Stranded cruise ship freed

May 09, 2008
In cooperation with BNS

RIGA- Latvian Defense Minister Vinets Veldre cancelled the order issued to Latvian navy forces to arrest the cruise ship Mona Lisa that was freed from the sandbank on Wednesday afternoon.

Veldre told BNS that he has contacted the head of the crisis management council and Latvian Prime Minister Ivars Godmanis, who informed the minister, that the letter of credit from the US and British insurers of the ship had been received. The Border Guard informed Veldre that all inspection procedures on the ship were completed.

The cruise ship Mona Lisa was then allowed to leave Latvia.

Earlier Veldre said during a phone interview that the ship was forbidden from leaving the port of Ventspils, as there was an order issued forbidding the departure of the ship until payment for all costs covering the rescue operation had been received.

The total cost is estimated at 135,000 lats (192,088 EUR)