MS Norman Atlantic facts for kids

Scintu (later Norman Atlantic) in 2013

The MS Norman Atlantic was a large ferry. Ferries are special ships that carry both people and vehicles, like cars and trucks. This ship was built in 2009. It was designed to carry up to 850 passengers and 200 vehicles. Before it was called Norman Atlantic, it had other names: Akeman Street and Scintu. It got its final name, Norman Atlantic, in January 2014.

On December 28, 2014, the Norman Atlantic had a serious accident. It caught fire while sailing in the Strait of Otranto. This area is part of the Adriatic Sea, between Italy and Albania. Sadly, some people died in the incident. However, a huge rescue effort saved 432 people from the burning ship.

About the Norman Atlantic

The Norman Atlantic was a modern ship when it was built. It was designed to be a "roll-on/roll-off" ferry. This means vehicles could drive directly onto the ship and then drive off at their destination. This type of ship is very useful for travel across seas.

Ship's Design and Capacity

The ship was built in Italy in 2009. It was made to be strong and reliable for sea travel.

• It could carry 850 passengers.
• It also had space for 200 vehicles.
• This made it a popular choice for people traveling with their cars or trucks.

Name Changes

Ships often change names during their lifetime. The Norman Atlantic had two names before its final one.

• Its first name was Akeman Street.
• Then it was called Scintu.
• Finally, in January 2014, it became the Norman Atlantic.

The Fire Incident

The fire on the Norman Atlantic was a very serious event. It happened in the early morning hours. The ship was traveling from Greece to Italy.

Where the Fire Started

The fire began on the car deck. This is where all the vehicles are parked. The exact cause of the fire was investigated later. Smoke quickly spread through the ship.

Rescue Efforts

When the fire started, the crew and passengers faced a dangerous situation. Many ships and helicopters rushed to help.

• Rescue teams worked tirelessly in difficult weather.
• They used helicopters to lift people from the ship's deck.
• Other ships helped by taking on survivors from lifeboats.
• The rescue operation lasted for many hours.
• It was a huge effort by many countries, especially Italy and Greece.

Images for kids

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  Norman Atlantic on fire, with rescue efforts underway. Photo from the Italian Navy.

• AS Andalusia (7).jpg

  Spirit of Piraeus, which rescued the 49 people from the lifeboat, was previously named AS Andalucia, as seen in this 2011 photograph.