The Norwegian Cruise Line ship that ran aground while departing Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic late Monday apparently broke free early on Tuesday, 15MAR.
Social media reports quickly circulated with video and real-time commentary as the rare incident unfolded.
An announcement by the captain to guests apparently blamed winds and shallow seas for the incident. The Norwegian Escape reportedly sailed from Port Canaveral on Saturday, and was departing the new Taino Bay Port in the DR when it grounded itself on the sandy channel bed.
Spanish newspaper El Atlántico, posted a video of the grounded ship on Twitter.
Ahora: Se encuentra encallado el crucero Nowegian Escape en la Bahía de Puerto Plata. En La Puntilla del malecón se encuentran la gobernadora Claritza Rochtte, el alcalde Roquelito García, la directora provincial de Turismo, Stephanie Kfouri, entre otras autoridades. pic.twitter.com/SM2dGfFtWU
— Periódico El Atlántico (@elatlanticoDO) March 14, 2022
According to a statement by the cruise line, “During the afternoon of March 14, 2022, Norwegian Escape made contact with the channel bed as it was departing Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic.
“All guests and crew are safe, and there are no reports of damages to the ship. Operations on board have not been impacted, and all services and activities continue as scheduled. We are currently working on a solution to free the ship and ready her for a safe departure.”
People on shore and onboard recorded video of the ship grounded on the sandy bottom, and a guest onboard with the twitter handle "The Disney Dude" provided something of a running commentary of tugboats coming to the Escape’s aid.
Current view from our room (930est) not pulling on us but still present pic.twitter.com/Hi3ZWvnOR0
— The Disney Dude (@DisneyTalk101) March 15, 2022
Update: still stuck and the tide is going out pic.twitter.com/Kly6DGyrCQ
— The Disney Dude (@DisneyTalk101) March 14, 2022
High tide is 715am we’ll see what happens then. From our room It looks like one tug left (or is on a different side) the other I would guess is to keep from making sure we don’t drift away if we come loose. All is super calm and relaxed on board. Everyone is having a good time. pic.twitter.com/XtrSA3b6uT
— The Disney Dude (@DisneyTalk101) March 15, 2022
One report said the tugs would try again during Tuesday morning’s high tide to free the vessel. Whether on its own or with tugboat assistance, this morning’s high tide apparently did the trick, with the ship now reportedly afloat.
We are free!!!! pic.twitter.com/eHkdXiIQGo
— The Disney Dude (@DisneyTalk101) March 15, 2022
We are sailing again #Norwegian #NorwegianEscape pic.twitter.com/ts89ALq05W
— The Disney Dude (@DisneyTalk101) March 15, 2022
The Norwegian Escape has apparently returned to dock in Puerto Plata for safety inspections.
Cruise Week reports that the Escape was grounded for a total of six hours and five minutes and that it is scheduled to call in St. Thomas today.
