NEW YORK – The U.S. Coast Guard has approved the movement of the cruise ship Oceanic to a dry dock facility to develop a repair proposal submitted by GP Cruises, Inc. and Seahawk N.A., LLC., to repair hull damage and correct several discrepancies to the cruise ship which was detained in New York Harbor Thursday.
A seven person examination team from Coast Guard Sector New York boarded the cruise ship Oceanic, homeported in Malta, at 9 a.m. Thursday to conduct a routine safety inspection and found that the vessel had minor hull damage sustained prior to coming to New York Harbor. A small crack was discovered, leaking approximately one gallon of water per hour into the vessel.
Further investigation by the Coast Guard team identified 16 discrepancies including lifesaving, fire fighting, safety, and other maintenance deficiencies.
Underwater divers hired by the cruise ship company have located the crack in the hull and applied epoxy to stop the leaking. The Oceanic will have to be dry-docked Sunday in Bayonne, New Jersey, to affect permanent repairs to the hull. Before transiting to dry dock, the passengers will be taken off the ship and placed in hotels.
“The fact that the owners of the Oceanic are sending it to dry dock shows their commitment to repairing the vessel and ensuring its safety,” said Cmdr. Anthony Ceraolo, Coast Guard Sector New York.
After the repairs have been made in dry dock and the discrepancies have been resolved, the Oceanic will be allowed to continue on its voyage to Venezuela.
