Cruise ship docked in Beaufort stoked coronavirus fears. City says there’s no threat
A cruise ship docked in downtown Beaufort has raised concerns from residents about the possible spread of coronavirus, but it isn’t a threat to public health, city officials said.
“American Star,” an American Cruise Lines ship, is tied to the wall at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park near the Beaufort Downtown Marina. Cruise line operators received permission from the marina manager to temporarily dock in Beaufort with a limited crew while trips are postponed through March 22.
No passengers were let off in Beaufort, Mayor Billy Keyserling said in a newsletter Monday. The ship had nowhere to dock after finishing its most recent trip in Charleston and came to Beaufort instead, he said.
“I checked and was assured that the (ship) was thoroughly cleaned and disinfected and that, while some might not like it being there, it presents no danger to Beaufort and our residents,” Keyserling wrote in response to numerous concerns he said he received.
American Cruise Lines is a small cruise line operating 12 ships. It makes regular stops in Beaufort, though trips have been canceled through at least March.
American Star can carry 100 passengers, according to the company’s website.
