The US Coast Guard advises they detained SS Oceanic, which is currently operating as the Peace Boat, at New York on Thursday night.
The ship arrived at New York Thursday morning with 848 passengers aboard. The Coast Guard was performing a routine inspection when they discovered minor hull damage and several maintenance deficiencies.
A small hole was discovered, leaking approximately one gallon of water per hour into the vessel. Coast Guard inspectors also identified 16 discrepancies in the lifesaving, fire fighting, safety, and other maintenance categories. These also included a crack in the hull below the waterline on the port side of the vessel. The inspection began at approximately 9:00am and concluded about 11:30pm when the ship was declared detained.
According to the Coast Guard, Oceanic will have to remain in New York "until the master can provide a repair proposal and can make necessary repairs that directly impact the ships passengers and crew."
Oceanic will be familiar to many readers as a popular classic ship sailing for several lines over the years. It was delivered new to Home Lines in 1965. In 1985 it was purchased by Premier Cruises and sailed at StarShip Oceanic and Big Red Boat I. From 2000 to 2009 it sailed for Pullmantur under its original name, Oceanic. In March the ship was sold to a group which markets lengthy world cruises under the name of the Peace Boat.
Oceanic arrived New York Thursday morning from Iceland. It's next scheduled destination is Venezuela. Its schedule calls for a departure from New York at noon on Saturday, but it will not depart until it is given clearance by the Coast Guard.
Saturday update on the situation.
