Carnival Splendor evacuated, collision with RCI ship in PV...

[M&JfromSDL]

Wonder what it was like for the people on the bow of the Radiance.

 

Funny you ask. I was standing right there when it happened.

 

Osterdam was first in the harbor, Radiance was second. After Radiance was docked and gangways went down, Splendor arrived with Infinitiy taking a tender position.

 

As Splendor was turned around, it's crew attempted to back it in perpendicular to Radiance as was shown in the earlier photos.

 

Some rail was damaged on Splendor and there was a dent and a scrape (quickly repainted might I add) to Radiance.

 

I am sorry to hear about the Captain of the Splendor.

 

Here are my photos...

 

 

 

 

 

 

[M&JfromSDL]

[Cruising89143]

The collision was the Carnival Legend and an RCCL ship in Cozumel last month.

 

This current incident concerns only the Captain of the Splendor being removed from the ship by medical evacuation. There has been no collision in PVR..... The only place this "collision" has been mentioned is by a poster on the Carnival board who is not on the ship. There is nothing anywhere in any news other than the Captain being evacuated.

 

I suggest that you take a look at the photos on page two of this thread. Sure looks like a fender bender to me.

 

Me thinks that the party scene so popular on Carnival has spilled over to the bridge area and officers. Have they ever heard of a designated driver? :)

[wl2cruise]

How hard was the bump?

[Thameth]

Funny you ask. I was standing right there when it happened.

 

Osterdam was first in the harbor, Radiance was second. After Radiance was docked and gangways went down, Splendor arrived with Infinitiy taking a tender position.

 

As Splendor was turned around, it's crew attempted to back it in perpendicular to Radiance as was shown in the earlier photos.

 

Some rail was damaged on Splendor and there was a dent and a scrape (quickly repainted might I add) to Radiance.

 

I am sorry to hear about the Captain of the Splendor.

 

Here are my photos...

 

Holy cow! Thats crazy that you were standing right there! Must have been wild to see it coming closer and closer haha. Would have been an incredible video. Thanx for the pics!

[cyscopup]

How hard was the bump?

We were very near the helipad on the Radiance and barely felt anything.

[Basman]

... My question now is why they couldn't just helo the medevac off the ship from sea? I'm sure it would cost less than the diesel burned backtracking 3 hours!

 

We were on the Radiance OTS when a passenger had a serious heart attack. The captain turned the ship towards Monterrey and pushed the engines up to full speed ahead. Unfortunately the passenger later died before being evacuated.

 

Later during the cruise, the Captain had a question and answer session where he addressed the situation. He explained that there are limitations to a helicopter's range and availability, let alone down in Mexico. Likewise there are inherent risks transferring a passenger to a helicopter. While they have that nifty pad on the bow, most likely the chopper would never land and instead hoist the passenger up in a basket. Once again creating more stress on an already fragile person. There would also be a spectacle event created with the drama too. Guess they want to avoid those.

 

Bottom line is those nifty helo pads are more probably for show than ever used. I would like to know if someone has a picture of one landing on the bow or if they hoist them instead.

[Cuizer2]

Just got off the Splendor. What a mess! First, the ship docked in Long Beach late because of a medical emergency, which pushed everything into a big mess. Personally, I think that the port facilities in LB are inadequate for a ship the size of the Splendor. I've done several cruises out of San Diego, Miami and Seattle, and NEVER have I seen such a mess just to board.:mad: I heard that some people on the RCI ship were injured, but cannot confirm it. I did see the crew of that ship shooing the passengers off the bow, but as soon as the crew left, the passengers came right back. I guess they only have themselves to blame if there were any injuries. The rest of the cruise was pretty much uneventful, until leaving Cabo. We were underway for about 3 hours when I noticed by the movement of the ship that we were turning around (20 years in the Navy, you get sensitive to these things...). The rumor mill went in to overdrive soon after that, but right after a person transferred to a Mexican marine rescue craft, with a towel or hood over his head, we started getting the straight story about the Captain having a 'cardiac episode' and transferring off. Anyway, what with that delay and the heavy seas the following day, we ended up docking back in LB around 2pm yesterday, which meant that I and my family didn't get off until nearly 6 pm. Like I said, the port facilities need serious upgrading to deal with the sheer volume that the Splendor generates. I'm not sure what concessions were available for the people that missed their flights, since it was the busiest travel day of the year. I really feel sorry for the passengers that are on the ship now, since I'm sure they didn't get underway until 10pm or so. I would guess that would mean a missed port, since that thing really isn't built for speed (even if the company would pony up for the extra gas!) My question now is why they couldn't just helo the medevac off the ship from sea? I'm sure it would cost less than the diesel burned backtracking 3 hours!

 

It is about 1100 miles from Long Beach to PV, the Carnival Splendor's first stop. So if the ship left at 11pm it would have 56 hours to make it to the port on time. That means it could make it by going 20 knots. So I don't think the Splendor missed any ports.

[Oppgaard]

I really don't how to respond to this. All I know is I had to cancel two cruises because of ill health in the family.

 

I shoud be on the Mariner right now and I sailed on the Slpedour twice in a row when the prices were right.

 

Now, I might be sticking me neck out but I would give anything to be on ANY ship right now. Where can you go for the price and be treated as royally as on RCI or even Carnival. Cruising is the only way to go.

[julesbeara]

I was also on board the Radiance of the Sea when the Carnival collision happened. No one was injured on either ship.

 

The captain of the Radiance had just made an announcement welcoming everyone to Puerto Vallarta, which deck to exit the ship, and when to be back on board. A few minutes later we heard Echo Echo Echo being broadcast over the loud speaker. The captain then made an announcement that the Carnival Splendor had gotten a little close and collided with the bow of the Radiance. The damage was only cosmetic and nothing to worry about.

 

We had friends in cabin 3552 that couldn't figure how why the Carnival ship was so close? They didn't feel the collision.

 

Royal Caribbean painted the cracks in the bow and the cruise went on as normal. I'm sorry to hear about the Carnival captain.

[CulverCityCruisers]

We were on deck 7 forward and looking out our window I could see the Carnival ship being VERY close. We did not feel anything but saw the damage to both ships. Radiance had a dent in it bow which was painted over that morning. Carnival has some minor damage. There were people at the bow when it happened as you saw in the photos.

[Lady Chew]

All I know is, the next time I'm going to be in port with any ship from Carnival, I'm going outside so I can watch the docking process, and I'm keeping my camera with me all the time, just in case!! :D;)

[Puffinater]

Its been a couple of years and I could be wrong, but I do not remember that many high rise buildings in Puerto Vallarta (as in the picture).

 

It may be time for you to visit PV again.

[Kruzeagain]

Notwithstanding the fact that many of us have long since taken for granted the incredible nimbleness of cruise ships today (tugboats--who needs 'em!), it bears repeating that there is substantial skill involved in docking these monsters.

 

Yes, I realize and appreciate that consummate professionals aren't expected to bounce off one another's ships in port. And yes, it's awfully easy (and tempting for many posters) to place blame or to level ridicule at ships' officers when something like this occurs...but this sort of thing is inevitable when cruise lines and port officials take all this skill for granted and pack the ships in tighter & tighter. Something has got to give eventually.

 

In the meantime, those of us who still can't parallel park their cars on the first attempt should stay away from the blame game here...and I'm including myself, even though I used to back up heavy-duty trucks with double tanker trailers (B-trains, to use the lingo).

 

Happy parking..er, Cruising,

Alan

[tonit964]

I was also on board the Radiance of the Sea when the Carnival collision happened. No one was injured on either ship.

 

The captain of the Radiance had just made an announcement welcoming everyone to Puerto Vallarta, which deck to exit the ship, and when to be back on board. A few minutes later we heard Echo Echo Echo being broadcast over the loud speaker. The captain then made an announcement that the Carnival Splendor had gotten a little close and collided with the bow of the Radiance. The damage was only cosmetic and nothing to worry about.

 

We had friends in cabin 3552 that couldn't figure how why the Carnival ship was so close? They didn't feel the collision.

 

Royal Caribbean painted the cracks in the bow and the cruise went on as normal. I'm sorry to hear about the Carnival captain.

 

I was on the Radiance and actually later in the day the Captain came on and said two passengers were in fact injured however one was OK and went on their excursion as planned. I was in the back of the ship outside having breakfast and I felt the "bump".

[ccletzgo]

This is something that inevitably is going to happen more often as the ports accept more ships in a single day. Back in the day..(I'm getting old):o I remember never seeing more then 2 ships in a port at a time. We always ooo'd and ahh'd over the other lines ship and our ship together. Now its like what we call, "bumper boats" at the local lake harbor on the 4th of July.:eek: We have a 28 ft sport cruiser and you just plain stay away from the harbor on certain days..

 

Last time we were in Cozumel, I counted 9 ships in port!:eek: The wind was blowing so hard that excursions were canceled and we watched on our aft balcony as all these ships starting departing this port. It was better entertainment then any excursion could have been. It was wild..

[rainyday87]

I saw an earlier posting stating it was no big deal... the collision between the Splendour and the Radiance, but it was a big deal to the Captain of the Radiance. I was on the Radiance when the accident occurred and our Captain was not at all happy, rightfully so, that the Splendour tried to take his ship out of business. Granted, the accident didn't cause the either ship to be stranded in port, but things could have turned out a lot differently. I don't know if the captain of the Splendour reliquinshed control of his ship to the pilot to steer into port, but the fact is, the Captain is responsible for that ship and all of its crew and passengers. I'm sure he and his crew will be looking for another job. I understand this is a fireable offense and if Carnival has any sense, they'll move them off their fleet.

[Cuizer2]

I saw an earlier posting stating it was no big deal... the collision between the Splendour and the Radiance, but it was a big deal to the Captain of the Radiance. I was on the Radiance when the accident occurred and our Captain was not at all happy, rightfully so, that the Splendour tried to take his ship out of business. Granted, the accident didn't cause the either ship to be stranded in port, but things could have turned out a lot differently. I don't know if the captain of the Splendour reliquinshed control of his ship to the pilot to steer into port, but the fact is, the Captain is responsible for that ship and all of its crew and passengers. I'm sure he and his crew will be looking for another job. I understand this is a fireable offense and if Carnival has any sense, they'll move them off their fleet.

 

Oh baloney. It was an accident. Not a pre-mediated move to "take the Radiance out of business."

[Moeve]

I have to say that is rubbish to fire someone over the equivilant of a fender bender. Hey these guys are insured and it seems nothing big happened anyway - a bit of paint now and a bit of panel beating during the next dry dock!

 

Sorry I would find that very harsh especially when CEO who basically branrupt a company still get the super golden handshake!

[RichInLa]

No. Just what is comming from the Carnival board.

 

I was on Splendor at the time, taking pictures; and later found that I might have caught the moment of impact reaction of people on the Radiance bow.

 

My short video is at

, and it shows those on the Radiance bow running as I stopped filming.

[kkorman]

I was on the helipad of the radiance as well... actually about 2 ft from where the railing scraped off of the Spendor. It was like watching a train wreck as we all saw that the ship was too fast and too close but could not do anythign about it at that point. There was very minor damage on teh Radiance, i have a pict i will post. Carnival got the worst of it, but again it was cosmetic only.

 

From the incident, it was hard to believe anyone got hurt from this as we were standing with anyone who would have been injured. The railing did start to go between a guys legs before he jumped out of the way. Crew got us off the deck almost immediately.

 

A few days later we were talking with a guy who clamined he was injured along with two others... seems like he was looking for witnesses. Seemed phoney to me.

 

I think the poster who commented about the trying to take the Radiance out of business must be smoking something. It was a mistake, though the Captian was at fault. There were rumors onboard that it was intentional, but seems stupid considering that Carnival ship received more damage.

 

Anyway, it was an interesting morning.

[Swimware27]

I was on Splendor at the time, taking pictures; and later found that I might have caught the moment of impact reaction of people on the Radiance bow.

 

My short video is at

, and it shows those on the Radiance bow running as I stopped filming.

I was watching with the family on the balcony as this was happening. One person did not move from the bow until contact was made. Darwin Awards comments were bandied about liberally.

[kkorman]

I was watching with the family on the balcony as this was happening. One person did not move from the bow until contact was made. Darwin Awards comments were bandied about liberally.

 

LOL, the guy who did not move had the railing between his legs... it could have been really bad.

 

It was hard to move because you really could not believe what was happening.

[DigitalEye]

Too Funny! I'm a noob on this board and a noob to cruising as well as this was my first cruise (I was on the Splendor) We were doing what many others were, watching the docking from our starboard balcony railing. I Distinctly remember see a group of people runnign away for the bow-rail on the RC ship and I couldnt figure out why as we felt absolutely nothing from where we were (deck 8 just ahead of midship). When we left the port for an excursion we got a clear view of the damage but until then we didn't even know there was a collision. Is this sort of thing common? I'm guessing not but boy it was really an eventful cruise with the late srart, the collision the poor Captains illness, the horribly rough seas on the last day and the even later return. Don't get me wrong, I still loved it and can't wait to go again.

[kkorman]

Too Funny! I'm a noob on this board and a noob to cruising as well as this was my first cruise (I was on the Splendor) We were doing what many others were, watching the docking from our starboard balcony railing. I Distinctly remember see a group of people runnign away for the bow-rail on the RC ship and I couldnt figure out why as we felt absolutely nothing from where we were (deck 8 just ahead of midship). When we left the port for an excursion we got a clear view of the damage but until then we didn't even know there was a collision. Is this sort of thing common? I'm guessing not but boy it was really an eventful cruise with the late srart, the collision the poor Captains illness, the horribly rough seas on the last day and the even later return. Don't get me wrong, I still loved it and can't wait to go again.

 

It is definitely not common! Though it CCL has been involved in 2 incidents with RCL in the past few months.