The cruise ship Mein Schiff 3 collided with two container vessels while departing the German port of Bremerhaven on Sunday evening, as strong winds from storm Manja pushed the 293-metre liner off course despite efforts by tugboats to hold it back.
According to 7NEWS.com.au, the TUI Cruises vessel was leaving port at about 5.10pm local time on Sunday when the wind drove it towards moored ships. Footage circulating online shows tugboats pushing against the liner in the seconds before impact. All three ships involved were issued sailing bans while German authorities investigate, and no injuries have been reported among the 2,428 passengers and 922 crew on board.
Tugboats fought to keep the liner off the moored vessels
The video, which has been widely shared since the collision, captures the liner drifting towards the container ships MSC Victorine and MSC Anne F. In the final moments before contact, a tugboat appears to press against the cruise ship in an attempt to shove it clear.
Sal Mercogliano, a maritime expert and former merchant mariner who runs the What's Going on With Shipping channel, said the tugboats risked being crushed between the vessels or capsizing. The impact destroyed several lifeboats on the Mein Schiff 3 and significantly damaged the hull of the MSC Victorine. The smaller MSC Anne F reportedly sustained less serious damage. New images also show damage to the bridge of the cruise ship.
Captain's profile disappears from TUI website
Attention has turned to Captain Jan F Schubert, whose profile and career videos vanished from TUI Cruises' website and social media a day after the collision. He is no longer listed among the company's captains, while other captain profiles remain online.
TUI said the removal was temporary. A spokesperson told the German newspaper BILD that the company was concentrating its communication on information about the incident and had therefore hidden other content.
A harbour pilot was on board during the departure, assisting the captain as the ship left port. German water police are investigating whether the decision to sail in stormy conditions breached the captain's duty of care. The cause of the crash has not been formally established.
Cruise cancelled and ship held for repairs
Passengers were initially allowed to stay on board overnight at the pier. The next morning they were told the planned 20-day cruise to the Canary Islands had been cancelled and they should return home.
TUI said inspections found the damage would require shipyard repairs, and the decision to cancel was made to uphold safety standards. The company acknowledged the disruption and said its focus was on informing guests, looking after them and supporting them with next steps.
German travel-law specialists say passengers may be entitled to a refund for the cancelled voyage. Additional compensation for lost holiday time and extra costs will depend on the circumstances, and TUI has not confirmed whether it will cover expenses such as accommodation and transport. The Mein Schiff 3 remains in Bremerhaven while the damage is assessed. Future sailings could be affected, though TUI has not confirmed whether later scheduled cruises will be disrupted.
Questions for the industry
For a cruise sector still rebuilding passenger confidence, the incident is an uncomfortable reminder of how quickly routine port manoeuvres can turn dangerous in severe weather. As AOL reported, the liner was carrying more than 3,000 people when it scraped along the cargo vessel, destroying lifeboats on the cruise side.
Sailing in the teeth of an active storm system has drawn sharp criticism from observers. Discussion on Reddit's r/Ships forum questioned why the ship left port at all given the conditions, with one commenter describing the decision to depart with a cruise ship in such winds as reckless.
The Mirror also reported that escorting tugboats tried heroically to push the liner away before it struck the container ship's side. Whatever the investigation concludes, the episode will sharpen scrutiny of departure decisions at northern European ports during autumn storms, and of the accountability of senior officers when they go wrong.
FAQ
Was anyone hurt in the Bremerhaven cruise ship collision?
No. There were 2,428 passengers and 922 crew on board the Mein Schiff 3, and no injuries were reported.
Why did the Mein Schiff 3 collide with the container ships?
Strong winds from storm Manja pushed the liner towards the moored vessels as it departed Bremerhaven, and tugboats could not hold it off course. The formal cause has not been established.
What happened to the cancelled Canary Islands cruise?
TUI Cruises cancelled the 20-day voyage after inspections found the damage required shipyard repairs, and passengers were told to return home. German travel-law specialists say passengers may be entitled to a refund.