Bus crash in villa

[Esilef]

Tragic for all involved. P&O seems to be doing all they can to help those affected

[lyndarra]

Another thought on this. When on holidays one tends to be a little complacent about using seat belts in tour buses. We always wear them if they are there but our observations are that many don't bother, particularly in America.

It has always been in the back of my mind due to a young man I knew many years ago was killed in a bus crash in Turkey. Knowing someone it has happened to tends to drive it home in the memory.

In this latest incident we may never know for sure if seat belts were being worn or not.

Edited June 21, 2016 by lyndarra
grammar

[Fletch1]

Good point for all to remember in the future.

Does anyone know if it was a Ship organised tour or a private shoreside one from the locals ?

 

 

I think it was a ship tour as in a press release this afternoon, it said P&O have suspended all bookings with the tour operator until a full investigation is held.

[cassamanda]

According to tonights news reports, the tour bus veered onto the wrong side of the road when returning to the ship from a cultural tour and collided with a a local bus. That driver was unfortunately killed. The driver of the tour bus has been arrested.

 

Seat belts are fitted to all tour busses (coaches) operating out of Australian ports. Its a legal requirement to wear them however the tour guide/driver should remind you at the start of the tour.

[GUT2407]

According to tonights news reports, the tour bus veered onto the wrong side of the road when returning to the ship from a cultural tour and collided with a a local bus. That driver was unfortunately killed. The driver of the tour bus has been arrested.

 

Seat belts are fitted to all tour busses (coaches) operating out of Australian ports. Its a legal requirement to wear them however the tour guide/driver should remind you at the start of the tour.

 

But are seat belts required in Vila? I doubt it.

[LokiPoki]

But are seat belts required in Vila? I doubt it.

 

Our bus in Vila - a minibus, which was in better condition than most - only had a couple of working seatbelts, and had anything happened we'd have found ourselves trying to climb out windows as the door couldn't be opened from inside. That was on a ship tour.

 

In Suva our bus driver laughed at me putting on my belt and assured me he was a good driver. In fairness he was excellent - but I'd no desire to fly through the windscreen if we encountered someone who wasn't.

[cassamanda]

But are seat belts required in Vila? I doubt it.

 

Probably not but the bus did have belts of sorts by the looks.

[mrs and mrs]

Our bus in Vila - a minibus, which was in better condition than most - only had a couple of working seatbelts, and had anything happened we'd have found ourselves trying to climb out windows as the door couldn't be opened from inside. That was on a ship tour.

 

In Suva our bus driver laughed at me putting on my belt and assured me he was a good driver. In fairness he was excellent - but I'd no desire to fly through the windscreen if we encountered someone who wasn't.

 

Sad,Sad,Sad, you are so right in every comment.This is going to shake the tour industry up.They are beautiful people,trying to make as much money as they can,in a very short period.Lighting Josh Sticks,and meditating to Buddha and feeling for families of the injured and families and loved ones of the indigenous population.:(:(

[MicCanberra]

Another thought on this. When on holidays one tends to be a little complacent about using seat belts in tour buses. We always wear them if they are there but our observations are that many don't bother, particularly in America.

It has always been in the back of my mind due to a young man I knew many years ago was killed in a bus crash in Turkey. Knowing someone it has happened to tends to drive it home in the memory.

In this latest incident we may never know for sure if seat belts were being worn or not.

 

We always buckle up if belts are provided.

[MicCanberra]

Our bus in Vila - a minibus, which was in better condition than most - only had a couple of working seatbelts, and had anything happened we'd have found ourselves trying to climb out windows as the door couldn't be opened from inside. That was on a ship tour.

 

In Suva our bus driver laughed at me putting on my belt and assured me he was a good driver. In fairness he was excellent - but I'd no desire to fly through the windscreen if we encountered someone who wasn't.

 

When it comes to safety on some of the roads in these islands, I would wear a belt if they have them. Better safe than sorry.

[cruisine21]

We did a RCI ships tour in Moorea. My seat was broken and would not stay upright. I don't think my seat belt would have helped in an accident. I couldn't change seats because there were no other free seats available.

[WorldTravellerz]

Anyone know the tour companies name? We are going to Pt Vila in October and I don't want to use this company.

[NSWP]

Anyone know the tour companies name? We are going to Pt Vila in October and I don't want to use this company.

I don't think Carnival/P&O will use them for their shorex, but they might still operate and do private tours, unless the local authorities have taken them off the road.

[Miamia65]

And what would P&O have done if it wasn't a ship excursion?

 

The cruise ship passengers were seriously injured, I hope either way any cruise line would assist all of their passengers.

 

 

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[MicCanberra]

And what would P&O have done if it wasn't a ship excursion?

 

The cruise ship passengers were seriously injured, I hope either way any cruise line would assist all of their passengers.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

I would think they would have helped the passengers in some way but not necessarily to the same extent that they have now.

[Miamia65]

I would think they would have helped the passengers in some way but not necessarily to the same extent that they have now.

 

 

 

Really, so if they didn't organise the excursion and ten of their passengers were injured - they have no moral or other obligation to care for them and they should just then leave the port at the scheduled time?

 

I'm not asking you personally, just curious what people think is acceptable given the number of injured passengers and extent of injuries.

 

 

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[MommaBear55]

Really, so if they didn't organise the excursion and ten of their passengers were injured - they have no moral or other obligation to care for them and they should just then leave the port at the scheduled time?

 

I'm not asking you personally, just curious what people think is acceptable given the number of injured passengers and extent of injuries.

 

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The situation is very different if on a private tour vs a ship's sponsored tour. If you are doing things privately, the ship's responsibility ends when you step foot on the dock. My understanding, as I have only read about the process as I have been fortunate and not had to use it, is that the port agent who is a representative of Royal Caribbean, would be helpful in facilitating care and arranging transportation. The costs would fall onto the individual.

 

I am involved in disaster management as part of my job, and out really makes me wonder what kind of plan and resources these small islands have to cope with this kind of emergency.

 

I do think the ship should proceed on it's itinerary, as the thousands of people on board have paid for their cruise and there is nothing that those on the ship can really do to assist. The ship's officers certainly have a plan that would have come from the corporate level, whether it be emergency medical supplies and/or staff that they could leave behind to assist.

[The_Big_M]

And what would P&O have done if it wasn't a ship excursion?

 

The cruise ship passengers were seriously injured, I hope either way any cruise line would assist all of their passengers.

 

 

Assist yes, but I wouldn't have expected them to pay for air ambulances to another country.

[MicCanberra]

As the others have said, they may offer help, and would assist with friends or family (and their luggage) to get off the ship and also with arranging travel or medical assistance but the onus would be on the passenger and their insurance (if any).

[Kiwi Kruzer]

I wonder if the ships tours were actually arranged by P&O Australia or if they delegated the choices to the ships agent in Vila?

[mum and son]

Assist yes, but I wouldn't have expected them to pay for air ambulances to another country.

 

Agreed. I think they should show concern and compassion, offer assistance with family members or friends still onboard the ship and perhaps help with some organisation and communication back home etc - but medical costs/expenses would remain with the passengers. I can imagine that the ship may be delayed in port while staff assist with some things but would not expect significant disruptions to the remainder of the cruise for the other passengers.

 

I don't ever book ship tours, and will continue not to in most cases, but this is an unfortunate example of why it can be better to book them. It's like medical insurance... it seems expensive but if something goes wrong it is the best money ever spent.

[Guest012]

I wonder if the ships tours were actually arranged by P&O Australia or if they delegated the choices to the ships agent in Vila?

 

 

As quoted from the PO Australia booking and travel conditions, which of course remains unread by the greater majority:rolleyes::rolleyes:

 

 

Other Service Providers

While we specialise in cruising holidays, you may choose to book other services with us such as flights and shore tours. We can assist you in making these arrangements; however, we act only as a booking agent. The service providers are solely responsible for the information and service offered and their conditions will apply. Where possible, we will assist in addressing any concerns you may have with these service providers.

Any arrangements made with other service providers by or for you are your responsibility and entirely at your own risk.

 

 

I'ts not just PO with these terms and conditions in regards to shorex booked onboard Princess same wording RCCL more words same meaning........ Cunard really spell it out ..5 pages worth just on shore tours..... :eek::eek: .

 

Cunard does not provide or supply the excursion services. We will exercise reasonable care and skill in selecting the excursion providers and require them to comply with all relevant local,national and /or international standards and legislation. The health, safety and comfort of our guest sis paramount. We therefore require all shore excursion providers to have insurance and to have and to adhere to their own safety management systems. Cunard shall have no liability under any circumstances for claims arising as a result of the passenger participating in excursions or activitiesof any kind, please be aware that Cunard will invoice you for all medical care given onboard and you will also be responsible for the cost of any hospital visits on land.....

travel insurance people don't leave home without it.

[MicCanberra]

I don't ever book ship tours, and will continue not to in most cases, but this is an unfortunate example of why it can be better to book them. It's like medical insurance... it seems expensive but if something goes wrong it is the best money ever spent.

 

We do book Ship's tours but not all the time, sometimes they are the best option and value and they do have certain safeguards that private tours do not. Perhaps 1 in 4 tours that we do would be a ship's tour and (cruise itinerary dependent) we would likely do a tour in 1 in 2 ports if it is foreign ports (not including NZ or South Pacific).

 

For e.g. on the last trip we had 3 cruises in the Mediterranean which had 25 nights at seas and 20 ports of call, only Naples was the only port visited multiple times (3).

Of these ports, we did 9 tours, 6 were private tours that I organised via the roll call and 3 were ships tours (one was a tour/transfer to the airport). The remaining Eleven ports we just went ashore and explored ourselves or took a HOHO bus to help explore.:)

Edited June 23, 2016 by MicCanberra

[MicCanberra]

I'ts not just PO with these terms and conditions in regards to shorex booked onboard Princess same wording RCCL more words same meaning........ Cunard really spell it out ..5 pages worth just on shore tours..... :eek::eek: .

 

travel insurance people don't leave home without it.

 

Thanks for the clarification and the advice.

Edited June 23, 2016 by MicCanberra

[happysnapper]

Given the "small print" conditions re shorex set out above it looks like P&O went above and beyond by sending some of their medical team ashore to assist. Given that advanced medical facilities are very limited in Port Vila I am sure the Australian Paramedics working in Vanuatu where extremely grateful for any assistance from the ship. The situation would have been even worse on the smaller Pacific Islands.

Edited June 23, 2016 by happysnapper