A dramatic incident unfolded as the P&O Britannia cruise ship, stationed in Southampton, broke free from its moorings during a storm in Mallorca, Spain, resulting in a collision with a freight
vessel. Passengers aboard the Britannia recounted the chaotic scene as the ship became untethered, describing it as resembling a "floating paper boat." The ship's walkway also plunged into the sea.
Although a small number of individuals sustained minor injuries, P&O has provided care for them onboard. The vessel will remain docked in Palma for a technical evaluation.
The ship's captain reassured passengers that there was "no structural compromise" as authorities assessed the situation.
Passengers captured the unfolding event on video, revealing debris in the water and a swift emergency response.
One passenger, Gavin McCoy, reported that the incident occurred during an emergency drill conducted simultaneously with the "unexpected drama." He detailed how a sudden rain and windstorm dislodged the ship from its moorings, severing tethering lines, water hoses, and causing the walkway to plunge into the sea. The ship drifted away from its berth and collided with a nearby cargo vessel.
Another passenger, Dale Hopkin, described the turbulence as "madness" with sunbeds flipping, while the rain obscured the ship's windows. The ship eventually floated away from the dock like a "paper boat," according to Mr. Hopkin.
The storm, categorized as a severe thunderstorm, affected the Balearic Islands with torrential rain and gusts reaching up to 120 km/h (75 miles per hour), leading to flight cancellations and weather warnings extended until Monday.
P&O Cruises confirmed the incident and stated that they were assessing the situation. Despite the minor damages, passengers are safe and will have access to onboard amenities as technical teams conduct evaluations.
The Britannia cruise, originating in Southampton, is scheduled to conclude on September 1st.
This event echoes a similar incident involving the Queen Mary 2, another ship from Southampton, which broke free from its bow mooring line and drifted away from the quay on August 4th due to adverse weather conditions. Photo by kees torn, Wikimedia commons.