Power failure led to cruise liner blast

One of the capacitors – devices which store electrical energy – in a compartment within a switchboard room failed as the 151,000-tonne Southampton-based vessel was approaching Barcelona, a report by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch said.

There was a loud explosion and extensive damage to the surrounding electric panels and the vessel blacked out.

A steel cover plate was blown out into the main switchboard room but "fortunately there were no personnel in the vicinity" the MAIB said.

The report added that there were no navigational hazards nearby and main power was restored with 28 minutes and the ship was able to get back under way after the incident, on September 23 this year.

The capacitor was one of 12 in a harmonic filter – a device which levels out variations in voltage.

The investigators said preliminary findings of the investigation carried out by the manufacturer indicated that it had deteriorated gradually.

The report added that the manufacturers, ship owner Cunard and other expert were carrying out a detailed investigation to find the exact technical cause of the failure."

They also recommended checks be made on electric-propulsion vessels equipped with similar devices.