The Norwegian Escape, a cruise ship operated by Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) with a capacity of 5,218 passengers, has experienced several notable incidents since its maiden voyage.

Grounding Incident (March 2022): On March 14, 2022, the Norwegian Escape ran aground while departing Puerto Plata Harbor in the Dominican Republic. Strong winds caused the vessel to veer into a sandbar in Taino Bay. Despite initial attempts by tugboats to refloat the ship, it remained grounded until high tide allowed for its release. The ship returned to port for damage assessment, leading to the cancellation of the remainder of the voyage and four subsequent sailings to facilitate necessary repairs. Passengers were disembarked and flown back to Florida.

Pier Collision (January 2020): On January 4, 2020, while maneuvering to dock at Port Civitavecchia-Rome, Italy, the Norwegian Escape collided with a pier. The incident resulted in a minor hull scratch approximately 4 meters long above the waterline. Fortunately, no injuries were reported among the crew. The vessel proceeded to Genoa for repairs at the San Giorgio del Porto shipyard.

Severe Listing Due to Wind Gust (March 2019): On March 3, 2019, the ship encountered an extreme wind gust estimated at 115 mph off the Delmarva Peninsula. This sudden force caused the vessel to list to its port side, leading to broken windows and overturned furniture. Several passengers and crew sustained injuries and received onboard medical attention. Despite the incident, the ship continued its journey and docked at Port Canaveral without further complications.

Overboard Incidents: The Norwegian Escape has experienced multiple overboard incidents. On April 19, 2017, a male passenger fell overboard south of Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands. A search operation involving nearby cruise ships resulted in the recovery of the man’s body. Earlier that year, on January 9, a 22-year-old male passenger jumped from Deck 17, landing on Deck 7, and succumbed to his injuries.

Drug-Related Arrests: In June 2017, three crew members were arrested in Belize City for attempting to smuggle approximately 2 kilograms of cocaine picked up in Roatan, Honduras, with intentions to transport it into the United States. Similarly, in January 2018, a 24-year-old male crew member was apprehended in Falmouth, Jamaica, after authorities discovered 1 kilogram of cocaine during a routine security check as he returned to the ship.

Fire Incidents: On May 12, 2022, shortly after departing Port Civitavecchia, the Norwegian Escape reported a small engine room fire on service deck 2. The crew promptly extinguished the fire, resulting in no injuries or significant damage. However, the itinerary was altered, with the scheduled call at Thira (Santorini), Greece, being canceled.

Norovirus Outbreak (January 2019): In January 2019, during a 14-day Caribbean cruise, the ship experienced a Norovirus outbreak affecting a significant number of passengers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) protocols were implemented, including quarantining affected individuals and enhancing sanitation measures.

These incidents underscore the challenges faced in maritime operations and highlight the importance of stringent safety protocols and responsive measures to ensure passenger and crew well-being.