CMV defends state of cruise ship after death of passenger

Saturday, 17 Feb, 2014 0

Cruise & Maritime Voyages has defended the state of the Marco Polo cruise ship after a freak wave led to the death of a passenger.

85 year-old James Swinstead died after water crashed through a window during Friday’s storms, injuring a number of passengers.

The ship was en-route to her home port of Tilbury from the Azores ‘during adverse sea conditions in the south western approaches of the English Channel’, when the wave hit.

A 74 year-old woman was also airlifted for treatment and is said to be recovering.

But Mr Swinstead’s widow, Helen, of Colchester, Essex, who was with her husband on the 42-night cruise, has accused the ship of being ‘badly maintained’, claiming four windows blew when the wave hit, reports the BBC.

Christian Verhounig, chief executive of Cruise & Maritime Voyages said: "Marco Polo undergoes stringent and rigorous surveys and is inspected regularly including a recent annual dry docking survey and certification.

"Marco Polo is a purpose built deep sea ocean going liner maintained and serviced in full compliance of strict British and International maritime regulations and is efficiently manned by a professional and dedicated crew.

"She also has the added advantage of an ice strengthened hull designed for special voyages to the Arctic and Antarctica Polar regions.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the passengers and their families affected during this difficult time."

Following storm damage repairs to ‘a small section of Marco Polo’s Waldorf Restaurant’ and reparation works, CMV said Marco Polo had been cleared to sail by the authorities.

It left Tilbury last night on a scheduled 14 night cruise to Norway and the Land of the Northern Lights with 791 passengers.

Diane

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