In its “Practical Traveler” report last week, the New York Times said that while “no regulatory changes have been made,” the incident ensued “plenty of discussion about the growing size of ships and the 24-hour window after boarding in which ships must run safety drills.”
The event also brought the cruise industry “on the defensive,” it added, quoting Cruise Lines International Association president Christine Duffy, who told the press that their members “recognize the seriousness of these events.”
Some travel industry experts think Concordia’s size may have been a factor in the incident, the report added, but Captain William Wright of the Royal Caribbean International said larger cruise ships now have evacuation routes and safety equipment that are “scaled in accordance with the increased size of the vessel.”
However, critics are putting the 24-hour window for safety drills under scrutiny, the New York Times said. It added that some “argue that the window should be tightened so that passengers will be better prepared in case an emergency strikes early on, as it did on the Concordia.”
Carnival Corporation, whose subsidiary owns Concordia, said it will do “a comprehensive audit and review” of its safety procedures.
Pinoy crew’s response
Concordia's 296 Filipino crew members were commended for their “brave efforts” when the tragedy happened.
Two of them were even able to take home video footages of the events, showing the crew’s rescue efforts amid the panic that arose when the ship ran aground off Italy.
One of these crew members, Charlie Tayas, said he documented the happenings because it was part of his training on emergency response.
In his video, which he shared with GMA News reporter Saleema Refran, Tayas could be heard talking in the background, detailing what happened.
“Naaksidente ang barko namin. Costa Concordia. Nabutas ang hulihan ng barko namin. Ngayon nag-abandon ship kami. Ayan. Makikita n’yo papunta kami ng Savona. Life boat number 18. Charlie Tayas, number 701,” he said amid the dark.
The other footage by Reyson Cartago showed fragments of the incident, including rows of passengers putting on life vests and a messy kitchen that seemed to be shaking in real time.
Cartago’s video showed how the Filipino crew members ran around the ship, searching every nook and cranny to make sure that nobody was left behind.
One can also overhear bits of conversation, like a Filipino consoling a female passenger who was afraid of jumping off the ship. He said: “If something happens, it’s my responsibility, so I hope you understand. You’re going to have to, Madame.”
In an interview with GMA News, Cartago said: “Basta [para] sa amin, ginampanan po namin ‘yung alam naming magagampanan namin.”
Other concerns
The New York Times article, however, claimed that a shipwreck is not the only thing tourists should be wary about.
In last week’s report, it quoted Cruise Lines International Association, which disclosed that there were only 16 deaths “attributed to marine accidents” from 2005 to 2010—quite a minute occurrence compared to some 100 million passengers that went on cruises in that amount of time.
Tourists should also be concerned about instances like catching viruses, crimes, fire, and even falling overboard, the report said.
The New York Times said “cruise passengers are more likely to get a stomach bug than face shipwreck,” with 14 outbreaks of gastrointestinal illnesses on 10 ships recorded in last year alone.
The report reminded passengers of simple things like:
- Wash your hands frequently to avoid getting a stomach bug.
- “Don’t leave your common sense at the dock.”
- Avoid cabins below deck.
- Pay attention to safety announcements.
- Make sure you try on your life jacket and know where the lifeboat station is located.
- If traveling with friends or family, have a contingency plan so you know how to find one another in the event of an evacuation.
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