Costa Concordia sinks (link)

[Lanky Lad]

Here is the latest press release from Costa

 

Sunday, January 15th 2012

 

Time 8.15 pm (CET)

We at Costa Cruises are deeply saddened by this tragedy, and our hearts and prayers go out to everyone affected and offer the determined victims’ families her heartfelt condolences.

 

Over the past 48 hours, more than 1,100 Costa employees have been working tirelessly in the wake of this terrible event. We are working closely with the authorities to support ongoing search and rescue operations, and are focusing on ensuring that all guests and crewmembers return home safely.

 

Our immediate priority is to account for all passengers and crew and to secure the vessel to ensure that there are no environmental impacts. We have engaged the services of a worldwide leader specialized salvage company to develop an action plan and help establish a protection perimeter around the ship. It should be noted that the Prosecutor in charge has seized the ship and the DVR-- so called “black box” containing all navigation data and the vessel can be accessed by Costa only with permission from the authorities.

 

We are working with investigators to find out precisely what went wrong aboard the Costa Concordia. While the investigation is ongoing, preliminary indications are that there may have been significant human error on the part of the ship’s Master, Captain Francesco Schettino, which resulted in these grave consequences. The route of the vessel appears to have been too close to the shore, and the Captain’s judgment in handling the emergency appears to have not followed standard Costa procedures. We are aware that the lead Prosecutor has levelled serious accusations against the ship’s Captain, who joined Costa Crociere in 2002 as a Safety Officer and was appointed Captain in 2006, after acting as Staff Captain as well. As all Costa Masters, he has been constantly trained passing all tests. In light of these accusations and the continuing investigation, it would be inappropriate for us to comment further at this time.

 

As we are learning more about the event itself and the evacuation, however, it is becoming clear that the crew of the Costa Concordia acted bravely and swiftly to help evacuate more than 4,000 individuals during a very challenging situation. We are very grateful for all they have done.

 

Costa is committed to ensuring that no such incident ever occurs again. Our number one priority is always the safety and security of our guests and crew and we comply with all safety regulations. (See background on Costa safety below).

Background on Costa’s commitment to safety

 

Costa complies very strictly with all safety regulations and our personnel are committed, first and foremost, to guest safety and security.

 

All crew members hold a BST (Basic Safety Training) certificate and are trained and prepared to emergency management and to assist passengers abandoning the ship with numerous drills. Roles, responsibilities and duties are clearly assigned to all crew members. Every two weeks all crewmembers perform a ship evacuation simulation. A lifeboat and evacuation drill for all guests is conducted within 24 hours of embarking, as required by law. Costa has a computerised system which ensures all passengers undergo this drill.

 

The skills of Costa crew are periodically tested by Coastguard authorities and an independent classification organization as per SMS (Safety Management Systems) requirements.

 

There are lifeboats and jackets on board in excess of the number required for all passengers and crew. Lifeboats are equipped with food and water supplies, first aid kits and communication and signalling equipment. All life-saving appliances are aligned to international standards and are subject to close, regular inspection by shipboard personnel and certification authorities. All Costa ships are certified by RINA and have been built to the highest standards and technologies.

http://www.costacruises.co.uk/B2C/GB/Info/concordia_statement.htm

[Ray66]

What I'm having trouble in working out is why in the photos of the stricken vessel is the land on the starboard side of the ship, when if it was heading north at the time of the collision the island was to the ship's west - ie port side. Had the vessel turned around ? could a "high speed turn" have destabilised the vessel - Other thoughts - why were the stabilisers out? were they trying to stabilise the ship due to the unstable ballast - the weather i understand was calm? I heard somewhere that the initial impact was about 10pm but the ship didn't sink until 6 hours later - why weren't the lifeboats deployed earlier.

 

Finally and sorry for being a bore but when the captain was interviewed on TV he said he was within three hundred metres of the coastline. Foregive me for being slightly cynical but who in their right mind would take a 350 + metre ship within three hundred metres of the coast if not planning to dock ?

 

There are some very fortunate passengers who survived and my thoughts are with the families who lost members or are still waiting for news

 

According to this article, at 10.00pm the captain tries to manoeuvre the vessel towards shore and it shows it turning back the other way.

 

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/01/15/article-0-0F796C8500000578-559_964x751.jpg

[balf]

We don't know if lives would have been saved if all passengers aboard had had a safety drill. But how can regulations allow the ship to sail before the drill has taken place?

 

Is safety being sacrificed for cruise lines strict sailing times?

 

David.

[Ray66]

From what I've read, the drills only have to take place within 24 hours of boarding. The English couple interviewed on the TV had been given drill cards for the following day.

 

It's a circular cruise and the itinerary includes picking passengers up at various ports. See map on link.

 

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/57908000/gif/_57908162_costa_concordia_624.gif

[Jim Avery]

Just read a report that the Costa CEO is blaming the Captain saying he took the ship close to the island to more or less show off to a friend. My God, that's like the Captain of a loaded 747 flying under the Golden Gate Bridge to "show off". Possible to do but not really a good idea. Hard to imagine someone being so irresponsible.

[cunardfanatic]

Could the rumour that the Concordia did not hold the muster be true , or is that just sensationalism?

 

the drill was to be held on sunday the cause is thought to be of the captain sailing to close to land to show off to friends on shore hope he's happy with his little stunt and the 6 (maybe more) lives he has taken

[cunardfanatic]

Here is the latest press release from Costa

 

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yet they still haven't removed the future cruises from the website

[Norfolk Brit]

the cause is thought to be of the captain sailing to close to land to show off to friends on shore hope he's happy with his little stunt and the 6 (maybe more) lives he has taken

 

Finding someone guilty this early in the proceedings seems contrary to any form of justice that I'm familiar with.

[Salacia]

Finding someone guilty this early in the proceedings seems contrary to any form of justice that I'm familiar with.

 

Yes, "guilty unless proven innocent" is not my concept of justice either.

 

However, according to this BBC piece, Costa management has reached a verdict: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-16576979

[Ray66]

Yes, Costa have held a conference today blaming him which was shown on the TV here. Also the mayor of the island has been on TV to say the ship has sailed close to the shore before and they showed a video of it from a few months ago.

 

http://video.corriere.it/nave-concordia-al-giglio-/9dfa5ea6-3e9b-11e1-8b52-5f77182bc574

[BlueRiband]

yet they still haven't removed the future cruises from the website

 

Since the cruises are intertwined into several databases the removal of Concordia's schedule probably requires more technically involved IT knowledge than what would be needed to just post emergency updates. But I'll go out on a limb and suggest that any future bookings will get cancelled.

[roscoe39]

why were the stabilisers out? were they trying to stabilise the ship due to the unstable ballast - the weather i understand was calm? I heard somewhere that the initial impact was about 10pm but the ship didn't sink until 6 hours later - why weren't the lifeboats deployed earlier.

 

 

Hi., I noticed the stabilisers were out too but they are often used to help stabilise the ship during the evening dining service and Im guessing that is why they were out on this particualr occasion....

[capnpugwash]

As with my previous post this is unsubtantiated but it did amuse me.

 

http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.telegraph.co.uk%2Fnews%2Fworldnews%2Feurope%2Fitaly%2F9022170%2FCosta-Concordia-captain-says-he-tripped-and-fell-into-life-boat.html%23.TxbhfICnUTE.facebook&h=9AQHSepp3AQFYVq-VwQDRYBoylMQAdXBtx2AuJ5JtO1Kzow

[Leucothea]

Well it appears the Captain of the Concordia tripped and fell into a lifeboat, so he claims. 11 dead now so far.

 

http://news.yahoo.com/cruise-captain-says-tripped-lifeboat-couldnt-153914621--abc-news.html

[Salacia]

Another thing that has always worried me about the muster drill is that it is predicated on the idea that you will go from your cabin to "your" muster station, and the muster stations are basically arranged so that there is a more or less even distribution of cabins to muster stations.

 

All this is fine if the accident happens, for example, during the early hours of the morning when just about everyone is in their cabin. But if it happens during the day when passengers are spread around ever public space from one end of the ship to the other then the probability of mayhem becomes a self fulfilling prophecy.

 

J

 

Yes.

But I believe every tender on QM2 has enough life vests for each passenger on the tender, stored under the seats. I've never been on one of the inflatable life rafts, so I don't know if life vests are available there. But, if I remember correctly, many life vests are also stored on Deck 7. My thought would be that in the event my cabin was not accessible, life vests would be available at other points of evacuation. Hopefully, direction would be given by the Bridge to passengers. Obviously, the routine drill to return to your cabin, collect life vests, secure medication and warm clothing and proceed to Muster Station is pro forma, and will not be viable in all emergency situations.

[Cruachan]

Yes.

But I believe every tender on QM2 has enough life vests for each passenger on the tender, stored under the seats. I've never been on one of the inflatable life rafts, so I don't know if life vests are available there. But, if I remember correctly, many life vests are also stored on Deck 7. My thought would be that in the event my cabin was not accessible, life vests would be available at other points of evacuation. Hopefully, direction would be given by the Bridge to passengers. Obviously, the routine drill to return to your cabin, collect life vests, secure medication and warm clothing and proceed to Muster Station is pro forma, and will not be viable in all emergency situations.

 

Yes, I pretty much agree with everything you say and, if my memory serves, they do say on the muster drill that, if you can't get back to your cabin to get your lifejacket you should go to the nearest muster station where you will be provided with one. However, I'm not convinced that very much of what is said at the muster drill really sticks in people's memory after the briefing is finished. I think that the one idea that most people will retain is that they must go back to their cabin to get, inter alia, their lifejacket, warm clothing, any medication they require etc etc etc. I just think that the emphasis is wrong. I know it would be tricky but there must be a way of providing sufficient lifejackets for issue at the muster stations - if that were achieved then they could realign the emphasis in the briefing to tell people to go straight to the nearest muster station. This could go some way towards alleviating the problem of the choke points on the stairways with people leaving their cabins moving in one direction and those trying to return to their cabins for their lifejackets moving in the opposite direction.

 

I've just read today a(nother) tragic story from Concordia - one of the bodies recently retrieved was that of a Hungarian violinist from the ship's orchestra who had gone back to his cabin to get his violin and then became trapped. Again, they do say that you should not delay your departure to retrieve personal possessions, but I suppose human nature being what it is, it's a very difficult thing to overcome.

 

J

[moniquet]

Our muster station was in the Winter garden. If there were disappearing crew as on Concordia, it would be chaotic if the "escort" didn't turn up!

[Norfolk Brit]

Our muster station was in the Winter garden. If there were disappearing crew as on Concordia, it would be chaotic if the "escort" didn't turn up!

 

And our muster station is now bang next to the nearest available lifeboat, if not firmly inside...:cool:

 

To be fair to the crew, many seem to have acquitted themselves admirably - it seems to be one or two of whom one would expect better that did not.

 

Mary

[Ray66]

Some of the Filipino crew have arrived home now and are saying there were amazed to find on the day that the captain had abandoned ship before they had.

[Ray66]

We've found the drills to be more thorough on the QM2 than on the other two ships.

[moniquet]

The worse for us was Princess. Everyone had to go into the theatre, complete farce instead of muster stations.. 20 mins after the time people were still arriving and the talk continued with all the disruption.

[Leucothea]

The Captain of the Concordia not only abandoned ship, but claims he did not, but actually fell out of the ship. He did not even notify passengers until an hour after the crash. No instructions were given to passengers. What was this guy on and who qualified him as a ship's Captain? He seems like a complete idiot.

 

I can't imagine being on that ship when it crashed. Quite a few bodies were found near an emergency exit. There are children missing too.

 

The response of the ship's owner has also been questioned:

 

http://overheadbin.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/01/18/10179794-owner-of-costa-concordia-pledges-assistance-to-passengers

[BlueRiband]

This is getting stranger all the time. It would almost be comical if not that about thrity people will be found dead by the time this is all sorted out.

 

Whenever an accident happens an operating company will usually give some statement about cooperating with authorities and that they cannot comment on specifics while the investigation is ongoing. Almost from the beginning Costa blamed this on "significant human error". Yesterday we heard that the Captain somehow tripped and fell into a life boat. Now, a kitchen worker claims that the Captain ordered dinner about 45 minutes after the ship struck rocks.

[capnpugwash]

This is an interesting interpretation of the AIS track leading up to the collision. It is narrated by a master mariner fron the US.

[Ray66]

I just hope the ship doesn't slip off the rocky ledge on which he parked it.

 

There's a programme on channel 4 on Tuesday at 8pm which should be interesting.

 

Terror at Sea: The Sinking of the Concordia.

 

One-off documentary investigating the capsizing of the Costa Concordia off the west coast of Italy on Friday 13th January, revealing why modern safety systems failed to prevent the disaster.