Weather delays storm-hit cruise ship again

Aug 2, 2008, 10:43 GMT

Wellington - The P&O cruise ship Pacific Sun, which was buffeted by a sub-tropical storm in the Pacific that injured more than 40 passengers this week, was cleared to sail again on Saturday but stayed in Auckland after forecasters warned of more bad weather.

Maritime inspectors, who conducted a mandatory examination of the vessel, found no structural damage, and cleared it to sail again on another scheduled eight-day cruise to the French Pacific territory of New Caledonia.

It was due to leave with more than 1,600 passengers on Saturday afternoon but the United Kingdom-based cruise company postponed the departure of its vessel until Sunday.

The delay followed a MetService warning of more thunderstorms with possibly destructive high winds in the region.

The liner docked in Auckland on Friday with some of the 1,700 passengers on board telling reporters they had experienced a 'nightmare, like a disaster movie' when the ship hit 7-metre swells and 50-knot winds 600 kilometres out from Auckland on Wednesday night.

Graphic film was screened on the TV3 network news showing chairs, crockery and glass flying and gaming machines flung from walls as passengers screamed.

More than 40 passengers were treated for injuries including a fractured pelvis, broken arm, cuts, sprains and bruises and one woman lost the tip of a finger.

P&O said it was offering counselling to passengers and the 671 crew who were on the Pacific Sun and a 25-per-cent discount on fares for their next cruise.