Seattle – A large cruise ship was stranded in Elliott Bay for several hours due to high winds, according to the United States Coast Guard (USCG).
According to Puget Sound Pilots (PSP), when Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas attempted to approach, high winds forced the ship to wait until available tugboats could rescue it.
The ship was waiting for additional tugboats, said Petty Officer Steven Strohmeyer of the U.S. Coast Guard’s 13th District Public Affairs Division.
PSP President Ivan Carlson said tugboats first needed to move the fish processors further south before they could help the cruise ship dock.
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Carlson said tugboats were moving other ships to allow a smaller boat to move the Quantum of the Seas. COMO News tower cameras showed what appeared to be tugboats near the cruise ship at 11:30 a.m.
The cruise ship finally appeared to have safely docked by 1:30 p.m.
“Due to high winds, Quantum of the Seas is delayed in returning to port,” a Royal Caribbean spokesperson told KOMO News. “We are closely monitoring the weather and communicating updates directly to our guests.”
Royal Caribbean also said that as a precaution, the ship was waiting to stay anchored until the weather improved.
Peter McGraw with the Port of Seattle said access to the terminal has not yet been granted because the situation is still evolving.
National Weather Service (NWS) A wind warning was issued The warning is in effect until 11 a.m. Tuesday for parts of western Washington, including Elliott Bay. The NWS said wind gusts of up to 40 mph are possible in the area.
Strohmeyer told KOMO News that cruise ships typically come into port with two tugboats, one at the bow and one at the stern, but large container ships can sometimes need three tugboats to anchor, Strohmeyer said.
On the Quantum of the Seas Over 4,900 passengers It is often used to carry passengers on week-long trips between Seattle and Alaska. According to the company’s website:.
The ship is more than 1,100 feet long and nearly 150 feet wide. Ship Search.
Another cruise ship, the MS Roald Amundsen, also appears to be stranded in Elliot Bay. The ship, owned by Hurtigruten Expeditions, is Approximately 460 feet long and can accommodate over 1,000 passengers.
Vessel Finder reported that the Quantum of the Seas arrived in Elliott Bay just after 5 a.m. Monday.
“The pilot’s mission is to prevent loss of life, loss or damage to property and vessels, and protect the marine environment by maintaining efficient and competent pilotage services in the state’s waters within the Puget Sound Pilotage District.” According to the PSP website:.
Quantum of the Seas wins Best New Cruise Ship Winner of the 2015 Travel Weekly Reader’s Choice Award.
This is a developing story, check back for updates.
