US Coast Guard Ensuring Cruise Ship Safety....

[Ebvette]

As my signature states, I am a Coast Guard Veteran, and still working for DHS, so I just found this article in the Coast Guard internal Web Site, and thought it was very appropriate to share among fellow Cruisers, since there seems to be alot of questions and reactions regarding the recent events in Italy.

I hope you enjoy this article and it puts some of this fear to rest....please feel free to share this among all.....


"The sinking of the Italian cruise ship Costa Concordia, the evacuation of more than 4,000 passengers and the search for survivors has captivated the world for the past week. The accident has raised questions about the safety of cruise ships carrying millions around the world each year. Through the Cruise Ship National Center of Expertise and Coast Guard sectors, the U.S. Coast Guard oversees the industry to ensure the safety of passengers aboard U.S. flagged ships or foreign ships operating out of American ports.
The center, one of seven such organizations around the country, is literally located in the heart of cruise ship country in South Florida – where 80 percent of U.S. cruise ships are homeported.
“Each center is unique but they all have foundations that are common,” said Capt. Gordon Loebl, chief of Travel Inspectors and Centers of Expertise for the Coast Guard. “It’s about setting up a crossroads between Coast Guard inspectors and investigators and the industries they regulate.”
Coast Guard personnel assigned to the center serve as in-house consultants to trainees who will become cruise ship inspectors and investigators responsible for ensuring the safe operation of cruise ships. Conventions governing vessel stability, fire safety, lifesaving equipment, pollution prevention and general safety standards are established by the International Maritime Organization and enforced by the Coast Guard.
“The mission of the Cruise Ship National Center of Expertise is to promote safety aboard cruise ships by serving as the liaison between the cruise ship industry and the Coast Guard,” said Lt. j.g. Michael Metz, a Coast Guard marine inspector stationed at the Center of Expertise.
Cruise ships are huge, complex machines that are only getting bigger. The maritime industry strives on innovation, and cruise ships are no different. With the dynamic needs and rapid changes in the industry it is people like the professionals at the Cruise Ship National Center of Expertise who ensure our ability to oversee the industry and make cruise ships safer.
The center performs examinations on foreign cruise ships operating in the area, hosts training courses for Coast Guard students who inspect cruise ships nationwide and develops best practices for standards in the industry. Civilian Coast Guard employees at the center, who come directly from the industry, play a huge part in gaining in-depth knowledge about cruise ships and their unique challenges.
Trainees receive exposure to every facet of the cruise industry, including spending several months with a cruise line learning the ins and outs of operating a cruise ship. Through immersion with industry, inspectors and investigators at the center take their knowledge and best practices to make the Coast Guard as a whole better at what they do.
“The center creates a unique interface for Coast Guard and industry to have a place to establish and maintain real, valuable dialogue,” said Loebl. “One of the Coast Guard’s principles of strengthening our partnerships is directly manifested here.”
“I find value in what we do here,” added Metz. “We ensure people’s safety.”

[sbihue]

While this indicates Coast Guards involvement in training and inspecting these cruise liners, let me tell you this, from personal experience. The safety aspect on the Celebration Bahamas is a cruel joke. We had taken the cruise with five families (around 28 people) from Ft. Lauderdale and this is how the Celebration crew conducted the safety drill.

We set sail at 5:30 and everyone was told to assemble in the front or rear areas on their level. We were supposed to wear our life vests and half of the people were either not wearing or didn't have those. Instead a lot of passengers had drinks and whatsoever crew members were available, were least bothered. One crew member was taking the roll call going by name/cabin no. All you had to say present and you could repeat that for anyone. No one from the crew cared as long as they were able to mark their paperwork. When I asked if we had to go to the muster station, outside, the lady (from the crew) said, that they will spare us that since it was windy (It wasn't since we had just returned from the top deck). Then some one from the crew commented that if the boat starts to go down, no one would be able to help, not the life boats, rafts or the crew.

That was scary and I can't begin to think what would happen if that boat was in a scenario like costa-concordia. We had been to a Carnival cruise a few months before this and their security drill was bad but not as much as this. This was the worst t I have been through.

[Ebvette]

Originally Posted by sbihue

While this indicates Coast Guards involvement in training and inspecting these cruise liners, let me tell you this, from personal experience. The safety aspect on the Celebration Bahamas is a cruel joke. We had taken the cruise with five families (around 28 people) from Ft. Lauderdale and this is how the Celebration crew conducted the safety drill.

We set sail at 5:30 and everyone was told to assemble in the front or rear areas on their level. We were supposed to wear our life vests and half of the people were either not wearing or didn't have those. Instead a lot of passengers had drinks and whatsoever crew members were available, were least bothered. One crew member was taking the roll call going by name/cabin no. All you had to say present and you could repeat that for anyone. No one from the crew cared as long as they were able to mark their paperwork. When I asked if we had to go to the muster station, outside, the lady (from the crew) said, that they will spare us that since it was windy (It wasn't since we had just returned from the top deck). Then some one from the crew commented that if the boat starts to go down, no one would be able to help, not the life boats, rafts or the crew.

That was scary and I can't begin to think what would happen if that boat was in a scenario like costa-concordia. We had been to a Carnival cruise a few months before this and their security drill was bad but not as much as this. This was the worst t I have been through.

These are the same people that panic, cause others to panic, and in general really don't have a clue. Like you I see it all the time, but I justify it this way. I take the drills seriously, I listen and take in what they are saying, and then I simply offer to help a person who does not understand what they are doing is wrong. In other words I try to lead by example, as it does no good to confront and engage them, but rather offer assistance.

Most of the time they laugh and walk away or make a joke, but isn't the joke on them. The USCG can only train, inspect, and provide assistance, as on the ship, once underway the Captain is the "Master" and it's only at that point the USCG can hope the training will be passed on.

Unfair, sure it is, and of course if I had my way, I would require that you take at least an online course before you would be issued a ticket for a cruise, but the world does not go that direction.

So if you get angry or upset when you see this, imagine how I feel as a USCG Veteran who has devouted many years on pulling some of these same clowns out of the water. The boating accidents that I have seen and lives lost associated with the same type people are more then you would really care to hear about.

My advice, be a leader, you know what is right, when its time to party and when its time to take things seriously. Let it go, and take the steps to protect you and your family by setting an example.

As I have stated in previous posts hear, if you feel the Cruiseline did not take this drill seriously or could have done a better job, report the Ship and its Captains name, with the date of departure to the Captain of the Port, USCG of that port you departed from. The USCG also calls it their Sector Command, just dial the number of the Coast Guard in that area and report what you witnessed.

As we say in the USCG, SEMPER PARATUS, "Always Ready", to this day I still live my this motto.