Peace Boat stuck in New York
A cruise ship operated by the Japan-based NGO Peace Boat is stuck in New York:
The Clipper Pacific, a 637-foot ship carrying about 975 passengers and just over 300 crew members on a round-the-world voyage that started in Japan in May, reported hull damage on Sunday as it approached New York, its next scheduled stop after Greenland.
The Coast Guard did a routine inspection on Sunday, and found at least 60 more safety problems, mostly fire hazards, said Cmdr. Gregory Hitchen, the Coast Guard’s chief of operations for the New York area.
The passengers were free to come and go after the ship docked at Pier 92 on the West Side of Manhattan while the repairs were being made.
“I am just having fun,” said one passenger, Chika Sonobe, 30, who was returning to the ship from a day in Manhattan. “We are staying on the boat, and we just come and go. People are enjoying themselves because it is New York.”
Other passengers have expressed frustration over delays and money issues. It might be possible for the ship to continue its voyage around the world with some temporary fixes, but NY1 News has reported that the ship will need to travel to Florida for permanent repairs.
