Carnival will not pay for Coast Guard Assistance

[awhcruiser]

Yawn......

 

http://www.nbcnews.com/travel/carnival-triumph-broke-loose-dock-ala-shipyard-1C9201251#/travel/carnival-tells-rockefeller-it-wont-pay-u-s-rescues-1C9201922

[world~citizen]

Seriously, is this the road that we want to go down? To me, this would be wrong on just about any level of what is right and wrong

 

LOL

 

First, I doubt any potential scenario would fall quite as you dramatize. Second, it has already started.

 

Search and rescue is starting to invoice people for searches under certain circumstances in Canada, and this is not a Canadian innovation. Others in the thread have spoken to some fire departments in the US and this is happening more and more. The fact someone posted this thread is a sign of the times.

 

I am not saying it is right or wrong, it just is. Wake up and smell the coffee, national treasuries are bare. You wondered what the "new normal" is? It is staring you in the face.

[Wanna_Cruise]

New letters from Carnival Corporation to Senator Jay Rockefeller indicate that the cruise line has no intent to reimburse the U.S. Coast Guard and Navy for assistance in the recent Carnival Triumph accident, the 2010 Carnival Splendor incidents, or any future problem where they require help from the U.S. government to aid a distressed vessel.

The senator from West Virginia penned a letter March 14 to Carnival CEO Micky Arison alleging that the U.S. Coast Guard responded to 90 “serious events” involving Carnival ships over five years, and that the Coast Guard and Navy had shelled out $4.2 million to cover the Carnival Triumph and Carnival Splendor incidents. The senator asked whether Carnival, since it pays “little or nothing in federal taxes,” will reimburse the Coast Guard and Navy.

 

90 serious events over 5 years.....don't pay taxes to fund the Coast Guard. Coast Guard (funded by Homeland Security) and Navy (funded by DOD) spent $4.2 million on 2 incidents in the last couple months.

 

Why shouldn't Carnival need to pay something for this?

 

Well ... here we go again ... I recommend you read the entire letters from Carnival in response.

[world~citizen]

It's a shame that people would think it's right to charge those in distress for providing assistance and compassion during a time of crisis.

 

I think the way it is shaping up they will not charge the souls in distress, but the company that put them in that situation if negligence is involved.

 

Its a new world out there and don't be surprised if SAR becomes a for profit business.

[Beau222]

Has anyone caught this part of Carnival's response?

 

It cost USCG and the Navy a total of $3.4m to respond to Splendor, and USCG’s costs for Triumph were $780,000. US taxpayers foot these bills. ‘Given that you reportedly pay little or nothing in federal taxes, do you intend to reimburse the Coast Guard and the Navy ... ?’ Rockefeller asked.

 

Carnival’s answer, in a nutshell: No.

 

The company said its policy is to ‘honor maritime tradition that holds that the duty to render assistance at sea to those in need is a universal obligation of the entire maritime community. The cruise industry is no exception and ... we frequently render assistance at sea at our own cost, on our own initiative or at the direct request of the US Coast Guard and other authorities.’

 

Hunn cited 11 times in the last 12 months that USCG requested cruise ship assistance within Florida and Caribbean waters and attached a March 25 USCG news release commending Carnival Breeze for diverting to facilitate the medical evacuation of two people from a sailboat.

 

 

Thank you for posting the second side to this story.

[rseikaly22]

I am A huge fan of Carnival Cruise Lines. That being said Carnival and the other cruise lines don't have to pay that coast guard at for helping them in any type of accident. the reason being is because the cruise companies don't have to pay taxes to the u.s. and that the ships aren't made in the U.S. they are made in other countries.

[world~citizen]

1)

3) If Carnival pulled out of US ports, the economy would hurt a lot more than the money for services rendered.

 

But if Carnival is backstopped by the government what is the incentive to pursue excellence or even higher standards of ship safety?

 

Perhaps they should pay those bills, it could be offered, and let the free enterprise system do its job. If Carnival pulls out, other companies with better ship safety records will move in.

 

Isn't that the magic of the marketplace?

[firekapy]

IMHO, I don't see this any differently than the NPS or a local SAR team charging for the search for someone who got lost due to negligence. If it is proved that Carnival was negligent than by all means they should have to reimburse the Coast Guard something.

[swedish weave]

But if Carnival is backstopped by the government what is the incentive to pursue excellence or even higher standards of ship safety?

 

Perhaps they should pay those bills, it could be offered, and let the free enterprise system do its job. If Carnival pulls out, other companies with better ship safety records will move in.

 

Isn't that the magic of the marketplace?

 

Carnival is paying ( losing) millions because they have had to cancel many cruises to get their ships back in shape. Do you think ANY corporate executive would survive if they were doing business in the way you are suggesting ?

 

The costs of USCG service are miniscule compared to the losses the company is facing right now.

 

The amount of money the USCG spent in handling the Carnival situation is not as much as ONE of Michelle's vacations !!!! Check the numbers.

[airmj2123]

But if Carnival is backstopped by the government what is the incentive to pursue excellence or even higher standards of ship safety?

 

Perhaps they should pay those bills, it could be offered, and let the free enterprise system do its job. If Carnival pulls out, other companies with better ship safety records will move in.

 

Isn't that the magic of the marketplace?

 

The incentive is in the fact that it costs them millions and millions when they something goes wrong... The USCG services are already paid for because of the fees CCL pays in order to use US ports to embark from.

[cruiser4four]

Well this certainly does not have anything to do with cruising but here goes...ok I'm going to take the high road here and restrain comment on your ignorance about NYC and the horrifying events that occurred on 9/11. You would not feel that way if it happened in your neighborhood - to people you know...

 

So World Citizen you think Saddam Hussein should have remained in power to terrorize the Iraqi people and continue his quest to promote terrorism throughout the World? WOW- really?

 

Regarding your misinformed and arrogant comment about billing the United States..

 

Don't despair - The US pays dearly. The United States gives Billions upon Billions upon Billions of our hard earned tax dollars in undeserved Foreign Aid to undeserved countries like Iraq...and why, so we can protect ourselves against individuals that want to destroy what our Forefathers fought for- Freedom and Liberty!

 

Look it up...

Foreignassistance.gov

 

Warning to US Citizens - disgusting website alert!

 

You must be real joy to be around at dinner parties World Citizen..

 

"Don't Tread On Me!"

 

This board is certainly not a platform for politics and therefore I apologize to the monitors - but the post by World Citizen deserved a response. Seavoyage Out...

 

 

 

I live in NYC and had friends who worked in the Twin Towers. You are wrong, Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11. Thousands of innocent Iraqi men, women, and children lost their lives or limbs because of our unnecessary invasion of that country. Whether Saddam Hussein was terrorizing his people or not it still does not lend any credibility to the idea that he attacked America on 9/11...he did not. You are wrong.

 

Btw, I had a good laugh at your 'destroy our freedom and liberty' bit lol. Again, you do realize that Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11, right?

[Crusing from Colorado]

::Note to self::

 

"Why do you even read these posts? :confused::confused: It's obvious this post, like others of it's ilke is just meant to stir up trouble"

 

I promise to do better about choosing how to waste my time!:o

[meluvtogocruise]

Well this certainly does not have anything to do with cruising but here goes...ok I'm going to take the high road here and restrain comment on your ignorance about NYC and the horrifying events that occurred on 9/11. You would not feel that way if it happened in your neighborhood - to people you know...

 

So World Citizen you think Saddam Hussein should have remained in power to terrorize the Iraqi people and continue his quest to promote terrorism throughout the World? WOW- really?

 

Regarding your misinformed and arrogant comment about billing the United States..

 

Don't despair - The US pays dearly. The United States gives Billions upon Billions upon Billions of our hard earned tax dollars in undeserved Foreign Aid to undeserved countries like Iraq...and why, so we can protect ourselves against individuals that want to destroy what our Forefathers fought for- Freedom and Liberty!

 

Look it up...

Foreignassistance.gov

 

Warning to US Citizens - disgusting website alert!

 

You must be real joy to be around at dinner parties World Citizen..

 

"Don't Tread On Me!"

 

This board is certainly not a platform for politics and therefore I apologize to the monitors - but the post by World Citizen deserved a response. Seavoyage Out...

 

 

Thank you for standing up! :)

[meluvtogocruise]

There is simply no capability for Carnival or any other cruiseline or sea going vessel that needs assistance from the Coast Guard to pay for those services. The Senator even admitted that the Congress would have to pass laws to make that possible.

 

 

 

No, they have to subsidize all who are in need of rescue within the coastal waterways that the CG is responsible for and required by current law to serve.

 

 

My thoughts exactly! :)

 

Thank you!

[meluvtogocruise]

Hopefully Senator Jay Rockefeller is reading this post because I would like to say something to him as a citizen of the United States that he has sworn to work for and serve.

 

PLEASE STOP WASTING YOUR TIME WITH THIS WITCH HUNT! We have greater needs in this country and we can't be wasting tax payers dollars on bullying a Cruise Line about unfortunate situations plaguing their operations. This will not cost the Cruise Lines or our Government. It will cost all of us tax payers so I ask that you please end this now!

 

 

Amen to that!!

 

People are missing the point of this "witch hunt" and that is exactly what it is.

 

This is Smear Campaign. It doesn't matter that Carnival can't be billed, it only matters that people start hating Carnival.

 

I suspect they would like to destroy this industry.

 

 

Mel

[keyguide]

I don't think said services were invited.:eek:

Most folks forget that. I sure wouldn't want that service here.

[evandbob]

Over 80% of responders on an internet poll of the general public felt that CCL should pay for the assistance it received. Interesting how that differs from respondents here.

[meluvtogocruise]

Over 80% of responders on an internet poll of the general public felt that CCL should pay for the assistance it received. Interesting how that differs from respondents here.

 

 

This reminds me of the POTUS constantly stating the the "majority" of the American people agree with him.

 

You might consider that percentage of people polled that don't really have a clue!

[Cruizinman]

Over 80% of responders on an internet poll of the general public felt that CCL should pay for the assistance it received. Interesting how that differs from respondents here.

 

Strange thing happen to me last night, met with a few friends for the evening and was surprised when the conversation turned to this very topic.

All these folks were angry at carnival as well.

 

I strayed from the conversation ,but it did have me thinking of this topic here.

[FLACRUISER99]

To the folks that think Carnival should reimburse our US Coast Guard by the same token Carnival should also be reimbursed for any rescue assistance they render to the US Coast Guard.

[Talex831]

Over 80% of responders on an internet poll of the general public felt that CCL should pay for the assistance it received. Interesting how that differs from respondents here.

 

And 100% of those 80% are taxpayers who are fed up with paying their hard earned money out to a government who is writing checks their a$$ can't cash without taxing us more. Our government is a very broken system and anything that would alleviate the tax burden sounds good to tax payers. Respondents here have more knowledge of maritime law, the cruising industry, and the USCG than the general public on the Internet.

[Coolcruise02]

The Coast Guard is not there to help and protect Carnival Cruise Lines or any other company. They are there to protect human lives and our enviroment. The Coast Guard did not tow the Triumph' date=' a private tug company did. The Coast Guard did not repair the ship or get it into the dock. Carnival paid someone else for that. The Coast Guard provided coordination and assistance during the tow to ensure the safety of all the tax paying American passengers on board. They removed the sick and injured from the ship and brought supplies that would promote human life on board during the crisis. This is what I expect to get for my taxes. I am fine with this. Everyone is home safe and the Coast Guard did one hell of a job.

 

Do we reimburse the cop that stops when our car breaks down on the side of the highway? Some one posted that this is not the same thing. I strongly disagree. this is not about Carnival this is about all those people that were on board and had to go thru that. It's a shame that people would think it's right to charge those in distress for providing assistance and compassion during a time of crisis.

 

Bottom line is the Coast Guard did their job. They protected the lives of the passengers. They are home and safe. As for the Coast Guard, they have already been paid for by the tax payers that they protect. As for the poor Carnival Triumph, it's still playing bumper boats down in Mobile and I'm sure Carnival will have to pay for that.[/quote']

 

Well said!

I always assumed our tax dollars or the port fees a ship paid also covered the Coast Guard escort we get on sail-away.

[msstarr22]

http://www.nbcnews.com/travel/carnival-triumph-broke-loose-dock-ala-shipyard-1C9201251#/travel/carnival-tells-rockefeller-it-wont-pay-u-s-rescues-1C9201922

 

I pay my taxes, that covers it! The US Coast Guard is paid through taxes! I think this is another person out there jumping on the bandwagon to put CCL down. I am not in that court! I love Carnival and I feel this hype is just trying to bring down a company that is there for the everyday person. If I had to pay RCCL prices I would never get to cruise!:mad:

[meluvtogocruise]

I pay my taxes, that covers it! The US Coast Guard is paid through taxes! I think this is another person out there jumping on the bandwagon to put CCL down. I am not in that court! I love Carnival and I feel this hype is just trying to bring down a company that is there for the everyday person. If I had to pay RCCL prices I would never get to cruise!:mad:

 

Ditto!

 

Although, I could pay RCCL prices I have yet to be dissatisfied with Carnival.

 

Carnival was designed to reach us (people who couldn't afford to experience a cruise).

 

Mel

 

:) Practice staying happy, I think we're going to need it.

[Drazil65]

We absolutely were not invited into Iraq and Iraq had nothing to do with the 911 attacks...can we say lies and WMD????

 

Yeah ok then...