Off topic but: Thousands rescued as cruise ship runs aground.

[Sandielle]

There's nowhere to put this news here, but thought it was of general interest.

 

From ABC

 

More than 4,000 people are being evacuated from a large Italian cruise ship which has run aground on a sandbar off the Italian coast.

 

Authorities say there are no immediate reports of injuries among the 3,200 passengers and 1,023 crew.

 

Those on board are being evacuated to a nearby island by lifeboats and other ships in the area.

 

The ship, the 290-metre-long Costa Concordia, was on a Mediterranean cruise and had set off from the port of Civitavecchia near Rome when it got into difficulties..............

 

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-01-14/thousands-evacuated-after-cruise-ship-runs-aground/3772742

_________________

[Ausgirl101]

And sadly there are reports now that at least two people have died....hoping that this incorrect :(

[Royalty X]

Reports of six people dead now. :( Horrible news! Apparently the ship is in no danger of sinking.

[Sutho]

Costa Concordia is a variant of the Carnival Destiny class. A very new ship. Unfortunately it says people are not following advice and are jumping into the water on their own accord rather than attending mustering stations. If people follow safety instructions they should be ok but when they do things on their own without authorisation it causes danger to themselves and others.

[Kiwi_cruiser]

6 confirmed dead. - http://www.rte.ie/news/2012/0114/italy.html

[Australian family]

Oh that is horrible. Wonder how that happened given all the technology they have on those ships.

 

This is part of the updated report:

 

Eight people were killed and several people were still missing after jumping overboard in panic as the ship began to tilt, the Messaggero newspaper said.

[MMDown Under]

How frightening - an accident at sea at night in a non English speaking ship is my greatest fear, when cruising.

 

Cruise reviews on this ship should be compulsory reading. One said they didn't have their safety drill until near the end of the cruise.

[teigenes]

How horrible for everyone on board, it would have been a very scary situation to be in. For the many thousand who are currently on cruise ships or have cruised this disaster will no doubt have much heartfelt concern for those passengers involved and will be feeling how lucky we all are it didn't happen to us.

 

I just hope the power failure on this ship wasn't due to someone illegally taking on a kettle or using their own iron when the conditions of travel say they cannot be bought on board! It can happen as I have read on an earlier topic.

[Kiwi_cruiser]

http://news.sky.com/home/world-news/article/16148897

 

http://iltirreno.gelocal.it/foto-e-video/2012/01/14/fotogalleria/crociera-si-incaglia-al-giglio-salvate-4-mila-persone-1.3062240?p=4

 

The story is breaking in Britain: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2086527/Cost-Concordia-Massive-evacuation-underway-cruise-ship-starts-sinking-Italian-coast.html

 

Pictures of the sinking ship: http://www.ilsecoloxix.it/p/italia/2012/01/13/AO8Wf5fB-scialuppe_concordia_avaria.shtml

 

 

 

These are photos taken by some of the crew on abodoning the ship.

http://www.leggo.it/fotogallery.php?id_news=158355&id_fg=18729

[Kiwi_cruiser]

There's also a webcam in the area:

 

 

The webcam can be found here: http://www.giglionews.it/2011052057453/webcam/isola-del-giglio/webcam-spiaggia-arenella-isola-del-giglio.html

[Royalty X]

From the looks of it, the ship is now docked. Could it be that they've done what they did with Costa Europa when she was damaged and deliberately listed the ship so the damaged part of the hull (assuming there is a damaged part of the hull) is out of the water to avoid more water coming on board?

[thied]

I hope there are not dead from this grounding.

 

I hope this was not the ship that P&O may have been getting.

[Royalty X]

I hope this was not the ship that P&O may have been getting.

It's not even 6 years old (too new for P&O Australia). I hope they manage to get everyone off. Apparently with the ship tilting so much, it's difficult to get the last 150 people (or so) off the ship.

[CruiseAdict218]

From the looks of it, the ship is now docked. Could it be that they've done what they did with Costa Europa when she was damaged and deliberately listed the ship so the damaged part of the hull (assuming there is a damaged part of the hull) is out of the water to avoid more water coming on board?

 

I dont think its docked, large 165 foot gash, and it was confirmed shes capsized http://mikeyscruiseblog.com/2012/01/13/breaking-news-costa-concordia-rams-into-pier-killing-2/

[Sutho]

Your right its gone!

 

[croydonCruiser]

Wow!!! :eek::eek::eek:

 

How heartbreaking for all concerned! :(:(

[Guest012]

double post sorry

[Guest012]

OMG that is awful how frightening..........just took a look at the photos on Mikeys blog she looks half way submerged......what a sickening sight....my heart goes out to everyone involved Shiona

[Sandielle]

It's so ironic, I have been watching the recorded series of Cruise Ship Diaries featuring the Costa Serena and they are constantly saying the captain of this ship at the time, Guiseppi Russo, was noted for his expertise in manouvering the ship into tight spaces, and constantly having safety drills.

 

Wonder if they'll find out what really happened to the Concordia. It's just devastating, with the lost of life increasing.

[Bella cruiser]

So very sad such a major tragedy, my thoughts go out to all affected.

[Pushka]

The roll call has an Aussie family onboard.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Royalty X]

The sun's coming up! Oh dear... :(

[thied]

The sun's coming up! Oh dear... :(

 

do not think it made it port and the dock fine

[happysnapper]

My prayers and thoughts are with all our fellow cruisers and lovers of the sea.

RIP for those who are lost.

Glennys

[thied]

reports on the news 8 dead