Sailing into Charleston twice in one day - OOPS! Galaxy

[tallblonde]

Ship strands hundreds in Charleston

 

Security issue forces liner temporarily back to sea

 

BY RON MENCHACA

Of The Post and Courier Staff

 

Manny Zavolas was eating a Greek lunch in downtown Charleston on Wednesday afternoon when he got a frantic cell phone call from his wife aboard the Galaxy cruise ship with their two daughters.

 

Their vessel, berthed in Charles-ton for the day, was about to leave without him.

 

Though he didn't make it back to the ship in time, Zavolas was lucky. Hundreds of other passengers didn't even know the ship had left until they returned to the dock from tourist excursions in the city to find the ship gone.

 

The marooning was only temporary. The Galaxy was forced offshore by the U.S. Coast Guard for failing to file its manifest paperwork on time.

 

But for passengers left stranded without their belongings -- and in some cases without their family members -- it was an inconvenience. The incident also may have exposed a weakness in the port's security defenses.

 

Barrie Griffiths of Wales spent the balmy Lowcountry morning taking in the sights and strolling the City Market for souvenirs and walking back toward the ship to cool off when he saw it pulling away at about 2 p.m.

 

"I was just amazed," Griffiths said.

 

A former customs agent in England, Griffiths figured the ship was just repositioning. Other passengers panicked, thinking they had somehow gotten the ship's 4 p.m. departure time mixed up.

 

The ship was escorted 12 miles offshore -- out of U.S. waters -- to wait out the remainder of the 24-hour period required between its filing notice and its arrival in Charleston.

 

About 380 of the ship's 2,014 passengers were left behind when the ship finally pulled out. It was expected to return to the passenger terminal by 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.

 

Wednesday was not the first time the Galaxy has failed to file advance notice of its arrival, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. Last April, the cruise line was warned when it failed to file advance notice on two separate occasions. One of the earlier incidents happened in Charleston. The other was in San Juan.

 

Following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the U.S. Coast Guard strengthened advance-notice requirements for inbound passenger and cargo ships. Advance screening of passenger, crew and cargo lists enables maritime intelligence officials to spot abnormalities before ships arrive in port. The passengers were screened in Baltimore where they originally boarded.

 

"You don't want a ship coming in not knowing who is on it," said Joe Nesbitt of Moncks Corner, whose employer, BP Chemical, must provide notice for incoming barges. He and his wife, Sonja, stopped Wed-nesday to watch the ship depart.

 

In the Galaxy's case, the 96-hour advance notice rule did not apply. The vessel's voyage from the Port of Baltimore to Charleston did trigger a 24-hour notice rule.

 

The ship transmitted that notice electronically to its onshore offices about 11 p.m. Monday, Celebrity Cruises spokesman Michael Sheehan said. A few minutes later, it was forwarded from the company's offices to the Coast Guard.

 

But what Sheehan described as a "computer glitch" prevented the notice from reaching the Coast Guard until about 8 p.m. Tuesday. The Galaxy arrived in Charleston about 7 a.m. Wednesday. When the ship's horn sounded about noon Wednesday to signal it was leaving, Jennifer Cottrell wondered what was going on.

 

She didn't like the thought of being stranded in an unfamiliar city, even the most polite in the country. "In a way, it's scary, said the claims auditor from Maryland. "At least we are stateside. What if we were down in St. Thomas?"

 

Zavolas of Arlington, Va., was greeted at the dock by little more explanation than a letter passed out by the ship crew stating that the ship would be moving offshore for a few hours and would return to pick up the rest of its passengers.

 

"I hope my kids are not scared, wondering why Daddy got left behind," Zavolas said. "This is our first cruise."

 

Like many of the stranded passengers, he made the best of the extended stay, guessing he'd head back to the restaurant where he ate lunch.

 

Passenger Charlotte Koberg of Pennsylvania wanted to know where she and her husband could get a drink to pass the time. "I guess if we are going to be stuck somewhere, I would just as soon be stuck here," she said.

 

Some passengers joked that the ship's departure was designed to keep them in the city longer spending money.

 

"I think we were able to accommodate most of them with something to do this afternoon," said Suzanne Wallace of the Charleston Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.

 

The cruise line will face a civil penalty of up to $32,500 for the violation in Charleston, said Coast Guard spokesman Scott Carr. As for how the ship docked without adequate notice, the Coast Guard intends to review its procedures.

 

Celebrity Cruises doesn't dispute that its notice was late, Sheehan said. Still, the company questioned the Coast Guard's decision to force the ship offshore just hours before it would have left anyway.

 

"They did what they felt was appropriate," Sheehan said. "We don't necessarily agree with the action."

 

 May 4, 2003 Norway Cruise Countdown

 

Bermuda Star Line, Premier, 1 Carnival Mistake, Crown Majesty, Royal Cruise Lines, NCL, RCCL, Princess, Celebrity

 

**Hubby went on the 10/26/03 repositioning cruise on the Sea - and I redecorated the Living Room!! :-) **

[sgrissom]

Good Grief!

 

Galaxy 10/04

Galaxy 3/04

Summit 3/03

Spirit 3/02

Magic 8/00

Magic 8/99

Magic 8/98

[marc and jan]

I wouldn't know what to do if I saw my ship sailing away without me! That would be pretty scary!

 

SAILING THE GALAXY IN: <img src=http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&prgb=0000CC&cdt=2005;03;21;20;0;00&timezone=GMT-0800> <Marquee direction=left width=45%>Fantasy/97~~~Mercury/98~~~Century/99~~~Splendour/00~~~Zenith/01~~~Summit/02~~~Galaxy/03~~~Galaxy/04~~~Galaxy/05</Marquee>

[Randyk47]

Marc & Jan - Hope we don't have this problem with Galaxy! Even though we've never really come close the thought of the ship leaving without us is a spooky idea...especially in some of the ports I can think of. Looks like we're on the March 21, 2005 sailing with you...at least according to your count down clock. :-)

 

Until the Galaxy

 

 

[jgrkld]

Thanks, tallblonde, for posting.

 

One of my co-workers is on the Galaxy now, so I'll hear more about it Tuesday, when he returns to work. I think I read on this board that the Galaxy didn't leave until 7:30pm that night (Monday). There were high winds in Delaware, so the Atlantic could have been rough. Now this! It is his wife's first cruise. He really likes cruising, so I hope the rest of the cruise will be enjoyable and unproblematic and that this doesn't turn her off to cruising.

 

Well, if I were to have this happen to me in a port, Charleston would be the port. I've been there 5 times - twice with the Galaxy - and it is a lovely place full of many things to do while stranded for a few extra hours.

 

Celebrity Galaxy Eastern Caribbean 3/25/2002 & 11/24/2003; Celebrity Galaxy Western Caribbean 11/22/2002 & 4/18/2003; Celebrity Millennium Mediterranean 9/8/2003

[smeyer418]

here is the same report from Fairplay

HUNDREDS of passengers were stranded in Charleston, South Carolina yesterday when the US Coast Guard forced Celebrity Cruises’ Galaxy to leave port for several hours because of an improperly filed passenger manifest. Some of the 380 stranded passengers watched from the pier as their friends and families waved from the departing cruise ship at about 1400 hrs as the vessel – and the remaining 1,634 passengers - were escorted 12 n-miles offshore, beyond US territorial waters, to wait out the 24-hour notice period. The vessel eventually returned yesterday evening to resume its schedule. The cruise line now faces a potential $32,500 civil fine for a third offence relating to improperly filed manifests. The two previous incidents occurred in Charleston and San Juan and all involved the Galaxy, said Coast Guard Petty Officer Dana Warr. In the latest case, Celebrity Cruises spokesman Michael Sheehan said a "computer glitch" prevented the notice from reaching the Coast Guard in time.

 

Proud charter member of the PPS-Passport Pusher Society

 

Mother's Day on the Dawn

smeyer418@yahoo.com

Celebrity, NCL, Overnight Ferry, hydrofoil between countries, car ferries and river cruise and of course the Staten Island Ferry

[jgrkld]

Being stranded is annoying, but my husband and I actually might have liked being "stranded" in Charleston for a few hours. It's our favorite place in the US to visit. Tallblonde: you live in a wonderful place.

 

I wanted to add that we always cut out or write down the agent's name and phone for the port, which is listed in the ship's daily. That way if there are any problems, we can call the agent and get help or find out what is going on. We've never had to use it, but events like this can make it worth taking the name & number just in case.

[MISSYLOU]

Tallblonde, thank you for the update.

 

Thought since 911 the ships manifest had to be filed 7 days prior to sailing. I guess I just don't get it. I guess if it was sent electronicly the date and time sent and recieved would determine who made this mistake.

 

Karen & Paul

http://community.webshots.com/album/124134511FOjEih

Galaxy B2B 10/04

Mercury 03/04

Radiance 01/04

Summit 09/03, Infinity B2B Hawaii 03/03,Infinity 10/02,

Maasdam 07/02, Sun Princess 03/02,Maasdam 11/01,Statendam 07/01,Dolphin 1990?

 

[marc and jan]

Randyk47

 

Yes, we are on the same cruise! We just got off of the Galaxy Monday night and had a great time. We are really looking forward to going next March. We booked while onboard, but are doing our airfare ourselves. Can you tell us what the closest airport is to the port. I understand that none are really close, but which one should we fly into? Any help you can give us would be great. A little bit of background on us - We live in Greensburg, PA, I am 47 and my husband is 55. We cruise every year in March, and always on Celebrity.

 

Thanks!

Jan

 

SAILING THE GALAXY IN: <img src=http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&prgb=0000CC&cdt=2005;03;21;20;0;00&timezone=GMT-0800> <Marquee direction=left width=45%>Fantasy/97~~~Mercury/98~~~Century/99~~~Splendour/00~~~Zenith/01~~~Summit/02~~~Galaxy/03~~~Galaxy/04~~~Galaxy/05</Marquee>

 

 

[albertiger]

you can "strand" me in St. Thomas anytime!

 

"live long and prosper...so you may cruise!"

[MISSYLOU]

Is the Galaxy sailing out of Baltimore next March? I don't know the area but we are flying into BWI.

 

Albertiger, I love your quote ""live long and prosper...so you may cruise" words to live by.

 

Karen & Paul

http://community.webshots.com/album/124134511FOjEih

Galaxy B2B 10/04

Mercury 03/04

Radiance 01/04

Summit 09/03, Infinity B2B Hawaii 03/03,Infinity 10/02,

Maasdam 07/02, Sun Princess 03/02,Maasdam 11/01,Statendam 07/01,Dolphin 1990?

[Randyk47]

Marc & Jan - Wow! That's great we'll be on the same cruise...to meet somebody this far out is fantastic. The closest airport is Houston, TX. If X isn't supplying the transportation I'll be more than happy to get you some more info. Anyhow, it's not hard to get from Houston to Galveston. We live in San Antonio, TX, about a 4 hour drive from Galveston and not having to fly was one of the attractions to the Galaxy cruise. I'm 57 and my DW is 44. We also cruise in March normally because my birthday and our wedding anniversary are 21 March....makes it hard to forget. Drop me an email at rklug@sbcglobal.net if I can do anything for you. In the meantime here's the link to our homepage from our cruise last month.

 

Let's Cruise!

 

Until the Galaxy

 

 

[marc and jan]

Missylou,

 

The Galaxy is sailing out of Galveston TX next March. We've driven to her the last two years, we've been spoiled.

 

I LOVE YOUR BUNNY!!!

 

Jan

 

SAILING THE GALAXY IN: <img src=http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&prgb=0000CC&cdt=2005;03;21;20;0;00&timezone=GMT-0800> <Marquee direction=left width=45%>Fantasy/97~~~Mercury/98~~~Century/99~~~Splendour/00~~~Zenith/01~~~Summit/02~~~Galaxy/03~~~Galaxy/04~~~Galaxy/05</Marquee>

 

 

[marc and jan]

Randyk47,

 

My birthday is also in March! But we fly in March because of work restraints. It's either before April or after August. My husband runs the Recreation for Little League in our hometown and he's busy from April to August. March is such a nice break after the Holidays are over and the weather is bad. I sent you an email. Thanks for your help!

 

Jan

 

SAILING THE GALAXY IN: <img src=http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&prgb=0000CC&cdt=2005;03;21;20;0;00&timezone=GMT-0800> <Marquee direction=left width=45%>Fantasy/97~~~Mercury/98~~~Century/99~~~Splendour/00~~~Zenith/01~~~Summit/02~~~Galaxy/03~~~Galaxy/04~~~Galaxy/05</Marquee>

 

 

[Kainalu]

I am still laughing about this paragraph in the article:

 

She didn't like the thought of being stranded in an unfamiliar city, even the most polite in the country. "In a way, it's scary, said the claims auditor from Maryland. "At least we are stateside. What if we were down in St. Thomas?"

 

HAHAHAHAHA - at least we were stateside. What if we were in St. Thomas?" I assume she means the St. Thomas in the United States Virgin Islands????? HAHAHAHAHA

Sorry I am still laughing about that one.

[Randyk47]

Missylou - I double checked the Celebrity site and it looks like Galaxy starts it's Panama Canal itineraries in November 2004 and is out of Galveston through at least part of April 2005. If you're sailing Galaxy in March it won't be out of BWI which services Baltimore. I wasn't questioning you but myself since one of the deciding factors for Galaxy in March was that she was out of Galveston and we could drive there and save the airfare for a change. Thought maybe I had a senior moment and made a mistake.

 

Until the Galaxy

 

 

[MISSYLOU]

Randy. Thanks but I am the one who had a senior moment. We are sailing Galaxy out of Baltimore in Oct. I think I just got some of the treads mixed up.

 

Karen & Paul

http://community.webshots.com/album/124134511FOjEih

Galaxy B2B 10/04

Mercury 03/04

Radiance 01/04

Summit 09/03, Infinity B2B Hawaii 03/03,Infinity 10/02,

Maasdam 07/02, Sun Princess 03/02,Maasdam 11/01,Statendam 07/01,Dolphin 1990?