Chaos in Catania: Norwegian Epic Breaks Free from Moorings, Sends Guests into Water

What began as a peaceful port day in Sicily turned into a scene of chaos for passengers aboard Norwegian Epic on 30 May 2025. While docked in Catania, powerful winds caused the ship to break free from its moorings, ripping up chunks of concrete, collapsing the gangway, and sending two guests into the harbour.

The incident led to hours of delays, widespread confusion, and an emergency response effort that prevented more serious injuries.

When and Where It Happened

The incident took place at approximately 1 p.m. local time on 30 May 2025, in the Sicilian port of Catania. Norwegian Epic was in the middle of a 10-night Mediterranean cruise from Civitavecchia (Rome), with Catania scheduled as one of the stops. Many passengers were reboarding the ship after spending time ashore when the mooring lines began to fail.

Witnesses reported hearing loud cracks as the lines broke one after another. Concrete fixtures were seen launching into the side of the ship. The gangway soon collapsed, and a female passenger fell into the water. Her husband leapt in after her. Both were swiftly rescued by emergency personnel.

What Caused the Incident

Strong wind gusts—peaking at 57 mph (92 km/h)—were a major contributing factor. The Italian Meteorological Service had issued a moderate wind warning earlier in the day, but conditions intensified quickly.

Early findings suggest the combined impact of wind stress and infrastructure failure led to the mooring lines snapping, dragging concrete bollards from the dock and damaging the pier.

Injuries and Emergency Response

The two passengers were pulled from the harbour by port authorities and assisted by the ship’s crew. Norwegian Cruise Line confirmed that both sustained only minor injuries and were transported to a local hospital for further evaluation. Crew members responded immediately, and both individuals were first treated by the ship’s medical team.

Ship Movement and Return to Port

After the mooring lines snapped, Norwegian Epic briefly drifted into the harbour. The ship’s crew maintained control and returned it to port safely once the winds eased. Reboarding was temporarily suspended for safety reasons until weather conditions stabilised.

With the gangway out of commission and winds still strong, passengers stuck ashore were left waiting for more than six hours. Many were told they could reboard by 4 or 5 p.m., but the process didn’t begin until 7:15 p.m. Guests voiced frustration over poor communication, lack of seating, and limited water supplies. It was especially difficult for elderly travellers.

Stuck in Catania Italy, Norwegian Epic ship broke free from its moorings and a passenger fell into the water after gangway went into water. We have been waiting 3 hours with no word yet from Norwegian when ship will return. This is dock situation pic.twitter.com/pJZ75yZqz1

— LoneRangerDJT (@DJTLNRNG) May 30, 2025

Official Cruise Line Statement

Norwegian Cruise Line issued a statement affirming that guest and crew safety remains the company’s top priority. They confirmed that their team was actively supporting guests throughout the delay and that medical assistance was promptly provided to those injured. An investigation is currently underway in partnership with local port authorities to determine the full cause of the mooring failure.

Despite the setback, Norwegian Epic resumed its itinerary with minimal disruption. The ship departed Catania later that night and arrived in Naples on schedule the following morning. It is continuing to Livorno and Cannes, with the voyage ending in Civitavecchia (Rome) on 3 June 2025.

Mooring Failures: Not an Isolated Incident

While uncommon, mooring line failures are not without precedent. Earlier in 2025, Holland America Line’s Rotterdam experienced a similar issue during rough seas, forcing the ship to skip a port call. What makes the Norwegian Epic case notable is the level of damage and the fact that passengers were injured during the disruption.

Final Thoughts

Modern cruise ships are built to withstand a variety of conditions, but this event is a reminder that extreme weather and infrastructure vulnerabilities can still pose risks. Thankfully, swift action from the crew and emergency responders helped avoid more serious consequences. For the affected passengers, it was an unforgettable day for all the wrong reasons, but one that ultimately ended safely.

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