Yacht crashes into cruise ship in shocking Bahamas incident

In a dramatic incident on December 12, a $10 million yacht named My Aurora crashed into the Allure of the Seas cruise ship while it was docked in Nassau Harbour, Bahamas. Footage captured by passengers showed the 121-foot yacht veering towards the much larger cruise liner, which is 1,187 feet long. As the yacht approached, onlookers could be heard expressing their disbelief and concern, moments before the yacht made contact with a loud crash. The impact was severe enough that the yacht sustained significant damage, losing its antenna mast and radar during the collision. Despite the crash, the Allure of the Seas reported only minimal damage and was able to set sail from the Bahamas shortly after, albeit with a 40-minute delay. The 25,000-ton cruise ship, capable of carrying 6,800 passengers, had already been docked for four days prior to the incident. Interestingly, passengers on the opposite side of the ship were reportedly unaware of the collision until they were informed by the captain. This lack of immediate awareness among guests highlights the extent to which the larger ship was able to withstand the crash. In terms of accountability, it remains unclear what caused the collision. Speculation points towards a possible mechanical failure on the My Aurora yacht, as experts initial assessments were being conducted. Meanwhile, a distressed crew member was seen trying to lower fenders on the yacht's sun deck to mitigate further damage to both vessels. The yacht has since remained docked in Nassau for repairs following the incident, highlighting the aftermath and financial implications for the yacht's owner. The cruise liner was scheduled for a $100 million refurbishment in the coming weeks, although the necessity for additional repairs resulting from this incident is still uncertain. This event has drawn attention not only for the collision itself but also due to recent mishaps involving Royal Caribbean ships, including a notable incident where a passenger fell overboard during a recent Taylor Swift-themed cruise. With the cruise ship scheduled to return to sea in April, the maritime community will undoubtedly be keen to see how this incident could influence future safety protocols on luxury vessels.