Officials: 3 killed, scores missing after cruise ship runs aground off Italy

[Starbuck]

and I think charged with manslaughter. Fox reports dozens still missing. the crew tried to keep passengers aboard

When you look at the ship lying on its side in shallow water, staying aboard was the proper procedure.

Maybe there were some people injured by the in rushing water, but there is room enough for everyone above the new waterline. Early reports indicated the captain tried to steer the ship to shore. It certainly looks like he did.

But, man, look at the size of the hole.

[Hawkgirl]

It probably is going to be negligence in one form or the other. But that particular ship had a 28 foot draught, and obstacles that far under water can't be seen, so the crew is not expected to be able to see them. Even if they did, the ship couldn't be turned or stopped in time. Safety is maintained by knowing exactly where your ship is at all times relative to known obstacles. That's a little trickier than it sounds, but that's the standard.

I would think they have a radar that can pick up something like a LARGE SANDBAR or REEF. Hell, when I had a boat, my fishfinder could detect a rock...but a large cruise doesn't have sophisticated enough equipment. I think the Captain and the person he left in charge where drinking somewhere.

[Hawkgirl]

They found two survivors trapped still on the ship.
Just like in The Posiden Adventure. :(

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worl...medium=twitter

The Poseidon Adventure...one of my all time favorite movies...the original, of course.

[Hawkgirl]

The Black Box was recovered:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worl...dia-crash.html

The recorder contains every detail of what was happening in the computer systems which controlled the £372 million vessel and will be crucial to the forthcoming series of inquiries.
Last night prosecutors arrested both the captain, Francesco Schettino, and the officer who was at the bridge, Ciro Ambrosio. Capt Schettino was socialising at the bar when the vessel hit a rock. He then took command.

[Kay]

Capt Schettino was socialising at the bar when the vessel hit a rock.
He then took command.

I don't think the Capt of a cruise ship would be expected to be at the helm 24/7.
Part of his PR job would be to schmuze with the passengers at dinner and such.
At least that was how Capt. Stubing ran the Love Boat as I recall.

[Starbuck]

I don't think the Capt of a cruise ship would be expected to be at the helm 24/7.
Part of his PR job would be to schmuze with the passengers at dinner and such.
At least that was how Capt. Stubing ran the Love Boat as I recall.

You're right.
The Captain doesn't drive the ship. And the ship was not in unfamiliar waters; they cruise this area 52 times a year. Either they hit something that had never been there before, like a container, or the ship wandered off course for some reason.
But the captain is always held responsible, and I'm pretty sure they'll put him on trial.

Lots of interesting and informed comments in the article Hawkgirl linked.

[namvet]

When you look at the ship lying on its side in shallow water, staying aboard was the proper procedure.

Maybe there were some people injured by the in rushing water, but there is room enough for everyone above the new waterline. Early reports indicated the captain tried to steer the ship to shore. It certainly looks like he did.

But, man, look at the size of the hole.

no shit. yet it rolled to the other side. be interesting to find out what they hit

[txradioguy]

no shit. yet it rolled to the other side. be interesting to find out what they hit

Apparently they hit rock.

One of the angles of side that is out of the water looks like it has a big chunk of solid rock lodged in the steel.

[txradioguy]

The other big question is why did this ship roll like that that and take on that kind of water in an era of ship building when they are designed to NOT do what this one did when they take on water.

[namvet]

The other big question is why did this ship roll like that that and take on that kind of water in an era of ship building when they are designed to NOT do what this one did when they take on water.

back to the drawing board