina by the ship’s life crafts.

Initial reports reaching SKNVibes indicated that there had been a fire onboard the Sea Princess which caused engine damage to the vessel and hindered its berthing.

However an employee at the Port explained that the ship developed engine problems earlier today and was drifting out at sea. The individual informed that since there is no tug boat at the pier, the passengers were therefore tendered to the marina adjacent to the Port.

“They couldn’t come to shore with motor problems so the ship was just drifting at sea this morning when I saw it.  

The operating agent sent a message saying that they were experiencing some technical difficulties so they anchored out there,” the source informed.

Many life rafts carrying approximately 30 passengers each were seen offloading tourists at the marina, meeting the tour operators gathered on the outside of the dock. 

The visitors seemed unaffected by the impromptu landing, some showing signs of excitement at having to disembark via dinghies.

SKNVibes spoke with one of the crew members of the ship who opted not to disclose his name but stated that “it was just a matter of a power failure, and the boat was drifting. That’s why we had to bring them here [to the marina]”. When asked about the cause of the power failure, damage sustained to the engines and the recovery process, he offered no comment.

However, a press release issued by the St. Christopher Air and Sea Port Authority (SCASPA) shortly after the incident indicated that the cruise vessel will remain at anchor for the entire day due to said engine problems.