Saga cruise passenger dies, over 100 injured after 30-foot wave hits ship in severe storm

A cruise passenger died, and over 100 others were injured after a 30-foot wave struck the ship, according to a report.

The Spirit of Discovery cruise liner was returning to Britain through the Bay of Biscay on November 4, 2023, when it encountered severe storm winds.

As a result, eight passengers were rushed to the hospital upon the ship's arrival at Portsmouth in Hampshire.

At the time, passengers described clinging on "for dear life" as the storm battered the luxury ship, causing it to "veer and shutter to a halt."

An interim Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) report has confirmed that one of the hospitalized passengers later died due to their injuries.

Before being hit by the strong winds, the Spirit of Discovery, operated by Saga Cruises, had canceled its stop at Las Palmas due to worsening weather and was instead heading toward La Coruña, but that port was also closed because of the conditions.

The crew opted to head back to the UK after the ship’s propulsion safety system engaged in the severe weather, causing it to veer sharply to the left and come to an abrupt stop.

According to the MAIB report, there were 943 passengers and 503 crew on board when the ship, which departed from Puerto del Rosario in Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands, encountered force 11 winds and a sea state level of 8, indicating very high waves.

The report states: "At about 1230 on 4 November 2023, the passenger vessel Spirit of Discovery lost propulsion in heavy weather while crossing the Bay of Biscay.

"This led to the vessel moving violently while the crew restarted the vessel's propulsion.

"The propulsion issues, storm force conditions and vessel motions continued until the following morning when Spirit of Discovery was able to continue its passage.

"During this period over 100 passengers were injured. Eight of the seriously injured passengers were taken directly to hospital on arrival at Portsmouth, England, one of whom later died from their injuries."

The report adds: "The MAIB's investigation has considered all aspects of the accident to determine the causes and circumstances of Spirit of Discovery's loss of propulsion in heavy weather and the on-board response, including analysis of the vessel's intended passage, preparations for operating in heavy weather, the on-board response to passenger injuries and damage, and the medical treatment of injured passengers."

The interim report notes that the investigation is nearly complete, with a full report soon to be issued for consultation with relevant parties.