Problems for the Amsterdam

[dakrewser]

Just read that the Amsterdam was anchored off Stanley in the Falklands yesterday when winds suddenly picked up shutting down the tenders. This stranded 2 Falkland Islanders on the boat and 963 Passengers and Crew on the Island!

Read the full story from the Falkland Island News Network (http://www.falklandnews.com/public/story.cfm?get=3132&source=3).

[sail7seas]

Dave....


:) How in the world did you just happen to be reading the Falkland Islands Newspaper??? I get such a kick out of this fabulous internet. There is no way anymore to keep a secret anywhere in the world.

As long as no one was hurt......

[CaptData]

That would be a nightmare. From the sounds of things everthing turned out ok.

[dakrewser]

How in the world did you just happen to be reading the Falkland Islands Newspaper???

Well, 90% of my workday is spent reading, much of that in one obscure journal or another. Once in a while I come across something interesting!

:) -dave

[jhannah]

Wow! Just think of the experience the ship's passengers had! Those who got to spend the night with a local family will surely have special memories for their lifetime. Shore excursions in some locales allow you to dine with a local family ... but spending the night is something else! I can only imagine the inconvenience and tattered nerves. But as CaptData said it appears all turned out OK.

You can just never tell what Mother Nature will dole out!

[Esme]

The same thing happened back in 1987 during the Rotterdam's World Cruise.

I heard about it this morning when I received a phone call from my neighbour who is a retired HAL Captain who was sent the article by another retired HAL Captain. That's how news travels. :)

[Aussie Gal]

Dave,

Thanks so much for sharing that news with us. My sister only returned a couple of weeks from her cruise on the Amsterdam and they didn't stop at the Falklands only cruised around the area. She will be interested to read that article.

We are doing the S.A. cruise in January next year and hope to be able to go ashore, weather permitting. I am glad that they can look after so many people on the island if necessary. It would be such an adventure.

Jennie

[wowzo]

I always think of parents who leave their children on the ship -in the daycare program - and take a shore trip.

Separating families from shore and land - you never know what will happen !

[Krazy Kruizers]

Thanks Dave

Wonderful report.

With 900+ passengers and crew - that was alot of people away from the ship.

Isn't nice to know that there are still some wonderful people in this world to help others out?

[RuffinReady]

Just read that the Amsterdam was anchored off Stanley in the Falklands yesterday when winds suddenly picked up shutting down the tenders. This stranded 2 Falkland Islanders on the boat and 963 Passengers and Crew on the Island!

Read the full story from the Falkland Island News Network (http://www.falklandnews.com/public/story.cfm?get=3132&source=3).

We were on the Falklands in November 2001. During the tour conducted by a family on their large sheep farm they told us that high winds were always present. On the day we were there the winds were so strong that you had to bend over to walk into the wind. I also had a lot of trouble standing still enough to take pictures of the penguins. BTW, for some reason the penguins didn't have any problem walking about.

I seem to remember that this has happened to a cruise ship before.

Ruffin

[RuthC]

I'm thinking of the typical HAL demographic---especially on a cruise such as this.
And all their medications back on the ship.

What a nightmare! :eek:

Kudos to the people of the Falkland Islands for their hospitality. :)

[localady]

When we were in the Falklands in Dec. 2003 on the Amsterdam, I was very charmed by the people of Stanley/Falkland Islands. Our host/guide for 4 wheeling out to the penguin colonies was a 3rd or 4th generation Falklander with vibrant stories of the war fought not so long ago with Argentina.

What I found there on that cold, windy and ruggedly beautiful Island, where some of the most charming and interesting people I'd had the please to meet in my travels. Although I can imagine it was a horror for the passengers, many got to see a side of everyday life in the Falklands most never see and where able to experience the generosity and kindness of it's people! :cool:

[bepsf]

Wow - What an adventure!

That should be a source of stories for quite some time!!!

Thanks for sharing w/ us Dave!!!

[sail7seas]

Ruth.....


I was thinking exactly the same thing. I guess there is a message there. Even if planning to just go ashore in port for a brief time, it is wise to bring a full day or two dosage of any absolutely necessary meds.

I'm guessing a local pharmacy may have dispensed a few 'single dosage' meds to some very worried pax.

[Aussie Gal]

At least the Pharmacist in the Falklands would be English trained and have all the qualifications needed for a shipload of 900 passengers. The only trouble would be would he have enough drugs for even one dose for all the passengers that may have needed medication. From the wife of a Pharmacist.

Jennie

[RuthC]

Yes, I'm sure they must have, Sail.

I found the Falklands to be a wee bit of Merry 'ol England in the cold South Atlantic.
I can't imagine that the people there would not have done everything possible to make their "guests" feel welcome.

[sail7seas]

Sounds like a place we would very much like to visit someday.

How great of the local people to worry about a bunch of cruise ship pax and be so hospitable and kind.

[localady]

S7S- Stanley is a rare place, a place still removed from the rat-race.

I hope you do get a chance to visit the Falkland Islands, it is a very lovely place with very lovely inhabitants.:cool:

[Bill S]

Wow! Hosting 900 people, even for one night, is a big event in Stanley! Indeed, the people we met in the Falkands were just wonderful, so if one has to be stranded somewhere, Stanley would be a good place. It is a slice of jolly old England there. What an adventure! We took the Long Island Sheep Ranch excursion last year and Glenda and Neal, the owners were wonderful people who opened their home for the excursion, and yes that is one wind-blown piece of real estate! It sounds like that everyone survived the ordeal ok, though. . . . . thank goodness!

[xpcdoojk]

Thank you Dave for posting this story. That is an amazing story. Do we know any CC regulars on this sailing. I can't wait to hear the details from the participants. What an adventure!


jc

[Himself]

"All's well that ends well." Thanks be to God it all ended well, though I suspect not without stressful moments in between.

Himself

[JaniceB]

Thanks for sharing the story with us. I have never really thought much about the fact that I might not be able to return to the ship after an excursion. It certainly opened my eyes to the fact that it is possible.

[zil]

This is a good example to do as they say." Take your necessary meds with you ashore." One never knows, if the ship might have to sail quickly or as today the tenders are shut down.

[Druke I]

Quite an adventure.

We are scheduled to be in Stanley on Mar 14, 2006 with Regal Princess. We do hope to get ashore, but would prefer to spend the night on ship.

[bobpatj]

My goodness! This was the cruise we'd originally booked! I was only in contact with one other couple, taking this cruise, on the Roll Call board, and I don't think they ever visited this board. Our adventures in the Falklands were much tamer.

[xpcdoojk]

We had a very exciting tender ride in 2000 when we were on the Celebrity Millenium and we were in the port city closest to Olympia. We returned from our excursion to Olympia and did a little shopping in the port city's shops and tavernas. Anyway, The tender dock was very well sheltered, but where the ship was anchored it was getting hit by some pretty high winds and large waves. So We head out on the ships tender boats. The driver tried 3 or 4 times on each side (at least one attempt on each side) total, and they could not safely get roped on. Finally, as everyone was starting to get a tad alarmed and the thought of what happens if we can't hook up, started playing in everyone's mind, the driver gunned it in one more time slammed it into reverse and the crew roped on. The Gangway gouged about a 1 foot hole in the port rear top of the tender. Nobody was hurt, but it was the most exciting tender trip I have taken. I remember it like is was yesterday and it was over 4 years ago.

jc

[Krazy Kruizers]

I also got to thinking last night about DH's heart medications. I never carry them with me when we leave the ship.

That's going to change - from now on I will carry a couple o day's doses with me all the time.

[Ziggy7]

Thanks for mentioning this and about the meds going on shore! My dh has to have meds and although I always carry extra in my purse, I never thought it was needed in my bellypack! :) Now I will carry them on shore as well!

[TedC]

JC,
FYI, they now have a substantial dock at Katakolon, the port for Oylmpia. We were there in May on the Westerdam.

Our first HAL cruise was on the Ryndam around S. America. We chose HAL over Celebrity because HAL stopped at the Falklands, and went on to Rio. Celebrity did neither at that time.

However, because of strong winds, we were unable to stop at Stanley. The Capt. said that smaller ships can go into the protected inner harbor to escape the winds but the Ryndam couldn't. Crew members later told us they only make the stop about 25 percent of the time.

We were very disappointed to miss the Falklands but understood why.

[sail7seas]

I also got to thinking last night about DH's heart medications. I never carry them with me when we leave the ship.

That's going to change - from now on I will carry a couple o day's doses with me all the time.



I also never thought to bring any of our meds ashore with us. Both of us are on at least one drug which should never be abruptly stopped. We take it twice a day. If we were to miss two (or more doses) it could be dangerous. We are always so careful of time, it would be most unlikely we'd miss the ship. But it never occured to me that we could encounter something like this rare event.

I will also be carrying a small pill case ashore with us that has a few days doses of our 'must take' meds.

[patti o]

I just heard from our friends who are on the Aamsterdam and were stranded onshore.
Here is a partial report: (I've copied her story at the point when they're trying to get the tenders back to the ship")

".....It took 30 min to get to the ship and after an hour bouncing out in the ocean trying to land at the gangway, the Captain gave the order to abort and return to shore. Another 30 min to shore and two hours on the tender bouncing up and down waiting for the wind to die down, but it kept getting worse.

"Finally they came on the tender and said they were busing us to a hall and were looking for 1000 beds. They took us to the Army base and put us in a hall, like cattle. There were 960 passengers from the ship. They said we were spending the night there and local residents were opening their homes for us . They brought in food, cold french fries, cold hot dogs, cold chicken tenders, cold beans - wonderful.

"AT midnight they came to us and said come with me, we have a bed for you, you can get some rest. They put us on a bus and took us to a school into a cold Gym with mats and no blankets. I said if I stayed there I would have pnuemonia in the morning. He said come with me I have a bed for you.

"He took me down the hall to the Medical room which had a small bed and some heat. Ralph went down the hall to the facualty room and slept on the floor on some cushions. I did`nt sleep until 4:30 and at 5:30. Ralph said to get up they were going down to the pier. We walked and got to the pier at 6:00AM and on the tender at 7 and back to the ship at 7:30. I ordered coffee and oragne jusice and went to bed. Wiped out today....."

Their "pleasant" memory apparently will be a nightmare instead! Wow!

[sail7seas]

Thank you so much for sharing this, Patti.


Somehow a slightly different picture than we first imagined. That would be VERY hard on some senior, less hearty pax. It could take them days and days to recover from such an uncomfortable, difficult experience.

Of course, there was no choice. Safety had to be the only consideration.

[jhannah]

I can certainly understand the frustration and uncertainties of being stranded in a foreign country. But it seems the islanders were doing the best the could to take care of people. I don't think I would expect hot food under these circumstances. No way to do that at a moments notice. At least they had something to eat. I'm also sure sleeping on the floor wouldn't equate to much sleep. But factually there is no way to catch a cold (or pneumonia for that matter) from sleeping on a floor. Maybe I just look at things differently than other people. Would I feel inconvenienced? Certainly. But there seems to be a certain adventure element that could be enjoyed to some degree.

[wander]

It sounds like the half full/half empty vision of life. For some it would be an adventure, for some a nightmare. For me it would be an adventure, cold hot dogs and beans included. I've eaten cold beans and cold hot dogs before, bet I will again. Do I want to sleep on a mat in a gym for a night - no, but would not expect much more in a place the size of Stanley with 900+ drop in overnight guests.

[dakrewser]

JC,
FYI, they now have a substantial dock at Katakolon, the port for Oylmpia. We were there in May on the Westerdam.


That's good to hear. Back in 2000, the seas were too high for us to get to Katakolon and we sailed up to Patras. But that's 100 km futrther from Olympia so it did shorten our stay at the museums....

[sail7seas]

It sounds like the half full/half empty vision of life. For some it would be an adventure, for some a nightmare. For me it would be an adventure, cold hot dogs and beans included. I've eaten cold beans and cold hot dogs before, bet I will again. Do I want to sleep on a mat in a gym for a night - no, but would not expect much more in a place the size of Stanley with 900+ drop in overnight guests.


Yes, of course, the half full vision of life is wonderful. Most of us strive for that, I think. I'm just 'feeling' for some of the senior folks who cannot get on a mat on the floor. Those people who have sore hips, arthritic joints, bad backs.....it's a matter of pain; disability; physical limitations. They simply cannot lie flat on a hard floor on a mat. Just the getting down and back up would be very difficult.

I know everyone did the best for them that they could and whenever we travel, we have to realize we subject ourselves to possible risks or lack of comforts.

I certainly understand it was not anyone's intention for pax to have to endure that. It is absolutely a Safety First situation and would not dream of questioning the decision or need for it.

[dakrewser]

I'm just 'feeling' for some of the senior folks who cannot get on a mat on the floor. Those people who have sore hips, arthritic joints, bad backs.....it's a matter of pain; disability; physical limitations. They simply cannot lie flat on a hard floor on a mat. Just the getting down and back up would be very difficult.

The news story did say that "Five hundred people were accommodated in homes around Stanley and at Estancia. The remainder spent the night at the Lighthouse Seamen’s Centre, the FIDF Hall, the Upland Goose Hotel and the Parish Hall." So I'm guessing (and hoping) that this was done on a "needs" basis with the most infirm being accomodated in real beds.

I think it's fantastic that a town of less than 2,000 population can manage to shelter and feed over 900 unexpected guests!

:) -dave

[Aussie Gal]

I agree with Dave. The Faulkland Islanders did a wonderful job at such very short notice. I also would enjoy the cold food if I hadn't eaten for some time. At least it would be food in my stomach. We always expect to be waited on and have every luxury but I hope that if I was put into such a situation that I would enjoy it for what it was - an adventure and something to be talked about for many years. I also would rather be on a mat on the floor than have my life in danger trying to board a ship in very rough seas.

When we were on the Prinsendam in October, we had to be tendered to Nessebur. The seas were quite big, not rough but huge rollers and it took a good 2 hours to get everyone off who wanted to go ashore. A lot of people cancelled their tours. When we returned to go back to the ship, the seas were bigger and it took the wonderful crew a mighty effort to get us all back on board. We were speaking to the Doctor's wife a few days later and she said he had been busy attending to passengers who had hurt themselves boarding.

Jennie

[sail7seas]

I think you misunderstand my post.


Of course, SAFETY is paramount.

I was not being critical of anyone.

I was stating that I felt bad for some of the more frail, disabled, arthritic pax who suffered. I know that some more senior and some pax with various medical conditions suffered. I was feeling compassion for their discomfort.

Everyone did everything reasonable....above and beyond.

I am sorry if you thought I implied anything different than that.

[Aussie Gal]

Sail,

I am sorry if you thought I was critizing your post and thoughts. I apologise for that. I was speaking from how I would feel if I was in such a situation. I know how rough those seas can become and wouldn't like to be put in any danger whatsoever. I would just be grateful to be looked after and have a roof over my head for the night.

I know how worrying it would be for the elderly, (though they now say that a person over 65 is considered in that category and I am very close to that age) especially ones who didn't have their medication with them.


Jennie.

[patti o]

Hello all who responded to my post with our friends' story. I'm just getting back online now.

Yes, our friends are seniors and approaching their 80th b'days in a few months; very active, in fairly good shape 79+ year olds, but seniors just the same. I heard a great deal of frustration in her email to me; and in a clear mind, I know they realize one cannot catch pneumonia from sleeping on the floor in a cold area. They are adventurous people, but right now they're not feeling that it's an adventure. I'm sure when they return home, have unwound from this experience, and we sit around hearing their story, they will have calmed down a bit and all will be good.

I agree that it sounds like the people of Falkland were great, very hospitable, etc. Safety is the first and foremost concern, and I know my friends realize that; they just need a good night's sleep .... and probably a good stiff cocktail!

If I hear more from them, I'll share. I'm eager to hear more myself! Thanks for your concern everyone.

[dakrewser]

If I hear more from them, I'll share. I'm eager to hear more myself! Thanks for your concern everyone.

Please do. I'm sure the first posting from them was done in the heat of the moment and they should have the opportunity to correct any bad impression they might have given.

[sail7seas]

Thank you for sharing all this with us, Patti.


I hope you will let us know how your friends are when you next hear from them.

I hope they are well and have settled down and enjoy the rest of their vacation.

[tomc]

We get so used to traveling in comfort in 5-star ships that we forget we are on the ocean, where anything can happen, not that far removed in time from the explorers who first found these places. They had a rough time of it; we have cold hot dogs and chicken, perhaps lousy overnight accomodations. While we are living under Mother Nature's roof, we will obey her laws and one of them is, "It's gonna be rough some days; put up with it." All were safe, all were back on the ship dining in splendour.

After a few months, in the glow of a few cocktails, the waves will grow ever higher, the winds will become Force 5 hurricane, the temporary housing will creak and moan and the grandchildren will say, "Oh, grandpa, not again! It gets worse every time."

[patti o]

Hi everyone!

Heard again from our friends, but it was a brief message stating that they were well, rested, and eager to share their stories upon returning home. At least they didn't bail out and fly home early, as I've seen happen on various other cruises we've been on!

The tone of this email was much better, and it was clear they are continuing on, and like was stated, probably their first email was in the "heat of the moment".

Thanks all for your concern and I'll keep you informed as I hear.

[cruzingqueen]

This is a good example to do as they say." Take your necessary meds with you ashore." One never knows, if the ship might have to sail quickly or as today the tenders are shut down.

So true. I've traveled the Caribbean several times with HAL and one time at Half Moon Cay, there was talk of having to leave some passengers and crew overnight on the island. A horrible storm came late in the afternoon. What is usually a 5-10 min tender ride turned into a 60-90 min ride per tender! Unloading was another hour because the waves were so big they were literally throwing one passenger off the tender onto the ship as the wave would slam the tender into the ship! They finally got everyone back onto the ship. But for awhile, it looked like some would be staying on the island.

[dakrewser]

The tone of this email was much better, and it was clear they are continuing on, and like was stated, probably their first email was in the "heat of the moment".

Thanks all for your concern and I'll keep you informed as I hear.

That's great to hear! Thanks...

-dave

[SoCalCruiser]

We spent the night in the church on the cement floor without heat. We did receive blankets at 11:30PM

What the reports fails to state is the when the tenders were put in the water at 9:00AM that morning Captain Harris stated that winds were in excess of 50 MPH crossing the ships decks. We boarded the tenders about 10:30AM and attempted to return about 12:45 PM. Our tender was sent back to the dock in Port Stanley because they determined seas were too rough after sitting out in the water next to the ship for 30 minutes bouncing around. We were told that if we left the tender we would lose our seats and have to return to the back of the line which started to get pretty long by this time. Communication between the ship and passengers was poor. We were told by HAL shore personnel as soon as they heard something they would let us know. At 7:30PM the Governor of the Falkland made his presence known and informed us that we would be spending the night in the Falklands.

Those requiring medications would be transported to the Hospital. Doctor and hospital staff were great. They did not have all the required medications because they receive there supply directly from England. Not all US prescriptions are available in England.

Captain Harris also told us HAL picked up the bill for all expenses occured while we were there overnight but for those wanting to show their appreciation a collection box would be placed in the Front Office. We were told they collected $1,300 from passengers and that the Captain would make sure they recieved the funds next time they visited Port Stanley. No mention that HAL would match the passenger contribution.

Not only were we treated to "CAMP HAL" on our SA Adventure but when we got back to the ship in Ushuaia two days later we were asked to sanitize our hands before entering the ship and were later told that evening there were 6 cases of GI reported on board and those passengers had been quarantined to their cabins. The Captain told us the last morning before leaving the ship in Santiago that they were able to keep the total number of cases under 50. Can't help but wonder if spending the night in such close quarters with other passengers in Port Stanley contributed to the "GI problem". The ship was being sanitized before passengers would be let on board that afternoon for the trip back to Rio de Janeiro.

I was attempting to post the letter from Captain Harris but can not compress it enough for posting.

Mike

[All too soon...]

Any truth to the report that most or all of the scores of HAL employees on shore spent the night in bars, drinking among themselves, instead of helping passengers in a crisis? I heard this recently in a serious conversation about safety and crises with an on-board senior staffer of a six-star line, and wonder if those on the scene observed otherwise?

[bepsf]

I wonder what the HAL employees were supposed to do?

They aren't doctors and they don't have the authority to commandeer accommodations for passengers - particularly on such a small island.

Nobody died, nobody was injured, and everyone made it safely back aboard ship

What exactly is wrong w/ some of the crew going to have a few beers while they wait out the storm?

[All too soon...]

I wonder what the HAL employees were supposed to do?

They aren't doctors and they don't have the authority to commandeer accommodations for passengers - particularly on such a small island.

A crisis is when the crew works the hardest to keep the customers happy, and not when they take a powder.

They could provide comfort, good cheer, and bust their butts to get blankets, and other provisions. A little cheerful social distraction in a crisis can make a difference. Heck, instead of sitting in the bar, they should have done some creative scrounging, and get the bar to send a keg over to the gym to provide some relief.

If this had been a line with a proper employee ethic, no crew would have drank or slept until every possible accomdation had been made, and the stranded passengers would now be singing praises as an event that led them to life-long devotion.

[dakrewser]

They could provide comfort, good cheer, and bust their butts to get blankets, and other provisions. A little cheerful social distraction in a crisis can make a difference. Heck, instead of sitting in the bar, they should have done some creative scrounging, and get the bar to send a keg over to the gym to provide some relief.


And you've offered no proof that they didn't except some third-hand, anonymous, scuttlebutt which you seem very eager to accept as gospel. Should we be looking to see what your ulterior motives are? For example, I can't see that you've ever sailed on a HAL ship, but you do spend a lot of time enthusing about Crystal...

[bepsf]

...no crew would have drank or slept until every possible accomdation had been made...

I believe neither you nor I are in any position to say with any certainty whether that occured or not - and therefore have no right to pass judgement on any of the parties involved.

[shipcafe]

I wonder what the HAL employees were supposed to do?

They aren't doctors and they don't have the authority to commandeer accommodations for passengers - particularly on such a small island.

Nobody died, nobody was injured, and everyone made it safely back aboard ship

What exactly is wrong w/ some of the crew going to have a few beers while they wait out the storm?

Indeed. I was wondering how this topic (like many others) get "exhumed" from having been buried some time ago. :)

[All too soon...]

Sorry for ruffling feathers for asking QUESTIONS. I did not seek to provide "proof" of anything, nor to "pass judgement".

If the "rumors" as I described them are false, then of course there is no criticism.

I simply wondered if anyone had more direct knowledge than the ship's officer I spoke to, in a serious conversation that also recounted the handling of several on-ship emergencies (e.g. fire, stateroom window shattered by rogue wave).

I wonder if cruise lines now have contingency policies for such occurences, such as having a designated senior shore officer.