Disney Dream Sustains Damage to Stern in Collision with Pier in Nassau

According to social media reports, the Disney Dream hit the dock while maneuvering into her berth earlier today in Nassau, Bahamas. Based on the following photos shared with us by Caitlin Maddaline, the Disney Dream’s stern was dented above the waterline, but it does not appear to have ruptured the hull.

Disney Dream Nassau Stern Damage 20170930

This second photo appears to shows the Dream’s impact point on the pier.

Disney Dream Nassau Stern Damage 20170930 Pier

Caitlin told us that crew were prepping the area and believes they will be painting the area of the stern.

Disney Dream Nassau Stern Damage 20170930 Painting

Below is video of the Disney Dream backing into the concrete mooring. WARNING ⚠️ ADULT LANGUAGE – basically a preview of Connelly’s inner monologue on his first day on a the job as President of DCL as he is waiting for Iger to pick up the phone.

If you have any additional photos or video please email us at contact@DisneyCruiseLineBlog.com.

The Disney Dream is currently in the middle of a 3-Night Bahamian Cruise which departed Port Canaveral on Friday September 29th. The Disney Dream is scheduled to visit Castaway Cay on Sunday before retiring to Port Canaveral early Monday morning for the start of a 4-night Bahamian voyage. We reached out to Disney Cruise Line to see if they anticipate any itinerary delays due to the damage to the stern. If and when we hear anything official we will update this post.

UPDATE- October 1st: crew setting up early to address the impact zone while guests enjoy Castaway Cay.

https://twitter.com/auburnrunnermom/status/914470519348527106

https://twitter.com/auburnrunnermom/status/914531347225616385

https://twitter.com/auburnrunnermom/status/914542283902595072

34 Replies to “Disney Dream Sustains Damage to Stern in Collision with Pier in Nassau”

  1. Sharon

    Wow… is Nassau one of the ports that the Pilot Boat driver has to steer the ship into the dock? It’s hard to believe this even happened (and 3 weeks before our cruise)!

    Reply
    1. Mari Aldrich

      As far as I know, the pilots usually just navigate ships in and out of harbors and waterways around a port. The captain of the ship docks. Because of new ship pod systems, they don’t even need tugs anymore to maneuver in and out of the docking areas. But it looks like this time they did.

      Reply
      1. Braeden D Cunningham

        Mari, the pilots always need to maneuver the ships into and out of docks/harbors. If a captain does it, it is strictly illegal and can result in serious consequences.

        Reply
        1. Big Jim

          Harbor pilots do not moor ship. They advise the captain when entering and leave port. They do not drive ship.

          Reply
    2. Kelly

      I worked on the dream for 2 years! The ONLY port the Disney captain actually docks is Castaway so this was the pilot boat driver. Disney takes Safety VERY seriously so don’t fear when you cruise! You will be in very safe hands

      Reply
  2. Kathy

    Kind of scary, it’s not like it nicked the edge of the pier it smacked into it. Thank goodness the damage is not more severe.

    Reply
  3. Ann

    I sail the Dream tomorrow! Yikes. I hope there is no change to the itinerary. I would hate to miss out on Castaway Cay.

    Reply
  4. Joe

    Wonder if they’ll change their procedure of backing in stern first?
    SCOTT, If you receive any photos after they sand and paint, please post. Would love to go down in the engine room or stern compartment to see what internal damage was done.
    Thanks.

    Reply
  5. Grace

    The ship is fine and those of you cruising soon, just go out there and have fun.I’ve cruised 8 times with disney and they are awesome.

    Reply
  6. Chris

    My wife and I were on this cruise. We were on our veranda as we pulled into dock. Never felt anything, didn’t know about it till that evening.

    Reply
  7. Johnny Gump

    Just so everyone is aware of what a Pilot actually does. The Pilot has specific knowledge of hazards in relation to the specific port, and also knowledge of the currents and sea conditions. The pilot makes recommendations to the Captain and Bridge Officers on the proper speed to enter a port, and he/she will advise the best and safest location to make a turn in the port. The Pilot “NEVER” controls the vessel, and it’s always the Bridge Officers that maneuver the vessel. A Bridge Officer is also on the aft mooring deck, and the forward mooring deck, and they constantly update the Bridge on any hazards and distances that the Bridge Team can’t see from their location. Knowing this specific vessel personally, and also being involved in the arrival procedure, the Captain would be on the Port Side Bridge wing looking straight down the side of the ship, and would have been very aware that the ship was not properly lined up for this maneuver. The officer on the aft mooring deck would also have been calling on the radio to the bridge telling them of the impending collision. One thing to add, that there is always a possibility that it could have been a technical failure with something being controlled on the Bridge.

    Reply
  8. Anthony

    Actually, the Pilots do not actually handle the ship. they simply advise the Captain and Crew on the proper headings and such in the channel and harbor. They do directly navigate; however they do not handle the ship’s thrusters and pods during docking procedures. Would you hand over a $1B piece of equipment to a stranger? The Captain can take the Conn at any time (though that is rare) if they feel the pilot is doing something wrong. Sometimes the Pilots simply advise and handle communication and don’t give orders at all. In some ports there can actually be “Docking Pilots” that handle very difficult docking procedures, but this is rather rare.

    I used to work onboard and, boy, I’ve heard stories! At that point in the procedure it would have been the Captain or whomever he appointed (like the Staff Captain or even a more junior, though qualified, officer) at the direct controls on the bridge wing.

    This is one of the major misunderstandings of the pilot’s position. That being said, someone is in trouble (or fired) for this one.

    Reply
  9. Tammie McFarland

    With all the technology I don’t know how come they don’t have cameras to help the captain steer the big boat in and out of port they should put cameras on all big boat it would help I thank . Marty M giving you the idea and if they put cameras on the ships I should be awarded not money just thank you for the idea about the cameras??????!!!!!!????!!!

    Reply
  10. Tammie McFarland

    Also from Marty McFarland alarms like vehicle have on the back bumpers with cameras that would I thank really help the captain steer better I am signing off if you like my idea let me know thanks have a great and bless day

    Reply
  11. Jack Sparrow

    No! No Pilot is not control at any time on any ship. It i the sole responsibility of the captain and crew.
    Tell you what though, it is an Italian crew.
    Search all the cruise ship crashes and you know why this has happened.

    Reply
  12. Ana

    Does anyone know what happened in the end? what was the main problem or why this happened? I´m very curious…. And do we know the Captain of the Dream that day? Was it Captain Henry?

    Reply
  13. Shana oneal

    This happened when we were on it… It was shocking.. Friends had heard about it on land before i even had chance to tell them..But what really bothered me is no explanation or nothing from Disney.

    Reply
    1. Jason

      why did you need an explanation? Other people on that cruise didnt even feel it, so how were you shocked? Go about your vacation.

      Reply
      1. Shana oneal

        Because it’s the right thing to do.You would not be shocked if your ship had damage like this? I might say you are not the brightest crayon in the box then..
        We did go about our vacation. . Thanks for the reply.

        Reply
  14. Craig

    My family and I have cruised on the Dream 4 times. We love it! All 4 times the docking was so smooth we didn’t even know it was docking.
    I feel sure it had to be a mechanical problem or just a bad day for a Junior officer. I would cruise again on that ship anytime!

    Reply
  15. Bill

    The only time I know of that a Captain relinguishes command of his vessel is as it is pulled into or exiting a drydock. Shipyard engineers are responsible for the ship’s safe entrance and exit from drydock. Pilots are advisors and the Captain can chose to to disregard the pilots advice as the Captain is responsible for the ship’s operation. The owning company can impose SOPs (standard operating procedures) but maritime law will regard the Captain as responsible for the vessel.regardless of company policies.

    Reply

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