fire onboard Insignia

[c-legs]

 

Here is another perspective -- from the sharks point of view --

 

http://www.cruiselawnews.com/

Thanks for the link...I was wondering how long before those ambulance chasers/ predators around accidents for a ''bite '' show up.

I like your description: sharks . Those cynical heartless fanatically motivated guys do indeed ''smell flesh'' . The particular ''person'' writing the article is, shall we say...well known for this type of approach to ANY accident.

I'm more impressed by what the overall trend of reports from people on site ; given the nature of the incident and the casualties involved,, including the unavoidable inconveniences undoubtedly suffered by some,effort and results were as good as it can get.

.Cheers.

Prayers for the deceased

[rubric]

I've posted the pictures I took that day with timestamps on Facebook.

 

 

The news reports don't seem to be getting it quite right on a few points.

 

--- JRW

[S&G1968]

I've posted the pictures I took that day with timestamps on Facebook.

 

 

The news reports don't seem to be getting it quite right on a few points.

 

--- JRW

 

Thanks for those pictures...

 

What happens to those that don't fly? Are they put on another Cruise Ship back to Miami? (not sure if you saw anyone in this situation or if anyone else knows)

 

-Steve

[Honolulu Blue]

I've been following this thread even though I have no plans to sail on Oceania anytime soon. It's a tragic situation that seems to have been handled as well as possible by Oceania and the people of St. Lucia. My thoughts and prayers are with those who were inconvenienced by this, and especially the ones that didn't make it. And thank you to all of you that were there and have provided commentary.

 

My tiny, tenuous connection to this is I visited St. Lucia twice this year on the Carnival Valor. I'm pretty sure it was the Valor that was the Carnival ship in port that had a cameo role (they provided a little bit of food). I'm trying to imagine a similar thing on the Valor. With four times the number of passengers and crew of the Insignia, I think chaos would be the word of the day.

 

St. Lucia may not be the most developed or organized port in the world, but there are many worse places it could have happened. Like anywhere at sea.

 

This experience is far from over and will echo both far and wide. That's all I have to say. I now defer to others.

[kandj05]

I've posted the pictures I took

 

Thanks Rubric. It puts the situation more in perspective. Sorry that you, the other passengers and the crew had to experience all of this.

[rhohea]

I've posted the pictures I took that day with timestamps on Facebook.

 

 

The news reports don't seem to be getting it quite right on a few points.

 

--- JRW

 

Thank you Rubic for these photo's. I was on Insignia from 11/11 to 31/11 and am shocked by what happened.

 

I have a very good crew member friend who was right in the middle of all this and having spoken to him at length last Friday night from his hotel in Miami, I can tell you he will never be the same again. I am very worried about him. He certainly was not his normal layback self. Far from it and told me he did not feel up to going to another ship immediately. But where was he the following day back on another ship working.

 

I opened up your photo's to see him working with the ships Doctor & ambulance attendants in the door way of Insignia. He is a trained cook not a nurse nor had any medical training except what the ship has provided as part of normal O H & S.

 

It brought tears to my eyes. I am so, so proud of him.

 

Four years ago when he was visiting my husband & I in Australia for the 1st time, he saved my life by recognising I had early signs of Kidney failure. Specialist told us that had I not got medical attention when I did I would have been dead within the hour. I had total renal failure & spent 18 days in a specialist renal unit - for 15 of these days I lapsed in and out of consciousness. Between my husband and this crew member friend I was not alone the whole 15 days. He had the hotel in Sydney call a doctor to me and phoned my husband to tell him to fly to Sydney ASAP. None of this I remember but hotel, hospital staff & my husband told me what had happened.

 

He also did not retrieve all his belongings from his cabin and will probably never get all his belongings back including spare work boots etc. But he is not one to complain & will battle on with only 1 pair. So many of the crew lost personal items it was not just passengers. And lets be real here, what passengers on an Oceania cruise could not afford to loose some clothing/luggage. We can afford to loose these items but most crew cannot. We must remember that.

 

I just wish I could afford to go back over to him to make sure he get some counselling as he would not ask for it himself as he always says there are others worse off than him. Some nationalities have never had access to things like counselling etc. & some are made to think it is a sign of weakness & think they just have to keep working to be paid so they can support their families and extended families and neglect their own well being. But then again I wonder if their employer offers it to those involved to the extent he was. Maybe they should be given it whether say they want it or not. On Friday night he had not been offered counselling and was back at work on another ship on Saturday.

 

I know or should I say I assume they would normally be made to attend debriefing but how would they in this situation when crew went to different parts of the world either on other ships or to their home country?

 

I want to fly to Miami & get on his ship to talk to him and I know he would be honest with me and then get him some help if he needs it. Shame about the price for the solo traveller cruising on "O".:mad: The cost of the airfare is the cheap part & the 18 hours flying time + 4 hour layover in LA are the easy/cheap part.

 

That is it from me on this subject, I have raved on enough but after seeing your photo's including the one with my friend in it, I had to say "How very proud of him we are."

 

I would like to think that someone from "O" or Apollo will thank him and ALL the crew for their efforts in the way of some sort of Cash bonus". But.....

Edited December 15, 2014 by rhohea

[Caroldoll]

I looked at this thread yesterday and I noticed everyone is having "ideas" on how to carry medications efficiently. If you go on Amazon, there are little bags called EZY Dose Pill Pouch. They are lightweight, and have a place to write on them. They are very efficient. Size 2 X 3". This is a good way to carry them in your pocket if you are a man, or in your purse if you are a woman. We always have them with us.

[Caroldoll]

I have a friend in management at Oceania. I know employees of Oceania were also working all day Saturday to make sure passengers were taken care of. This person worked until 7:00 P.M. making arrangements and helping in other ways. It should be noted that Oceania is now owned by NCL and they are footing all the bills for this. I understand that each passenger was given a very generous allowance per deium for food, clothes and lodging as well as their own insurance which will not pay up front. I believe that NCL/Oceania handled this in the best way they could. It is understandable that everything can not be perfect instantly.

[seasoned]

rhohea,

 

Thank you so much for your post and your insight to one of the many heroic and caring crew members.

 

Besides the deep sadness I feel about the fatalities, I have empathy for the inconvenienced passengers. But I have nothing but admiration for the crew. What was tough for the passengers to endure must have been sheer hell for the crew. They suffered much more trauma than the guests, having to perform above and beyond their normal duties, under stress, and after their usual long work hours. Now many of them will be out of jobs, at least temporarily, and the families they support will suffer as well.

 

I’m sure many more stories like this will emerge. Your idea of the crew getting counseling is a good one, and I hope Oceania hears you.

 

-Sukey-

[rhohea]

rhohea,

 

I’m sure many more stories like this will emerge. Your idea of the crew getting counseling is a good one, and I hope Oceania hears you.

 

-Sukey-

 

Hi Sukey. You know the crew member I am talking about and know how close DH & I am to him so you can imagine how useless I feel sitting here, unable to help him and I know from talking to him last Friday that it has affected him more than he will ever let on but know I could help. He is too proud to ask for help.

I have been unable to contact him since then as he did not get his phone charger from his cabin so his phone is dead and he is now at sea on Riviera. :(

Edited December 15, 2014 by rhohea

[Merriem]

I've posted the pictures I took that day with timestamps on Facebook.

 

 

The news reports don't seem to be getting it quite right on a few points.

 

--- JRW

 

Enjoyed your pictures and the captions. You mentioned Cory the cruise director kind of disappeared. Was he replaced? Last month our cruise was his first, and he seemed very nervous.

[I_r_a]

>I think as we age our tolerance for dealing with stress is greatly reduced ..I know I seem to be less able to deal with situations that would normally not bother me a few yrs ago. <

 

Ask your healthcare provider if Zoloft is right for you.

 

It has certainly helped me.

 

Ira

[Mura]

Thanks Rhonda for your discussion of the crew's plight, and especially for your friend. Passengers may have been inconvenienced by having to sit in uncomfortable circumstances for many hours, but the crew had to continue working. And as you say, it's far more distressing for them to lose their possessions than it would be for most (if not all) of the passengers.

 

I hope he does get the counselling that you hope for. I'm assuming this is the same friend who was on Insignia back in 2010 when we did the Norway cruise? If you are able to talk to him soon, please let him know that we are all pulling for him and his crewmates.

 

Mura

[LHT28]

Rhonda I do hope your friend will accept help if offered but we know how stubborn he can be at times ;)

 

Maybe someone on the ship will have a phone charger that will work with his

 

Hopefully they will make counselling mandatory for the crew from Insignia

 

Many crew members go above & beyond & are never given the credit

 

 

Take care

 

Lyn

[bagadonitz]

My thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families.

 

My hope for humanity is buoyed by this thread. It seems you people who were on this sailing are realists and have given a sensible evaluation of this.

 

I was delighted to read about Dr.S. It is people like these that make the world go around amid the complaining and hand wringing of often negative people.

 

As a first responder myself I can tell you that some of these events can stick with you for years and pop up at the strangest of times to haunt you. Particularly when the victims are acquaintances. A support network is vital and I hope any crew members who were involved get the opportunity to avail of that support.

 

We are in our late 30's and have twice cruised with our children in the past 14 months on Oasis and Allure OTS. I shudder to think of the disaster that could happen if this were to happen at sea on a ship with that level of passenger and crew load. I'm confident in RCI and their procedures but when you have that many people and a real emergency panicked masses could quickly take over. I think in the future I will be taking more time to evaluate my cabin choice and its proximity to muster stations when booking these vacations.

Edited December 15, 2014 by bagadonitz

[Floridiana]

I've posted the pictures I took that day with timestamps on Facebook.

 

 

The news reports don't seem to be getting it quite right on a few points.

 

--- JRW

 

Rubric,

 

Thanks for posting these pictures. Now I understand where the ship is located. I always wondered why people were talking about a ferry terminal and warehouse. I was in St. Lucia on the other side of the harbor.

 

As to news reports. They copy from each other. Whatever the first writer produces, that's what is being reported everywhere.

[buggins0402]

I've been following this thread even though I have no plans to sail on Oceania anytime soon. It's a tragic situation that seems to have been handled as well as possible by Oceania and the people of St. Lucia. My thoughts and prayers are with those who were inconvenienced by this, and especially the ones that didn't make it. And thank you to all of you that were there and have provided commentary.

 

My tiny, tenuous connection to this is I visited St. Lucia twice this year on the Carnival Valor. I'm pretty sure it was the Valor that was the Carnival ship in port that had a cameo role (they provided a little bit of food). I'm trying to imagine a similar thing on the Valor. With four times the number of passengers and crew of the Insignia, I think chaos would be the word of the day.

 

St. Lucia may not be the most developed or organized port in the world, but there are many worse places it could have happened. Like anywhere at sea.

 

This experience is far from over and will echo both far and wide. That's all I have to say. I now defer to others.

 

Yes, it was Valor that was in port with us. In addition to food, I heard (this was second hand from another passenger) that the Valor and the MSC ship ( think it was the Musica) sent over medical personnel to see if they were needed. As to the food, that was a definite....the CD expressed thanks to Carnival. I was unlucky...the burgers ran out just as I reached the front of the line, but I managed to snag some barbecued chicken.

 

As to the people of St. Lucia, those at the airport obviously worked through the night, since our flight did not leave until 6 am. They were very understanding and tried to make the process of the forms that needed to be filled out as easy as possible. I'm sure their hard work continued as the crew also had to be processed.

 

While we were still back at the ferry terminal, after all the other groups had bussed out, I spoke to a woman who started collecting the chairs. She indicated that besides getting the chairs in short order a ton of behind the scenes things went on to pull off the evacuation as quickly as they did.

[jertom]

 

As to news reports. They copy from each other. Whatever the first writer produces, that's what is being reported everywhere.

 

Well said. And worse, one could conclude that since all reports agree, they must be true. :mad:

[Winner]

Thanks to all of you that posted first-hand accounts; we who read CC know the "real story" of the aftermath .

 

I am in awe of the response from:

Carnival and MSC

St. Lucia's government

St. Lucia's residents

officers and crew of Insignia

Dr. S

 

Kudos to NCL for arranging flights to Miami and beyond, for hotels/meals in Miami and for the brand-new CEO "being there".

 

I have not sailed Oceania yet--I am impressed enough now to do so.

[Travelcat2]

Thanks to all of you that posted first-hand accounts; we who read CC know the "real story" of the aftermath .

 

I am in awe of the response from:

Carnival and MSC

St. Lucia's government

St. Lucia's residents

officers and crew of Insignia

Dr. S

 

Kudos to NCL for arranging flights to Miami and beyond, for hotels/meals in Miami and for the brand-new CEO "being there".

 

I have not sailed Oceania yet--I am impressed enough now to do so.

 

I've been following this thread but must have missed something. Wasn't the president of PCH in St. Lucia -- not the CEO of NCL? I am under the impression that Oceania and Regent are still being managed by PCH (although NCL is the owner of PCH).

[njhorseman]

I've been following this thread but must have missed something. Wasn't the president of PCH in St. Lucia -- not the CEO of NCL? I am under the impression that Oceania and Regent are still being managed by PCH (although NCL is the owner of PCH).

 

I believe the poster is mistakenly referring to PCH's new President and COO, Jason Montague, as the CEO.

[CruiserM1]

My thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families.

 

My hope for humanity is buoyed by this thread. It seems you people who were on this sailing are realists and have given a sensible evaluation of this.

 

I was delighted to read about Dr.S. It is people like these that make the world go around amid the complaining and hand wringing of often negative people.

 

As a first responder myself I can tell you that some of these events can stick with you for years and pop up at the strangest of times to haunt you. Particularly when the victims are acquaintances. A support network is vital and I hope any crew members who were involved get the opportunity to avail of that support.

 

We are in our late 30's and have twice cruised with our children in the past 14 months on Oasis and Allure OTS. I shudder to think of the disaster that could happen if this were to happen at sea on a ship with that level of passenger and crew load. I'm confident in RCI and their procedures but when you have that many people and a real emergency panicked masses could quickly take over. I think in the future I will be taking more time to evaluate my cabin choice and its proximity to muster stations when booking these vacations.

 

Hi,

 

Your post captures why ship safety is the most important criteria when deciding which cruise line and ship to sail.

 

You are right. If the RCL ships Oasis or the Allure had a major fire, the chaos and confusion resulting would be magnified to which I wouldn't even want to contemplate.

 

This is some good stuff from US Coast Guard website:

 

http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg5/csncoe/topdefs.asp

 

Happy Sailing

Edited December 16, 2014 by CruiserM1

[Winner]

I believe the poster is mistakenly referring to PCH's new President and COO, Jason Montague, as the CEO.

I did err in Mr. Montague's title but I do admire his quick reaction and compassion for passengers and the crew of Insignia.

[njhorseman]

Hi,

 

Your post captures why ship safety is the most important criteria when deciding which cruise line and ship to sail.

 

You are right. If the RCL ships Oasis or the Allure had a major fire, the chaos and confusion resulting would be magnified to which I wouldn't even want to contemplate.

 

This is some good stuff from US Coast Guard website:

 

http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg5/csncoe/topdefs.asp

 

Happy Sailing

 

Without a single detail of which deficiencies were found on which ships, this page is useless in helping a consumer factor safety records into their choice of cruise line or ship, so I don't find it in the least bit interesting (And most of the deficiencies were corrected immediately).

Edited December 16, 2014 by njhorseman

[PaulMCO]

Hi,

 

Your post captures why ship safety is the most important criteria when deciding which cruise line and ship to sail.

 

You are right. If the RCL ships Oasis or the Allure had a major fire, the chaos and confusion resulting would be magnified to which I wouldn't even want to contemplate.

 

This is some good stuff from US Coast Guard website:

 

http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg5/csncoe/topdefs.asp

 

Happy Sailing

 

You are correct in the Chaos parts but the newer ships are more resistant to to these types of incidents and are better designed to handle such a fire. Allure has had an engine room fire in 2012 but has a High Fog extinguishing system which quickly extinguished this.

 

We will never know what really happened but from my Engineer's point of view -- was there a similar cause of that from Azmara Quest's fire? I hope the NTSB will look at that.