MS World Discoverer

World Discoverer in Salaverry, Oct 1993
History
NameWorld Discoverer (1975–2000)
Owner
  • BEWA Cruises (Denmark) (1974–1976)
  • Adventurer Cruises (1976–1987)
  • Society Expeditions (1987-2000)
Port of registry
Yard number2250
Launched8 December 1973
Acquired19 October 1975
Refit1996
Identification
FateWrecked 30 April 2000 after striking an uncharted reef in the Sandfly Passage
General characteristics
TypeCruise ship
Tonnage3,724 GT
Length87.51 m (287 ft 1 in)
Beam15.12 m (49 ft 7 in)
Draft4.4 m (14 ft)
Depth8.72 m (28.6 ft)
Decks7
Installed power2 ×  MaK 8M452AK (2 × 1,760 kW)
PropulsionSingle propeller
Speed16.5 knots (30.6 km/h; 19.0 mph)
Capacity137 passengers in 76 cabins
Crew75 to 80
Wreck site
Coordinates: 9°01′23.17″S 160°07′22.91″E / 9.0231028°S 160.1230306°E / -9.0231028; 160.1230306
CountrySolomon Islands

MS World Discoverer was a cruise ship designed for and built by Schichau Unterweser, Germany in 1974. During construction called BEWA Discoverer, the ship was completed in Bremerhaven, Germany. In 2000, the ship struck an underwater obstacle and was damaged; it was subsequently grounded to prevent sinking and abandoned in the Solomon Islands. To this date the local community has requested assistance from an environmental protection agency to assist with the clean up, and it has been refused. Further they tried to get the ship removed, or get compensated for it, but have received nothing to date. They were advised that they were time barred in their claim.