Saturday, January 14, 2012
Concordia Cruise Tragedy- Too much speculation
8:52 AM | 
Posted by
LEADERHUNTRESS |
I asked Douglas Ward, author of Berlitz Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships 2012, if he could comment on the Concordia tragedy Right now- he says-- there is too much speculation and it's too early – but I got a few initial comments. This is a very disturbing event and the world is watching with hope that those who are missing are found alive. (Melissa Lande, publicist, Berlitz US)
1. What implications do you think this has for the industry and the safety standards?
It is far too early to tell what the cruise industry as a whole will be doing as a result of the tragedy, but I am certain that the accident will bring into question the training of navigators in charge of cruise ships - particularly with regard to course deviation.
However, I am of the opinion that the hull design and stability calculations will also be important focus points, as will evacuation procedures in general. Today's cruise ships also have hull plating which is much than ocean liners of yesteryear (or like the Queen Mary 2's thick plating). From the pictures available, you can see just how much damage can be caused by a gash in the thin hull.
2. Will lifeboat drills and general safety procedures be toughened up?
In my book - which has been providing ratings to cruise ships for 27 editions based on numerous criteria - with safety being a priority, I stress the importance for passengers (including those that have cruised many times) to attend the Passenger Safety Drill. I do feel that ship's photographers, who take photos of passengers in their lifejackets during the drill aboard some of the large resort ships, should be banned. The drill is taken too lightly by some (crew, particularly concession crew, included), and there may need to be more focus on evacuation procedures in a blackout (or if lifeboat mechanisms and backup batteries fail).
At present, a Passenger Lifeboat Drill must be undertaken within 24 hours of leaving the port of embarkation. It would be better if this drill were conducted before a ship leaves the port of embarkation (many cruise lines already do this, but some do not).
3. What are your thoughts on how this could have happened, with all the high-tech navigation systems?
Because initial (speculative) indications suggest that the ship had deviated from its course, it could be that attention on the navigation bridge was not as it should have been. Perhaps recovery of the black box will help investigators to determine the sequence of events leading up to the disaster. The tragedy should, of course, never have happened.
Although even high-tech navigation systems can go wrong (think of your car sat-nav and you ending up in a field), it is extremely rare for them to do so. One thing is certain - we don't want this to happen again.
Most new ships have fully-enclosed navigation bridges, and so there is more reliance on high-tech systems - no one knows how to use a sextant anymore in the 21st century.
Because the ship was close to land, the loss of life is thankfully less than it would have been if the ship had been far out at sea.
Douglas Ward, in a 46-year career in cruising that has seen him log some 5,700 hours at sea on more than 1,000 cruises, is author, for the 27th consecutive year, of Berlitz 2012 Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships.
Labels: