MSC Poesia Cruise Ship Detained by Coast Guard in Miami Is Cleared to Sail

Clearance after corrective work

The Coast Guard said the MSC Poesia could depart the Port of Miami after inspectors verified that deficiencies affecting safety and the environment had been corrected. Under port state control authority, the Coast Guard can inspect foreign-flagged vessels entering U.S. ports for compliance with domestic laws and international treaties. Marine inspectors oversee required corrective work when safety or environmental discrepancies lead to a detention.

Detention and cruise cancellation

When the vessel was first detained, Capt. Frank Florio, commander of the Miami sector, said the Coast Guard had identified deficiencies in systems aboard the ship. MSC Cruises, the ship’s operator, called the issue a “regulatory matter.” Neither provided further details.

The cruise scheduled to depart after the detention was canceled. MSC Cruises said passengers received full refunds and assistance getting home. A source familiar with the matter told CBS News that more than 2,000 people were on board when the ship was detained.

Ship’s passenger capacity

MSC Cruises said the MSC Poesia can carry more than 3,200 passengers and over 1,000 crew members. The number of people aboard at the time of detention, according to the source, was more than 2,000.