The MS Norman Atlantic was a roll-on/roll-off passenger (ROPAX) ferry built in 2009 by Cantiere Navale Visentini in Porto Viro, Italy. She measured approximately 186 meters (610 feet) in length with a beam of 25.6 meters (84 feet) and a draught of 6.71 meters (22 feet). Powered by two MAN B&W 9L48/60B diesel engines, the vessel could reach a speed of 24 knots (44 km/h). She offered accommodation for up to 850 passengers and had 2,286 lane meters of vehicle capacity, making her suitable for transporting both passengers and freight across European routes. Initially named Akeman Street, she was owned by Ermine Street Shipping Co Ltd, based in London, and had sister ships including Étretat, Scottish Viking, and Stena Flavia. Over her service life, she was chartered by various companies, including T-Link, Saremar (renamed Scintu in 2011), Grande Navi Veloci, Moby Lines, and LD Lines, before being renamed Norman Atlantic in January 2014. Her operational routes varied, with her final voyage before the 2014 disaster taking her from Rosslare, Ireland, to France and Spain. On 28 December 2014, while en route from Patras to Ancona through the Strait of Otranto, Norman Atlantic caught fire under severe weather conditions, with strong winds and rough seas. The fire erupted on Deck 4, initially detected by a pre-alarm, and rapidly spread, causing extensive damage to the vessel’s superstructure, communication, and navigation systems. Despite efforts to evacuate, chaos ensued, and the fire led to the death of at least 16 passengers and crew, with others missing or succumbing to the flames, smoke, or hypothermia. The rescue involved numerous vessels, helicopters, and aircraft, with survivors recounting an overwhelmed crew and delayed evacuation orders. The vessel was severely damaged, with her hull deformed, systems destroyed, and the interior gutted. Following the incident, she was towed to Italy, where she remained under investigation until being scrapped in Turkey in 2019. The fire highlighted critical safety deficiencies and led to extensive investigations, emphasizing the importance of maritime safety protocols and emergency preparedness.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.