For me, this is validation for being big on redundancy in flashlights and always having at least one, preferably more (Doug's e-Picos are great backups and they fit in a dressy clutch purse). A little headlamp, like the diminutive Petzl Zipka would be priceless in this situation.

Safety certainly did not appear to be first with this particular ship. Sounds like this incident would be an interesting case study in survival psychology - especially those who heeded incompetent commands by crew, and those who did not.

God help disabled people in these kinds of disasters. What a horror.

We had a lengthy discussion of cruise ship EDC after one was stranded for days by power failure in the Pacific (Mexico, as I recall). I didn't see that thread in a cursory search but will look again. Next to a flashlight, think I'd make carrying a whistle a priority - at all times. And my passport, a credit card and cash....

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/euro...ry.html?hpid=z2


"Passengers described a scene reminiscent of “Titanic”, saying they escaped the ship by crawling along hallways, desperately trying to reach safety as the lights went out..."

"... the experience was like a disaster movie."

Found that previous cruise ship (crippled by power outage) EDC thread. It was a very good discussion - a different situation but we were all big on carrying flashlights and the importance of being able to see runs across all disasters.

http://forums.equipped.org/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=211180&page=1

This is also a good reason not to go with the cheap, below the waterline, cabins on a cruise ship. I will never cruise on a ship unless I have a balcony suite. Yeah it's more expensive, but if you value your life, it's smart to have an easy escape route. Cruise ships are death traps for so many reasons.

At first blush, running aground sounds like an inexcusable error on the part of the crew.

According to Washington Post article, the crew did not give good evacuation instructions, didn't lower some of the lifeboats until the ship was listing too much for them to be lowered, and no evacuation drills were held. That is POSITIVELY inexcusable. I'll go with criminally irresponsible. According to CNN the captain is under arrest.

The cruise line had another fatal accident in 2010. I wouldn't cruise with them.

A lightweight thin camelback style pack or fanny pack would be ideal in a cruise ship situation. Keeping not only everyday items but important survival items and tools on your person at all times is best. All them lights are useless when your nowhere's near your room.

Seeing a large cruise lying on its side like that is incredibly frightening. I can't imagine the fear and chaos of trying to navigate dark, heavily listing passageways in that ship.

They're lucky that land was so close.

Anyone know how long it took for the order to abandon ship was issued?

[quote=GarlyDog Cruise ships are death traps for so many reasons. [/quote]

This incident certainly seems to validate that statement, alnd thee are many other problems that result form packing a lot of people into a relatively small space. This is why I prefer a nice relaxing wilderness backpack or climb for a truly relaxing vacation.

OMG! I just realized that was the Costa Concordia. I cruised on that ship a few years ago. Yikes!

Without massive amounts of training and practice, efficient evacuation of that many people is impossible.


I for one would have risked going back to the cabin to get my EDC bag. You could be stuck in a lifeboat for quite a while. Or what if the island were more remote and uninhabited?

Something about "being in jail but with a chance of drowning" comes to mind.