Electrical problems delay cruise ship's departure

UPDATE

The Coast Guard said the Aurora cruise ship is now leaving Portland. The electrical problem was fixed and the ship was cleared to depart.

8:54 p.m.

The Coast Guard said early Friday evening that the ship was still in port and had not received any word that the electrical problem had been fixed.

Lt. Nick Barrow said the problem was related to the electrical supply to the ship’s propulsion system. The rest of the ship’s electrical system was unaffected he said.

4:05 p.m.

PORTLAND — If it seems like the Aurora cruise ship has been docked at Ocean Gateway’s megaberth for an unusually long time, that’s because it has.

The cruise ship arrived at 9 a.m. Thursday and planned to leave at 6 p.m. that same day. But “electrical problems” stopped it from departing, according to passengers and city officials.

The ship now plans to leave at 5 p.m. today, according to Harbormaster Jeff Liick. Liick confirmed electrical issues caused the delay, but said he didn’t have further details about the problem. Aurora officials didn’t immediately respond to a message for comment.

Aurora, part of P&O Cruises’ mid-sized fleet, holds upward of 1,950 passengers, according to the company’s website. Nicole Clegg, the city’s director of information, said the ship hasn’t blocked other ships from using the pier, and even if it stayed another night, wouldn’t disrupt any other ship’s schedule.