The cruise ship Albatros suffered mechanical failure and postponed departure from Columbus Cruise Center Bremerhaven to Dover. The vessel was scheduled to leave Bremerhaven with 800 passengers, but damage in the hydraulic system of the rudder gear took her out of service. The problem was repaired and the cruise ship Albatros departed from the Columbus Quay with 11 hours delay and started the voyage. Unfortunately the same failure appeared less than an hour later, near Robben Plate on 25 km from the port. The ship dropped anchor and requested assistance. At the scene were dispatched two Svitzer salvage tugs, which towed the cruise vessels to the Columbus Quay for repairs which were expected to be completed in the evening.

All the passengers were safe and without injuries. The local authorities requested special survey and inspection of the cruise liner before return in service.

The cruise ship Albatros (IMO: 7304314) has overall length of 205.00 m, moulded beam of 26.00 m and maximum draft of 7.50 m. The deadweight of the vessel is 5,123 DWT and the gross tonnage is 28,518 GRT. The ship was built in 1973 by STX shipyard in Helsinki, Finland. The owner and operator of the cruise liner is V.Ships Leasure.