Key West Pier Getting Back to Normal after Last Year’s Cruise Ship Collision

In November 2018 a Key West pier was severely damaged when it was struck by a cruise ship. Now, after months of repairs, the pier is finally getting back to operation.

The pier at Mallory Square hosted its first cruise in nearly half-a-year on May 5th, the Miami Herald reports. The pier had been out of operation since the Silversea Silver Spirit cruise ship struck it on November 27. 

Though officials initially fretterd that the damage would harm Key West’s profitable cruise tourism industry, local officials were able to cope with the damage and keep the island’s cruise tourism humming along. Doug Bradshaw, Key West’s director of marinas and ports, told the Herald that officials only cancelled five cruises due to the damage, and were able to successfully relocate another 15.

The damage will not be cheap for Silversea to repair. In addition to paying fines, the company is on the hook for $500,000 to $750,000 in repair costs. The Herald reports that the company also has to reimburse Key West for up $50,000 in lost passenger fees.