Viking-Mars Ship Details and Seafarer Feedback

**Title: 'Viking Mars' Escapes Detention After Fire Safety Inspection in Split** In a significant turn of events, the cruise ship 'Viking Mars' successfully evaded detention at the Croatian port of Split following a fire safety inspection conducted under the guidelines of the Paris MoU on March 25, 2026. The initial evaluation raised concerns related to fire safety, prompting a thorough examination of several crucial areas on the vessel, including accommodation quarters, the engine room, decks, forecastle, and navigation bridge. During the inspection, the crew performed a range of functional tests, evaluating essential safety equipment such as fire doors, detection systems, watertight doors, bilge alarms, and quick-closing valves. Additionally, the integrity of the fire alarm system was thoroughly assessed. After promptly addressing the identified issues, 'Viking Mars' was cleared and permitted to depart from Split the same day. The vessel set sail towards Kotor, with its arrival scheduled for March 27. This incident underscores the importance of rigorous safety protocols in maintaining the highest standards for passenger safety at sea.

Aboard the 'Viking Mars', 62 of 887 passengers reported being sick during a voyage that ended on Jan 24, 2025, with symptoms of norovirus, though the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention listed the causative agent as unknown. Nine crew members also became ill. The ship had left Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on a Panama Canal cruise on Jan 10, 2025.

Wenceslao Esguerra Donasco, the Filipino crew member of the 'Viking Mars', who fell over board on Aug 18, has died. The incident occurred at the Saltburn Pier in Invergordon. Police Scotland was notified at around 11 a.m. The man, who was in his 40s, was airlifted to the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, a hospital about 120 miles from Invergordon, where he succumbed to his injurues a few hours later. A report was sent to the Procurator Fiscal, Scotland's "public prosecution service and death investigation authority. Report with photo: https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/first-picture-cruise-ship-worker-30762945

Emergency services were called to the 'Viking Mars' which was docked at the Saltburn Pier in Invergordon on Aug. 18, 2023, after a 40 year old crew member fell from cruise ship and was injured at 11 a.m. Two ambulances, a trauma team and an air ambulance attended, and the man was airlifted to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary for treatment.