Cruise ship passenger dies and 100 injured on storm-battered vessel hit by 9m waves

A passenger on board a cruise ship died during a terrifying storm that saw more than 100 people injured

A passenger on board a cruise ship died in a storm which saw 100 more people injured, a report has found.

Saga vessel Spirit of Discovery was smashed by 9m waves and force 11 winds in the Bay of Biscay on November 4, 2023.

The storm last year hospitalised eight people when the ship finally docked at Portsmouth - one of whom sadly died from their injuries.

An interim report by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) found that shortly before the incident, the Spirit of Discovery, operated by Saga Cruises, had to cancel a visit to Las Palmas as the weather worsened.

It was instead heading towards La Corona where the port was closed because of the weather conditions.

Cruise crews then decided to return to the UK when the ship’s propulsion safety system was activated - causing it to veer suddenly to the left and bring the vessel to a sudden halt.

The MAIB report states that there were 943 passengers and 503 crew on board at the time.

It said: “At about 12.30 on 4 November, 2023, the passenger vessel Spirit of Discovery lost propulsion in heavy weather while crossing the Bay of Biscay.

“This led to the vessel moving violently while the crew restarted the vessel’s propulsion.

“The propulsion issues, storm force conditions and vessel motions continued until the following morning when Spirit of Discovery was able to continue its passage.

“During this period over 100 passengers were injured. Eight of the seriously injured passengers were taken directly to hospital on arrival at Portsmouth, England, one of whom later died from their injuries.”

A passenger on board a cruise ship died in a storm which saw 100 more people injured, a report has found. Photo: Saga Boutique cruising

It continued: “The MAIB’s investigation has considered all aspects of the accident to determine the causes and circumstances of Spirit of Discovery’s loss of propulsion in heavy weather and the on-board response, including analysis of the vessel’s intended passage, preparations for operating in heavy weather, the on-board response to passenger injuries and damage and the medical treatment of injured passengers.”

The investigation is nearly complete and a full report will then be issued.

The investigation is nearly complete and a full report will then be issued.

Saga Cruises said in a statement: “Spirit of Discovery was sadly caught in the challenging weather conditions this weekend, as she started her return to the UK.

“The ship remained safe at all times but, due to the impact of the storm, some guests sustained injuries.

“All were treated immediately by onboard medical staff.

“While the weather is clearly beyond our control, we want to offer our sincere apologies to all those affected who are now safely back, having sailed home in calmer seas.”

A spokeswoman for Saga said all guests on the trip had been offered a full refund and added: “Our thoughts and deepest sympathies remain with the family of our guest who died following the storm in the Bay of Biscay last year.

A spokeswoman for Saga said all guests on the trip had been offered a full refund.

“We are continuing to work with the Marine Accident Investigation Branch, supporting their investigation.”

Spirit of Discovery was on a 14-night Canary Island Quintet cruise, which departed on 24 October last year.

However, after 10 days of smooth sailing, the crew decided to cancel its final call to Las Palmas and continue to La Coruna in northern Spain to get ahead of the approaching storm.

On its way to La Coruna it emerged the port was closed, so the ship headed to the UK earlier than planned.

While in the Bay of Biscay, which can have choppy waters, the ship’s propulsion safety system activated at 12.30pm and turned the vessel.

Passengers then spent around 18 hours waiting for the storm and gales to pass after a decision was taken by the Master to hold the position in the Bay of Biscay.