fire on star

[FlyingRev]

Oh well here we go again!!!

 

Bottom line as others have said is that we can speculate all we want. Fact is...wait for the professionals at the Transportation Board and other agencies to confirm/deny the rumours.

 

HOWEVER...and I say HOWEVER!!!, if it is found that the cause of the fire was an errant smoker who failed to extinguish his/her cigarette (causing millions of dollars of damage to the vessel, inconvenience for and endangering the lives of his/her fellow passengers) then this is the ultimate justification to restrict smoking on cruiseships to a designated smoking area that should be located on an aft lower deck or prohibit smoking onboard altogether.

 

In this day and age, where cabins are built as prefabricated units (not metal bulkheads) and literally hoisted into place on the appropriate deck, they are made of materials that are not the most flame resistant. Accordingly smoking on balconies as in cabins can cause this type of damage in a flash by people smoking and flicking unextinguished cigarette butts overboard...only to be blown back onboard due to the forward motion of the vessel.

 

I am an ex smoker and now ...I'll be honest, can't stand the smell of cigarettes, so to be on a cruise, I tolerate smokers but do not believe that because they feel they "have the right" to smoke and be careless, they have the right to put my life at risk due to their laissez-faire couldn't give a damn attitude.

 

If this was on the "Paradise" before reverting back to a smoking vessel, this incident would never have happened. If it is determined that this was caused as the result of an unextinguished cigarette, why should cruisellines pay the exorbitant insurance rates they do and pass the costs on by the higher fares. If there was no smoking on cruiseships then there would be one less risk to insure against thus reducing both operating costs and costs passed on to passengers.

 

Well that's it for the Friday politicization on this subject. Thanks for allowing me my 2 cents (oops a nickel or more now!!!).

 

Ciao for now!!!

 

No intelligent person would disagree with the above post. Very lucent and well thought out!

[MaryPoppinz]

If it was a "no duff" evacuation my dear you can stand and eat but the priority is doing a headcount, loading the lifeboats and launches and pulling away as quickly and safely as possible. Muster stations are exactly that for mustering for ship evacuation, not a dining/drinking opportunity for you on a cruise.

 

I think you must remember that Muster Drill is there to save your lives and that is why it's mandatory by the US Coast Guard to conduct same, not to provide food and water. You must reevaluate your priorities...do you want to live or die going down with the ship.

Ciao for now!!!

 

I am not planning to "stand and eat" during a muster. What a bizarre thing to suggest that one would use the muster as a "dining/drinking opportunity."

 

But, if it so happens that I am in a muster station for a prolonged period of time, I will have a bottle of water or Powerbar for myself or someone else for whom it may very well be a matter of life and death.

[bdjam]

I am not planning to "stand and eat" during a muster. What a bizarre thing to suggest that one would use the muster as a "dining/drinking opportunity."

 

But, if it so happens that I am in a muster station for a prolonged period of time, I will have a bottle of water or Powerbar for myself or someone else for whom it may very well be a matter of life and death.

I would suggest – again – that it might be prudent to read the post by Sunshine above. She, unlike the rest of us, was on Star Princess. Perhaps her experience will allow others to have some peace of mind.

 

Did you ever see the movie "Lifeboat?" You might want to be careful who you tell about that Powerbar.

[cloveygrl]

From the first hand posts - as soon as it was safe (much sooner than 7 hours) the crew went around asking passengers if they needed medication etc from their cabin. This would have also included bringing diabetics what they needed. Honestly from what people ON THE SHIP are saying is that the crew did a great job and yes it was uncomfortable but the communcation and reaction was excellent. So how about people sitting at home on their comfy couches stop criticizing the crew's handling.

 

That was not very kind of you.

 

First - I am diabetic.Woken up around 3:00 - 4:00 am and then not given food until noon would cause issues. I didnt suggest they stop and cook for them. Just something to pass out that could be grabbed quickly along with water. Most people would be fine but there's a few who wouldnt.

 

Second (my fault) I thought the musters were being used for roll call check-in. Then people were moved to safety locations - where there wasn't smoke - which may or may not have been at the muster stations. So I meant they could have been quicker with the check-in process, not letting them out to "roam around" in unsafe areas. My mispost or misunderstanding.

 

I'd appreciate an apology for insinuations that I suggest they stop fire fighting to cook them food. That is very insulting. I was merely concurring my sympathies. Some of our friends were on that ship and we are very concerned and worried.

 

L.A.S.T.

[cloveygrl]

Yes actually they can be sued by Princess for destroying property and could be sued by the (perhaps federal government? don't know what waters they were in) for negligence/harm and they could be sued in civil court by fellow passengers. If someone accidently did this and knows they did - or are found out - I sort of feel sorry for them. They're life is ruined by a casual flick perhaps. It is sort of scary to think how ones life can change in an instance.

 

If it is determined that it was a passenger and his/her careless cigarette that caused the fire, could that passenger be sued for negligence, wrongful death, damages, etc.?

 

Just wondering what liability that person would have in light of the extensive damages as well as tragic loss of life and property as well as emotional distress.

 

Any ideas?

[MaryPoppinz]

I understand that the crew would (and did) obtain things that are needed once they were able.

 

*I* will take responsibility for doing that for myself from now on. *I* will have a few essentials prepared and with me until the crew is able to provide them. *I* am pretty familiar my own needs. If there are those of you who are comfortable with showing up at a muster station unable to obtain a drink or nutrition for an undetermined period of time, I am quite comfortable with you doing that.

[Iamthesea]

Wow, Carolyn, I'm so, so sorry that you've lost all your belongings. We've been getting sketchy reports, but don't know much. Someone's TA said that only 1 cabin was affected; someone else said that their parents are on board and reported much what you did, but without the detail. Where was your cabin? Hopefully, your valuables will be okay in the safe. It's supposed to be fireproof, isn't it?

 

I found the following quote - from the OP to a CC member - from one of her live post from the ship earlier in the week. Gives me the chills!:eek:

To the poster who asked about our cabin, we're in one of the penthouse suites on Caribe, midship. Love the balcony, I didn't leave too much yesterday.

[longislandblue]

Can you imagine waking up to the captains voice and the alarm going and all of a sudden after hearing again, what you think you heard the first time, smelling smoke and the shear desperation that runs through your body as you try to get your family out of the room. What must have been going through their minds. Can you imagine waking up and seeing flames outside your balcony? Think about the people in the rooms closest to where the fire started! Thank God these people are still alive, but I am sure they have a great deal of emotional stress to deal with. And rightfully so.

[sailingfriends]

Always remember possession can be replaced, your life can not. Let's be thankful that there were only a few injuries and only one lose of life.

 

I am so surprised there was no major lose of life when you look at the picture of the ship. My guess is the crew was trained well to keep the lose at a minimum.

 

You are in our thoughts and prayers.

[ijkh]

Years ago in the 70's our cruise ship the Sundancer hit rocks and proceded to sink. I have since "gotten over my fears of cruise ships". We sailed on the Star 2 years ago in the med and on the Grand last summer. Just when you thought it was safe to get in the water again. I really had a difficult time getting to sleep the first night on the cruise due to post traumatic stuff. I suspect there are going to be a whole lot of others who have similar trauma. My attitude is that my own luck with ships has changed. I will continue to sail but no on megaliners any more. My only interest in cruising remains in the smaller I guess you could say luxury lines to far away places.

Gosh this is just so sad. We really did love the Star and have fond memories. My best to all who were involved.

 

Ilene

[GoinCruisin]

I found the following quote - from the OP to a CC member - from one of her live post from the ship earlier in the week. Gives me the chills!:eek:

 

That gave me the chills too!!

 

Sunshine and Carolyn, and all others that were on this cruise... I am so glad you are okay. My heart goes out to everyone on the ship... and my prayers are with the families of those that were injured and the one who lost their life :( Such a tragedy, I am so glad there was not more loss of life.

[Eddie4Paws]

My sister and her family are on the Star. I just spoke with her about an hour ago and she said that due to the fire, many of the cabins that are still occupied, do not have air conditioning. She said that there are many vacant cabins that do have A/C and that Princess is refusing to move those passengers that are without cool air. She and other pax have complained but the Purser's desk said that they are not going to make up these other cabins for their use. If you've ever been onboard a ship that is in port, you know how warm and uncomfortable those cabins can get. I would think that in light of this situation, Princess would try to accommodate those that still don't have departure flights and keep them comfortable.

 

I realize that in light of this horrific tragedy, that this may seem insignificant to some, however my family has been traumatized by this entire event and I feel that Princess could attempt to make those remaining passengers a bit more comfortable. Princess' public statements say the right thing now, but perhaps they really don't mean everything they say.

 

Just my thoughts and not meant to offend anyone.

[DRLMR]

I think that they should ban smoking on cruises. Smoking is a health and safety hazard. It is unfair that a relatively small percentage of people should put the safety of the others at risk. Everyone complained bitterly when they banned smoking on flights, but now it is just the way it is and no one comments. They should really do the same thing on cruises.

[jcruise67]

Reports are coming out that this fire was caused by cigarettes in a cabin. I am sure, after investigations are complete that they can determine exactly what cabin the fire started in. Hope the persons in that cabin have enough insurance to pay for the millions of dollars it will cost to repair the ship and reimburse other losses, much less the guilt they must feel for causing the fatality. I really wish they would only allow smoking in designated public areas, but I am sure that will never happen.

 

Ohhhhh, I'm sure something will be done about the smoking issue now. It amazes me how irresponsible and neglectful some pax can be. It is ashame and my thoughts and prayers are with every pax effected by the fire. God bless those families and friends that lost more than just personal material things. I'm sure the mental strain and anguish experienced by loved ones as well as those directly involved is overwhelming.

 

jcruise

[Irishjayne]

Your point is well taken however, these ships are not American. Other countries do not look at smoking the way the Americans do.

[cruzin w chris]

thank god that you are ok, that is far and away the most important thing. i am very sad to hear of the one death that occured as a result of this tragedy. and i hope that everyone else that was injured due to smoke inhalation or what not are going to be ok. i am also happy to hear that everyone will be flown home from jamaica and given a refund for their cruise. i just hope that not too many people will be turned off from future cruising due to this. well again god bless everyone on that ship.

[cloveygrl]

really? because it is pretty much banned or starting to be banned everywhere - even in old Europe...

 

Your point is well taken however, these ships are not American. Other countries do not look at smoking the way the Americans do.

[cloveygrl]

I would think they would try to make passengers as comfortable as possible and perhaps something else is going on? damage to the AC/concerns about toxins in the vents/ etc? I am assuming they cannot be as forthcoming with passengers as they/you would like because at this point they need to be concerned about lawsuits etc. If it were me I would ask them to find me a hotel room then...

 

My sister and her family are on the Star. I just spoke with her about an hour ago and she said that due to the fire, many of the cabins that are still occupied, do not have air conditioning. She said that there are many vacant cabins that do have A/C and that Princess is refusing to move those passengers that are without cool air. She and other pax have complained but the Purser's desk said that they are not going to make up these other cabins for their use. If you've ever been onboard a ship that is in port, you know how warm and uncomfortable those cabins can get. I would think that in light of this situation, Princess would try to accommodate those that still don't have departure flights and keep them comfortable.

 

I realize that in light of this horrific tragedy, that this may seem insignificant to some, however my family has been traumatized by this entire event and I feel that Princess could attempt to make those remaining passengers a bit more comfortable. Princess' public statements say the right thing now, but perhaps they really don't mean everything they say.

 

Just my thoughts and not meant to offend anyone.

[dobie]

eddie4paws, hope that your relatives were able to get to sleep in a cool area. I am glad that they are OK, it must be so stressful for them...

[Irishjayne]

really? because it is pretty much banned or starting to be banned everywhere - even in old Europe...

 

Starting is the key word.

[prophotogirl]

A major fire broke out at 3 am last night. Our balcony was completely engulfed in flames, it was a wall of fire. Steve and I have lost everything but the clothes on our back. 120 cabins are completely destroyed. We sat in our muster stations for 7 hours with no air and no food. It took them 4 hours to finish roll call. I don'tthink I've ever been so terrified. We're in Jamaica and have no idea what is going to happen. Thankfully all were accounted for though there were injuries and some heart attacks.

 

Carolyn

Thank you for reporting in! How horrible it must be. Glad the 2 of you are OK!

[Jeanie821]

Putting all of the debate aside... my thoughts and prayers are with all who were on the Star Princess yesterday, as well as the family of the man that died. May you all find your way safely home.

[Host CJSKIDS]

Please read the post by Sunshine above - her daughter had a hypoglycemic episode during the muster. That should address your comment about those who NEED food. She also notes that water was distributed within 30 minuts. And as another poster indicated, most diabetics – those in my family included – keep careful watch over their medications and also small snacks in case they need them…the instructions for going to muster are that you take medication with you so that issues like that might be mitigated.

Princess can be blamed as much as you’d like for not offering a hospitable place for passengers to muster during an emergency. But you will not convince me being this was an emergency and there were more important things to think about than making sure people had food.

As for living in California and being prepared for an earthquake, I do and I am. However I don’t believe the logistics of preparing for an earthquake here can be equated to the logistics for preparing for – and I might add successfully addressing – an emergency at sea. If you’d like to call me the ultimate in “Princess Can Do No Wrong” you don’t know me or what I post on these threads very well. I like to think I’m the ultimate in common sense.

You can argue all you want, but in the case of Star Princess, Princess did right and the record of only one casualty proves it. What's wrong with me? Not a darn thing.

 

Water was not given every 30 minutes in our muster station. It was given once at 7 am from the tap in the explorer's lounge and then the glasses were recycled and others used them. Over an hour later we were given some more. The staff had their own large bottles of water.

No one is asking for a meal or a food storgage closet to be near the muster stations. The fire had been contained for hours. They had trays of food one flight down waiting that they could have brought up. A crew member who is dating one of the cooks in Horizon told me that he was told to make all of this food but of course no one could leave.

 

As far as taking medications with you, this works well if the fire isn't already knocking on your door and entering your room as you leave. Yes, they did finally ask if anyone needed medications hours into it. I know it was horrible for the staff to have to go into the cabins and took an hour or more for you to get it after you asked.

 

Princess handled things well in most regards. However, watching one of the muster guys sleeping and others eating Mike and Ike's was a bit hard at the time.

 

Where Princess dropped the ball was they should have taken those of us who's cabins were gutted and had everything burned and brought us into one area after they let everyone else go to their intact cabins. Someone senior crew should have come in to speak to us and inform us that everything was gone but they would still let us come to our cabins to see if we could find anything. They also should have let us not wait on the general lines with those who were looking for their liquor that they purchased or wanted to return casino chips. I never lost my cool, never yelled at anyone or anything else. I just got tired of waiting in line only to be told, come back in an hour and then wait in line again for 30 minutes. They brought me back to my cabin to find that the locks were burned shut. They finally got my door open and I can't even begin to tell you what is was like to look into room where I had been sleeping hours prior and seeing a large hole and melted things and burned things everywhere with tons of water on the floor. It was hard to recognize things.

 

The reason that more people did not get injured was due in part to some fellow passengers. Passengers ran down hallways banging on long before the fire alarm came over for us to hear. AFter the silent alarm came in, someone from the bridge could have looked backwards and seen a very large fire. The person who pulled the alarm said it took over 10 minutes for the alarm to sound. My balcony was a wall of fire before the announcements came over for us. I want thank the girl once again, she saved numerous lives and is a true hero. Who ever banged down my hallway, thank you. 2 minutes later and we would have been caught in my cabin in bed with the fire inside.

[gigivic]

I'm surprised that there hasn't been a ban on smoking in cabins/balcony before now because of the liability. There are plenty of lounges that people can smoke. We have cigarette butts fly onto our balcony all the time. Maybe this will wake them up or maybe the insurance companies will. I used to smoke and I think that I could contain myself long enough to go to the designated areas.

[AAAAmerican]

With only one soul so far passing in this calamity.

 

We all have to lower and bow our heads saying prayers for him and his family as welll all the other HEROES (Passengers) which saved hundreds.

 

God bless you.