Master’s Failure Caused Celebrity Infinity Allision in Alaska

The cruise ship Celebrity Infinity allided with a berth in Alaska in June 2016 due to the master’s failure, according to the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

Following an investigation into the incident, the NTSB determined that the probable cause of Celebrity Infinity’s allision with the dock was the master’s failure to plan, monitor, and execute a safe docking evolution.

​The Malta-flagged vessel allided with berth 3 in Ketchikan in the afternoon hours of June 3. There were no reports of injuries or pollution following the incident.

Senior bridge and engineering personnel told investigators there were no problems with the nautical, bridge, or propulsion equipment at the time of the accident, and the bridge logbook indicated all regulatory and company required equipment was “tested and found in good working order.”

The 90,940-gross-ton vessel sustained a 9-inch-diameter hole on the forward port side, about 12 feet above the waterline, while the berth suffered extensive damage to the catwalks and pilings. The cost of repairs was about USD 1.15 million, the NTSB informed.