cruise ship lightning strike

Couple describes harrowing tale after Carnival Cruise ship struck by lightning: 'This doesn't look good'

The carnival freedom was about 20 miles off eleuthera island in the bahamas on march 23, sailing to freeport after being unable to dock at princess cay earlier that morning due to strong winds. then thunderstorms rolled over the ship during the afternoon..

Couple tells of how cruise ship caught fire after lightning strike in Caribbean

Florence & Joe Torchia tell FOX Weather about the harrowing experience they had on a cruise ship that was hit by lightning and then caught fire while at sea in the Caribbean. 

OCALA, Fla. –  A couple, who were vacationing on a Carnival Cruise ship in the Caribbean last week when a lightning bolt reportedly struck the ship, described how it turned their relaxing afternoon into a harrowing experience.

The Carnival Freedom was about 20 miles off Eleuthera Island in the Bahamas on March 23, sailing to Freeport after being unable to dock at Princess Cay earlier that morning due to strong winds.

Smoke and flames coming from the exhaust tunnel of the Carnival Freedom cruise ship on Saturday, March 23, 2024. 

(@breezebreeze_ via Storyful)

Then thunderstorms rolled over the ship during the afternoon. Florence and Joe Torchia were in their cabin at the back of the ship when the storm struck.

"I saw the lightning," Florence Torchia told FOX Weather.

Radar at 3:15 p.m. on March 23 when a Carnival Cruise ship was possibly hit by lightning. 

(FOX Weather)

LIGHTNING FATALITIES WERE SECOND LOWEST ON RECORD IN 2023, SAFETY COUNCIL SAYS

Moments later, the crew reported a fire on the port side of the ship's exhaust funnel.

"We saw it on the TV because they had a (camera) set up," Joe Torchia said. "And then we said, 'Oh my God, this doesn't look good.' And then they were trying to put it out and the hoses just didn't reach the funnel."

The captain then announced to the passengers that there was a fire on the ship.

Carnival Freedom cruise ship on fire

Video shows smoke and flames coming from the Carnival Freedom exhaust tunnel on Saturday after a possible lightning strike. (video credit: Credit: @breezebreeze_ via Storyful)

"And so we tried to go down to the muster station," Joe Torchia said. "And it was kids crying, looking for their parents. And it was scary."

Florence said they couldn't see the fire from their cabin due to the angles of the ship.

"But then the (exhaust) stack fell down onto the 10th deck, and then the plume of smoke came down, and we had it in our cabin and everything," she said. "So (it) was a little scary for a bit, but the staff… notified us of everything."

LIGHTNING SAFETY: WHEN THUNDER ROARS, EVEN TAKING OUT THE TRASH CAN TURN DEADLY

"Communications were pretty good. And the captain did a good job," Joe added.

A Carnival Cruise spokesperson said their onboard team acted quickly to contain and put out the fire.

"While we continue to investigate multiple eyewitness reports of a lightning strike, our technical team completed a thorough assessment during the ship’s visit to Freeport on Sunday," the spokesperson said.

Carnival cruise ship catches fire during storm at sea

Passenger video shows smoke billowing from the exhaust tunnel of the Carnival Freedom cruise ship on Saturday. (Video: Heath Barnes/LOCAL NEWS X /TMX)

The Freedom eventually had to return to Port Canaveral , Florida , on that Monday, where guests disembarked.

The cruise line said damage to the ship is "more than we first thought" and will require immediate repair to stabilize the funnel. Cruises scheduled to depart from Port Canaveral on March 25 and March 29 were canceled. All guests on the canceled trips will receive a full refund and a 100% future cruise credit.

"We greatly appreciate our terrific guests for their outstanding cooperation and support," Carnival said.

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Joe Torchia said it was the couple's third cruise, "but it might be our last."

"I'd rather go to the Caribbean to a single destination," Florence Torchia added.

FOX Business reported that the same cruise ship caught on fire in 2022 after being struck by lightning.

• Extreme Weather

Five Cruise Passengers Struck by Lightning in Dramatic St. Maarten Incident

Andrea Santillan

• August 3, 2024

Five people in St. Maarten required immediate medical assistance after being struck by lightning on Wednesday, July 31. The group included cruise passengers, though it hasn’t been revealed who they are or how many of them had come from cruise vessels.

The local police force, Korps Politie Sint Maarten (KPMS), responded to the emergency on the Philipsburg Boardwalk. Authorities transported them to the St. Maarten Medical Center at around 1:15 in the afternoon. 

Two of the victims were reportedly on land holding an umbrella, while the others were in the water when lightning struck. According to a report by local publication The Daily Herald , the victims sustained physical trauma. Three of the victims were diagnosed with serious injuries and remained in the healthcare facility, while two had minor injuries that did not necessitate hospitalization.

The cruise passengers are believed to be guests from two vessels that were docked in the area at the time of the incident—Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Vista and Royal Caribbean’s Rhapsody of the Seas. 

KPMS asked the public to practice extreme caution during adverse weather, particularly when it is accompanied by lightning. They advised people to stay indoors and avoid open areas to prevent being struck.

How Lightning Affects the Human Body

Lightning bolts are capable of transmitting over 10 million volts, several times higher than high-voltage power lines. Being struck typically burns the shoulders, neck, and head. They can result in immediate death from cardiopulmonary or cardiac arrest. 

Those fortunate enough to have a minor encounter with lightning could experience nausea, headache, sore muscles, dizziness, and memory issues, which could resolve on their own after a few days.

Last March, Carnival Freedom’s funnel caught fire after getting struck by lightning. The incident damaged the ship’s funnel and forced the cruise line to cancel two of Freedom’s voyages.

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Carnival Cruise Passenger Captures Ship Fire on Video After Reports of Lightning Strike

The incident marks the second time in two years this particular ship has caught fire. It has caused the cancellation of two upcoming voyages

A Carnival cruise ship’s exhaust funnel caught fire on Saturday during a trip to the Bahamas, causing the company to cancel its next two voyages.

This is the second time in less than two years that the Carnival Freedom, based in Port Canaveral, Fla., has been impacted by a fire.

"Regrettably, the damage is more than we first thought, and will require an immediate repair to stabilize the funnel, resulting in the cancellation of the March 25 and March 29 cruises from Port Canaveral," Matt Lupoli, Carnival Cruise Line's senior manager of public relations, told Florida Today in a statement. "The funnel has been stabilized for the ship’s return to Port Canaveral overnight to disembark guests, and then it will go to the Freeport shipyard on Monday afternoon to begin the required repairs."

PEOPLE has reached out to Carnival, but did not immediately hear back.

MALCOLM DENEMARK/FLORIDA TODAY / USA TODAY NETWORK (2)

While the cause of the fire is still being investigated, Carnival noted in a post on X Saturday that eyewitnesses reported the possibility of a lightning strike.

One of the cruise’s passengers, Heath Barnes, posted footage of the incident on Facebook Saturday afternoon.

In a statement to TMX, Barnes said it had been storming on and off and he was on one of the ship’s upper decks when he experienced “the loudest thunder and lightening [sic] I have ever heard.”

After he returned to his cabin for about 15 minutes, his nephew and two friends came to tell him the ship was on fire.

“I thought they were giving me a hard time but I got up and went out on the balcony and sure enough the flames and smoke was pouring out of the tail,” he continued, adding that he took the videos from his balcony before travelers were asked to stay indoors.

MALCOLM DENEMARK/FLORIDA TODAY / USA TODAY NETWORK

Carnival's brand ambassador John Heald addressed the incident on Facebook, acknowledging that those impacted by the cancellations “will be feeling very disappointed.” 

“And I want to add my apologies and my assurances that when you rebook using your full refund and your 100% future cruise credit, that the crew will be standing by to give you all the Fun you deserve,” he added.

In May 2022, the Carnival Freedom caught fire during a five-day cruise to Turks and Caicos.

At the time, Carnival Cruise Line verified that a fire broke out in the funnel of the ship while it was in Grand Turk.

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The company said its "emergency response team quickly activated and extinguished" the flames.

"All guests and crew are safe, and the ship's guests were cleared by local authorities to go ashore," Carnival added.

The 948-foot Carnival Freedom, built in 2007, can hold just over 3,500 passengers, according to Cruise Mapper .

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Hurricane tracker, severe weather, radar & maps, news & features, winter center, news / weather news, fire extinguished on carnival freedom cruise ship after witnesses reported possible lightning strike.

As the ship’s fire response team worked to extinguish the blaze, the cruise’s captain turned the ship toward an area of heavy rain to help put out the flames, the release states.

By David Williams and Ashley R. Williams, CNN

Published Mar 25, 2024 6:06 AM PDT | Updated Mar 25, 2024 6:54 AM PDT

Black smoke billowed from a fire on a cruise ship near the Bahamas that eyewitnesses reported being started by a lightning strike on March 23.

(CNN) —  Heath Barnes opened his book on the upper decks of the Bahamas-bound Carnival Freedom cruise ship in between bouts of rain.

But his relaxation Saturday afternoon was suddenly stolen with “the loudest thunder and lightning I have ever heard,” he told CNN.

Barnes, of Woodsboro, Maryland, went back inside and minutes later learned from his nephew and his nephew’s two friends, all 16, that the ship was on fire.

“I thought they were giving me a hard time, but I got up and went out on the balcony and sure enough, the flames and smoke was pouring out of the tail,” said Barnes, who shared footage of the incident with CNN.

Cruise ship officials reported the fire broke out on the port side of the ship’s exhaust funnel around 3:15 p.m. local time, according to a news release from Carnival Cruise Line.

Witnesses reported the ship may have been struck by lightning, but that has not been confirmed and the cause is still being investigated, according to the cruise line.

As the ship’s fire response team worked to extinguish the blaze, the cruise’s captain turned the ship toward an area of heavy rain to help put out the flames, the release states.

The fire appeared to be extinguished about two hours after it ignited. There were no reported injuries to guests, but two firefighting crew members were treated for minor smoke inhalation, according to the cruise line.

The port side portion of the exhaust funnel fell onto deck 10 of the ship as a result of the fire, according to Carnival.

The ship was about 20 miles off Eleuthera Island, Bahamas, when the fire broke out. The blaze started as the ship headed to Freeport, the release said.

The cruise line said passengers were able to attend dinner as planned Saturday night.

The US Coast Guard has been notified about the incident.

Barnes said after the fire broke out, passengers were told to remain in their cabins until about 5:40 p.m.

This was his 18th Carnival Cruise trip.

“This was the most interesting one,” he said. “It’s not their fault, it’s Mother Nature.”

Carnival said later on Sunday it had completed a thorough assessment during the ship’s visit to Freeport and discovered the damage was worse than the cruise line initially reported.

The Carnival Freedom cruise trips originally scheduled to depart from Port Canaveral, Florida, on March 25 and March 29 have been canceled to allow “immediate repair to stabilize the funnel,” the cruise line said in a news release.

“The funnel has been stabilized for the ship’s return to Port Canaveral overnight to disembark guests, and then it will go to the Freeport shipyard on Monday afternoon to begin the required repairs,” according to the updated release.

Carnival announced full refunds and future cruise credits for passengers scheduled to depart on the canceled cruises.

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VIDEO: Carnival Cruise ship experiences fire at sea after reported lightning strike

by ALEXX ALTMAN-DEVILBISS | The National Desk

WASHINGTON (TND) — Video filmed by a passenger on the Carnival Freedom captured the moment fire barreled out of the ship's port-side exhaust funnel while it was off the coast of the Bahamas Saturday.

Carnival said in a statement that the fire broke out around 3:15 p.m. and the ship required immediate repair for the stabilization of the funnel.

"At approximately 3:15 pm EDT today, Carnival Freedom reported a fire on the port side of the ship’s exhaust funnel," Carnival wrote on X Saturday . "The ship was 20 miles off Eleuthera Island, Bahamas, heading to Freeport after a cancelled call to Princess Cay due to weather."

Passengers reported a possible lightning strike but Carnival said the cause of the fire is still being investigated.

Officials added the ship's fire response team was quickly activated and the ship's captain turned the vessel towards the heavy rain in the area "to maximize the efforts to put out the flames."

Carnival said in a news release to The National Desk it had completed a thorough assessment Sunday during the ship's visit to Freeport and discovered the damage was worse than initially thought.

Cruise trips on the Carnival Freedom that were originally scheduled to depart from Port Canaveral, Florida on March 25 and March 29 were canceled to allow "immediate repair to stabilize the funnel," the cruise line said.

"The funnel has been stabilized for the ship’s return to Port Canaveral overnight to disembark guests, and then it will go to the Freeport shipyard on Monday afternoon to begin the required repairs," a release stated.

Full refunds and future cruise credits were issued for passengers scheduled to depart on the canceled cruises.

The full release from Carnival Cruise Line can be read below:

Carnival Freedom experienced a fire in the port side of the exhaust funnel on Saturday. Our onboard team acted quickly to contain and put out the fire. While we continue to investigate multiple eyewitness reports of a lightning strike, our technical team completed a thorough assessment during the ship’s visit to Freeport on Sunday. Regrettably, the damage is more than we first thought and will require an immediate repair to stabilize the funnel, resulting in the cancellation of the March 25 and March 29 cruises from Port Canaveral.

The funnel was stabilized for the ship’s return to Port Canaveral, Fla. and the ship arrived Monday morning to disembark guests. We greatly appreciate our terrific guests for their outstanding cooperation and support.

Carnival Freedom will sail back to the Freeport shipyard on Monday afternoon to begin the required repairs. We sincerely regret the impact to our embarking guests, as we know they have been looking forward to their spring break vacation. We are providing all guests on both cancelled cruises a full refund and a 100% future cruise credit so they can come back and enjoy a future cruise with us.

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Lightning strike suspected in cruise ship fire at sea

The exhaust funnel collapsed onto a deck below during the ship’s second fire in less than two years.

By David Williams and Ashley R. Williams, CNN

(CNN) ­ Heath Barnes opened his book on the upper decks of the Bahamas-bound Carnival Freedom cruise ship in between bouts of rain.

But his relaxation Saturday afternoon was suddenly stolen with “the loudest thunder and lightning I have ever heard,” he told CNN.

Barnes, of Woodsboro, Maryland, went back inside and minutes later learned from his nephew and his nephew’s two friends, all 16, the ship was on fire.

“I thought they were giving me a hard time, but I got up and went out on the balcony and sure enough, the flames and smoke was pouring out of the tail,” said Barnes, who shared footage of the incident with CNN.

Cruise ship officials reported the fire broke out on the port side of the ship’s exhaust funnel around 3:15 p.m. local time, according to a news release from Carnival Cruise Line.

Witnesses reported the ship may have been struck by lightning, but that has not been confirmed and the cause is still being investigated, according to the cruise line.

As the ship’s fire response team worked to extinguish the blaze, the cruise’s captain turned the ship toward an area of heavy rain to help put out the flames, the release states.

The fire appeared to be extinguished about two hours after it ignited. There were no reported injuries to guests, but two firefighting crew members were treated for minor smoke inhalation, according to the cruise line.

The port side portion of the exhaust funnel fell onto deck 10 of the ship as a result of the fire, according to Carnival.

The ship was about 20 miles off Eleuthera Island, Bahamas, when the fire broke out. The blaze started as the ship headed to Freeport, the release said.

The cruise line said passengers were able to attend dinner as planned Saturday night.

The US Coast Guard has been notified about the incident.

Barnes said after the fire broke out, passengers were told to remain in their cabins until about 5:40 p.m.

This was his 18th Carnival Cruise trip.

“This was the most interesting one,” he said. “It’s not their fault, it’s Mother Nature.”

Carnival said later on Sunday it had completed a thorough assessment during the ship’s visit to Freeport and discovered the damage was worse than the cruise line initially reported.

The Carnival Freedom cruise trips originally scheduled to depart from Port Canaveral, Florida, on March 25 and March 29 have been canceled to allow “immediate repair to stabilize the funnel,” the cruise line said in a news release.

“The funnel has been stabilized for the ship’s return to Port Canaveral overnight to disembark guests, and then it will go to the Freeport shipyard on Monday afternoon to begin the required repairs,” according to the updated release.

Carnival announced full refunds and future cruise credits for passengers scheduled to depart on the canceled cruises.

The-CNN-Wire ™ & © 2024 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.

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What happens if a cruise ship gets hit by lightning?

Faqs about lightning strikes on cruise ships, 1. is it common for cruise ships to get hit by lightning, 2. how often do lightning strikes cause fires or explosions on cruise ships, 3. can passengers feel the impact of a lightning strike, 4. what happens if a person is struck by lightning on a cruise ship, 5. are crew members trained to handle lightning strikes, 6. do cruise ships change course or cancel voyages due to lightning storms, 7. can lightning strikes damage the ship’s navigation systems, 8. how are passengers informed about lightning strikes, 9. are there any precautions passengers should take during a lightning storm on a cruise ship, 10. is it safer to be on a lower deck during a lightning storm, 11. can lightning strikes affect the ship’s stability, 12. do all cruise ships have lightning protection systems, what happens if a cruise ship gets hit by lightning.

Getting struck by lightning is a terrifying experience, and the thought of it happening on a cruise ship can be even more unnerving. So, what happens if a cruise ship gets hit by lightning? Let’s delve into this electrifying topic and shed some light on the matter.

When a cruise ship is struck by lightning, several events are set into motion. Firstly, the lightning bolt travels through the ship’s exterior, seeking the path of least resistance. The electricity then courses through the conductive materials, such as metal, causing localized damage in its path. The force of the lightning strike can create sparks, leading to fires and even explosions if flammable substances are present.

To mitigate the risk of damage and ensure the safety of passengers and crew, cruise ships are designed with lightning protection systems. These systems consist of lightning rods that attract and safely guide the electrical current away from the ship’s critical components. The lightning rods are strategically placed on the highest points of the ship, minimizing the chances of a direct hit. Additionally, the ship’s electrical systems are grounded to channel any lightning strikes safely into the sea.

Even with these precautions in place, a cruise ship hit by lightning may experience power outages. The electrical surge caused by the lightning strike can disrupt the ship’s systems, leading to temporary blackouts. However, most modern cruise ships have backup generators to ensure minimal disruption to essential services like lighting, navigation, and emergency communication.

While lightning strikes on cruise ships are relatively rare, they do occur occasionally, especially during thunderstorms or in regions prone to electrical storms. However, the risk is minimized through careful itinerary planning and advanced weather monitoring.

Fires and explosions are rare outcomes of lightning strikes on cruise ships. The modern construction and safety measures implemented in cruise ship design, such as fire-resistant materials and sprinkler systems, greatly reduce the risk of such incidents.

Typically, passengers will not physically feel the impact of a lightning strike. Cruise ships are equipped with comprehensive grounding systems that divert the electrical current harmlessly away from the passenger areas.

If someone on a cruise ship were to be struck by lightning, it could cause severe injury or even death. However, due to the cruise ship’s design and lightning protection systems, the chances of this happening are extremely remote.

Cruise ship crew members undergo rigorous safety training, which includes procedures for handling and mitigating the impact of lightning strikes. They are well-prepared to handle any emergencies that may result from such an event.

Cruise ships prioritize passenger safety and may alter their course or cancel voyages if there is a high risk of lightning storms. The ships’ captains and navigational officers closely monitor weather conditions to make informed decisions to ensure the well-being of all onboard.

While it is possible for lightning strikes to cause temporary disruptions to the ship’s navigation systems, modern cruise ships are equipped with redundant systems and backup procedures to minimize any potential impact on navigation.

In the event of a lightning strike, passengers will be promptly informed by the ship’s crew through the ship’s public address system and other communication channels. The crew will provide necessary instructions and guidance, ensuring the safety and well-being of all onboard.

During a lightning storm, it is advised for passengers to stay indoors, away from open decks, and avoid contact with metal surfaces such as railings. Following instructions from the ship’s crew and adhering to safety procedures are crucial to ensuring personal safety.

Being on a lower deck does not necessarily make a significant difference in terms of safety during a lightning storm. The ship’s lightning protection system is designed to redirect electrical currents away from all passenger areas, regardless of deck level.

Lightning strikes do not have a direct impact on the ship’s stability. Cruise ships are designed and equipped with advanced stabilization systems to ensure a steady and comfortable sailing experience, irrespective of weather conditions.

Yes, all modern cruise ships are equipped with lightning protection systems. These systems are an integral part of ship design, implemented to minimize the risk of damage from lightning strikes and ensure the safety of passengers and crew.

As intriguing as the subject of lightning strikes on cruise ships may be, it is important to remember that the likelihood of such an event occurring is exceedingly rare. Cruise ships are engineered with advanced safety measures to protect against lightning strikes, ensuring a secure and enjoyable voyage for all on board.

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Carnival freedom cruise ship catches fire after possible lightning strike.

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Video by Heath Barnes

The Carnival Freedom is scheduled to return to port on Monday morning, following an incident where a fire erupted on board, leading to the cancellation of at least two cruises from Port Canaveral.

This marks the second occurrence of a fire originating from the ship's exhaust funnel during a voyage.

Cruise ship officials reported the fire broke out on the port side of the ship’s exhaust funnel around 3:15 p.m. local time, according to a news release from Carnival Cruise Line.

The ship was about 20 miles off Eleuthera Island, Bahamas, when the fire broke out. The blaze started as the ship headed to Freeport.

Witnesses reported the ship may have been struck by lightning, but that has not been confirmed, and the cause is still being investigated, according to the cruise line.

Passengers aboard the Carnival Freedom witnessed and recorded the fire as the ship was navigating near the Bahamas on Saturday. The cruise line said the fire was quickly brought under control.

Over the weekend, Carnival's technical team conducted a thorough assessment of the ship while docked in Freeport. Subsequently, the company made the decision to cancel the cruises set to depart on Monday and the following Friday from Port Canaveral.

Carnival announced full refunds and future cruise credits for passengers scheduled to depart on the canceled cruises.

Watch CBS News

Carnival cruise ship catches fire for the second time in 2 years

By Emily Mae Czachor

Updated on: March 25, 2024 / 9:57 AM EDT / CBS News

A Carnival cruise ship will be out of commission for repairs for at least a week after its exhaust funnel caught fire and partially collapsed Saturday during a trip to the Bahamas. It marked the second time in just under two years that the funnel on this same ship, the Carnival Freedom, went up in flames while carrying passengers. 

What caused the most recent incident is still being investigated, according to the cruise company. No one on board the ship was injured, but Carnival said two fire crew members were treated for minor smoke inhalation.

The Carnival Freedom left from Port Canaveral, Florida, on Thursday and was supposed to travel for several days through the Bahamas before returning Monday to Port Canaveral. It was not immediately clear how many passengers and crew were on board the Freedom when the fire erupted, but the cruise ship can accommodate 2,980 guests and 1,150 crew members at capacity. CBS News contacted Carnival for more information.

The ship initially reported a fire at around 3:15 p.m. EDT on Saturday, on the port side of the ship's exhaust funnel as it sailed 20 miles off of the Bahamas' Eleuthera Island en route to Freeport, the company said in a statement. It had changed course to turn toward Freeport, at the northern tip of the island chain, after cancelling a stop farther south in Princess Cays because of bad weather. Eyewitnesses said that a lightning strike may have sparked the fire, a claim that Carnival said "is being investigated but cannot yet be confirmed."

A fire response team was activated quickly to put out the blaze once it broke out, as the Freedom's captain shifted the cruise liner toward the heavy rain nearby in hopes that would help. The fire was extinguished by 5:20 p.m., Carnival said, including flames from a portion of the funnel that broke off and fell onto one of the ship decks. Funnels are essentially used as smokestacks or chimneys to expel fumes and engine exhaust.

The U.S. Coast Guard said the Carnival Freedom crew was able to extinguish the fire Saturday without their help. They were aware of the fire, though, and issued a Captain of the Port order to the cruise ship before it was scheduled to enter Port Canaveral, Florida, on Monday. Captain of the Port orders are  broad mandates that the Marine Safety and Security Council describes as a tool granting Coast Guard crews "with operational controls over an emergent situation posing safety, security, or environmental risks."

 "We are continuing to monitor the situation," the Coast Guard said in a statement.

Although Carnival said at first that it did not expect the fire to impact trips on the Freedom cruise set to depart Port Canaveral on Monday and Friday, a technical assessment carried out in Freeport on Sunday revealed more significant damage to the ship than they originally thought. The damage would "require an immediate repair to stabilize the funnel" after disembarking guests in Port Canaveral on Monday, the company said in an updated statement following the assessment. 

"The funnel has been stabilized for the ship's return to Port Canaveral overnight to disembark guests, and then it will go to the Freeport shipyard on Monday afternoon to begin the required repairs," Carnival said on Sunday. "We sincerely regret the impact to our embarking guests, as we know they have been looking forward to their spring break vacation." 

Both Carnival Freedom cruises scheduled for this week have been cancelled. Carnival said guests who had booked those cruises would receive full refunds and future cruise credits.

The Carnival Freedom's exhaust funnel last went up in flames less than two years ago, in May 2022. It was in Grand Turk at the time, during a planned five-day trip from Port Canaveral. The ship had 2,504 guests and 972 crew on board, Carnival said at the time. None of the passengers or crew were hurt.

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Emily Mae Czachor is a reporter and news editor at CBSNews.com. She covers breaking news, often focusing on crime and extreme weather. Emily Mae has previously written for outlets including the Los Angeles Times, BuzzFeed and Newsweek.

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Do you know how ships are protected from lightning?

Image Credit: Shutterstock

While the chances of being struck by lightning in a given year are less than one in a million, lightning remains one of the most significant dangers for outdoor workers, including maritime and offshore workers. Have you ever wondered what protects ships from lightning?

L ightning is a giant spark of electricity in the atmosphere between clouds, the air, or the ground, often resulting from the collision between cool and warm air masses. When this process starts, the air takes the role of an insulator between the positive and negative charges in the cloud, as well as between the cloud and the ground.

When the opposite charges build up enough, this insulating capacity of the air breaks down and there is a rapid discharge of electricity -what we perceive as lightning. The risk of a ship encountering lightning is higher offshore rather than at port.

Did you know?

• Lightning is one of the oldest observed natural phenomena on earth.
• Lightning is considered one of the top three weather-related causes of death in the United States: It kills more than 100 people per year in the country, which is equivalent to more deaths than the ones caused by hurricanes, floods or tornadoes.
• Not everyone struck by lightning dies: researchers estimate that two-thirds of those struck by lightning survive, and often people apparently “killed” by a lightning strike can be revived by cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
• Lightning is what causes thunder. According to US NOAA, energy from a lightning channel heats the air briefly to around 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit, (hotter than the surface of the sun), which causes the air to explode outward. The huge pressure in the initial outward shock wave decreases rapidly with increasing distance and within ten yards or so has become small enough to be perceived as the sound we call thunder.

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While onshore the focus is on human safety, on ships the focus is also on machinery because any disruption in the equipment function can seriously compromise safety onboard. Lightning damage affects all electrical equipment, such as electrical or electronic equipment if it happens to directly strike lighting, power equipment, or radar antennas.

For example, if the steering gear is isolated, the safety of navigation is at serious risk. Meanwhile, navigation and communication systems onboard vessels are pretty sensitive to any disruption in the power supply, which can lead to groundings, collisions, etc.

The lack of a protection system against lightning can affect not only machinery and equipment, but also the people onboard. If a lightning strike causes a fire and critical fire safety systems are out of service due to power disruption, the impact of fire may turn uncontrollable. Frequent lightning damage to vessels includes:

• Electrical failures, such as damage to the battery, refrigeration controls, air conditioning, and sensors;
• Mast damage – particularly on sailboats with non-metallic masts;
• Hull problems – especially those made of fiberglass; and
• More destructive events, such as fires onboard.

How are ships protected from lightning?

Unpredictable weather, including lightning, is among the most common external factors that can affect the safety of a ship. However, ships today are typically equipped with lightning protection installation systems to protect them from lightning. The system is put at the top of the monkey island reaching towards the hull. Generally, a comprehensive Lighting Protection System includes, but is not limited to, the following arrangements:

• Air terminal system , which aims to protect the vessel from the effects of any direct strike.
• Bonding and Earthing system, which is achieved by connecting two electrical conductors. Such systems usually depend on the type and size of each vessel.
• Surge protection system, which includes individual breakers and fuses, as well as power supply protection kits.

Of course, modern ships are made of steel, which is a good conductor for power. This means that in case lightning strikes the mast, it is possible that power will run through the mast to the hull and then, end up at sea, achieving earthing. For instance, cruise ships are basically designed in a way that any lightning strike would hit the highest point on the ship and then be conducted through the hull to the water.

However, in case the highest part of a ship is not the mast, but a radio antenna, which is connected to radio receiver equipment, it is not uncommon that it will cause an explosion and damage to equipment. Unlike shore arrangements, any vessel on the water is a possible strike point during a thunderstorm due to its electric field enhancements.

In most ships, the antenna is isolated from the radio equipment, but if someone forgets the radio connected to the antenna, the equipment may be damaged with consequent costs or even more severe outcomes. Some more modern antenna models have special gas tubes that ground the equipment automatically in case of a lightning strike.

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Dear Writer

Many thanks for your above text . Useful and eye opening for the superintendents to take care of the vessel maintenance in field of this protection.

When we perform repair welding in a ship, during voyage , how can we earth the welding installation as there is no earth -as in the land applications -to provide an alternative current path in case of a fault ? The various fuses and protection devices existing in the welding machines are mostly there to protect the equipment and not the human as their reaction time is too large for the human body. To my understanding this constitutes a very serious hazard. Thanks and Regards

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Cruise ship bursts into flames after it's 'struck by lightning'

A cruise ship in the Caribbean caught fire after witnesses reported it was struck by lightning during a storm .

Black plumes of smoke and fire could be seen billowing from the ship’s exhaust funnel in a video of the Carnival Freedom cruise ship near The Bahamas on Saturday.

It was about 20 miles off Eleuthera Island when the fire broke out as it was heading to Freeport.

Heath Barnes was relaxing reading his book between bouts of rain when suddenly he ‘heard the loudest thunder and lightning ever’.

He went back inside the cabin and learnt the ship was on fire from his nephew and their two friends.

During the video, someone can be heard saying: ‘Holy crap, why is our tail on fire? That’s not good y’all.

‘Omg this is pretty wild.’

The blaze broke out at 3.15pm local time, according to Carnival Cruise Line.

Heath said: ‘I thought they were giving me a hard time, but I got up and went out on the balcony and sure enough, the flames and smoke were pouring out of the tail.

‘This was the most interesting one. It’s not their fault, it’s Mother Nature.’

In the video, an announcer in the cruise ship can be heard saying: ‘You might have noticed that we turned the vessel towards the heavy rain in the area to maximise the efforts to put out the flames.

‘Eyewitnesses reported the possibility of a lightning strike and that is being investigated but cannot yet be confirmed.

‘This situation has not impacted any operational system on the ship and we will continue to update you as we know more.’

There were no reported injuries to guests on the ship but two firefighting crew members were treated for minor smoke inhalation.

As a result of the fire the exhaust funnel fell onto the deck but passengers were able to attend dinner as planned in the evening.

Carnival confirmed it had completed an assessment and found the damage was worse than initially thought.

Other trips scheduled to depart from Port Canaveral, Florida, have now been cancelled to allow ‘immediate repair to stabilise the funnel’.

Carnival said in a statement: ‘The funnel has been stabilised for the ship’s return to Port Canaveral overnight to disembark guests, and then it will go to the Freeport shipyard on Monday afternoon to begin the required repairs.’

Full refunds for customers on cancelled cruises have been issued.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected] .

For more stories like this, check our news page .

Get your need-to-know latest news, feel-good stories, analysis and more by signing up to Metro's News Updates newsletter

• Carnival Cruise Lines

What happens if the boat is struck by lightening?

By joejo , July 22, 2008 in Carnival Cruise Lines

Recommended Posts

Are there any effects from being on a ship that is struck by lightening?

Has anyone ever been on a ship that has been struck and will describe it?

I think it would be neat as long as it wasn't dangerous or damaging.

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Share on other sites.

Dont go into the light!:cool:

Unless you take a direct hit, you'll be safe.

Ships are like airplanes. They can be hit by lightning (and they will have devices that act as "lightnining rods" that will channel ligthning in such a way that minimal harm will be done).

I don't know what the occurence of lightning is on a cruise ship, but airplanes are hit by lightning every single day. Besides a loud pop, most passengers won't ever know that they were hit...!

Our instructions on our last cruise was that if the ship was hit by lightning, there would be an announcement to report to the muster station where they would supply sticks and marshmallows:eek: :D

I'm sorry....not tryin to be rude...just couldn't resist. But I have watched thunderstorms from the ship at night and it's awesome!

Was on a plane that was hit by lightning - It lit up just like a Christmas tree! Made most everyone toss their cookies!

A few years ago we were on Mariner of Seas and it happened.

Lightning went into the lightning arrestor and a split second lightiing hit again and fried a radar tower.

All of the ships alarm went off and ship closed down and was lot of fun except it happened about 2 AM.

According to the Capt, ships officers quickly arrived on bridge in very colorful sleepwear.

Ship has backups and there was no problem for us. We should have put on life jackets and reported to muster station but very quickly capt got on intercom and told us no danger and stand by for full report.

Later in the day Capt Johnny arranged a question and answer session about what happened. Turned out another royal carib ship was nearby and a passenger took a picture of our shsip as the lightning hit. Huge flash of lightening.

Cannot say enough nice things about Capt Johnny.

scared ****less for awhile was interesting experience.

He wandered around ship next few days talking to passengers and very interesting stories.

The ship becomes magnatized and is only capable of moving in a north south direction. Consequently it gets moved to an Alaska itinerary.

I think all the sign and sail accounts get wiped out and since this upsets everyone on board they increase your OBC!

I think this one had some damage :confused:

Electricity follows the least path of resistance to ground. The outer layer of the ship is a good conductor and the sea is a great ground. It could take out electronics under some circumstances but with the surge arrestors available it is unlikely that it will do major damage to the ship.

If you are outside on deck and get struck it's probably adios.:eek:

As far as the lightening picture, where did it come from? Was that a actual hit or way behind the ship? Was it a cruise ship or just a boat?

Your guess is as good as mine. Looks like a direct hit.

We were on the Caribbean Princess...we were sailing through a thunder storm. Saw a bright flash out our balcony and heard a LOUD boom of thunder. Didn't think anything more of it until we went to the internet cafe later that night. Signs were up that the storm had taken out the internet. It was the second day of the trip and they had to wait until we got back to FLL to fix it! :(

Someone (Avril) posted a video to another thread (Coolest Things You've Seen at Sea) of a thunderstorm where the ship got struck by lightening. Pretty scary...it happens in the last 10 seconds of the video.

http://travel.webshots.com/video/3011246090100208517JYNGrc

Cruisin' Ron VA

Its not polite to throw food. :D

I swear we got hit on the Fantasy last week! Bright flash and immediate clap of thunder. Scared the shat out of me and I love thunderstorms. The satellite was mysteriously down for a few hours and about 300 ppls sail and sign cards wouldn't work. As far as I know, nobody got an OBC:p .

Electricity follows the least path of resistance to ground. The outer layer of the ship is a good conductor and the sea is a great ground. It could take out electronics under some circumstances but with the surge arrestors available it is unlikely that it will do major damage to the ship.   If you are outside on deck and get struck it's probably adios.:eek:

Note to self....do not hold on to the metal railings if the ship is sailing through a thunderstorm. :D

Interesting replies, lol. :D

ROFLMAOPMP!!! :D

I was reading along, wondering why I was....then I came to your post.

Thanks for not making me feel like I wasted my time. :)

There's another good one. :D

Don't play put-put golf barefooted.

luckycruzer

electricity..thanks "BEN"

Hope your not in the shower.....:eek: :eek:

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