Durrant Pate/Contributor

It has been determined that pilot error was responsible for Harmony of the Seas, operated by Royal Caribbean Internation, backing into a dock extension in Falmouth, Jamaica on Thursday (May 26).

In an Our Today follow-up, Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett offered an explanation for the collision in his remarks on the incident, explaining that the pilot, who controls the vessel during docking operations was badly directed at the time.

There are indications that there may have been a communication breakdown between the pilot and on-shore assistants at the time of the collision.

The dock is currently being repaired and should be fully operational for ships next week. According to Minister Bartlett, “We are repairing the damaged areas at the port now….The divers are there now recovering the broken elements and we should be back in full order for the ships that come next week.”

The Port of Falmouth, which is 18 miles east of Montego Bay, has several vessels scheduled to arrive in the next few days, including Royal Caribbean’s Liberty of the Seas and Explorer of the Seas, as well as Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Fantasy.

The collision occurred as Harmony of the Seas was backing into its assigned berth Thursday morning at approximately 7:00 am. The Oasis-class ship suffered minor cosmetic damage, including small dents and paint scrapes.

WATCH:

Video of Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas crashing into the dock in Falmouth, Jamaica this morning. pic.twitter.com/cbFULNPe2w

— Ben Bearup (@TheAviationBeat) May 27, 2022

Within hours, the ship had been inspected and a maintenance crew was able to make the necessary repairs. The ship, which is currently sailing a seven-night western Caribbean itinerary, departed Falmouth on time Thursday and is continuing on with its planned schedule.

Today, the ship visited Royal Caribbean’s private destination in Labadee, Haiti. Additionally, Saturday will be a day at sea before the vessel returns to Port Canaveral on Sunday, May 29.