Fire on Carnival Triumph. No engines, running on emergency generators.

[ruskatab]

New Orleans should be completely rebuilt, as everyone I know gets sick if they have to travel and stay in a hotel. Everyone. The town is a disease festival of mold and who knows what all else. It is possible a bean counter thought it would be possible to pass off any illnesses from passengers off on NOLA air quality. Not saying they did, but the idea I would even think of such a possibility shows how far Carnival has fallen in trust.

 

When was the last time you were there? I admit before Katrina the place was nasty. I went 2 years ago and had an awesome time! Stayed at a charming hotel in the French Quarter, had some of the best food ive ever eaten. Watched the street performers and shopped and them gambled some at Harrahs. I never got sick and the air quality was not bad!

[caribill]

Just wait until everyone is off the ship.... I am guessing that 3/4 of them made the best of it and, stayed drunk, laughed, made new life long friends, enjoyed extended vacation.. The other 1/4 bitched about everything!!!! I've been on trips (even on the Triumph) with all day bitching even in good conditions....

 

A quote from one of the passengers:

"She said it was like a tent city, that it was like a big camping trip for her. She said they were still having fun and still trying to make the best of it."

[declansdad]

Actually, if it wasn't for the cost, Carnival could have done this quite easily. They'd have to charter some passenger ships (easily done in any tourist port) and then just transfer them with their tenders.

 

At tender ports they routinely turn-over passengers in just over a couple of hours.

 

They knew (or should have) that those engines would never run again. It's not rocket surgery. The only thing preventing them was, as always, COST.

 

Will this bad publicity hurt them? No. There are plenty of shills just waiting for this discounted service at a discounted price.

 

YMMV

 

How many times to people have to be told this is not a safe way to get these passengers off of a ship in the middle of the ocean.

[cherylroslyn]

Is that those "this beats last year's vacation" commercials by Carnival are still playing...

I think at this point I would welcome the Grizzly Bear and the Mountain Lion shaking the car trying to pry it open for food........

[Trainman-2]

Read This...

 

 

Carnival Splendor Fire Redux: How Does This Happen Again (and Again)?

 

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=5201

[Half Pint]

The channel is ~400 YARDS wide, or ~1200 feet. I suspect the turning basin is wider, but even at 1200 feet there's just enough to turn it. They'll put two tugs at opposite corners and push, and she'll spin in a circle.

 

Everything I have been able to find online says the channel is anywhere from 400-775 FEET wide, including the Mobile Harbor's own website.

[RRLLAL]

Love the titles coming across from CNN. Floating Petri dish, hell on high waters, crippled cruise limps to port, Befouled ship and the list goes on. Carnival has to love this.

 

 

Actually the fact is, you and a few others are enjoying it. Anyone paying attention knows who wants to see as much bad news as possible splash across the screen.

 

Sent using my Commodore 64 on Tapatalk 5.3

[Lionesss]

I read about the compensation that will be provided.

Re-imbursed for this cruise and on board expenses except casino, gift shop.

Monetary, cannot remember the amount.

And another cruise voucher...........now is that on a 4, 7 or 9 day cruise??? (just wondering).

Sea ya

[kennicott]

does anyone else find it odd that the whale tale is lit up?

 

 

 

 

vessels or objects being towed, shall exhibit:

•(i) if it is less than 25 meters in breadth, one all-round white light at or near the front end and one at or near the after end except that dracones need not exhibit a light at or near the forward end;

•(ii) if it is 25 meters or more in breadth, two or more additional all-round white lights at or near the extremities of its breadth;

•(iii) if it exceeds 100 meters in length, additional all-round white lights between the lights prescribed in subparagraphs (i) and (ii) so that the distance between the lights shall not exceed 100 meters.;

•(iv) a diamond shape at or near the aftermost extremity of the last vessel or object being towed and if the length of the tow exceeds 200 meters an additional diamond shape where it can best be seen and located as far forward as is practicable.

 

(h) When from any sufficient cause it is impracticable for a vessel or object being towed to exhibit the lights or shapes prescribed in paragraph (e) or (g) of this Rule, all possible measures shall be taken to light the vessel or object being towed or at least indicate the presence of such vessel or object.

[ducklite]

Seriously, you should read what you type before you reply:

I said of course, they dropped new supplies. This was done PRIOR to anyone boarding, from the live feed from the Gospel Network that everyone quotes here, CNN.

Are you trying to imply that the crew was slacking on basic cleaning until they heard they were getting close to docking and that Customs and Coast Guard was about to board? Please point me to the link where NTSB supposedly are onboard.

 

Oh, and I have no pom poms - quite frankly I haven't sailed CCL in years, I'm just a level minded person who believes in hearing all of the facts.

 

I don't think the crew was slacking at all. I do believe that they were ordered to stop some of the other things they had been working on to make the ship look less like a refugee camp.

 

They will be able to shower, clean up , before boarding the bus. You can be certain of that.

 

Don't be so sure. There are no hotel rooms booked for them in Mobile per Carnival.

[2013LibertyCruiser]

Deadspin received texted updates from a freelancer sports writer. Allegedly, a woman had a heart attack.

 

link

[airmj2123]

Deadspin received texted updates from a freelancer sports writer. Allegedly, a woman had a heart attack.

 

link

 

I now have this boat is on fire stuck in my head.

[FSUNole]

Deadspin received texted updates from a freelancer sports writer. Allegedly, a woman had a heart attack.

 

link

 

This "freelance" writer has already been skewered by the cheerleaders. Called him "unemployed", "loser", etc... because he works for himself instead of punching a clock and working for "the man". Truth be told, many writers are freelance and make a great living.

[Major Kincaid]

Long time lurker reading lots of things, but I'm somewhat appalled by some of the posts on this thread. (FYI: I've had a close call before when the Viking Serenade got Shigella when I was young so handling of situations are second nature to me now)

 

 

Anyways, I work as an IT auditor. I focus a lot on "Business Continuity/Disaster Recovery, Risk Management and Process Improvement."

 

As I've watched this entire situation unfold, here are my some thoughts as an outside observer. By no means are these conclusive findings, just some observations and food for thought.

 

The Positives:

• From what I'm reading, Carnival has so far managed the situation well. Is there room for improvement? Definitely.
  
• Carnival Operations redirected several of its own ships to provide supplies. It also appears Operations were scrambling to make sure resources are available not just on the high-seas but on land as well (hotels, transportation.) Another forum I'm a member of indicated that Carnival had lots of chartered flights and hotels waiting for the crew and passengers of the Triumph in Mexico but those plans were thrown out the window after the Triumph drifted.
  
• Crew's diligence and rising to the occasion.
  

 

The Questions to Ask:

 

The question I would be asking as management would be:

• If fire broke out again and knocked out all propulsion and electric generation capabilities, what could we do to minimize the risk of fire AND what could we do to ensure we have some electrical generation capability?
  
• Our fire fighting processes were successful in suppressing the fire, but is there anything that could be done to minimize the risks of not being able to produce electricity on board? Maybe even improve fire suppression processes/capabilities so we still have power but not propulsion?
  
• What processes could we improve upon to help our crew care for our customers when there are lack of functioning facilities?
  
• What could we do as Carnival to improve customer care and comfort in situations such as this one?
  
• Where were the breakdowns? What was suppose to work and yet didn't?
  

 

Misc Thoughts (Not trying to be an apologist, just trying to keep some things in perspective):

 

• It's quite easy to Monday morning quarterback. The crews are always trained well on their normal day to day duties, but we're also not dealing not normal operations right now.
  
• No doubt the crew is trying to write the manual on how to address the situations currently and trying to execute it at the same time. The Crew is "likely" (I'm making huge assumptions here) briefed to fight fires, deal with storms, the ship sinking, but probably not with the lack of electricity on board for an extended period of time.
  

 

In all, (at least what I know of) Carnival has had two fires on two that knocked out power in three years. Both times from what I read the situations were borderline uncomfortable to unmanageable.

 

While I do not know if its true or not, it would be foolish not to address the gaps in processes that has lead to the breakdown in conditions. Carnival has definitely done well in some aspects in managing this situation, but in other areas, has needs much improvement.

[DryCreek]

How many times to people have to be told this is not a safe way to get these passengers off of a ship in the middle of the ocean.

 

Apparently many, many more. The "armchair commodores" are full of great ideas!

 

I've done small-boat transfers at sea. Not as easy to to as one would think. I guess that most don't realize that the two vessels do not roll and pitch at the same frequency. If you are lucky when you go into the drink, the cox'n or his mate can pull you in before the hulls crush you. If you are not lucky, well, then that there's a mess.

[MrPete]

The "Buzzard New Network" seems appropriate in light of their hyper-pathetic tabloid wall to wall coverage. Really? .... an exclusive on board photo of a red bag full of human waste?

Is there no shame or compassion anymore?

 

CNN news puppets could all sit in a ditch ... and their feet would dangle. Can't get much lower than that!

 

I am truly living in a world I do not understand.

 

So CNN is the villain in this story? I'm readIng the oddest conclusions tonight.

[CanWeGoYet?]

Having stayed in Mobile COUNTLESS times over the last 20 years I can assure you there are a NUMBER of nice hotels in the Mobile area. In FACT TA list 20 different hotels 4 star or greater.

 

How much different does an "infrastructure" need to be to handle a ship with 2600 pax(Elation) vs one with 3400 pax(Triumph)?

 

?????

 

This is what I recall info wise from a statement from Carnival. They booked up many rooms for the crew of the Triumph, who need to get off the ship too. Many more hotel rooms booked by Carnival corporate, to provide support to the passengers disembarking. Much of the remaining decent hotel space had been booked by family of passengers on the ship, who wish to be there to greet their loved ones. This did not leave adequate hotel space to book for the disembarking passengers.

[2013LibertyCruiser]

This "freelance" writer has already been skewered by the cheerleaders. Called him "unemployed", "loser", etc... because he works for himself instead of punching a clock and working for "the man". Truth be told, many writers are freelance and make a great living.

 

Weird, because the writer is a lady, with a very successful sports website.

[FSUNole]

I now have this boat is on fire stuck in my head.

 

Ditto... very funny.

[broberts]

Actually, if it wasn't for the cost, Carnival could have done this quite easily. They'd have to charter some passenger ships (easily done in any tourist port) and then just transfer them with their tenders.

 

At tender ports they routinely turn-over passengers in just over a couple of hours.

 

They knew (or should have) that those engines would never run again. It's not rocket surgery. The only thing preventing them was, as always, COST.

 

Will this bad publicity hurt them? No. There are plenty of shills just waiting for this discounted service at a discounted price.

 

YMMV

 

Interesting that some consider the on-scene USCG captain's professional opinion wrong.

[MrPete]

Love the titles coming across from CNN. Floating Petri dish, hell on high waters, crippled cruise limps to port, Befouled ship and the list goes on. Carnival has to love this.

 

It's quite funny and pathetic. And usually doesn't match what they are talking about. Right now I'm looking at "Cruise Ship Nightmare".

[airmj2123]

Weird, because the writer is a lady, with a very successful sports website.

 

Regardless of what they make writing, success isn't measured in what you make... Plenty of people want to make as much money as possible and work as hard as possible because that is what they decide is success for them... Others would rather flexibility in their working environment because that is what they think is success... I don't understand why people would attack anyone for THEIR career choice... Personally I work in a combination of education (college level) and consulting, so I guess sometimes during the summer I am also unemployed... My job is tons of fun and while I probably could make more money working a desk consulting job, I like the ability to go home at 3PM most days. (Except this week when I am consulting on a SAS project and have been working in between posts) (If you know what SAS is, you know my boring job :D)

[Cupcrazy]

[ducklite]

New Orleans should be completely rebuilt, as everyone I know gets sick if they have to travel and stay in a hotel. Everyone. The town is a disease festival of mold and who knows what all else. It is possible a bean counter thought it would be possible to pass off any illnesses from passengers off on NOLA air quality. Not saying they did, but the idea I would even think of such a possibility shows how far Carnival has fallen in trust.

 

I'm certainly not a cheerleader, but I've got to say I don't think that CCL's spin doctors would have come up with that one.

 

So I was just listening to CNN and they were talking about the comet that is going past tonight,

 

What are the odds that it is going to fall out of orbit, in the next few hours and if it does, land smack dab on the Mobile carnival dock, just in front of where the ship wants to park, holding up the passengers again.

 

Everything else that "shouldnt happen" has so I would watch the skys over Mobile tonight, just in case.

 

and mayby put a bet down in Vegas

 

OMG, I'm laughing. I shouldn't be, but that was really funny. Given the "if it go wrong..." of the cruise, well...

[shof515]

 

she is getting closer to the port (red square)