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Introduction
On January 6, 2024, the MSC Sinfonia experienced a significant collision incident while anchored at Port Syracuse in Sicily, Italy. The ship broke its mooring lines due to adverse weather conditions, resulting in a drift that caused collisions with several boats in the harbor of Marina Yachting and a dock at Foro Italico on Ortigia Island. This incident led to considerable damage to the local marina and some boats, highlighting the challenges posed by harsh weather conditions at sea.
Details of the Incident
The MSC Sinfonia, buffeted by strong winds reaching speeds of up to 50 knots (approximately 90 km/h or 60 mph), lost its anchorage and drifted uncontrollably. The vessel collided with multiple pleasure boats and yachts, causing two boats to sink and inflicting damages on several others, as well as the Marina itself. With the help of four tugboats, the ship was eventually towed back to its designated anchorage area and later moved to a more sheltered location for added safety.
Operational Context
At the time of the accident, MSC Sinfonia was in Port Syracuse for routine technical maintenance and, fortunately, was not carrying any passengers. There were no reported injuries as a result of the incident. Despite the absence of passenger injuries, the event serves as a reminder of the potential hazards that severe weather can pose to moored vessels and nearby infrastructure.