Following a minor incident involving the Royal Caribbean cruise line’s vessel – Harmony of the Seas, at the Falmouth Port upon its arrival on May 26, the Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ) says there have been no disruptions to the port’s operations.

The PAJ, in a statement, informed that the vessel had collided with a mooring dolphin, adding that the incident did not result in any significant damage.

“The vessel was eventually moored without delay using the remaining infrastructure of the bollards on the remaining dolphin, to stabilise the vessel,” read the statement.

The PAJ added that “passengers were able to disembark and proceed, as planned, to their tours and other scheduled activities.”

The authority noted however that the mooring dolphin was displaced and will require reconstruction.

Notwithstanding the inaccessibility of the mooring dolphin, the PAJ informed that operations would continue as normal.

The statement further advised that as the Regulator and Chief Maritime Agency of Jamaica, the PAJ acts in accordance with the Pilotage Act, where the approach to investigations of this nature are outlined in Sections 21 to 24.

“Section 21 provides for the appointment of an investigator whenever there is an incident in a pilotage area. The investigator is then required to provide the PAJ with a report of the findings. The Act also provides that the pilot is mandated to immediately report the facts of the accident to the Authority and assist in any investigation being undertaken,” read the statement.

The PAJ further noted that upon receipt of the investigator’s report, the authority may opt to convene a formal enquiry into the accident.

PAJ, Royal Caribbean undertake joint investigation

The agency pointed out that this undertaking is governed by Section 11 of the Commissions of Enquiry Act, which sets out the proceedings regarding examination/cross-examination of witnesses, consideration of written evidence, and administration of oaths, among other things.

It also noted that the agency and Royal Caribbean are in the process of undertaking a joint investigation to determine the cause of the incident.

“The PAJ wishes to reassure the public and all stakeholders that this incident will not result in any disruption to cruise shipping operations or require any adjustments to cruise schedules,” the statement added.

Harmony of the Seas is the third largest cruise ship in the world, weighing in at 226,963 tons and carrying up to 6,410 passengers.

READ: Pilot error blamed for ‘Harmony of the Seas’ collision in Jamaica