Cruise Ship Safety

Cruise Ship Incidents -What Can Happen?

Costa Concordia Laying on its side. Photo courtesy

Links Natural Hazards Cruise Ship Fires Sunken Ships Sudden Lists/Rouge Waves Unclassified Incidents Incidents 2012

Maritime incidents/accidents involving injuries and/or fatalities rarely happen. And considering the number of passenger ships sailing worldwide, it's highly unlikely you will experience any problems during your cruise.

Take Personal Responsibility to Help Ensure Your Safety

Many incidents and accidents that take place on a cruise ships are usually caused by passengers being careless in one way or another.

Emergencies and Passenger Safety

Only a fool for a passenger would disregard the possible risks associated with a cruise vacation.

You are responsible to know what to do in case of an emergency and recent incidents should only reaffirm that fact. Historically, ship Captains' have been known to support the "every man for himself" mentality leaving passengers to fend for themselves. The idea of being left alone on a luxury passenger ship to fend for yourself is without a doubt disturbing. We rely on the skills, training, and experience of the captain and crew to stay alive. When the Captain abandons ship before passengers, it should be immediately apparent the situation is dire.

We assume the captain and crew will assist passengers to safety and go down with the ship if necessary - not cut and run.  Evidently, it's not uncommon for a Captain and crew to panic, like many of us would in a life or death situation, such as the recent sinking of Costa Concordia. Other historic examples include the MS Oceanos in 1991.

Regrettably things do happen that can jeopardize passenger safety. Another example of what can go wrong..., "High Winds smashes cruise ship against pier causing gangway to collapse".

What to do in case of an emergency?

Read the information on the back of your stateroom door, have a personal safety plan, ask questions, and PAY EXTRA ATTENTION TO THE MUSTER DRILL EXERCISE!

Below are more examples of what could happen during your cruise.

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Sudden Lists and Rouge Waves Can Happen

Celebrity Infinity

February 1, 2007

From Cruise Critic: We were on the second floor of the dining room at about 6:30PM when we were broadsided by what must have been two enormous waves. Two folks at our table of eight, were knocked to the floor with water, wine, dishes etc spilled on them. At the table next to us, a woman was injured and taken out on a stretcher. The waiter and head waiter said they had never experienced any thing like this before and were of no help as to what we should do. The waiter said that there were broken arms and legs suffered by galley workers. Passengers throughout the ship later had stories of "where they were and what happened" when the waves hit. Every bottle of booze and all glassware all over the ship hit the floor. The books in the library were all on the ground. The Grand piano in the theater broke legs and pedals. It was a mess and the most astonishing thing is that neither the Captain, nor any of his officers got on the PA system until 36 hours later to talk about it. All he said then was "he did good since three other ships in the same waters had to delay their cruises because they suffered even more severe damage and injuries"

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NCL Spirit

January 19, 2007
Both WABC and WCBS reported that passengers returning from a southern Caribbean cruise complained about heavy seas and a series of high waves -- some as high as 50 feet -- during the leg from Tortola to New York. Several windows were smashed and 11 cabins were flooded. Passengers had to be relocated and those in cabins most effected were offered a free cruise in the future, if they want it.

More About Rouge Waves and Sudden Lists

Missed Port Calls Will Happen

Some ports are notorious for being difficult to navigate when the area experiences high winds and seas. Costa Maya, and St. Kitts comes to mind. Other reasons for missed ports include availability of pier space, breakdown of the tender operations, and mechanical breakdowns causing reduced cruising speeds.

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Cruise Ship Fires Can Happen

Star Princess

March 23, 2006

At approximately 3:10 AM, as the ship was en route from Grand Cayman to Montego Bay, a fire broke out in the passenger accommodations, and spread to adjacent cabins. About 150 cabins were damaged by the fire which may have been started by a cigarette. Passengers were immediately notified of the fire using the public address system and requested to report to their muster stations. The company confirmed that one passenger had died following a cardiac arrest, two passengers had significant smoke inhalation injuries and nine passengers with had minor complications resulting from smoke inhalation. The fire was extinguished, and the ship proceeded to Montego Bay which it reach around noon. Passengers in the cabins affected by the fire were provided hotel rooms ashore in Montego Bay; other passengers remained on the ship until their flights home were arranged. The cruise began March 19 in Fort Lauderdale. All cruises are cancelled until May 15th. Star Princess Fire March 2006 Incident Report (PDF File)

More About Ship fires

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Sunken Ships - How can it happen?

Poor design or failure of the ship's equipment or pressure hull

Failure or leaking of the hull is a serious problem that can lead to the loss of buoyancy or the free surface effect and the subsequent sinking of the vessel. Even the hulls of large modern ships have cracked in heavy storms. Leaks between the hull planks of wooden vessels is a particular problem. Failure of pumps can lead to the loss of a potentially salvageable ship with only a minor leak or fire. Failure of the means of propulsion, such as engines, sails or rigging, can lead to the loss of a ship. When the ship's movement is determined only by currents or the wind and particularly by storms, a common result is that the ship is unable to avoid natural hazards like rocks, shallow water or tidal races. To remain buoyant, the hull of a vessel must prevent water entering the large air spaces of the vessel (known as downflooding). Clearly for the ship to float, the submerged parts of the hull will be watertight, but the upper parts of the hull must have openings to allow ventilation to compartments, including the engine room, for crew access, and to load and unload cargo.

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Weather conditions

Weather conditions play a huge role in the safety of ocean travel. Rouge waves are a freak of nature; unpredictable and beyond our control. Considered to be a myth until an actual monster wave was caught on camera, these waves have caused considerable damage and fear among the passengers.

Human error

Navigation errors and other human errors can lead to collisions with another ship, rocks, an iceberg, etc. or running aground. Captain's don't always listen to the advice and warnings of others and ultimately risk the lives of passengers and crew. Tragic accidents can happen when vessel masters ignore warnings from USCG as well as fellow boaters. More About Sunken Ships

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Bed Bugs

Princess Cruises Grand Princess

March 4, 2006

It was reported by CBS TV in Dallas-Fort Worth that a couple staying in the Vasco de Gama suite had an encounter with bed bugs onboard the ship. The family said they are disappointed the cruise line did little to eradicate the bugs while on-board. According to the TV report, the company spokesman admitted fault and offered the family its "unreserved apology".

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Carnival Cruise Lines Carnival Victory

April 25, 2005

First Coast News in Jacksonville, FL reported a Massachusetts couple were bitten by bed bugs while on a cruise in March -- they woke in the middle of the night to find "40, 50, 60 bugs just crawling all over the top half of the bed" and that their bathrobe was covered with the adult bugs. Carnival Cruise Line acknowledged the bed bug infestation and says a previous guest brought them onboard.

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Royal Caribbean Cruise Line Jewel of the Seas

April 11, 2005

A Florida couple was treated after being bitten by hundreds of bed bugs during a vacation cruise on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship, according to Local 6 News. "I was in such disbelief at first, you know, I mean, it was hundreds and hundreds of bugs, we had leaned against all the night before, I mean it literally made my skin crawl," the passenger said. Royal Caribbean apologized to the couple and refunded $2,800 for the tickets but declined to reimburse them for medical care or hotel expenses incurred while waiting to get home. The incident apparently occurred on the cruise beginning March 26.

More Links:  Cruise Ship Fires  Sunken Ships  Sudden Lists/Waves  Natural Hazards