A 7.6-magnitude earthquake that rattled the Caribbean close to the Cayman Islands on Saturday night, February 8, 2025, has led to a number of tsunami advisories throughout the area.
The Nationwide Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued tsunami advisories for Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Cuba, and the Cayman Islands shortly after the earthquake.
Alerts launched at 7:35 p.m. EST warned of about surges of 1 to three toes for the Cayman Islands and a extra extreme 3 to 10 toes for Cuba.
“A tsunami warning is issued when a tsunami with the potential to generate widespread inundation is imminent, anticipated, or occurring,” says NOAA.
“Warnings alert the general public that harmful coastal flooding accompanied by highly effective currents is feasible and will proceed for a number of hours after preliminary arrival,” NOAA continued.
The earthquake, roughly 130 miles southwest of the Cayman Islands, had its epicenter pinpointed at roughly 17.8° N latitude and 82.5° W longitude.
As of press time, there have been no quick studies of harm or accidents from the earthquake itself. Emergency companies throughout the affected areas are on excessive alert.
Celeb Cruises Celeb Summit was at present crusing closest to the epicenter, having spent 10 hours calling in George City, Grand Cayman when the earthquake hit.
Nevertheless, Cruise Hive’s ship tracker exhibits the vessel continues to be in port, with the Cayman Islands Port Authority saying the ship shouldn’t be scheduled to depart till 11:30 p.m. The port is a tender port, which means Celeb Summit shouldn’t be docked.
The two,218-passenger vessel is on a particular 7-night roundtrip Chris Botti voyage from Fort Lauderdale, scheduled to return to Port Everglades on February 11, and doesn’t have any further calls earlier than the crusing concludes. Celeb Cruises has not issued any journey alerts as of press time.
Learn Additionally: Grand Cayman Cruise Port – Terminals, Tendering and Getting Round
South of Puerto Rico and west of the US Virgin Islands’ St. Croix, Costa Cruises’ 3,800-guest Costa Fascinosa wrapped up a name in Tortola, British Virgin Islands, when the earthquake hit and is slated to complete its 7-night cruise in La Romana, Dominican Republic on February 9.
Rhapsody of the Seas, operated by Royal Caribbean and internet hosting as much as 2,416 passengers, can also be at present within the waters close to St. Croix, and scheduled to finish its 7-night Southern Caribbean itinerary in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on February 9.
A passenger on the ship posted on social media, “No bulletins but however we’re strongly rocking now.”
Nevertheless, by 8:25 p.m., NOAA eliminated tsunami warnings for the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, leaving warnings in have an effect on for the Cayman Islands and Cuba. No further ships are in any of the areas doubtlessly in danger for a tsunami.
Are Passengers Secure Throughout Earthquakes?
Many passengers took to social media, fearful the earthquake would have an effect on upcoming calls and voyages. For vessels at sea, company on cruise ships throughout an earthquake are typically protected as water absorbs seismic waves.
Passengers shouldn’t really feel the impression of the shocks as cruise ships are designed to deal with numerous sea circumstances and are usually not affected by earthquakes going down beneath the ocean flooring.
The most important hazard of tsunamis have an effect on shores, the place elevated waves may cause flooding and injury buildings like ports.
Tsunami waves can journey at speeds of over 300 miles per hour and will take a number of hours to journey from the ocean to the coast. This could possibly be why Celeb Summit stays in port.
This can be a growing story. Examine again with Cruise Hive for additional updates because the scenario unfolds.
