BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – PREVAILING high winds and rough seas prevented the proper berthing of two cruise vessels at Port Zante this morning (Mar. 5), which resulted in the vessels leaving the shores of St. Kitts.
SKNVibes had received information which suggested that while one of the vessels was attempted to berth, it experienced considerable difficulty and took the decision to leave the port.
A notice issued by the St. Kitts Tourism Authority’s Marketing Support and Communications Manager, Saju Ng’alla, explained that the two cruise ships were Aida Bella and the Ventura and that they were “unable to dock today as a result of the high winds and choppy seas”.
SKNVibes spoke with a tour operator who said he was on hand as one of the vessels, Aida Bella, made an attempt to berth.
“It is generally accepted that if winds are blowing over 36 knots, ships have difficulty docking. If they dock on the eastern side of the pier, the current/winds could slam them into the pier and they try to avoid that damage. If docking on the western side, you must have a tug or barge to push you in.
“One of the ships was able to dock but because the winds were blowing so strongly, it snapped three of the lines and then the winds picked up again so the barge had to come and brace the ship while the winds were blowing stronger…”
He said the high winds persisted and the vessel left. The other, he indicated, did not make an attempt to berth but, again seemingly because of the prevailing weather conditions, chose to sail.
The St. Kitts Tourism Authority also indicated in its notice that “the cruise ships Seabourne Legend with a capacity of 212 passengers will be docked at the Deep Water Habour, and the Wind Surf with a capacity of 308 will be tendering from the Port Zante Marina.”
