Passenger died after bad weather hit cruise ship – report

A person was killed as a result of bad weather hitting the passenger vessel Spirit of Discovery in November 2023, according to a new report from the UK’s Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB).

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,” the report says. 

“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.”

The report said that 943 passengers and 503 crew members were on board when the vessel “lost propulsion in heavy weather,” causing it to move “violently while the crew restarted the vessel’s propulsion.”