Time 07.00 pm (CET)This afternoon around 12:30 p.m. CET (3:30 p.m. Seychelles time; 6:30 a.m. ET) the two tugs and a second ocean-going fishing vessel reached Costa Allegra to assist the ship. Costa Allegra continues to be towed by French-flagged fishing ship Trévignon and is maintaining a speed of about 6 knots. At the current speed and with stable weather conditions Costa Allegra is expected to arrive at Mahé, Seychelles, in the early morning of Thursday, March 1.
Time 1.00 pm (CET)Costa Cruises informs that in view of extensive and accurate checks carried out with local maritime experts’ support, in order to ensure the safety of our guests on board, the disembarkation on Desroches island cannot be performed and therefore it has been decided that the ship will be towed to Mahé / Seychelles. The disembarkation in Desroches does not assure the necessary and adequate security conditions for mooring the ship and guests’ disembarkation. In addition, logistics and hotels on the island are not enough: it would require an immediate transfer from Desroches to Mahé through Ferries after disembarking the ship through tenders. Thus the ship will be towed to Mahé, also with the assistance of two tugs that are approaching the ship and that would allow to increase the speed. The arrival in Mahé expected during the morning (local time) on Thursday, March 1, just few hours after the possible arrival to Mahé from Desroches through Ferries. Helicopters will ensure continuous supply of food, comfort items, flashlights in order to mitigate guests discomfort given the difficult conditions on board. Costa Cruises is working with all the Authorities responsible for the coordination of the emergency, to ensure the best possible assistance to all our guests and make their discomfort as short as possible and to reach their next destination. The Company is sincerely sorry for the inconvenience: absolute priority is to make it as short as possible.
Wednesday Costa expects the arrival of a helicopter to deliver about 400 flashlights and fresh bread. There is sufficient food and other comfort items on board. Also, thanks to the arrival of a small generator delivered by a local Navy ship that is present on site, the ship crew is doing everything possible to make the situation on board more comfortable by trying to restore basic services.
Early this afternoon Costa Cruises’ Care Team arrived at Mahé. The group of 14 people includes executives and managers as well as specialized technicians. The team is tasked with providing assistance to the ship, guests and crewmembers on their arrival at Mahé.
Upon arriving Care Team members immediately met with local authorities and those responsible for rescue coordination to arrange operational details of guests’ arrival at the island. Top priority was given to securing necessary accommodations at local hotels and organizing an efficient process for making guests’ travel arrangements.
Eight members of the Care Team will board Costa Allegra tomorrow morning via a local Navy ship to meet guests and discuss arrangements with them and to assist the ship’s staff in thorough technical inspections. With the Costa Care Team will be two officers from Seychelles Immigration to facilitate customs procedures.
Early this afternoon Costa Cruises’ Care Team arrived at Mahé. The group of 14 people includes executives and managers as well as specialized technicians. The team is tasked with providing assistance to the ship, guests and crewmembers on their arrival at Mahé.
Upon arriving Care Team members immediately met with local authorities and those responsible for rescue coordination to arrange operational details of guests’ arrival at the island. Top priority was given to securing necessary accommodations at local hotels and organizing an efficient process for making guests’ travel arrangements.
Eight members of the Care Team will board Costa Allegra tomorrow morning via a local Navy ship to meet guests and discuss arrangements with them and to assist the ship’s staff in thorough technical inspections. With the Costa Care Team will be two officers from Seychelles Immigration to facilitate customs procedures.
Time 1.00 pm (CET)Costa Cruises informs that in view of extensive and accurate checks carried out with local maritime experts’ support, in order to ensure the safety of our guests on board, the disembarkation on Desroches island cannot be performed and therefore it has been decided that the ship will be towed to Mahé / Seychelles. The disembarkation in Desroches does not assure the necessary and adequate security conditions for mooring the ship and guests’ disembarkation. In addition, logistics and hotels on the island are not enough: it would require an immediate transfer from Desroches to Mahé through Ferries after disembarking the ship through tenders. Thus the ship will be towed to Mahé, also with the assistance of two tugs that are approaching the ship and that would allow to increase the speed. The arrival in Mahé expected during the morning (local time) on Thursday, March 1, just few hours after the possible arrival to Mahé from Desroches through Ferries. Helicopters will ensure continuous supply of food, comfort items, flashlights in order to mitigate guests discomfort given the difficult conditions on board. Costa Cruises is working with all the Authorities responsible for the coordination of the emergency, to ensure the best possible assistance to all our guests and make their discomfort as short as possible and to reach their next destination. The Company is sincerely sorry for the inconvenience: absolute priority is to make it as short as possible.
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