GUILTY Italy - Costa Concordia Cruise Ship runs aground/flips, 2012

[BetteDavisEyes]

Honeymoon couple sharing video and talking with Vinnie Politan on HLN.

VP asked what they thought about the offer of 30% off another cruise. Bride replies, "Ridiculous!"

 

[Blondie in Spokane]

Stricken ship captain says company pressure made him sail too close to shore

Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/intern..._company_GdO1aOj8kuK4HiJ66Q6npJ#ixzz1kQm9Bjtw

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Stricken ship captain says company pressure made him sail too close to shore

Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/intern..._company_GdO1aOj8kuK4HiJ66Q6npJ#ixzz1kQm9Bjtw

What's next? The :devil: made him do it :banghead:

Dr. Drew covering the Concordia disaster now on HLN.

 

[Reader]

Costa Cruises says it has not offered Concordia guests discounts on future trips

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/world/2012/0...dia-guests-discounts-on-future/#ixzz1kRirjTcJ

.........The company, a subsidiary of Carnival Corporation that has a fleet of 15 ships, including the wrecked Costa Concordia, said its priority was to provide the maximum possible assistance and solace to the people on board the Costa Concordia.

"From the outset the company has been fully aware of and saddened by the suffering and hardship endured by guests and crew members, and has acted with this firmly in mind," the statement read.

Costa Cruises called guests by telephone to check on their well being and said they will receive a refund for the trip, the statement read.

More at link...

 

[Yoda]

New photos of lifeboats in water near ship.
Question for seasoned cruise goers - From the photos of the ship I can see lights at the top and lights where the lifeboat loading was going on, but the rest of the ship is dark. They said power was lost so I am assuming back up power is running the lights on. The question is are there emergency lights in rooms, halls, etc so that when power is lost passengers can navigate to exits? Just trying to figure why the last two people found were on deck 4, which is pretty high. Could they not find there way out or do you think it became to steep for them to get to the exits? Tia

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...res-lifeboats-fleeing-like-scene-Titanic.html

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

New photos of lifeboats in water near ship.
Question for seasoned cruise goers - From the photos of the ship I can see lights at the top and lights where the lifeboat loading was going on, but the rest of the ship is dark. They said power was lost so I am assuming back up power is running the lights on. The question is are there emergency lights in rooms, halls, etc so that when power is lost passengers can navigate to exits? Just trying to figure why the last two people found were on deck 4, which is pretty high. Could they not find there way out or do you think it became to steep for them to get to the exits? Tia

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...res-lifeboats-fleeing-like-scene-Titanic.html

There is limited auxiliary power to keep public areas of the ship lit, refrigerators/freezers operating, etc. Passenger stairways have track-lighting similar to aircraft that automatically illuminate during a power outage. Public areas of the vessel have emergency lighting at EXIT locations, and passenger cabins have a small light that indicates that the smoke detector is functioning. Stateroom alleyways have ceiling lighting that indicate where EXITS are located.

When there are high winds or inclement weather that make it dangerous for passengers and/or crew/staff to be on open decks, those areas are roped off with warning signs. Deck chairs/tables are stowed so that furniture doesn't blow around and cause injury. When the seas are really choppy, there will be a warning announcement from the Captain that rough seas are possible and for passengers to exercise caution when walking about the ship and to use handrails on stairs and along passenger alleyways. DH and I have always felt that every precaution is taken onboard cruise ships to insure the safety of passengers and crew.

 

[Yoda]

There is limited auxiliary power to keep public areas of the ship lit, refrigerators/freezers operating, etc. Passenger stairways have track-lighting similar to aircraft that automatically illuminate during a power outage. Public areas of the vessel have emergency lighting at EXIT locations, and passenger cabins have a small light that indicates that the smoke detector is functioning. Stateroom alleyways have ceiling lighting that indicate where EXITS are located.

When there are high winds or inclement weather that make it dangerous for passengers and/or crew/staff to be on open decks, those areas are roped off with warning signs. Deck chairs/tables are stowed so that furniture doesn't blow around and cause injury. When the seas are really choppy, there will be a warning announcement from the Captain that rough seas are possible and for passengers to exercise caution when walking about the ship and to use handrails on stairs and along passenger alleyways. DH and I have always felt that every precaution is taken onboard cruise ships to insure the safety of passengers and crew.

Thank you. I've never been on a real cruise, just a 24 hr run to the Bahamas once when I was little. Can you give your view on why you think some perished, like the latest two women found? It seems they had ample time, etc? Panic, lost? . I'm trying to figure reasons for those that died.
I am not a 'blame' type person. Even though I have never cruised I know the cruise lines are very concerned about safety. They would have to be for liability, for their reputation with customers, and for govt regulations. Plus, I plan on taking a cruise someday and I'd like to learn from this.

 

[jjw]

Shame that people like this exist.:maddening:


Here’s a stellar scam idea: Pretend to be a grandmother, claiming your daughter and granddaughter went missing in the Costa Concordia wreckage off the coast of Italy. Then, send a “boyfriend” to a savvy New York lawyer to tell the story, and then change that story as many times as possible. Finally, have a 5-year-old blow your entire cover.



Read more: http://newsfeed.time.com/2012/01/25...ent-missing-on-costa-concordia/#ixzz1kWQlXFR6

 

[jjw]

Another story of rumors that rich passengers bought lifeboats insuring their safety.

Reports in the European press say that wealthy Russians paid “wads of cash” to get on the lifeboats as the Costa Concordia cruise ship was going down.


EPA The reports say Italian prosecutors are investigating claims from other passengers and witnesses on shore who said rich Russians paid the money to get an early spot on the lifeboats. A resident of Giglio, where the lifeboats made shore after the disaster, told German media: “I went to the boats as I saw them coming in expecting to see women, children and the injured but all I saw were healthy men and elegant women in evening gowns who were speaking Russian.”

A U.S. spokesman for the Costa Concordia declined comment.

The claims may well be exaggerated. Yet they’re likely to recall one of the enduring narratives of the Titanic, and add to the class-warfare raging in the U.S. and Europe.

http://blogs.wsj.com/wealth/2012/01/23/did-rich-russians-buy-their-way-to-safety-on-costa-concordia/

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Thank you. I've never been on a real cruise, just a 24 hr run to the Bahamas once when I was little. Can you give your view on why you think some perished, like the latest two women found? It seems they had ample time, etc? Panic, lost? . I'm trying to figure reasons for those that died.
I am not a 'blame' type person. Even though I have never cruised I know the cruise lines are very concerned about safety. They would have to be for liability, for their reputation with customers, and for govt regulations. Plus, I plan on taking a cruise someday and I'd like to learn from this.

I can suggest a few reasons why some passengers were unable to escape the sinking ship, but these are jmo and nothing more.

1) Depending on what time passengers embarked the ship, they might not have had time to "explore" the vessel and become acclimated to their surroundings. Some passengers are tired from a day of travel to port and might want to rest a bit before venturing out around the ship. Others want to get unpacked and settled into their stateroom. If it was time for a meal, many passengers probably headed to the dining room or buffet. Embarkation usually takes a few hours and not everyone boards the ship at the same time; some stand in line prior to the official start of embarkation while others arrive at the last possible moment.

2) Not having a muster drill prior to sailaway was a HUGE mistake! The call to muster would have required that passengers retrieve their life jackets in their staterooms and immediately go to their assigned emergency stations (as directed on the back of cabin door just like in hotels). Once assembled, passengers would have received instructions about how to don lifevests, what to bring, and where to assemble in case of an emergency that might require abandoning the ship.

3) There was apparently a lot of chaos and confusion about the emergency and what was actually going on. Passengers were not given details about the problem and were not able to discern for themselves that this was a real emergency that would require evacuating the ship. Some sensed impending danger and immediately retrieved their lifevests while others awaited further instructions from the Captain, other Officers, and/or crew and staff who are trained to assist in getting passengers to safety if and when it becomes necessary.

jmo

 

[my_tee_mouse]

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2012/0...on-italian-cruise-ship-costa-concordia-after/

"New photos show lifeboat evacuation of Italian cruise ship Costa Concordia after it ran aground"

Article is dated 1/26. Not sure how "new" the photos are, but posted them just in case they are indeed new and not re-runs.

 

[Nova]

...and add to the class-warfare raging in the U.S. and Europe.

Where do I enlist?

(The quote above, which strikes me as hyperbole at least with regards to the U.S., comes from jjw's link. I'm not picking on jjw.)

 

[LietKynes]

Just had to add that it was lucky for the captain to 'fall' into the lifeboat with his laptop secured in a bag.....then later handed over to his lawyer . If I can find the link to that info. I'll post it.
For the record, I'm curious as to what exactly was on his laptop ... And yes, I'm a nosy person (and it's none of my business,anyway) !
jmo

 

[Blondie in Spokane]

Italy Costa cruise ship survivors to get compensation

"Passengers on the wrecked Costa Concordia cruise ship are expected to receive a compensation lump sum of 11,000 euros ($14,400) each, the Italian Association of Tour Operators said in a statement Friday."

"The decision was reached during a meeting between Costa Cruises and consumer groups, the association said."

"The compensation will be paid to each passenger regardless of age, the Italian Association of Tour Operators said, and covers damage to and loss of property and any psychological distress suffered."

"The payout will include reimbursement for the cost of the cruise and additional travel expenses. Costa will also set up a psychological counseling program for those passengers who request it, the statement said."

"Separate agreements will be reached with those passengers who were injured and needed treatment at the scene, and with the families of those who died, the statement added."

http://www.cnn.com/2012/01/27/world/europe/italy-cruise-ship/index.html?hpt=hp_t3

 

[Blondie in Spokane]

Six Costa Concordia passengers reportedly sue for $460 million

"Six passengers on the stricken Costa Concordia cruise ship filed a complaint against Carnival Cruise Lines, the parent company of ship owner Costa Cruises, demanding $460 million in compensation, the ANSA news agency reported Saturday."

"The lawyer acting for the six passengers, Marc Bern, said the legal action was launched Friday in a court in Miami, where the headquarters of Carnival Cruise Lines is based."

"The action alleges that the ship operator was guilty of negligence, leading to the Jan. 13 disaster."

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/world/2012/0...or-460-million/?test=latestnews#ixzz1klghT3EV

 

[Yoda]

Seventeenth body found.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jan/28/costa-concordia-divers-find-body?newsfeed=true

 

[Blondie in Spokane]

Capt.’s newest excuse

"So that’s why he crashed!"

"The captain of the overturned Costa Concordia said his bosses “busted my balls” to steer his ships close to shore, and says their insistence on such public-relations stunts led to the disaster with a death toll that grew to 17 people yesterday."

“Management was always saying ‘Pass by there, pass by there,’ ” Francesco Schettino said during a taped telephone conversation cited in a lawsuit against Carnival Corp., which owns the Italian company that operated the Costa Concordia."

“Someone else in my position might not have been so amenable to pass so close,” said Schettino."

“But they busted my balls . . . and now I’m paying for it.”

"Lawyers cited Schettino’s words in an effort to show Carnival is culpable in the accident because higher-ups put Schettino “under intense pressure” to steer close by Giglio Island."

“The cruise company encouraged the practice of sailing close to the island,” the lawsuit alleges. “It was good ‘publicity’ and went down well with passengers in the increasingly competitive cruise ship business.”



Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/capt_newest_excuse_Jf64JirHERfw18wOfi3q6H#ixzz1kqPF9Ery

 

[Blondie in Spokane]

Talk about a big "oops"!....

Seven-night cruise through France, Italy, and Spain on the Costa Concordia, only $749! Embarrassment as American Express promotes trip on doomed liner

"This one slipped through the cracks."

"An American Express mailer was recently sent out advertising a seven-night cruise touring Italy, France, and Spain for the tantalising price of $749."

"The only problem was the ship to which American Express referred was the stricken Costa Concordia, which is currently half-submerged off the coast of Italy."

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...promotes-trip-doomed-liner.html#ixzz1kqVz26sS

 

[Blondie in Spokane]

Bad weather halts search of capsized Italian cruise ship

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/46180291/ns/world_news-europe/

 

[Trident]

Capt.’s newest excuse

"So that’s why he crashed!"

"The captain of the overturned Costa Concordia said his bosses “busted my balls” to steer his ships close to shore, and says their insistence on such public-relations stunts led to the disaster with a death toll that grew to 17 people yesterday."

“Management was always saying ‘Pass by there, pass by there,’ ” Francesco Schettino said during a taped telephone conversation cited in a lawsuit against Carnival Corp., which owns the Italian company that operated the Costa Concordia."

“Someone else in my position might not have been so amenable to pass so close,” said Schettino."

“But they busted my balls . . . and now I’m paying for it.”

"Lawyers cited Schettino’s words in an effort to show Carnival is culpable in the accident because higher-ups put Schettino “under intense pressure” to steer close by Giglio Island."

“The cruise company encouraged the practice of sailing close to the island,” the lawsuit alleges. “It was good ‘publicity’ and went down well with passengers in the increasingly competitive cruise ship business.”



Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/capt_newest_excuse_Jf64JirHERfw18wOfi3q6H#ixzz1kqPF9Ery

I'm wondering if they ever give psych-evaluations, or any kind of mental testing prior to making someone a captain of a cruise ship. From "falling" into a life boat, then not returning aboard ship to supervise passenger evacuation, this "captain" appears to be bit beneath the criteria set for many who went down with their ship.

That said, I wonder if there isn't SOME bit of truth in what he says about the "show-off" maneuver close to the island. In today's economy, maybe they did want a bit "extra". IF they did, they sure got it, and so did the passengers.