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Fire threatens delay to Emerald Belle launch
Emerald Waterways might be forced to delay the launch of its new riverboat Emerald Belle due to significant damage sustained in a fire.
The blaze broke out at a Dutch shipyard where construction work of the Emerald Belle was underway.
The ship was due to launch in April but the company said this might now be delayed.
Reservations staff from the Manchester calls centre will be contacting customers in the next few days to ‘discuss options’ it said.
Customers can also call the reservations line on 0800 270 7017 if they wish.
Emerald said it was looking at how best to accommodate those due to travel on the Belle, either on other Emerald ships or those of sister company, Scenic.
In a statement on its website, chairman of the Scenic group Glen Moroney said: "Despite the efforts of firefighters, who were quickly at the scene, the damage is significant. We are grateful and relieved that nobody was onboard at the time and most importantly, there were no injuries to any shipyard worker or firefighters to our knowledge.
"Although the Emerald Belle’s construction was well along (as it was due to launch in April) the firefighting system onboard was not yet operational. At this point there is no confirmed cause of the fire but a full investigation by the yard and firefighting authorities is being carried out."
Scenic also had a ship in the same Den Breejen shipyard, but this was quickly moved, said the statement, so the only damage it sustained was to the exterior paint.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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