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The Norwegian Epic is a massive cruise ship, holding roughly 4,100 passengers. But the bigger the ship, the bigger the problems, and this vessel is no exception: amid high winds on Tuesday, February 12th (the same ones that threatened to literally blow away small dogs), the behemoth slammed into a Puerto Rican dock while hundreds looked on.
Fortunately, several people nearby caught the incident on video:
Norwegian Epic crashes into San Juan doc @CruiseNorwegian #EpicFail @CNN @FoxNews https://t.co/YNbwOjAsrQ— Greg with 2 Gs not 3 (@Greg with 2 Gs not 3)1550007664.0
Passengers onboard the ship also captured their perspective:
The ship was being guided into port with the help of two tugboats, but the force of the wind became so strong that the ship drifted out of control and into two nearby mooring stations. One after the other, the stations sank into the water, their metal parts folding like paper under the massive weight of the cruise ship.
The Norweigian Epic's entire trip through the eastern Caribbean was plagued with technical difficulties. A mechanical error while at sea caused the entire ship's power to go out earlier in the week. This forced the Epic to skips its planned stops at Tortola and St. Thomas.
Passengers were made to disembark after the crash, though statements released by Norwegian say the damage to the Epic was superficial:
Here are pictures of the hull damage looks like there is no penetration @CruiseNorwegian #CruiseNorwegian… https://t.co/c5P7f50fjW— James Smith (@James Smith)1550068628.0
Many passengers on board were tweeting about their experiences on the turbulent voyage:
@dunard2 @CruiseNorwegian @CNN @FoxNews It should buff out pretty easy right. 😬 I’m onboard & it’s been one crazy r… https://t.co/ofJVZyxBcY— Cody (@Cody)1550030042.0
@CruiseNorwegian I’m currently on board the Epic and offering only 50% of our money back for missing 2/3’ds of our… https://t.co/vX6cm0CYlx— Patrick Kuhn (@Patrick Kuhn)1550061599.0
Just heard announcement over the intercom that we will be departing San Juan at 5:30pm for Great Stirrup Cay. Lets… https://t.co/JCuqiHbbg3— James Smith (@James Smith)1550067182.0
Still here in Norwegian Epic they are still uncertain to what is happening next. We don't know when we will be lea… https://t.co/S2NZO3U156— James Smith (@James Smith)1550065593.0
Naturally, there were some hard feelings from the people whose vacations had been ruined.
Here are the 2 letters we have received- notice no date on the 50% off that one was when they told us we had engine… https://t.co/7I2I1osVon— Susan (@Susan)1550184491.0
Ok update on @norwegianepic They say we are leaving..... still attached to the pier. The Captain says we will be u… https://t.co/SooF2IlIUA— Susan (@Susan)1550101981.0
Twitter users following the Epic's ordeal were flabbergasted at the footage of its docking:
@dunard2 @CruiseCanaveral @CruiseNorwegian @CNN @FoxNews Now that was an EPIC fail.— Wash Your Hands and Social Distance! (@Wash Your Hands and Social Distance!)1550016352.0
@dunard2 @CruiseNorwegian @CNN @FoxNews In fairness, she’s docked in PR due to massive engine failure. She’s basically on thrusters— Mary Peck (@Mary Peck)1550009919.0
@dunard2 @CruiseNorwegian @CNN @FoxNews https://t.co/b1Hc0LE1nX— Helena Cora Moran (@Helena Cora Moran)1550031171.0
@dunard2 @CruiseNorwegian @CNN @FoxNews I hope the company pays to fix this dock! 🤦🏻♀️— Sabi (@Sabi)1550026804.0
@dunard2 @CruiseNorwegian @CNN @FoxNews thought this was a live look-in on the Titanic— Built Different (@Built Different)1550239338.0
On Twitter, Norwegian offered this update:
@dunard2 @CNN @FoxNews No injuries have been reported and guests are currently disembarking the ship as previously… https://t.co/JsC6pJX5wE— Cruise Norwegian (@Cruise Norwegian)1550024286.0
@dunard2 @CNN @FoxNews Today as Norwegian Epic was maneuvering into Port of San Juan, Puerto Rico with a local pilo… https://t.co/r7BnHFHXI4— Cruise Norwegian (@Cruise Norwegian)1550024260.0
The Orlando Sentinel reports that the Norwegian Epic is expected back in Port Canaveral by Saturday, February 16, alongside four tugboats who are helping to maneuver it while engine troubles persist. Hopefully some repairs will end the massive ship's wild week!
What is happening with the norwegian epic cruise ship. I’m scheduled to go on the cruise on Saturday.— Jeannette Sabourin (@Jeannette Sabourin)1550214017.0
@dunard2 @HarryCotterill @CruiseNorwegian @CNN @FoxNews Hope everything gets fixed soon. I'm suppose to be on the Epic March 23rd.— Three Rivers (@Three Rivers)1550015775.0