Cruise ship stranded thanks to marine growth

Australian officials say the ship’s hull must be cleaned before docking

Passengers on a holiday cruise have been stranded off the coast of Australia due to potentially harmful growth on the ship’s hull (William West/AFP/Getty)

A cruise ship carrying hundreds of passengers has been stranded off the coast of Australia due to potentially “harmful” marine growth on the vessel’s hull.

The Viking Orion was due to dock in Adelaide before being denied permission after authorities found potentially harmful organisms – known as “biofoul” – accumulating on the ship’s hull.

Authorities from the Australian Department for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry said in a statement “The management of biofoul is a common practice for all arriving international vessels.