PORTLAND — A large cruise ship that came into the city ahead of schedule this month to wait out Hurricane Earl caused damage to floats at the Maine State Pier.
The damage, according to City Hall spokeswoman Nicole Clegg, was minimal and has been repaired.
“Estimates for (repairs were) less than $5,000,” she said.
Explorer of the Seas arrived in Portland on Sept. 3, a day ahead of schedule, to escape possibly rough seas caused by Hurricane Earl. The ship was on a nine-day cruise from Cape Liberty, N.J. Its ports of call included Boston, Portland, Bar Harbor, St. John, New Brunswick and Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Clegg said that when the 138,000-ton ship was docking at the Maine State Pier, its thrusters damaged the tender floats. The floats are used to ferry people on and off small excursion boats.
According to Clegg, there was no damage to the pier structure.
“It happens,” she said of the accident. “This isn’t the first time.”
Explorer of the Seas carries more than 3,000 passengers – the most out of any cruise ship visiting Portland this year. At 1,020 feet, the ship is about 20 feet longer than the Maine State Pier.
Kate Bucklin can be reached at 781-3661 ext. 106 or kbucklin@theforecaster.net
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