Coast Guard Detains MSC Poesia at Port of Miami

The U.S. Coast Guard detained the cruise ship MSC Poesia at the Port of Miami on Sunday after a Port State Control inspection team identified deficiencies with systems on board the vessel. Capt. Frank Florio, Commander of U.S. Coast Guard Sector Miami, said the agency could not comment on specifics of an ongoing Port State Control examination but confirmed that deficiencies had been identified and were being addressed with MSC. The vessel will remain detained at the port until the issues are corrected and the ship is cleared for departure by the Coast Guard. The detention stems from the Coast Guard's Port State Control program, under which foreign-flagged commercial vessels calling at U.S. ports are inspected to verify compliance with applicable safety, security, and environmental requirements. When inspectors find substantial noncompliance, the Coast Guard has authority to detain a vessel until the deficiencies preventing safe departure are resolved. No further details on the nature of the deficiencies or a timeline for the vessel's release have been disclosed. The Coast Guard indicated that information will likely be released as the examination process continues and corrective actions are verified.