Ambassador Cruise Line CEO Christian Verhounig has responded to the occasions that occurred onboard its cruise ship Atmosphere this week. The corporate halted its Festive Market Getaway cruise after company had already boarded the vessel and cancelled its Christmas and New 12 months Canary Islands cruise for security causes.
The choice was made following the identification of a problem with the lifeboat stations on board Atmosphere. Verhounig emphasised that the well being and security of all passengers is the corporate’s prime precedence and made clear that the cancellation of the 2 cruises has nothing to do with a urged poor monetary place.
Security First Says Ambassador Cruise Line CEO
On December 19, company boarded Ambassador Cruise Line’s cruise ship Atmosphere for a three-day Festive Market Getaway cruise in Tilbury, UK. Nevertheless, solely hours after boarding, whereas many company have been having fun with their dinner, an announcement was made that they need to disembark the vessel once more the next day, December 20, at 09:30 AM.
In a response posted to his private Fb web page, Ambassador Cruise Line CEO Christian Verhounig reacted to the information and defined why the cruise line made such a dramatic transfer.
Christian Verhounig, CEO of Ambassador Cruise Line: “As you understand, the final two days have seen Ambassador Cruise Line reluctantly terminate its Festive Market Getaway cruise and cancel its Christmas and New 12 months Canary Islands cruise for security causes following the identification of a problem with the lifeboat stations on board our ship, Atmosphere.”
“It’s by no means a straightforward resolution to cancel or terminate a cruise, significantly presently of 12 months, however the well being and security of all who sail with Ambassador is and can stay our precedence.”
Verhounig additionally addressed hypothesis that the cancellations have been because of the monetary place of Ambassador Cruise Line, stating that the corporate is financially sturdy with belief preparations and full insurance coverage protection in place.
“I wish to reassure you that we’re a financially sturdy enterprise with belief preparations in place and full insurance coverage cowl for incidents of this type.”
“On a private observe, I’m unhappy that we had no possibility however to withdraw these itineraries. Occasions like these by no means occur at a great time, however technical points and challenges are sadly a part of a cruise firm’s day-to-day life – and we, at Ambassador, won’t ever compromise on the security of our company or crew, nevertheless low the chance,” Verhounig continued.
Atmosphere Handed Inspection in March 2022
In March 2022, the Atmosphere underwent an out of doors inspection of its lifeboat stations, together with required overload exams, and obtained a 5-year overload certificates.
Verhounig defined that the cancellations have been associated to the upcoming unbiased survey of the Atmosphere, which is critical to resume its Passenger Ship Security Certificates. Throughout an inside inspection on December 18, numerous security, technical, and operational checks have been performed on the ship, together with an evaluation of the lifeboat stations.
It was found that the lifeboat stations on the Atmosphere didn’t meet the required security requirements. Verhounig: “Throughout an inspection of the lifeboat stations on Sunday 18th December, the Surveyor noticed a slight motion of one of many sheaves used for guiding the metal wire ropes that transfer and maintain the lifeboats in place.”
“When checking on this motion additional, the inspection dropped at mild a hairline crack on the bracket holding these sheaves in place, and extra of those have been present in the same place on different brackets.”
Whereas these points weren’t of a nature that might have prevented the vessel from crusing, and the ship remained totally compliant with all SOLAS (Security of Life at Sea) laws, the cracks might have doubtlessly prompted points sooner or later.
To restore the cracks, the vessel has been relocated to the Lloyd Werft Shipyard in Bremerhaven, Germany, the place lifeboat-related repairs and extra work will likely be accomplished.
Atmosphere Returns to Operations in January
Atmosphere is predicted to be totally operational and return to Tilbury in time for the Cuba and Treasures of the Caribbean itinerary on January 5. The corporate will present updates on the progress of the repairs.
The 42 Evening Cuba & Treasures Of The Caribbean cruise will go to Ports reminiscent of Funchal, Madeira; Mindelo, Cape Verde; Barbados; Montego Bay, Jamaica; Santiago de Cuba and Havana, Cuba; Grand Cayman, and Ponta Delgada, Azores
Verhounig apologized to all company concerned with the cancellation of the 2 voyages. All company will obtain a full refund and a 25% low cost on a brand new reserving or can select to raise and shift to a distinct cruise with a 50% low cost.
