95 Evacuated After Douro Cruise Ship Hull Breach Near Pinhão

A river cruise ship carrying 95 passengers and crew has been safely evacuated after its hull ruptured while navigating the Douro River near Pinhão. The vessel was brought to dock at the Pinhão quay as water entered the ship's lower compartments. All aboard disembarked without injury.

The Emergency Response

The Portugal Maritime Authority (AMN) was alerted when the ship's crew reported water flooding the hull compartment. According to an official statement, the vessel was navigating the stretch of waterway near Foz do Tua, a narrow section flanked by steep vineyard-terraced hillsides.

Emergency teams from the Régua Maritime Delegation, the Douro Maritime Police Local Command, and the Pinhão Volunteer Fire Brigade were dispatched immediately. The ship successfully maneuvered to the Pinhão quay, approximately 25 kilometers upstream from Peso da Régua.

Maritime officials confirmed that all passengers and crew evacuated the vessel in an orderly fashion. No injuries were reported, and the ship remained stable at the dock despite the hull compromise.

Underwater Damage Assessment

Following the evacuation, emergency crews began pumping water from the ship's flooded compartments. Once the immediate threat was neutralized, a specialized diving team descended to inspect the exterior hull. According to the AMN, the divers identified a puncture wound in the hull plating and executed a temporary patch using marine-grade sealant and reinforcement panels.

The AMN is now conducting a secondary structural inspection to determine whether the vessel can safely navigate under its own power to a repair facility.

Investigation Underway

The Maritime Police Forensic Diving Unit is conducting a riverbed evidence sweep to identify what caused the hull breach. Divers will photograph and catalog any submerged objects in the collision zone that may have punctured the hull.

The vessel's captain has been formally notified to submit a maritime incident report detailing the ship's speed, course, depth readings, and any visual or sonar warnings prior to the collision. This document will form the basis of the official inquiry, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Douro Maritime Police Local Command.

Under Portuguese maritime law, any incident involving potential hull breach or passenger evacuation triggers an automatic accident investigation. The cause of the collision remains unknown and is the focus of ongoing investigation.

Next Steps

The AMN has not yet disclosed the name of the vessel or its operating company. The ship will remain docked at Pinhão until inspectors clear it for transit to a shipyard for more extensive repairs.

Passengers whose itineraries were disrupted by the evacuation are expected to receive accommodations and alternative travel arrangements from the cruise operator. The investigation findings will be released as they become available.