Passenger falls overboard as Norwegian cruise ship breaks free from pier

On May 30, 2025, a severe weather incident occurred in Catania, Italy, involving the Norwegian Epic cruise ship. As powerful winds reached speeds of 45 mph, the ship, which was docked at a pier, broke free from its moorings around 1 p.m. local time, resulting in chaos for passengers. Witnesses heard loud cracks as the mooring lines snapped, causing the vessel to drift away from the dock. This unsettling situation was exacerbated when a female passenger fell from an elevated gangway, sustaining minor injuries upon landing in the water. Quick to respond, the crew members jumped into action, rescuing her and ensuring she received medical attention. The incident stranded approximately 3,600 passengers for more than seven hours while port authorities closed access to the ship. The disembarkation process was halted until it was deemed safe, while passengers expressed frustration over a lack of communication and available resources during their prolonged wait. Mooreover, they criticized the company for insufficient provisions such as food and water. Following the incident, the Norwegian Epic returned to dock after repairs to the mooring lines, allowing for safe reboarding of the passengers later that evening. The event raised concerns about cruise safety in adverse weather conditions and echoes past issues with other cruise lines during similar situations.