Celebrity Cruise Ship Breaks Mooring Lines, Scratched by Refueling Ship in Minor Collision

A 14-night crusing out of Buenos Aires, Argentina was delayed after Celeb Equinox broke from its mooring traces and began to float. 

The drifting ship then had a slight collision with a refueling ship that left a protracted scratch alongside the aspect of the hull. 

On-line video of the scratch left some social media feedback questioning concerning the injury with one saying, “Hopefully it’s simply the paint and there’s no structural points.”

Equinox in Buenos Aires scratched by refueling ship whereas drifting within the windbyu/Chauncemeister incelebritycruises

What Occurred?

Passengers have been nonetheless in the course of the embarkation course of out of Buenos Aires when some stronger winds started to select up, with some gusts as much as 40mph.  A number of mooring traces broke free and the two,880-capacity ship started to slowly transfer away from the pier.

Because the bow of the 122,000 gross ton ship swung out, the aft of the vessel made contact with the pier, and the aspect of the ship rubbed towards a refueling tanker that was close by.

This resulted in a really noticeable scratch alongside Celeb Equinox’s hull.  The ship breaking free additionally brought on the embarkation gangway to drag away from the dock, which left it hanging towards the aspect of the ship.

Tugboats have been then known as immediately to stabilize the ship and push it again into place. As a result of the incident occurred throughout boarding, the method was paused for a pair hours whereas a brand new gangway was locked into place and the ship was inspected for security.

Affect on the 14-Evening Itinerary

No accidents have been reported among the many 2,800+ passengers or the 1,200 crew. Whereas the injury appears to be largely beauty, the ship didn’t depart on Saturday night as initially scheduled.

The ship remained docked in a single day and formally headed out to sea simply earlier than 11:00 AM on Sunday.

The delay has impacted the schedule barely. Whereas the go to to Montevideo, Uruguay was not cancelled, the ship’s time in port was minimize just a little quick. The remainder of the Patagonia and Antarctica itinerary is at present anticipated to go on as scheduled.

Some passengers onboard shared pictures of the injury on social media with one saying, “The gangway went off the pier and was hanging towards the ship partially submerged. Loopy scenario, however appears like we’ll resume boarding quickly.”

Celeb Equinox is scheduled to reach again in Buenos Aires on January 3, 2026.