The Costa Concordia Disaster & Safety At Sea
All guests who embark on a ship in the U.S are required to partake in a lifeboat safety drill prior to sailing.
While the Costa Concordia tragedy is still unfolding and the total story is yet to be told, I wanted to share my own shock and horror of seeing this disaster unfold over the past several days. After 200 plus cruises, I could not fathom anything of this nature happening understanding the stringent regulations the cruise industry is held to and their own standards of safety protection put in place to ensure this type of disaster could not unfold.
While the activity of the Costa Concordia’s Captain appears to have made many grave errors, perhaps the only good thing he may have done was beach the ship to keep the ship from completely sinking in deeper water and allowing the guests close proximity to the local port for easier evacuation. I will not comment yet on this major concern until all the facts are in place but it appears, rogue behavior (human error) by the ships Captain, created this disaster.
After nearly 45 years of traveling by ship, this horrendous incident is a first for me but let me share some information about the cruise industry with you.
During the last 10 years – nearly 100 million passengers took cruise vacations – 6 safety related deaths took place during that time until Costa Concordia.
The cruise industry still remains the safest mode of transportation. While there have been other “fender benders” over the years, mostly due to wind activity while docking or un-docking, this industry has a stellar reputation and loss of life has been virtually non-existent.
All guests who embark on a ship are required to partake in a lifeboat safety drill within 24 hours. In the US, this takes place at sailing time due to US Coast guard regulations. Upon embarkation, every ships cabin TV plays the safety video regardless of where the ship is, has complete safety instructions posted on the back of a cabin door, and generally a complete lifeboat drill is held.
The fact that chaos ensued on Costa Concordia is not shocking to me due to the nature of the ships initial accident, loosing power (except for emergency power which did kick in although it is low-level lighting) beaching, turning on its side due to that beaching, the fact the lifeboats on one side were inoperable due to the heavy listing, the lack of instruction for the 500 who had just embarked the ship only a few hours earlier, and the mutual fear factor shared by everyone including the ships crew as this happened so quickly. I believe based on the hull damage caused by the lengthy hole doomed this ship from the initial impact.
The nature of the ship turning so quickly on its side was likely due to the beaching and the laws of physics for a vessel to be in such shallow water.
Do I Think Cruising Is Unsafe?
NO! I think most cruise lines including Costa generally uphold a very high standard of safety, comply with stringent SOLAS (Safety Of Life AT Sea), local coast guard, and all maritime organizations rules. These ships are constantly monitored and crew training takes place continuously. This event was the result of human error and very poor judgment by the ships Captain.
What Would I Do To Assist My Own Safety On My Next Cruise?
- Watch the cabin TV video showing what to do in the event of an emergency-this usually plays all day on the first day of a cruise and is already playing when you enter your cabin
- Review the safety details behind the cabin door that give detailed instructions on what to do in the event of a disaster
- Ask my room steward where the closes evacuation route or staircase is nearest my cabin to ensure I knew where to go
- Attend and listen carefully to the ships safety drill
- Relax and enjoy my cruise as will most all 17 million who will choose to take this exciting vacation!
In the meantime, my thoughts go to those who were lost in this tragedy as well as anyone who endured the agony and fear during this unnecessary tragedy. I know that safety rules will be once again revisited and perhaps changed in the immediate future.
Travel Safe!
Jeff, 
Arthur, and 
Scott, 
Rex, and 
David are discussing. 
Robert Stevens is discussing. 
Attention luxury travelers! If you haven’t heard about this exciting cruise line, I am going to gleefully shout about it from the mountaintops.
ANDREW THOMPSON is discussing. 
Dave Cantrall 6:47 pm on January 11, 2012 Permalink |
Hi Tom,
Thanks for an informative article!
My favorite cruise lines – and why?:
CELEBRITY Cruise lines..
Ever since the time I took Celebrity Infinity from Vancouver, B.C., up the inside passage to Alaska, and return to Vancouver.
WHY?
Because the decor is better than most ships. And the “day time” entertainment is great also.
For example, on the Alaska cruise I mentioned, there were classical musical performers – at least two on that cruise – which were above and beyond all the other cruises I have been on.
The four ladies from Prague for example who played violins.
And the Russian lady bar-tender (on the same floor and area the ladies from Prague were performing) who were the delight of my companion Col. Wilson – they spoke Russian together while I sat and drank the BEST brandy aboard any ship (recommended by the Russian bar tender).
Celebrity has always – in my experience – been above an beyond most others in her class – in food, entertainment, ships’ decor, and in making one feel welcome.
Arthur 10:47 am on January 18, 2012 Permalink |
Hi Tom,
We just got back from the holiday cruise on Oceania’s Marina, an AMAZING ship. The cuisine is unmatched, and our favorite new restaurant anywhere is Red Ginger.
Jeff 12:15 pm on January 19, 2012 Permalink |
I sailed on the NCL Jewel in October and was very unhappy with the “Free style dining”. The food was inconsistent…even in the extra charge restaurants. The staff rotated between the dining venues and that appeared to cause confusion. Sure we could have dined every night in a certain dining venue but, there would have been different servers. Some bar staff and our room stewardess did a fine job though. The larger lounges were often underused and the really popular entertainment was held in the smaller rooms…no room to move, dance or even get a drink ( come on NCL..we cant get a drinkie then its less profit for you!) . Some people think this is the way to go (free style) but it would need some serious over hauling before I’d try it again. I’ll stick with Princess, Carnival, RCCL and HAL. and assigned seating.