Cruise ship on the move after latest setback

[FarCenter]

Coast Guard official says a disabled cruise ship off the coast of Alabama is again moving toward the shore after a broken towline delayed the vessel's slow journey back to port.

Petty Officer William Colclough says a new tugboat has been secured and the Carnival Triumph is again making its way into Mobile.

He says the ship will be further delayed because of the towline issue, though he did not give a new estimated arrival time. It had been expected to arrive Thursday night.

Docking a ship takes three hours in a normal operation. But because of the ship's condition, it will take at least seven hours, CBS Mobile affiliate WKRG reported. CEO of the Alabama State Port Authority Jimmy Lyons says the winches are inoperable and the thrusters that normally get it in and out of the berths aren't working. Additionally, Triumph's arrival is also slowed by high winds.

A nighttime arrival could pose more complications, Lyons said. He said port officials prefer that the ship not come into the city at night because there are tricky turns and cross currents in Mobile Bay. He described the bay as only 10 feet deep outside the ship channel.

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57569457/cruise-ship-on-the-move-after-latest-setback/

[lpbk2713]

1. Those poor people must think they've died and gone to hell.

And I've got to feel sorry for the people who will have to clean it up.
I wouldn't do it no matter how bad off I was.

[Hard Assets]

14. Alabama is hell.

With the idiots that have already ruined Don Siegelman.

I hope these passengers sue Carnival for even more money than the compensation + $500 + deep discounts for future cruises.

[KamaAina]

18. I didn't realize KKKarl Rove was from Alabama

He's the idiot that ruined Don Siegelman.

[Kingofalldems]

2. Is Captain Queeg in charge of that ship?

Last edited Thu Feb 14, 2013, 05:38 PM - Edit history (1)

[Generic Other]

4. I never ran over my own tow line

so stop saying that. You probably ate the strawberries too!

[frylock]

3. all hands on the poop deck

[Helen Reddy]

6. My inner 14 year old is laughing at this!

Funny poop jokes aside, I pity their plight and hopefully get this behind them soon.

[frylock]

16. same here..

one thing's for certain, and that is you will never find me on a cruise ship. too many stories like this.

[Brother Buzz]

5. Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!

[FarCenter]

10. Do you suppose that Mobile Bay is still mined?

The bigger hazard is running aground. Especially if there is wind at right angle to the ship channel. Those things have a huge flat wall for the wind to work against.

[Brother Buzz]

12. I understand the mines were fairly ineffectual back then so I'm not to worried on that front

Yes, running aground is a concern, but that's why the Mobile Bay pilots get paid the big bucks.

[monmouth3]

7. How many onboard are contemplating jumping overboard and pressing their luck?..n/t

[jhawk9]

8. Why not leave ship?

Since there were lifeboats, why don't the passengers use them?

After the fire, why didn't Carnival hire motorboats to take the passengers to a Mexican port?

[cbayer]

9. Lots of reasons.

Lifeboats are meant to keep people from drowning but don't function well in taking them over long distances. They were 150 miles offshore when the fire occurred. They probably have motorized shore boats, but they are in no way equipped to deal with that distance of those conditions.

The seas have been rough. They did evacuate one person because of a life threatening condition, but it was very difficult. The person who was to accompany her was unable to get on the CG boat, that's how bad it was. While a large cruise ship can handle this fine, smaller *rescue* vessels would have a much harder time.

The route to a Mexican port was deemed unsuitable due to currents and seas. Going into Mobile Bay was the safest route, though longer.


Based on the information available, I believe the captain, crew and shipping company have made the best decisions under the worst of circumstances.

[jhawk9]

13. lifeboats and leaving

Thank you for your answer. I have been wondering for days.

[cbayer]

20. You are welcome. Welcome to DU!

[Cooley Hurd]

11. Carnival is the worst...

Amazing they're still in business.

[Hard Assets]

15. Royal Caribbean is our next cruise.

Halloween '14. Port of calls are southern Caribbean (Aruba, Curaçao, BVI, Antigua).

We have to fly to San Juan, Puerto Rico, and I swear that's the most expensive part of the trip.

[slackmaster]

17. Carnival is the Motel 6 of cruise lines

They've made cruising affordable for a lot of people.

[KamaAina]

19. Not exactly

Motel 6 leaves the light on for you.

[pokerfan]

21. Triumph says...