A Bahamas transport official is asking the Bahamas Maritime Authority to look into why a construction crane fell on a Royal Caribbean cruiseship at Grand Bahama Shipyard.
The 5,400-berth Oasis of the Seas (built 2009) was at the yard undergoing routine maintenance on 1 April when the incident occurred, causing injuries to eight workers.
The ship and dock sustained damage as a result of the accident as well.
"As both the floating dock and the passenger vessel are registered with the Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA), and given the damage sustained and the potential severity, it is concluded that a marine safety investigation be conducted in accordance with the Bahamas Merchant Shipping Act and the Casualty Investigation Code," Renward Wells, the country's minister of transport and local government, said in a statement.
"In light of the above, I have requested the BMA to conduct a safety investigation of the incident and to report their findings, including any recommendations, to avoid recurrence.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the injured and all parties affected by this unfortunate incident."
Cruises canceled
The Richard Fain-led cruise major canceled Oasis of the Seas' next three sailings for 7, 14 and 21 April and given all affected passengers full trip refunds and credit toward a future cruise.
"We are sorry for the disruption to their vacation plans," Royal Caribbean said.
Oasis of the Seas will head from the Grand Bahama shipyard to be serviced at facilities in Cadiz, Spain, before resuming her itinerary with a 5 May sailing from Barcelona.
