What Caused the Cruise Ship to Crash in Venice?

By Anna Duncan

On June 2, 2019, the cruise ship MSC Opera crashed into a dock in Venice, Italy. The incident created a wave of shock and disbelief that reverberated around the world.

The crash damaged one of the city’s most iconic landmarks, the San Basilio Church, and left four people injured. It also heightened concerns over cruise ships in Venice and brought to light some of the issues surrounding the large vessels.

The cause of the crash is still under investigation but there are several factors that likely contributed to it. The most likely explanation seems to be human error on behalf of the captain and crew.

Witnesses reported that they saw someone at the helm not paying attention or making mistakes while maneuvering the boat. There were also reports of a malfunctioning engine which could have caused a loss of control.

The size and weight of the ship is also being considered as a factor in its inability to stop or slow down in time. The MSC Opera is nearly 90 feet tall and weighs more than 50,000 tons – far larger than most boats in Venice’s canals. Its immense size makes it difficult to navigate around smaller vessels or tight turns.

The rising number of cruise ships visiting Venice is also creating tension with local residents who are concerned about noise pollution, air pollution, and overcrowding. There has been growing pressure on local government officials to impose stricter regulations on tourism in order to protect Venice’s fragile ecosystem.

Conclusion:

The crash of MSC Opera has highlighted some serious concerns regarding cruise ships in Venice. It appears that human error on behalf of the captain and crew combined with a malfunctioning engine and the immense size of the ship were all factors that contributed to its inability to stop or slow down in time. Local authorities must take measures to regulate tourism more strictly if they want to protect Venice’s fragile ecosystem from further damage.