Oil tanker blows up near to Indy

A fuel tank exploded in the port of Gibraltar on Tuesday near Independence of the Seas, injuring 12 passengers.

In a statement, Royal Caribbean said that the explosion occurred at 3:37 p.m. local time. Immediately after the blast, the ship retracted the gangway and moved a safe distance from the dock.

12 injured passengers have received treatment onboard for minor burns, abrasions and a dislocated finger. Two passengers were still ashore when the incident took place and were not injured during the explosion. Royal Caribbean is coordinating their travel to Cannes, France, the next scheduled port of call.

Ok so does this make a case that there should be seperate docks for passenger and commercial vessels?  I have been to many ports in my sea career and I have docked in freight ports, very close to container ships which could be carrying all manner of hazardous chemicals.  Any freak accident could hurst cruise passengers as it has above.

I have never thought of this before but it does make sense.  We always keep hazardous materials away from possible accidents at home, don’t we?

The ship itself did not sustain any significant damage and is currently at sea. It’s set to arrive in Cannes on Thursday.

I know it is a big ask but if anything like this hapens again, you might see cruise lines tendering alot more so the ships are away from any possible accidents!