By Kevon Browne
St Kitts and Nevis (WINN): The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis has come to the assistance of a ship in distress, and will be providing the cruise vessel, AIDA Luna, with a place of refuge at the furthest approved anchorage point in the Basseterre harbour, as mandated by the guidelines of the International Maritime Organization for vessels in distress.
This is separate from the other two cruise lines, the Rhapsody of the Seas and Vision of the seas, which were expected the week of August 17 but were delayed.
According to a press release sent out by SCASPA, no crew members will disembark the ship as they carry out emergency repairs on a mechanical failure. There are 103 crew members on board, and all have been on the ship for more than one month.
The release also stated that the general public should note that the ship is experiencing serious mechanical problems, and emergency repairs have started. Also, the ship is anchored at the furthest approved anchorage point in the Basseterre harbour
Before arriving in St. Kitts the AIDA Luna was in safe habour in Barbados. The Vessel went to Saint Eustatius for a bunkering call and experienced technical issues preventing it from sailing back to its layup position in Barbados.
The full repairs will not be done in St. Kitts, but in St. Maarten. The ship is awaiting permission from St. Maarten to berth in that destination, which could take place later Thursday afternoon.
No provisioning services will be required. The ship is only authorized to anchor. The crew will not be allowed to come ashore, and no one will be allowed to go onboard the vessel.
