What Crew Members Say About Cruise-Ausonia

The repairs for the 'Cruise Ausonia' have been successfully completed, marking a significant milestone in its recovery from a fire incident. The vessel departed from the repair yard on January 10, 2019, at 3:40 PM and set sail for Civitavecchia, reaching the port on January 11 at 7:40 AM. The ship is now ready to resume operations, commencing its service between Civitavecchia and Barcelona at midnight on January 17, with its inaugural arrival in Barcelona scheduled for January 18 at 9:30 PM. This return to service promises to delight travelers eager to explore the stunning Mediterranean routes.

On October 28, 2023, the ferry 'Cruise Ausonia' successfully docked at the port of Palermo at 5:15 p.m., following a challenging ordeal lasting 14 hours. The vessel, carrying 262 passengers, was assisted by the tugboat 'Paul' after experiencing a fire that impacted its systems. Initially, two of its three engines were deactivated due to damage, leaving the ship adrift with a single functioning engine about 18 miles from Ustica. The dedicated crew managed to restart a second engine, allowing them to navigate closer to Ustica for essential technical assessments by the Palermo Coast Guard. After careful evaluation, it was determined that the ship could safely make its way back to its port of origin, a six-hour journey complicated by scirocco winds. Passengers, who had been awakened at 3:30 a.m., were guided to muster stations and donned life jackets, remaining calm throughout the ordeal. Breakfast was provided, and the crew maintained communication to ensure everyone's peace of mind. Upon arrival in Palermo, the Port Authority immediately initiated an investigation to uncover the fire's origins. After a brief stay, the 'Cruise Ausonia' departed Palermo again on October 31 at 9 p.m., destined for Genoa, with an estimated arrival time of November 2 at 8 a.m. The ferry entered the Fiera Internazionale Drydock in Genoa at 11 a.m. the same day.

On October 28, 2018, a fire erupted in the engine room of the 'Cruise Ausonia' while it was on its journey from Palermo to Livorno. The incident occurred around 3:30 a.m. as the vessel, sailing at 12:30 a.m., was approximately 18 miles from Ustica. In response to the emergency, the affected engine compartment was promptly sealed off, and one of the two engines, initially shut down, was restarted. The ferry adjusted its course back to Palermo, proceeding at a reduced speed of about 6.5 knots, with an estimated arrival time of 3 p.m. Onboard were 262 passengers, including 10 children, along with a crew of 85, all of whom were reported safe with no injuries. In response to the situation, firefighting teams were dispatched from Palermo. The ferry 'Majestic' (IMO: 9015735), which was heading towards Civitavecchia with 188 passengers, also altered its route to assist the 'Cruise Ausonia'. Additional support came from the tug 'Paul' (IMO: 9005819), the SAR vessel 'CP 876' (MMSI: 247032200), the Coast Guard vessel 'VF R 17' (MMSI: 247260300), and three launches from the port authorities of Trapani and Palermo. The 'Cruise Ausonia' anchored off Palermo at 3:45 p.m. at coordinates 38° 7.28' N 013° 24.66' E and was met by the patrol boat 'GDF 116' (MMSI: 247123800) upon its arrival. The ship successfully berthed at 5:15 p.m. For further details, view the reports with accompanying photos and videos from various news outlets covering this significant maritime incident.