The following is the text of a press release issued by the U.S. Coast Guard:
(NEW YORK) — The Coast Guard has approved the departure of the cruise ship Oceanic from the port of New York after it was detained here June 27, 2009 for a small crack in the hull and other safety discrepancies.
A seven person examination team from Coast Guard Sector New York boarded the cruise ship Oceanic, homeported in Malta, at 9 a.m. June 26, 2009 to conduct a routine safety inspection and found that the vessel had minor hull damage sustained prior to coming to New York Harbor. A small crack was discovered, leaking approximately one gallon of water per hour into the vessel.
Further investigation by the Coast Guard team identified 16 discrepancies including lifesaving, fire fighting, safety, and other maintenance deficiencies.
Underwater divers hired by the cruise ship company located the crack in the hull and applied epoxy to stop the leaking. The Oceanic was then dry-docked Sunday in Bayonne, New Jersey, to affect permanent repairs to the hull. Before transiting to dry dock, the passengers were taken off the ship and placed in hotels in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
With the passengers back on board, the Oceanic will now continue on its voyage to Venezuela.
