SPIRIT OF DISCOVERY
Die letzten Häfen
Die letzten Wegpunkte
Die neuesten Nachrichten
Medevac in Bay of Biscay
On the morning of Oct 16, the CROSS Etel received a call transfer from CROSS Corsen, which had been alerted by the 'Spirit of Discovery', enroute from Motril to Portsmouth, UK, that one of its passengers was ill. Initially within the CROSS-Etek's area of responsibility, the crew participated in an audio conference along with the the Maritime Medical Consultation Center (CCMM) in Toulouse. Following this conference, a medical evacuation by helicopter was recommended. The CROSS dispatched the French Navy's H160 (32F) helicopter based at Lanvéoc-Poulmic to evacuate the passenger. Once on scene, the helicopter, now within CROSS Corsen's area of responsibility, allowed for the passenger's transfer. He was hoisted aboard and then transported to the Cavale Blanche hospital in Brest, where he was admitted at 09:32 a.m.
MAIB report into power loss published - passenger received 'suboptimal treatment' and died
On March 11, 2026, the MAIB published its Accident Investigation Report into the power loss of the ' Spirit of Discovery on Nov 4, 2023, shortly after 12.30 p.m. in heavy weather, while crossing the Bay of Biscay. Over 100 passengers were injured. Eight of the seriously injured passengers were taken directly to hospital on arrival into port and one of these passengers later died from his injuries. The report stated that the vessel lost propulsion due to violent motion causing propeller exposure, overspeed and automatic shutdown. The initial loss of control was exacerbated by unexpected parking of both propulsion pods at 90 degrees to the vessel’s heading. The decision to cross the Bay of Biscay was not effectively challenged by the crew and operational teams ashor. The lack of implementation of the mass casualty incident plan contributed to the medical team becoming overstretched. There was a delay in identifying that a passenger had suffered a spinal injury led to him receiving suboptimal treatment The 85 year old Trevor Gilks was sitting on a high-backed armchair which toppled backwards as the ship rolled violently. The 'main impact' of the fall was on his neck, investigators found. Mr Gilks was helped by crew back into the chair and then to his cabin. He was later moved in a wheelchair to the ship's medical centre, where X-rays were taken of his neck and emailed to a shore-based radiologist to review. No further X-rays were taken even though the radiologist replied to say that they were unable to determine whether the cervical spine – in the neck region – was damaged as no side-on view was provided. Mr Gilks was put on a bed in the medical centre rather than a spinal board. His condition deteriorated on Nov 6, with a doctor expressing concern that he would become paralysed and needed to be evacuated from the ship. But given the risks of a helicopter transfer in high seas, the captain decided it would be better for him to remain on board until the cruise ship arrived in Portsmouth later that day. He was transferred by ambulance to hospital but died on Nov 8. His cause of death was recorded as complete cervical spine injury. Recommendations have been made to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to propose that international carriage requirements include electronic inclinometers, and to the vessel’s classification societies to improve the quality of instruction manuals. The propulsion manufacturer has been recommended to issue a customer advice note to owners of vessels fitted with similar pods. The Cruise Lines International Association has been recommended to increase the number of medical personnel with an Advanced Trauma Life Support qualification carried on passenger vessels and to update its policies on the securing of vessel furniture in heavy weather. Full report: https://www.gov.uk/maib-reports/loss-of-propulsion-in-heavy-weather-experienced-by-the-passenger-vessel-spirit-of-discovery-leading-to-over-100-injuries-and-one-fatality
Three passengers medevaced off Algiers
Algerian coastguard units carried out a rescue operation off the coast of Cap Matifou on the evening of, April 18. Three British tourists were medevaced from the 'Spirit of Discovery'. The ship had sailed from Gibraltar and was heading for Malta. It issued a distress signal 16 nautical miles northwest of Cape Matifou after three British passengers were in a dangerous condition. The National Maritime Surveillance and Rescue Operations Center, part of the Coast Guard's Naval Forces Command, immediately launched a two-stage rescue and evacuation operation. An MS-66 helicopter belonging to the 560th Search and Rescue Helicopter Squadron (1st Military Region) and a lifeboat from the Dellys Territorial Coast Guard Group (1st Military Region) were deployed. The patients were taken off and subsequently transferred to the Mustapha Pacha University Hospital (CHU) for medical treatment.
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