Vistamar detained in UK for second time in 4 years

The 7,476gross ton cruise liner Vistamar has been detained in Belfast after numerous faults were identified on board, including broken or missing fire doors and failure to maintain the vessel in line with International Safety Management (ISM) code, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), which carries out Port State Control inspections in the UK says.

This is the second time in four years the ship has been detained in Britain: the first time was on 18 May 2006, when unusable port and starboard tenders; a dirty engine room and various oily hazards were among the factors leading to detention.

”The passenger vessel had been en route from Invergordon when it docked in Belfast this morning and surveyors boarded the vessel to perform an inspection. The vessel, built in 1989, was found to have two serious deficiencies that led to its detention, which were that fire doors were found to be missing, broken, or with latches missing, and that the ship did not meet ISM maintenance requirements,” MCA said in a statement.

“In addition to these detainable deficiencies there were several further deficiencies including PA systems and emergency lights for liferafts not working,” MCA said.

”The inspection has now been suspended pending an audit by an ISM auditor. Once this has been satisfactorily completed, MCA Surveyors will once again board the ship and continue their inspection. If they feel that the deficiencies have been rectified the vessel will be allowed to carry on its passage.”

Vistamar is operated on charter by Plantours & Partner, a German tour operator with headquarters in Bremen. The ship flies the Italian flag.


Source: cruisebusiness.com


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