{{Short description|Italian passenger ferry; caught fire in 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2017}} {{Infobox ship |section1={{Infobox ship/image | image = Norman Atlantic Port of Bari August 2015.jpg | image_caption = The fire-damaged ''Norman Atlantic'' in the port of Bari, Italy, 2015 }}
|section2={{Infobox ship/career | hide_header = | name = *''Akeman Street'' (2009–2011) *''Scintu'' (2011–2014) *''Norman Atlantic'' (2014–2019) | owner = {{ill|Visemar di Navigazione|lt=Visemar di Navigazione S.r.l.|it}} (2009 onwards) | operator = *[[Saremar]] (2011–2012) *[[Grandi Navi Veloci]] (2013) *[[Moby Lines]] (2013) *[[LD Lines]] (2013–2014) *[[Caronte and Tourist]] (October–December 2014) *[[ANEK Lines]] (December 2014 – July 2019) | registry = {{flagicon|Italy|civil}} [[Bari]], Italy | route = [[Ancona]]–[[Igoumenitsa]]–[[Corfu]]–[[Patras]] | ordered = 1 November 2006 | builder = Cantiere Navale Visentini, Porto Viro, Italy | original_cost = | yard_number = 222 | way_number = | laid_down = 19 December 2006 | launched = 18 June 2009 | completed = 2 November 2009 | christened = | acquired = 21 September 2009 | maiden_voyage = | in_service = | out_of_service = 28 December 2014 | identification = *[[Maritime call sign|Call sign]]: IBUM *{{IMO Number|9435466}} *{{MMSI Number|247277400}} | fate = Scrapped, 2019 | notes = Sister ships: {{MV|Stena Livia||2}}, {{MV|GNV Sealand||2}}, {{MV|Stena Flavia||2}} }}
|section3={{Infobox ship/characteristics | type = [[Ropax|Roll-on/Roll-off passenger (ROPAX) ferry]] | tonnage = {{GT|26904}} | length = {{convert|186.00|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | beam = {{convert|25.60|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | draught = {{convert|6.71|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | depth = {{convert|15.00|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | decks = | power = Two [[MAN Diesel|MAN B&W]] 9L48/60B [[diesel engine]]s, {{convert|21600|kW|hp|abbr=on}} | propulsion = | speed = *{{convert|23.5|kn}} (cruising) *{{convert|24.5|kn}} (maximum) | capacity = *850 passengers *200 vehicles | crew = 185 | notes = }} }} '''MS ''Norman Atlantic''''' was a [[Ropax|roll-on/roll-off passenger (ROPAX) ferry]] owned by the Italian ferry company {{ill|Visemar di Navigazione|it}}. The ferry was chartered by [[ANEK Lines]] from December 2014. On 28 December 2014, she caught fire in the [[Strait of Otranto]], in the [[Adriatic Sea]].
At the time of the fire there were an estimated 475 people on board the ship including 417 passengers, 55 crew and at least three [[stowaways]].<ref name=hbmci/> Of these, 452 people were rescued and the bodies of 11 were recovered.<ref name=hbmci/> It is known that 16 passengers died and it was estimated that there were 28 deaths overall, the uncertainty arising from estimates of the number of stowaways on board.<ref name=hbmci/> Additionally, two crewmembers of the Albanian tug ''Iliria'' died during the salvage operations on 30 December.<ref name=NYTimes1>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/31/world/europe/ferry-death-toll-rises-to-13-amid-concerns-about-uncounted-stowaways.html?_r=0 |title=Ferry Death Toll Rises to 13, Amid Concerns About Uncounted Stowaways |work=The New York Times |date=30 December 2014 |accessdate=30 December 2014}}</ref>
==Description== The ship was {{convert|186|m|ftin}} long, with a [[Beam (nautical)|beam]] of {{convert|25.6|m|ftin}} and a [[Draft (hull)|draught]] of {{convert|6.71|m|ftin}}. She was powered by two [[MAN SE|MAN B&W]] 9L48/60B [[diesel engines]], which could propel the ship at {{convert|24|kn|km/h}}.<ref name=FoF>{{cite web |url=http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/akeman_street_2009.htm |title=M/S AKEMAN STREET. |publisher=Fakta om Fartyg |language=Swedish |accessdate=28 December 2014 |archive-date=28 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141228131932/http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/akeman_street_2009.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>
==History== The ship was built in 2009 by [[Cantiere Navale Visentini]], [[Porto Viro]], Italy as ''Akeman Street'' for Ermine Street Shipping Co Ltd, [[London]], United Kingdom.<ref name=FoF/> Her sister ships <!--DO NOT CHANGE WITHOUT CONSENSUS - see talk-->are {{MV|Étretat||2}}, {{MV|Scottish Viking||2}} and {{MV|Stena Flavia||2}}.<ref name=Ferry/><ref name=LDL>{{cite web|url=http://newsletters.ldlines.com/press-release-gijon-poole-pax.pdf |title=News Release: LD LINES TO ADD NEW SPAIN FERRY LINKS |publisher=LD Lines |date=11 December 2013 |accessdate=10 February 2015 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140328093831/http://newsletters.ldlines.com/press-release-gijon-poole-pax.pdf |archivedate=28 March 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ferry-site.dk/ferry.php?id=9349772&lang=en |title=M/F Dimonios |publisher=The Ferry Site |accessdate=10 February 2015}}</ref> She had accommodation for 850 passengers and 2,286 lane metres of accommodation for vehicles.<ref name=Ferry>{{cite web |url=http://www.ferry-site.dk/ferry.php?id=9435466&lang=en |title=M/F Norman Atlantic |publisher=The Ferry Site |accessdate=29 December 2014}}</ref> Between February and April 2010, she was [[bareboat charter|chartered]] to T-Link. Following a refit in May 2011 at [[Valletta]], [[Malta]], she was chartered to [[Saremar]] and renamed ''Scintu'' in June 2011. In January 2013, she was chartered to Grande Navi Veloci, followed by a charter to [[Moby Lines]] in April 2013. In October 2013, ''Scintu'' was chartered to [[LD Lines]]. She was renamed ''Norman Atlantic'' in January 2014.<ref name=FoF/> On 29 August 2014, she made her final voyage with LD Lines, from [[Rosslare Europort|Rosslare]], [[County Wexford]], Ireland to [[Saint-Nazaire]], [[Loire-Atlantique]], France and [[Gijón]], [[Asturias]], Spain.<ref name=SM>{{cite journal |url=http://www.shipsmonthly.com/news/ferry/1377--spanish-links-end-of-road-for-ld-routes- |title=SPANISH LINKS: End of road for LD routes |journal=Ships Monthly |publisher=Kelsey Publishing |location=Cudham |date=30 September 2014 |accessdate=29 December 2014 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141231063513/http://www.shipsmonthly.com/news/ferry/1377--spanish-links-end-of-road-for-ld-routes- |archivedate=31 December 2014 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> In September 2014, she was chartered to Caronte & Tourist, followed by a charter to [[ANEK Lines]] in December 2014.<ref name=FoF/>
After the 2014 fire, the ship was docked at Bari, Italy during the investigations and legal actions. In July 2019 the ship was towed to Aliaga, Turkey and scrapped.<ref>{{cite news|title=Goodbye Norman, the ship's last journey|url=https://giustiziapernormanatlantic.wordpress.com/2019/07/13/goodbye-norman-the-ships-last-journey/?fbclid=IwAR1yy7j1LInit8ejllM0j9GS6FPRlw0aAPYNUpJoFdIRj3VnXAT9Omz87vs|accessdate=20 July 2020|agency=Word Press|date=13 July 2019}}</ref>
==2014 fire==
===Incident=== {{Infobox | above = ''Norman Atlantic'' fire | image = [[File:MS Norman Atlantic accident.svg|{{center|MS Norman Atlantic 2014 fire}}|280px]] | caption = ''MS Norman Atlantic'' route | label1 = Event | data1 = Fire of ''Norman Atlantic'' | label2 = Cause | data2 = | label3 = Location | data3 = Port of [[Igoumenitsa, Greece]], [[Strait of Otranto]] | label4 = | data4 = | label5 = Date | data5 = 28 December 2014 | label6 = Captain | data6 = | label7 = Operator | data7 = | label8 = {{Nowrap|On board}} | data8 = {{plainlist| * Vehicles: 222 * Passengers: 417 * Crew and personnel: 55 }} | label9 = Losses | data9 = 30 people (including 2 during salvage) | label10 = Salvage | data10 = }}
At 17:50 on 27 December 2014, ''Norman Atlantic'' departed [[Patras]] on a ferry run bound for [[Ancona]] where she was scheduled to arrive at 20:30 on 28 December.<ref name=hbmci/> She made an intermediate stop at [[Igoumenitsa, Greece|Igoumenitsa]], departing there at 01:50 on 28 December 2014.<ref name=hbmci/> At this time, the ship was thought to be carrying 222 vehicles, 417 passengers and 55 crew although later investigations would uncover the presence of at least six stowaways.<ref name=hbmci/> She proceeded on her route which transited the [[Strait of Otranto]] {{convert|44|nmi|km}} northwest of the island of [[Corfu]] and {{convert|33|nmi|km}} northwest of the island of [[Othonoi]] in Greek [[territorial waters]].<ref name="yahoo.com">{{cite web|url=https://uk.news.yahoo.com/fire-italian-ferry-bad-weather-off-greece-forces-070816392.html|title=Rescuers race to save passengers from burning Italian ferry|date=28 December 2014|work=Yahoo News UK|accessdate=29 December 2014}}</ref> The sea conditions were rough, with a strong south westerly wind blowing at up to {{convert|55|knots|m/s mph}}.<ref name=hbmci/>
At about 05:15 a fire pre-alarm was activated on Deck 4, an open roll-on/roll-off cargo space.<ref name=hbmci/> The second mate, who was in command at the time, sent a seaman to investigate the alarm but there was no sign of a fire, just fumes being emitted from a truck refrigeration unit.<ref name=hbmci/> At 05:23 a full fire alarm was sounded by the automatic system, again on Deck 4, in an area directly below the passenger and crew accommodation on Deck 5.<ref name=hbmci/> The captain, from his position on the bridge, was able to observe flames coming from the windows on Deck 4 and ordered the fire drencher system to be activated.<ref name=hbmci/> Later investigation revealed that the drencher had been activated on Deck 3, rather than in the area of the fire perhaps due to confusing labelling on the valves.<ref name=hbmci/>
At 05:38, the ''Norman Atlantic'' made its first distress call to the Brindisi Coastguard.<ref name=hbmci/> As the vessel was in Greek waters, the Greek [[Search and rescue|SAR]] organisation led the initial response, but at 09:00 local time the leadership of the rescue effort was handed over to the [[Guardia Costiera|Italian Coast Guard]].<ref name=hbmci/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2014/12/28/norman-atlantic-traghetto-diretto-in-italia-in-fiamme-soccorsi-difficili/1299630/|title=Norman Atlantic, traghetto in fiamme: "E' alla deriva e inclinato". Un morto – Il Fatto Quotidiano|work=Il Fatto Quotidiano|date=28 December 2014 |language=Italian|accessdate=29 December 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.meteoweb.eu/2014/12/incendio-traghetto-italiano-litalia-invia-elicotteri-motovedette-rimorchiatori/368258/|title=Incendio su traghetto italiano: l'Italia invia elicotteri, motovedette e rimorchiatori|work=Meteo Web|date=28 December 2014 |language=Italian|accessdate=29 December 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/fire-breaks-ferry-italy-466-people-aboard-article-1.2058645 |title= Fire breaks out on ferry carrying more than 400 people from Greece to Italy |agency= Associated Press |work= New York Daily News |date= 28 December 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= http://fr.canoe.com/infos/international/archives/2014/12/20141228-030226.html |title= Évacuation d'un traversier au large de la Grèce après un incendie |language= French |work= AFP |publisher= Canoe.ca |date= 28 December 2014 }}{{dead link|date=April 2026|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.blitzquotidiano.it/cronaca-italia/corfu-traghetto-norman-atlantic-igoumenitsa-ancona-in-fiamme-466-a-bordo-2060037/ |title= Corfù, traghetto Norman Atlantic Igoumenitsa-Ancona in fiamme: 466 da salvare e mare mosso |author1=Marco Benedetto |author2=Mino Fuccillo |author3=Antonio Buttazzo |author4=Carlo Callieri |author5=Alessandro Camilli |publisher= Blitz Quotidiano |language=Italian|date= 28 December 2014 }}</ref> During the incident the ship would eventually drift into Italian waters.<ref name=hbmci/>
The first Coast Guard vessel tasked to the rescue left Otranto at 06:00, arriving on scene at 08:20.<ref name=hbmci/> In addition, 15 merchant ships that were in the area were requested to provide assistance.<ref name=hbmci/> One of these, the ''Aby Jeannette'', a bulk carrier, rescued 39 people from the ''Norman Atlantic'''s life rafts and brought them to [[Taranto]], and the [[Tanker (ship)|tanker]] ''Genmar Argus'' rescued a crewmember from the sea.<ref>[http://www.spiegel.de/panorama/norman-atlantic-ueberlebende-berichten-von-unglueck-in-der-adria-a-1010742.html Survivors of ''Norman Atlantic'': "We held the children in our arms and prayed"]</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.corrierepl.it/2015/01/02/miracolo-in-mare/ |title=Miracle at Sea |access-date=17 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150103235143/http://www.corrierepl.it/2015/01/02/miracolo-in-mare/ |archive-date=3 January 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Italian ferry ''[[MS Cruise Europa|Cruise Europa]]'' rescued a further 69 passengers and brought them to Igoumenitsa.<ref name=Cruise>{{cite news|title=Anche il comandante lascia il Norman Atlantic. Passeggeri tutti evacuati. In salvo 427 persone, 8 le vittime|url=http://www.europaquotidiano.it/2014/12/29/162-ancora-sul-norman-atlantic-soccorsi-nelladriatico-a-forza-otto/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150118134227/http://www.europaquotidiano.it/2014/12/29/162-ancora-sul-norman-atlantic-soccorsi-nelladriatico-a-forza-otto/|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 January 2015|accessdate=9 January 2015|publisher=Europa Quotidiano|date=29 December 2014|language=Italian}}</ref><ref name=Cruise2>{{cite news|title=Norman Atlantic, in fiamme al largo dell'Albania, soccorsi in Adriatico|url=http://www.ilsecoloxix.it/p/italia/2014/12/29/ARon8d1C-adriatico_atlantic_soccorsi.shtml|accessdate=9 January 2015|publisher=Il Secolo XIX|date=29 December 2014|language=Italian|archive-date=18 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180118012229/http://www.ilsecoloxix.it/p/italia/2014/12/29/ARon8d1C-adriatico_atlantic_soccorsi.shtml|url-status=dead}}</ref> Sixteen helicopters and four fixed wing aircraft also assisted the rescue.<ref name=hbmci/>
The fire rapidly destroyed the rescue boat, lifeboat, and rescue chute on the starboard side of the ship.<ref name=hbmci/> Passengers gathered on the port side and began to embark on the lifeboat and life rafts, despite the captain not ordering an evacuation at this time.<ref name=hbmci/> A group of 49 passengers escaped in the port side [[lifeboat (shipboard)|lifeboat]].<ref name=Log>{{cite web |url=http://www.shipwrecklog.com/log/2014/12/norman-atlantic/ |title=NORMAN ATLANTIC |first=Paul |last=Hancock |date=29 December 2014 |publisher=Shipwrecklog |accessdate=29 December 2014}}</ref> After being rescued, some passengers asserted that the order to abandon ship was not given until four hours after the fire had started. Despite their cabins filling with smoke, no alarm had sounded. They also stated that the crew of ''Norman Atlantic'' gave them little assistance.<ref name=BBC30629472/>
The heat from the fire permeated the entire ship, even starting to melt people's shoes on the reception deck. Survivors described "scenes from hell" on board the burning ship, with the ship's crew overwhelmed by the crisis and [[jungle law]] prevailing rather than an orderly evacuation.<ref name=BBC30629472>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-30629472 |title=Norman Atlantic: Confusion over ferry fire survivors |work=BBC News |date=30 December 2014 |accessdate=30 December 2014}}</ref> Those in the lifeboat were rescued by the Singapore-registered [[container ship]] {{MV|Spirit of Piraeus||2}} and landed at [[Bari]], Italy.<ref name=NAUpdate>{{cite web|url=http://www.shipwrecklog.com/log/2014/12/norman-atlantic-update/|title=NORMAN ATLANTIC UPDATE |first=Paul |last=Hancock |date=30 December 2014 |publisher=World Maritime News |accessdate=30 December 2014}}</ref><ref name=SoP>{{cite web |url=http://www.fleetmon.com/en/vessels/Spirit_Of_Piraeus_19396 |title=SPIRIT OF PIRAEUS |publisher=Fleetmon |accessdate=30 December 2014 |archive-date=24 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924013750/http://www.fleetmon.com/en/vessels/Spirit_Of_Piraeus_19396 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Several [[liferaft]]s were also launched, but some of them capsized, causing the deaths by [[drowning]] or [[hypothermia]] of several occupants.<ref>[http://www.ilmattino.it/PRIMOPIANO/CRONACA/norman-atlantic-dispersi-camionisti-napoletani/notizie/1092716.shtml ''Norman Atlantic'': Neapolitan truck drivers drowned]</ref><ref>[http://www.forlitoday.it/cronaca/testimonianza-leonidha-ndreu-incendio-norman-atlantic-28-dicembre-2014.html ''Norman Atlantic'' disaster: "I prayed and God helped me"]</ref> Other people in the sea or in the rafts were rescued by helicopters.
[[File:Norman Atlantic fire.jpg|thumb|left|''Norman Atlantic'' on fire, with rescue efforts underway. Photo from the [[Italian Navy]].]] [[File:AS Andalusia (7).jpg|thumb|left|''Spirit of Piraeus'', which rescued the 49 people from the lifeboat, was previously named ''AS Andalucia'', as seen in this 2011 photograph.]]
The rescue effort was hampered by the ''Norman Atlantic'''s loss of power. The firefighting tugboat ''Marietta Barretta'' was able to attach a line to the ferry and turn it into the wind, enabling helicopters to begin operating. Captain Giacomazzi was [[The captain goes down with the ship|the last one to leave the ship]] at 2.50 pm.<ref name=IFQ>{{cite web |url=http://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2014/12/29/norman-atlantic-49-naufraghi-arrivati-bari-renzi-i-morti/1301481/ |title=Norman Atlantic: 10 morti, decine i dispersi. "Traghetto sotto sequestro" |date=29 December 2014 |publisher=Il Fatto Quotidiano |language=Italian |accessdate=29 December 2014}}</ref>
===Aftermath===
At least twelve people were killed as a direct result of the fire,<ref name=WMN148940>{{cite web |url=http://worldmaritimenews.com/archives/148940/heat-and-smoke-thwart-norman-atlantic-search-operations/ |title=Update: Norman Atlantic's Death Toll Rises to 12 |date=4 February 2015 |publisher=World Maritime News |accessdate=4 February 2015 |archive-date=29 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171229171901/https://worldmaritimenews.com/archives/148940/heat-and-smoke-thwart-norman-atlantic-search-operations/ |url-status=usurped }}</ref> and an additional two [[Albanians|Albanian]] tugboat crewmembers were killed during salvage operations on 30 December when a connecting cable snapped.<ref name=NYTimes1/><ref name=BBC30630703>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-30630703 |title=Albanian seamen die in Norman Atlantic ferry recovery |work=BBC News |date=30 December 2014 |accessdate=30 December 2014}}</ref> Officials stated that one person died after jumping from the burning ship.<ref name=BBC30615721>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-30615721|title=Italy ferry fire: Evacuation hampered by winds|work=BBC News|date=28 December 2014 |accessdate=29 December 2014}}</ref> Three of the rescued people who were on board the Norman Atlantic were [[Afghan people|Afghan]] illegal immigrants who stowed away in lorries in the hold. Among those killed was Ilia Kartozia, a [[Georgian Orthodox Church|Georgian Orthodox]] priest, who, according to an eyewitness, helped others to evacuate, but the rescuers failed to save him. His body was recovered off [[Lecce]] on 30 December 2014.<ref>{{cite news|title=Final moments of Georgian priest in the Adriatic Sea – Italian media about father Ilia Kartozia|url=http://www.georgianjournal.ge/society/29174-final-moments-of-georgian-priest-in-the-adriatic-sea-italian-media-about-father-ilia-kartozia.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150103102624/http://www.georgianjournal.ge/society/29174-final-moments-of-georgian-priest-in-the-adriatic-sea-italian-media-about-father-ilia-kartozia.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 January 2015|accessdate=3 January 2015|work=Georgian Journal|date=3 January 2015}}</ref>
''Norman Atlantic'' was towed to the port of [[Brindisi]], Italy, by the ''Marietta Barretta'' and two additional tugs, ''Tenax'' and ''Asmara'', arriving there on 2 January 2015.<ref name=hbmci/><ref name="Hurriyet Daily News"/> The ship was sequestered for the investigation.<ref name=MinTrasporti>{{cite web|title=Norman Atlantic – Conferenza stampa dei ministro Lupi e Pinotti|url=http://www.mit.gov.it/mit/site.php?p=cm&o=vd&id=3645|publisher=Ministero delle infrastrutture e dei trasporti|language=Italian|accessdate=9 January 2014|archive-date=24 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124005242/https://www.mit.gov.it/mit/site.php?p=cm&o=vd&id=3645|url-status=dead}}</ref> On 6 January, a lifeboat from the ''Norman Atlantic'' was found on a beach near [[Vlorë|Valona]], [[Albania]].<ref name=RAI>{{cite web|title=Esclusiva. Norman Atlantic, un passeggero: era una baraonda, sulle scialuppe la legge del più forte|date=6 January 2015 |url=http://www.rainews.it/dl/rainews/articoli/Esclusiva-Rainews-rogo-Norman-Atlantic-la-versione-di-uno-dei-passeggeri-17fcead2-e746-4f06-84d0-69707c50036a.html|publisher=RAI|accessdate=8 January 2015|language=Italian}}</ref> The ''Norman Atlantic'' continued to burn in port for almost two weeks until 10 January 2015, when firefighters were finally able to enter the hull for inspection.<ref name=ANSA>{{cite web|title=In nave molto fumo, temperatura scesa a 21 gradi|date=10 January 2015 |url=http://www.ansa.it/puglia/notizie/2015/01/10/in-nave-molto-fumo-temperatura-scesa-a-21-gradi_a2a01b7f-2284-48a5-ace9-6dc607f805b2.html|publisher=ANSA|accessdate=10 January 2015|language=Italian}}</ref>
On 2 February 2015, just before the boat was due to be towed to Bari, a second body was discovered in the truck parking area.<ref>{{cite news|title=Another body found in Norman Atlantic ferry wreck|url=http://www.gazzettadelsud.it/news/english/128921/Another-body-found-in-Norman-Atlantic-ferry-wreck.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150224074004/http://www.gazzettadelsud.it/news/english/128921/Another-body-found-in-Norman-Atlantic-ferry-wreck.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 February 2015|accessdate=24 February 2015|agency=Gazzetta del Sud|date=13 February 2015}}</ref> In the same days, the bodies of three people, presumably belonging to some of the missing, were found on the coast of Corfu and Apulia.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.matiastanea.gr/gr/relative/news/4news/%CE%9A%CE%AD%CF%81%CE%BA%CF%85%CF%81%CE%B1:%20%CE%9C%CE%B1%CE%BA%CE%AC%CE%B2%CF%81%CE%B9%CE%BF%20%CE%B5%CF%8D%CF%81%CE%B7%CE%BC%CE%B1%20%CF%80%CE%B9%CE%B8%CE%B1%CE%BD%CF%8C%CE%BD%20%CF%83%CF%85%CE%BD%CE%B4%CE%AD%CE%B5%CF%84%CE%B1%CE%B9%20%CE%BC%CE%B5%20%CE%BD%CE%B1%CF%85%CE%AC%CE%B3%CE%B9%CE%BF%20Norman%20Atlantic/ |title=Corfu: A macabre find probably linked to the Norman Atlantic wreck |access-date=15 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150212131533/http://www.matiastanea.gr/gr/relative/news/4news/%CE%9A%CE%AD%CF%81%CE%BA%CF%85%CF%81%CE%B1:%20%CE%9C%CE%B1%CE%BA%CE%AC%CE%B2%CF%81%CE%B9%CE%BF%20%CE%B5%CF%8D%CF%81%CE%B7%CE%BC%CE%B1%20%CF%80%CE%B9%CE%B8%CE%B1%CE%BD%CF%8C%CE%BD%20%CF%83%CF%85%CE%BD%CE%B4%CE%AD%CE%B5%CF%84%CE%B1%CE%B9%20%CE%BC%CE%B5%20%CE%BD%CE%B1%CF%85%CE%AC%CE%B3%CE%B9%CE%BF%20Norman%20Atlantic/ |archive-date=12 February 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>[http://www.ekathimerini.com/167206/article/ekathimerini/news/body-found-on-corfu-coast-believed-to-be-of-norman-atlantic-passenger Body found on Corfu coast believed to be of ''Norman Atlantic'' passenger]</ref><ref>[http://www.brindisireport.it/cronaca/verifiche-sul-corpo-spiaggiato-a-Monticelli-di-Ostuni-per-accertare-se-appartiene-a-disperso-di-Norman-Atlantic.html Corpo sulla spiaggia: si verificherà se appartiene a disperso di Norman Atlantic]</ref><ref>[http://www.adnkronos.com/fatti/cronaca/2015/04/01/cadavere-trovato-mare-largo-lecce-forse-disperso-del-naufragio-norman-atlantic_eCF7ycLCHmjCzbNc9czfsL.html Cadavere trovato in mare a largo di Lecce, forse un disperso del naufragio ''Norman Atlantic'']</ref>
The damage to the ship was extensive enough that it was not economically to return her to service, so she would be written off. The hull plating and deck had been deformed, all communication and navigation equipment was destroyed and the accommodation and common areas were gutted.<ref name=hbmci/> Additionally, the ingress of water during firefighting had wrecked the electrical equipment, including the emergency battery systems, the heating, and the ventilation systems.<ref name=hbmci/>
===Investigations=== Italian authorities opened a criminal investigation into the fire. The investigation was intended to determine whether or not criminal negligence played a part in the fire.<ref name=BBC30620819>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-30620819 |title=Italy ferry fire: Five people reported dead |work=BBC News |date=29 December 2014 |accessdate=29 December 2014}}</ref> The ship had been inspected at [[Patras]], Greece on 19 December; six serious deficiencies had been found, relating to emergency lighting, fire doors and lifesaving capacity onboard the vessel. The owners had been served with a notice giving them fifteen days to remedy the deficiencies.<ref name=Tel11315815>{{cite web |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/italy/11315815/Burning-Norman-Atlantic-ferry-had-serious-safety-deficiencies.html |title=Burning Norman Atlantic ferry had serious safety 'deficiencies' |first1=Bruno |last1=Waterfield |first2=Menelaos |last2=Tzafalias |publisher=Telegraph Media Group Ltd |accessdate=29 December 2014}}</ref> On 2 January 2015 the prosecutor's office in [[Bari]] widened the investigation, and put two other crew members and two representatives of the Greek ferry line [[ANEK Lines]], which chartered the Norman Atlantic, under investigation.<ref name="Hurriyet Daily News">{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkish-passenger-aboard-norman-atlantic-called-family-from-lifeboat-not-heard-from-since.aspx?pageID=238&nID=76432&NewsCatID=351|title=Turkish passenger aboard Norman Atlantic called family from lifeboat, not heard from since|date=2 January 2015|publisher=Hurriyet Daily News|accessdate=2 January 2015}}</ref>
Rear Admiral John Lang, formerly Chief Inspector at Britain's [[Marine Accident Investigation Branch]], said the emergency, under freezing stormy conditions at night "challenges many of the established conventions and wisdom on how a mass rescue should be conducted." He said that, in the course of the investigation, the right rather than the convenient conclusions should be drawn, adding "Rarely has the outcome of a comprehensive and thorough investigation been more important for improving safety at sea."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/letters/11316677/Letters-Legitimacy-of-hastening-death-must-not-be-decided-by-public-opinion-polls.html|title=Letters:Ship fire rescue|work=Daily Telegraph|author=Rear Admiral John Lang|date=30 December 2014|accessdate=30 December 2014}}</ref>
A Turkish passenger reported, as a possible cause, that illegal [[Afghans|Afghan]] immigrants, who had boarded the ship concealed in a lorry, had lit a fire in the ship's garage to keep themselves warm.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.iefimerida.gr/news/185401/martyria-sok-diasothenta-toy-norman-atlantic-lathrometanastes-eihan-anapsei-fotia-sto|title=Μαρτυρία σοκ διασωθέντα: Λαθρομετανάστες ειχαν ανάψει φωτιά στο γκαράζ του πλοίου για να ζεσταθούν!|work=iefimerida.gr|language=Greek|date=5 January 2015|accessdate=5 January 2015}}</ref> Another possible cause was sparks caused by trucks scraping the sides of the vessel.<ref name=Log/>
Preliminary underwater inspections of the ''Norman Atlantic'' revealed that the water intake pipes of the [[fire sprinkler system]] were clogged with [[mussels]]; additional inspections were necessary to determine if this blockage contributed to the fire's spreading.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://corrieredelmezzogiorno.corriere.it/bari/cronaca/15_gennaio_27/norman-ombre-sistema-antincendiotubi-aspirazione-bloccati-cozze-57daa9be-a59d-11e4-ba90-c267c7382a44.shtml/|title=Norman, cozze nell'antincendio. L'impianto della nave era ostruito|work=Corriere del Mezzogiorno|author=Vincenzo Damiani Vito Fatiguso|date=27 January 2015|accessdate=10 February 2015|language=Italian|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150130073203/http://corrieredelmezzogiorno.corriere.it/bari/cronaca/15_gennaio_27/norman-ombre-sistema-antincendiotubi-aspirazione-bloccati-cozze-57daa9be-a59d-11e4-ba90-c267c7382a44.shtml|archivedate=30 January 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Although the [[voyage data recorder]] (black box) had been recovered, still by mid-March no data have been extracted, apparently because the heat of the fire caused the plastic to melt onto the hard disk.<ref>{{cite news|title=Nuovi indagati per l'incendio sul Norman Atlantic?|url=http://www.trasportoeuropa.it/index.php/home/archvio/14-marittimo/12301-nuovi-indagati-per-lincendio-sul-norman-atlantic|accessdate=25 March 2015|work=Trasporto Europeo|date=17 March 2015|language=Italian}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Norman Atlantic, il mistero della scatola nera|url=http://www.corriere.it/cronache/15_marzo_16/norman-atlantic-scatola-nera-78fcd6a8-cba4-11e4-990c-2fbc94e76fc2.shtml|accessdate=25 March 2015|work=Corriere della Sera|date=16 March 2015|language=Italian}}</ref> Recordings of the [[Voyage data recorder]] published on 7 October 2015, say that the [[fire sprinkler system]] wasn't working correctly and instead of spraying water there was smoke coming from the system.<ref>{{cite news|title=Norman Atlantic: Από το σύστημα πυρασφάλειας έβγαινε καπνός αντί για νερό|url=http://www.tovima.gr/world/article/?aid=743840|accessdate=7 October 2015|work=Το Βήμα|date=7 October 2015}}</ref> The investigations also stated that there was a truck that had the engine working. Smoke was coming from the truck prior to the fire.<ref>{{cite news|title=Νέες αποκαλύψεις για το Νόρμαν Ατλάντικ: "Στο γκαράζ υπήρχε φορτηγό με αναμμένη μηχανή"|url=http://www.topontiki.gr/article/146221/nees-apokalypseis-gia-norman-atlantik-sto-gkaraz-ypirhe-fortigo-me-anammeni-mihani|work=Το Ποντίκι|date=15 October 2015}}</ref>
==Fate== Following the initial recovery and investigation, the ship was relocated to the port of [[Bari]].<ref name=hbmci>{{cite web|url=http://www.hbmci.gov.gr/js/investigation%20report/Final%20as%20Interested%20Authority/2014-NORMAN%20ATLANTIC.pdf|title=Fire on board of the ro-ro pax NORMAN ATLANTIC|last=|first=|date=|website=|publisher=[[Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport (Italy)]]|via=[[Hellenic Bureau for Marine Casualties Investigation]]|accessdate=20 July 2020}} - 28 December 2014 - Final Report - On the site of the [[Hellenic Bureau for Marine Casualties Investigation]]</ref> In 2019 the ship left for [[Aliağa]], Turkey to be scrapped.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ship2shore.it/en/shipping/the-norman-atlantic-heading-for-scrap_70679.htm|title=The Norman Atlantic heading for scrap|date=6 May 2019|accessdate=2020-11-12|publisher=Ship2Shore}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}
==External links== * {{Commons category-inline|IMO 9435466}}
{{2014 shipwrecks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Norman Atlantic}} [[Category:Ferries of Italy]] [[Category:Ships built by Cantiere Navale Visentini]] [[Category:2009 ships]] [[Category:Maritime incidents in 2014]] [[Category:Maritime incidents in Greece]] [[Category:Ship fires]] [[Category:2014 in Greece]] [[Category:2014 fires in Europe]] [[Category:Fires in Greece]] [[Category:2014 in Italy]]