Cruise Ship Disaster Teaches Importance of Safety Procedures In Charlotte

After the cruise ship Costa Concordia cap-sized off the coast of Tuscany, reminding many of the Titanic, the media promptly began questioning the safety procedures of the ship's owner and the cruise line industry as a whole. According to Helen Kearns, a spokeswoman for the European Union transportation commissioner, the cruise line industry has expanded in recent years. The ships have increased in size to accommodate the increase in passengers. The increase in the size of these vessels has raised substantial questions whether the crew and passengers receive adequate information and training regarding various safety procedures. Obviously, it is harder to manage a larger number of people on a larger ship. Furthermore, individuals on vacation want to relax rather than spend large amounts of time learning safety procedures. However, according to passengers aboard the Costa Concordia, they were never required to attend safety meetings despite cruise line policies. Passengers also claim that the crew members were confused and unprepared to act as the ship cap-sized. The later allegation clearly indicates the necessity of such training.

Other questions that have been raised are concerned with the captain's discretion in the cruise ship's route, especially given the advances in technology that exist to keep ships on the proper route. According to officials, a company director normally transmits the proper course to the captain and a navigating officer, who are instructed to follow the course. The chairman of Costa Corciere claims the vessel was properly routed, and the sole reason the ship veered off course was a result of the captain's unapproved actions.

The captain claims the ship hit an uncharted rock. However, given the extensive technology that exists on the bridge of a cruise ship, it seems odd that a crew member would not have seen the rock struck on one of various pieces of equipment at their disposal. As a result, the ship's captain faces criminal charges for manslaughter and abandonment of the ship.