Classification
- Incident Type: Allision
- Severity: Medium
- Classification basis: Panama's final report classifies the event as an allision during berthing; the Malta report records it as a serious marine casualty.
Vessel Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Vessel Name | Carnival Glory |
| Vessel Type | Cruise |
| Flag State | Panama [PA] |
| IMO Number | 9198367 |
| Call Sign | 3FPS9 |
| Gross Tonnage | 110480 |
| LOA (m) | 290.0 |
| Breadth (m) | 35.5 |
| Power (kW) | 63360 |
| Year Built | 1999 |
Carnival Legend was a Malta-flagged passenger vessel, IMO 9224726, with 85,942 GT and 292.50 m LOA.
Incident Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Date | 2019-12-20 |
| Location | Puerta Maya, Cozumel, Mexico |
| Coordinates | 20.4867, -86.9817 |
| Region | Caribbean Sea |
| Fatalities | 0 |
| Injuries | 6 |
| Missing | |
| Direct Damage | Glory starboard-quarter structural damage; Legend bow damage |
| Economic Damage | |
| Environmental Damage |
Key facts
- Carnival Legend was moored at pier 1 while Carnival Glory approached pier 2 for berthing.
- Glory's starboard quarter struck Legend's bow during the maneuver.
- Six guests on Glory were injured, one requiring hospitalization; no deaths or pollution were reported.
- Glory sustained structural damage to its starboard quarter on decks 3 and 4. Legend sustained bow damage. The pier was not damaged.
Narrative
On 20 December 2019, Carnival Glory was carrying out an arrival berthing maneuver at Puerta Maya, Cozumel, while Carnival Legend was moored at the adjacent pier. The Panama final report describes Glory approaching the starboard side of pier 2 and its starboard quarter colliding with Legend's bow. The Malta interim report describes the same contact from Legend's perspective and records the contact at approximately 08:46 local time. The Panama report records the maneuver at approximately 07:45 local time, so the exact local timestamp is retained as a source discrepancy rather than silently normalized.
The bridge team regained control and completed the berthing operation. The Panama report records Glory safely alongside at about 08:49, while the Malta report records Legend brought back alongside at about 08:50 using azipods and thrusters. Six guests on Glory sustained minor injuries, with one hospitalized. No injuries were reported on Legend, and the Panama report records no deaths, pollution, or damage to the pier. Glory's starboard quarter suffered structural damage affecting decks 3 and 4, and Legend sustained damage to its port bow structure and observation platform. Temporary repairs were carried out before later permanent repairs, and the vessel was assessed as seaworthy subject to those repairs.
The Panama investigation identified improper planning and execution of the stern berthing maneuver, including the rate of turn and lateral stern movement. Wind and current affected the maneuver. The report also found that the bridge team did not fully use the available bridge resource management and PACE tools or establish clear abort limits. It did not identify fatigue, manning, equipment failure, or alcohol or drugs as causal factors.
Sequence of events
| Date/time | Event |
|---|---|
| 2019-12-20 | Carnival Legend was moored at Puerto Maya pier 1 while Carnival Glory approached pier 2. |
| 2019-12-20 | During Glory's berthing maneuver, its starboard quarter allided with Legend's bow. The Panama report records approximately 07:45 local time; the Malta interim report records approximately 08:46 local time. |
| 2019-12-20 | Control was regained. Glory was safely alongside at about 08:49 in the Panama report, and Legend was brought alongside at about 08:50 in the Malta report. |
| 2019-12-22 | A flag representative boarded Glory for follow-up and repair coordination. |
Contributing factors
| Factor | Evidence status | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Berthing maneuver planning and execution, including rate of turn and lateral stern movement | Confirmed finding | Panama's final report identifies improper planning and execution of the stern berthing maneuver as the root cause. |
| Wind and current during the maneuver | Confirmed finding | Panama's final report says the wind and current directly affected the vessel's rate of turn and lateral movement. |
| Incomplete use of bridge resource management, PACE, and abort limits | Confirmed finding | Panama's final report identifies weaknesses in bridge communication, risk analysis, contingency planning, and the emergency response. |
Investigation
The Panama Maritime Authority's Marine Accident Investigation Department issued the final report R-022-2020-DIAM and led the safety investigation. Malta's Marine Safety Investigation Unit issued interim report 201912/035 because Carnival Legend was Malta-flagged and substantially interested. The Panama report is the primary authority for the findings on maneuver planning, bridge team performance, environmental conditions, and damage. The Malta report is interim and notes that further evidence could alter the account.