Passengers aboard the luxury cruise ship Silver Ray recently enjoyed breathtaking views of Italy’s coastal treasures, particularly the iconic Faraglioni rock formations near Capri. However, local environmentalists were alarmed as the ship violated Italian maritime regulations by sailing too close to the formations. Filming the incident, one environmentalist captured the moment as the 54,700-ton vessel approached the towering rocks.
The Silver Ray, introduced in 2024 and measuring 801 feet in length, accommodates 728 passengers in luxury. Despite favorable weather, the ship’s captain failed to maintain the required distance of 500 meters from the rocks, as confirmed by Italian authorities through video evidence and AIS signals. Consequently, the ship was fined €1,032 (around $1,100), and the captain received a formal reprimand from the Italian Coast Guard.
This incident echoes a past tragedy involving the Costa Concordia, which struck an uncharted rock during a similar maneuver, resulting in 32 fatalities. In light of this, environmentalists are advocating for stricter regulations and the establishment of a larger marine reserve around the formations to prevent future incidents. They propose the installation of buoys to protect the area and its wildlife, including the rare monk seal recently spotted nearby.
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