VISTA STAR

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Latest news

Repair will take months

The repair of the "Emerald Belle" will take about three months accodring to estimations of Wim van der Wiel, director of Clean Conserving in Werkendam. While nothing was left from the interior, the 130-m-hull is still usable. Dutch report with photo: http://www.ad.nl/ad/nl/34821/Rivierenland/article/detail/4241195/2016/02/09/Schip-saneren-duurt-maanden.dhtml

Foire damage will be repaired in Werkendam

The partially gutted "Emerald Belle" will be repaired at the Hoogendoorn MBI in the Beatrix port in Werkendam. In the morning of Feb 4 the ship was towed from Giessendam to Werkendam. The police found no suspicion on arson during their investigation. Dutch report with photo: http://nieuwsbladaltena.nl/nieuws/uitgebrand-cruiseschip-wordt-in-werkendamse-haven-hersteld-1.5692170

Cause of fire still under investigation

A forensic team and fire experts were still working to find out the cause of the fire on the "Emerald Belle" at the Den Breejen Shipyard in Hardinxveld-Giessendam though it was thought to be a technical issue. A year's work has gone on the ship which was as good as finished. The fire has an enormous impact on the entire company. The financial damage and whether parts of the ship can still be used was still unclear. The "Emerald Belle" admittedly had fire extinguishers on board, but the fire extinguishing system was not yet installed. Customers who already had booked for a cruis aboard next spring have been offered a place on another ship of the cruise line, or on a ship of its sister company Scenic. The river cruise ship "Scenic" of the sister company, which was moored alongside the burning vessel, has only suffered paint damage as it could be pulled to safety in time. Dutch report with photo: http://www.ad.nl/ad/nl/34821/Rivierenland/article/detail/4236817/2016/02/02/Oorzaak-brand-riviercruiseschip-raadsel.dhtml