Evacuating to Lifeboats... Ever Happen?

[MumsTheWord*]

I woke up at 4:00 a.m. this morning from a bad dream. I was abandoning a ship into shark-infested waters. Unfortunately, the lifeboat (in my dream) was more like a row-boat.:confused:

This dream made me wonder-


Has an evacuation to lifeboats ever occurred other than on Titanic? and for any reason other than sinking?


I was aboard Noordam when the Princess fire occurred so I did not hear the specifics of whether they were at port and how all of the passengers got off. I suppose, even at port, an evacuation by lifeboats would speed up the process if the tragedy was so extreme that they couldn't get everyone off through the gangways.

I hope this is not a dumb question... I have only begun to cruise, (with a Millenium, Disney, and Noordam cruise under my belt), I have not followed the cruising industry in the past.

Okay, all you Historians - Show your stuff....:p

[Druke I]

Some twenty or so years ago, passengers on HAL's Prinsendam (old, not current one) took to lifeboats in Alaska.

Ship burned and sunk, if memory serves correctly.

[Druke I]

Some thirty or so years ago, passengers on HAL's Prinsendam (old, not current one) took to lifeboats in Alaska.

Ship burned and sunk, if memory serves correctly.

[MumsTheWord*]

Druke- Amazing!
Is it possible that we actually have survivors from that sinking here on the boards?

Do you have any more details? How far from shore were they? How long were they in the lifeboats, etc?

I find that fascinating!

[Druke I]

Sorry, at this late date, I just don't recall the details. I did have a acquaintance (long dead) who was evacuated from the ship.

Why not try "google", or perhaps the "whatever Happened to" forum. The host on the latter, Doug Newman, is a wealth of information.

[MumsTheWord*]

Thanks Druke,
Great Idea!
I found this link that tells the story of the Prinsendam.

www.explorenorth.com/library/ships/prinsendam-1980.html

Anyone know of any others?

[bruceh4]

In 1980, the United States Coast Guard Cutter (USCGC) Mellon assisted in the rescue of 520 passengers and crewmembers from the burning luxury liner Prinsendam, operated by Holland America Line. The Prinsendam was a 427-foot-long cruise liner built in 1973. The liner was transiting through Gulf of Alaska waters, approximately 120 miles south of Yakutat, Alaska, at midnight on October 4, 1980, when fire broke out in the engine room. The vessel’s master declared the fire out of control one hour later and the Prinsendam sent a distress call requesting immediate assistance. The Coast Guard’s rescue coordination center in Juneau received the message and began to organize a rescue effort. Aircraft were immediately sortied to the scene, including an HH-3 helicopter and a C-130 turbo prop maritime patrol aircraft. At the time, CGC Mellon was on patrol near Vancouver, BC, a distance of 550 nautical miles from Prinsendam. CGC Mellon and other cutters diverted to assist. The 1000-foot supertanker, Williamsburgh, also diverted to render assistance.
The master of the Prinsendam ordered the vessel abandoned at approximately 0630. The crew and passengers of the cruise liner filled the lifeboats with only 15 passengers and 25 crewmembers remaining on the Prinsendam. Williamsburgh arrived at 0745 and immediately passengers and crew were transferred from the lifeboats into the helicopter and then to the deck of the supertanker. The remaining crew and passengers from the surrounding lifeboats were transferred to the Williamsburgh. Sometime in the mid-afternoon the USCGC Boutwell arrived to assist. Those in critical condition were transferred to the USCGC Boutwell and taken to Sitka for treatment. CGC Mellon arrived around 1830 that night and dispatched a team to provide medical assistance onboard the Williamsburgh. At around 2100, 20 passengers and 2 Air Force aviator technicians were still reported missing in one of the Prinsendam’s lifeboats. The Coast Guard Command in Juneau directed the USCGC Boutwell and an HC-130 Hercules to search for the missing lifeboat. At around 0100 the next morning, some 18 hours after the ordeal had begun, the Boutwell spotted a flare from the lifeboat. Shortly thereafter, the lifeboat’s passengers were recovered and the rescue was over with no deaths or serious injuries and all passengers and crew from the Prinsendam accounted for.
On October 11, 1980, the Prinsendam capsized and sunk, only 7 years after being built at Shipyard de Merwede in the Netherlands. She has been seriously damaged by a fire during construction.

[Krazy Kruizers]

I remember reading about that incident.

The closest we have come to abandoning a ship was in 2003 on the Rotterdam whena fire broke out on the Rotterdam's Lido Deck. All passengers were ordered back to the cabins to await futher instructions. All were to report to the dity and life boat sections. Fortunately the fire was quickly put out and we didn't have to report to the lifeboats. We were anchored off Grenada and our last tenders were about to return from shore when the fire broke out. They were ordered to leave the passengers on the island and report back to ship in case they would be needed.

[noblepa]

About ten years ago, a Carnival ship caught fire, just after leaving Miami. The fire was in the laundry, which is located near the stern, just forward of an open crew recreation deck. I belive it was one of their Fantasy-class ships. It may have been the Fantasy, itself.

Anyway, they did not evacuate. They had all the passengers on the open decks, as far forward as possible. Perhaps they didn't lower the boats because they were only four or five miles from shore and expected (and got) help very quickly. The fire was extinguished and the ship returned to port safely.

The Andrea Doria was rammed by the Stockholm in 1955 (??). They did evacuate to lifeboats and the ship did later sink.

In the early nineties, a Greek cruise liner, the Oceanos, sank off the coast of South Africa, I believe. Most of the crew and some of the passengers left in lifeboats. This is the one in which the captain gave the order to abandon ship; and then he did. He left several hundred passengers aboard the ship, with no lifeboats left. Fortunately, all the passengers were airlifted off, but it was pretty hairy, as the ship had an extreme list of about 45 degrees. One of the entertainers on board organized the rescue and helped the coast guard helicopters load the pax.

Around the same time, another Greek ship, owned by the same line, the Achille Lauro, sank as well. This is the one that gained fame (or infamy), when terrorists hijacked it in the seventies and threw Leon Clinghoffer, an elderly jewish man overboard in his wheelchair. When it sank, I don't believe that there was much, if any, loss of life.

I've heard that there are 15 or twenty ships that sink every year. Virtually all of them are freighters, so they don't get a lot of publicity.

There's a container ship that ran aground, not too long ago in Mexico, just south of San Diego. I believe that the ship is still there, having its cargo removed, piece by piece and being prepared for salvage. I believe that the crew had abandoned the ship after it took on a lot of water in a storm and was in danger of sinking.

So, yes, lifeboat evacuation, while not exactly common, is by no means rare.

So, take that lifeboat drill seriously. It only take 20-30 minutes and it could well save your life.

Paul Noble

[K&RCurt]

About ten years ago, a Carnival ship caught fire, just after leaving Miami. The fire was in the laundry, which is located near the stern, just forward of an open crew recreation deck. I belive it was one of their Fantasy-class ships. It may have been the Fantasy, itself.

Anyway, they did not evacuate. They had all the passengers on the open decks, as far forward as possible. Perhaps they didn't lower the boats because they were only four or five miles from shore and expected (and got) help very quickly. The fire was extinguished and the ship returned to port safely.

Paul Noble

The Carnival ship was the Ecstasy. The fire started by welders in the laundy and spread to the lines on the mooring deck due to the routing of a ventilation shaft full of lint.

NTSB report can be read here:

http://www.ntsb.gov/publictn/2001/MAR0101.pdf

There was also a fire in the crew quarters on a HAL ship in Alaska in 2000. No evacuation was needed.

NTSB Report Here:

http://www.ntsb.gov/publictn/2001/MBR0101.pdf

The Sun Vista sank near Singapore in 1999. All passengers had to get on the life boats and await rescure.

Story and photos from Maritine Matters here: http://www.maritimematters.com/sunvista-seamemory1.html

[Scottish Cruiser]

The wife of one of my business partners was on the Sun Vista when it sank. She was TA at the time on an orientation trip! While quite frightening, she felt it was well handled by the crew and she did not feel panicked by the experience. I am pretty sure she has been on at least one other cruise since. Yes it happens. Those lifeboat drills may not be fun, but they are not supposed to be.

[tomc]

I was on Rotterdam V northbound in Alaska some years back. On the southbound trip, one of the Regency vessels (Regent Sea?) had a fire and they put everyone in the boats and transferred them to the Rotterdam. The endangered vessel lived to sail again, as did the passengers.

[MumsTheWord*]

The Sun Vista sank near Singapore in 1999. All passengers had to get on the life boats and await rescure.

Story and photos from Maritine Matters here: http://www.maritimematters.com/sunvista-seamemory1.html
K&RCurt -
Thank you for posting these links. I just finished reading the one on the Sun Vista and the writer did a quite humorous job of writing his account from that day; and to be calm enough to take pictures of the lifeboat experience is amazing. It is certainly not a review that we are accustomed to on this board, but it was no doubt equally as entertaining..especially since there was no loss of life!

[RevNeal]

If you ever want to hear a first-hand account of what the 1980 fire and evacuation of the Prinsendam was like you should talk to Mr. James Deering. He was Hotel Manager aboard when it occurred. He tells the story first-hand, filled with details that I've never read anywhere else. He has nothing but praise for the indonesian crew and for the discipline and unhesitating compliance with all orders by the passengers. If you're aboard ship where he is serving as Hotel Manager, have him tell you the story.

[trubey]

Mum, aren't you the one who started the Death on the Nordham thread? You seem to find some scary subjects. susana. :) ;) :) ;) :)

[LAFFNVEGAS]

If you ever want to hear a first-hand account of what the 1980 fire and evacuation of the Prinsendam was like you should talk to Mr. James Deering. He was Hotel Manager aboard when it occurred. He tells the story first-hand, filled with details that I've never read anywhere else. He has nothing but praise for the indonesian crew and for the discipline and unhesitating compliance with all orders by the passengers. If you're aboard ship where he is serving as Hotel Manager, have him tell you the story.

Greg, I wish I had known that, I would love to hear it from him. I will have to remember to ask him. :)

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Keith, Thanks for posting that link about the Sun Vista. That was really interesting reading. Actually it can sometimes be good that one find some humor or the writer may never have experienced more cruises. But also how sad that he saw her sink.

[MumsTheWord*]

trubey-
yes, that was me...:confused: I guess it's my inner girl scout ...just want to be prepared in such an event.

RevNeal-
I'm flattered that you changed your avatar to my favorite one of you for your post here... I will remember your advice shall I sail w/ Mr. Deering.:)


To the other Historians: Thank you for the history lesson...I've enjoyed your posts.:):)

[drjohn4]

There was also the Monarch of the Seas that hit some rocks in St. Maartin after dropping off an ill passenger during an unscheduled midddle of the night stop in Dec 1998. The ship was intentionally run aground to limit the flooding and the passengers brought to shore by tender. There is an interesting first hand account at the bottom of this link:
http://www.cruiseopinion.com/rcireviews/rccl-monarchps081698.htm

[Copper10-8]

One more from Maritime Matters: the Sun Vista, formerly Celebrity's Meridian, while enroute from Phuket, Thailand to Singapore, suffered an engine room fire on 21 May 1999, capsized, and sank 45 nautical miles west of Penang Island in the Andaman Sea. All 1090 passengers and crew were safely evacuated.

A press report stated: The master of Sun Vista acted correctly and appropriately in all stages involved in the evacuation of passengers from the sinking cruise ship and was right in not allowing passengers to get back to their cabins to recover their belongings. The report had criticised Sven Hartzell for his role in the handling of the fire and resultant sinking of the Singapore-bound vessel in the Malacca Straits in 1999. He was cleared of any mishandling of passenger safety by the investigating flag state agency, the Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA). The report of the investigation by the BMA into the fire and sinking noted: "The circumstances under which the evacuation of passengers and crew took place were somewhat unusual due to the failure of main, auxiliary and emergency power supplies, and the prior assembly of passengers and crew on the upper decks." In its analysis of the entire incident, the BMA report went on to note that the captain in his handling of the passenger's welfare, acted appropriately under each particular circumstance as they arose. The report notes that the first announcement to passengers that something was wrong was made approximately 30 minutes after the power failure at 1505 hrs. The report acknowledges that at the time of the power failure the extent of the fire was not known. Some 10 minutes after the first announcement passengers were advised to remain on the open decks. "This was a sensible precaution, particularly as there was no electric lighting and the lower deck spaces would have been in complete darkness," noted the report. This resulted however, in passengers being unable to retrieve clothing and personnel effects including medication as well as their life-jackets, although other life-jacket stores supplied an adequate number for the passengers and crew. But the report underscores that the captain acted correctly in ensuring the safety of his passengers: "To allow passengers to return to their cabins in these circumstances would have exposed them to unacceptable risks. "Although the decision to abandon ship was not taken until 1750 hrs, the decision to marshal passengers and crew on the upper decks proved to be well founded," said the report.

Here's a pic of the actual evacuation

[Mary Ellen]

We were on the cruise before the 'ill-fated' Prinsendam sailing. Due to 40' seas (this was a 9,000 ton ship) we had to sail back from Sitka on the 'inside' route rather than the planned outside. We also had to make an emergency medical stop in Ketchikan for a passenger down the hall from us, so we arrived back in Vancouver about noon. There were many passengers already waiting to board. Since this next cruise was a repositioning to Indonesia it was about 24 days (??) and the passengers were ELDERLY. I was in my late 20s, so they may not have been as old as they seemed then, but cruising was a LOT more expensive then (one can get a nice cabin for less now than we paid for one with upper/lower berths and a tiny porthole). Generally the elder folks had the time and $$$ to undertake such a sailing. We would estimate that 75 would have been a youngster from those we saw. When we learned about the evacuation we were quite impressed that the passengers were safely off the ship. Of course we were happy that the crew was also safe, but being younger and fit it seemed logical that they would be safe, but I'd worry about the safety of some of those passengers just walking, not to mention boarding lifeboats in an emergency situation.

[arzz]

Tomc, the vessel you refer to was the Regent Star not the Regent Sea and I believe that the year was 1995 or thereabouts. You are quite correct that the Rotterdam V picked up her passengers. We watched that one very closely as we cruised Alaska on the Regent Star the week before the fire. Each day I would complain to the waiter captain that I smelled diesel fuel in the dining room -- and I was repeatedly told that it was only the "sterno from the kitchen". Well, the fire started from a broken dielsel line in or near the dining room.

The Regent Star was the previous Statendam and on board we could tell that she had been a lovely ship. We had a very large outside cabin with a sitting area, two portholes and incredible storage. As we went up the inside passage, Tracy Arm and all those wonderful Alaskan scienic views we really appreciated those portholes as well as her expansive open decks. Sure miss all the open deck space of the old liners. All of our shore excursions were from Holland America West tours. It is possible, if my memory serves me, that HAL was using some of the Regencuy ships for their cruise tours as they did not yet have the large fleet that they have today, the ships were on order and they were really pushing Alaska as a destination.

We had booked the trip in the last minute for a per person price that was less than the included air from Anchorage to Seattle would have cost us if purchased on our own. Once I smelled the diesel fuel in the dining room the chemistry teacher in me knew that I was not being told the truth and on that cruise it was abundantly clear what the new owners of Regency cruises were doing to a once delightful, affordable cruiseline. I remember feeling somewhat comforted as we could not smell the fuel in or near our cabin -- we were on a deck that was fairly close to the lifeboats, and I made sure that I had clearly memorized the route to our lifeboat stations.

I just thank God that we did not book for the following week.

[marshacher]

TomC and ARZZ
I was on the Regent Star when she caught fire in Prince William Sound in Alaska. The engines blew at 3 in the morning. It was a harrowing experience. We had not had a life boat drill before we left Seward. It was scheduled for the morning. We were ordered into our life boats but they were not lowered. The problem was no one knew where their life boat was since there had been no drill. What a mess. However, the crew were wonderful.

The captain wanted to have us towed back to Seward but the Coast Guard wouldn't hear of it. They ordered the evacuation over the Captain's orders. The Rotterdam V was the ship that came to our rescue. They were absolutely wonderful to all the passengers. It was that "rescue" and the wonderful treatment we had from the crew of the Rotterdam V that made us committed HAL cruisers.

Yes, it was 1995 and no, the Regent Star, nor any of the Regency Cruise Line ships sailed again. They were in deep financial trouble and the government confiscated all their ships.
Marsha

[MumsTheWord*]

Marshacher-
How many hours were you on the Rotterdam after the rescue?
What did they do with all of the additional people? How did they get you aboard.? How and/or were you compensated? Sorry for all of the questions, but I find this so interesting...

Isn't it wonderful that you are still sailing! Were you apprehensive to start cruising again?

Thank you for your story!

[arzz]

Actually, Regency continued to cruise for another 5 months after the fire. As I recall the Regent Star was repaired only to ram a lock in the Panama Canal while under the direction of a local pilot. I do not bellieve that she was heard of again.

Fools that we were, we were also booked on a Christmas cruise to Mayan ports (Belize, Roatan, Costa Rica, Guatemala....) on the Regent Spirit, an itinerary that we had waited three years to find available when we teachers were able to travel -- this itinerary was probably the only reason that we were willing to try Regency again (Regency was excellent at opening up new ports and itinerarys -- just wish they had done as well with their ships).

A couple of weeks before final payment was due our TA informed us that the Spirit was not going to sail for Regency anymore and we were offered compensation in the form of a too good to be true offer on the Regent Sun (a ship we knew well).

Thanks to this Board, in its early incarnation as part of aol, we never made final payment to Regency -- had we done that we would have lost our money in the Bankruptcy. In response to a question I posted re: "what happened to the Regent Spirit?", a CC member who was definitely "in the loop" at the time sent me a private e-mail warning me that Regency would be declaring bankruptcy within the week and that I should not make final payment on the cruise. I immediately called my TA and asked her to hold off -- she was confused but complied -- and the CC member was correct as Regency was out of business within the week. That turned my TA into a Cruise Critic believer!

Gotta love these boards!

And, besides, we ended up on the Statendam that Christmas and had a wonderful time. Though it was several years before we could again afford HAL, our tastes had been set.

[K&RCurt]

As the Star Princess fire obviously had something to do with this question I thought to look up other incidents. The previous Star Princess ran aground in the Lynn Canal near Juneau Alaska in 1995. A major gash was ripped in the hll of the ship, but it was not in danger of sinking. All of the passengers had to be tenderd off and flown home short of their intended port of disembarkation.

Here's the NTSB report on that incident:

http://www.ntsb.gov/publictn/1997/MAR9702.pdf

I have been pouring over the various reports on line on both the US NTSB web site and the UK MAIB web site. It is amazing how many marine accidents happen each year and how few involve cruise ships.

[marshacher]

ARZZ
Yes, you are correct. I remember the Panama Canal incident. Too bad the company was so badly run. Actually, the Star wasn't a bad little ship. And it was small compared to today's ships. We weren't on her too long. We sailed at 5, was awakened by the explosion at 3AM and off the ship by noon. And this was my husband's first cruise.

To answer your questions, Mum'stheWord -
We were on the Rotterdam for about 9 hours - until it sailed back to Seward. They cleared an entire deck for us and kept their passengers (who lost their final day) off this deck. It was a public deck, no cabins. As soon as we boarded, via tenders, they handed us hamburgers, cold drinks, etc., etc. They gave us blankets and pillows and told us to just spread out anywhere, floors, sofas, whatever, to sleep. At this point we were up almost 24 hours. They had a buffet restaurant on that deck and fed us non-stop until we arrived in port. And, before we were transferred from the Star in the morning they sent over coffee, pastries and other cold foods for breakfast. We had no electricity on board. The Rotterdam performed above and beyond the call of duty. Wish I knew who the captain was.

As far as compensation, since we had paid with a credit card we got all our money returned and was offered 50% on another cruise. Fortunately, we did not accept that offer. I do believe that everyone did get their money returned. We vowed we'd never sail Regency again and as we all know, that was a choice we eventually did not have to make. We still have copies of the newspaper articles with great photos. Also, the other couple we were with got interviewed by CNN so we got to watch that. And yes, when they loaded the lifeboats it was women and children first. Just like the movies.

We were a little cruise shy for a few months but got over it real fast and we did also get back to Alaska. This time on Princess (Regal). The cruise was good but unfortunately half the ship, including me, got some sort of intestinal virus and spent a lot of time being sick. Guess I wasn't meant to go to Alaska. They were removing people on stretchers and didn't charge us for the medical expenses. Would rather have been able to enjoy Glacier Bay and all that went with that day.

Today HAL still remains our favorite cruise line. I hope they continue to sail the R and S class ships. Not happy with Vista class - too big.

Marsha

[BJane]

There is a small museum in Valdez, Alaska that has an actual Prinsendam lifeboat on display outside the building. (Or at least that's where it was when I took the picture in 1998) The story of the sinking is included in the display. The small print on my photo is hard for me to read but it looks like it says there were 329 passengers on their way from the Inside Passage of Alaska to Japan. I remember the incident very well as I had taken my first cruise the year before and thought it was a wonderful way to vacation. As for the lifeboat, it is certainly not what we think of as a lifeboat now. It's very small with wooden benches for seats. There is no cover over it. It's somewhat similiar to a small fishing boat or maybe a canoe.

[marshacher]

And that's what the life boats were like on the Regent Star. They were wood boats with wood seats. Uncovered. Certainly not nearly as big as present day boats. Also, they were manually lowered - no automatic winches to lower them. One more reason to be thankful we weren't lowered. They were being held up by a couple of young men holding on to the ropes just waiting for the signal to lower us. Can you imagine how easy it would have been for those boats to capsize on lowering and dumping people into that freezing water? I shudder every time I think of it. Equipment has come a long way in the last decade.
Marsha

[arzz]

Lifeboats have genuinely come a very long way. One ship we were on several years ago not only had only open wooden lifeboats -- the lifeboats had no motors, only sails and oars.

[RuthC]

The Regent Star was the previous Statendam and on board we could tell that she had been a lovely ship.
She sure was. It was in her life as the Statendam that I first cruised. She was beautiful; the staff and crew were fabulous.
I was hooked forever.

[marshacher]

I am really happy to find out the Regent Star had been a HAL ship in her previous life. When we first boarded we thought she was quite lovely. The cabins were very spacious and the dining room was beautiful. Food was good. If maintenance had been kept up I'm sure we would have had a lovely cruise on her.

Ironic - the old Statendam rescued by a newer Rotterdam. Nothing like family ties.

RuthC - my husband is from E. Providence, RI and still has lots of family in the area

Marsha

[bepsf]

That photo of Sun Vista burning reminds me that she the former Celebrity Meridian. Anyway, she's long gone - scrapped in Alang within the past couple years along with Statendam/Regent Star. Even as Statendam, that ship had endless problems w/ her engines so its not surprising that she eventually caught fire...

Back to passengers in lifeboats: In 1971, QE2 responded to a distress call from the French Liner Antilles - she was burning and the passengers had to take the lifeboats to safety - on the beach on Mustiqu, where they then took to the boats again to some to QE2. Then on April Fool's Day 1974, QE2 herself lost power and drifted in the Caribbean for two days. It wasnt until April 3 that a nearby ship left all her passengers were in a nearby port to come and take her passengers. The ship that saved QE2's passengers was then known as Sea Venture - later to be bought by P&O and renamed Pacific Princess (ABC's 'Love Boat")

[Copper10-8]

That photo of Sun Vista burning reminds me that she the former Celebrity Meridian. Anyway, she's long gone - scrapped in Alang within the past couple years along with Statendam/Regent Star. Even as Statendam, that ship had endless problems w/ her engines so its not surprising that she eventually caught fire...

Hey Brian, just a quickie: the article I read said that Sun Vista, ex-Meridian, suffered an engine room fire, capsized, and sank 45 nautical miles west of Penang Island in the Andaman Sea. Depending on how you look at it, probably a better fate than the breakers at Alang ;)

[Two4Sea]

The Prinsedam was passing through Vancouver’s First Narrows for that voyage when I was crossing the bridge over for my commute home. I had watched her all summer, little did I know it would be my last view.

And from the past month, BC Ferries Queen Of The North, Wright Sound, March 22, 2006. Boat drill for real..... http://modena.intergate.ca/personal/pl8s/IP/QoTN/IP_QTN.htm Key pictures are half way down, read the whole page if you would like the full story. After pictures are at the bottom 1/8th of the page.

HAL has always impressed me as having the most professional boat drills.

B

[Copper10-8]

Just a heads up for those who might be interested in it. Ran across and bought a book at Borders last night titled "Burning Cold, the cruise ship Prinsendam and the greatest sea rescue of all times" It is written by H. Paul Jeffers and tells the story of the fire that started in the engine room, passenger/crew evacuation and subsequent sinking of Prinsendam in October 1980 in the Gulf of Alaska, 330 miles from Valdez.

The captain on this cruise was Cornelius Wabeke, Chief Officer Hendrik Valk, Chief Engineer Albertus Boot and Hotel Manager Dirk Zeller. Fourth Officer was Simon Douwes who was captain on our first HAL cruise on Nieuw Amsterdam in 1993. I'm pretty sure Zeller is still a H/M and Douwes works in Seattle for HAL. It is a pretty fascinating account of what went on aboard Prinsendam, the US Coast Guard Coordination Center in Juneau, AK, the subsequent rescue operation, and the recovery of all passengers and crew. You can find it on Amazon.com and Borders.com
http://www.motorbooks.com/Store/ImagesUploaded/Dir8/28-12-2005-3970.jpg (http://www.motorbooks.com/Store/ImagesUploaded/Dir8/28-12-2005-3970.jpg)

[PRINSENDAM]

If you ever want to hear a first-hand account of what the 1980 fire and evacuation of the Prinsendam was like you should talk to Mr. James Deering. He was Hotel Manager aboard when it occurred. He tells the story first-hand, filled with details that I've never read anywhere else. He has nothing but praise for the indonesian crew and for the discipline and unhesitating compliance with all orders by the passengers. If you're aboard ship where he is serving as Hotel Manager, have him tell you the story.


Hi Rev Neal!

Greetings from Bermuda!

Mr Deering may have been on board PRINSENDAM when she caught fire but the Hotel Manager at the time was Dirk Zeller.

Stephen

[PRINSENDAM]

The captain on this cruise was Cornelius Wabeke, Chief Officer Hendrik Valk, Chief Engineer Albertus Boot and Hotel Manager Dirk Zeller. Fourth Officer was Simon Douwes who was captain on our first HAL cruise on Nieuw Amsterdam in 1993. I'm pretty sure Zeller is still a H/M and Douwes works in Seattle for HAL.



Hi John,

Sadly Dirk Zeller passed away a few years ago.

In February on board NOORDAM I invited his son Mark to have dinner with us. Mark is F&B Manager at the moment.

Captain Douwes runs HAL's voyage planning department.


Stephen

[RevNeal]

Mr Deering may have been on board PRINSENDAM when she caught fire but the Hotel Manager at the time was Dirk Zeller.

Oh Captain my Captain ... thanks for the correction! And you are correct, Mr. Deering was aboard but was young and hadn't yet risen to that lofty rank (it's hard to believe that it happend 26 years ago!). Sometimes one can confuse the current rank with what one was in the dim misty recesses of the past!!!! :) Kinda like calling Ratzinger, while he was just a kid and forced into the Hitler Youth, "Pope Benedict the XVI." :D

Sorry for the confusion.

[Copper10-8]

Hi John,

Sadly Dirk Zeller passed away a few years ago.

In February on board NOORDAM I invited his son Mark to have dinner with us. Mark is F&B Manager at the moment.

Captain Douwes runs HAL's voyage planning department.


Stephen

Hi Stephen,

Thanks for the update! Sorry to hear about Mr. Zeller's passing

Take care and be safe!