Viking Orion passengers stranded after ship is grounded due to marine growth

Hundreds of passengers have been stranded on a cruise ship The Viking Orion off the Australian coast after a potentially harmful growth was found on its hull.

The Viking Orion was reportedly denied permission to dock in Adelaide after authorities discovered Biofoul, an accumulation of microorganisms, plants, algae, or small animals.

This can allow invasive species to be imported into non-native habitats, with officials maintaining that the ship’s hull must be cleaned before entering Australia.

Previous reports suggested the growth was a fungus, but this was not confirmed by the Australian fisheries department.