Costa Concordia disaster Collision, Rescue, Salvage, & Facts

Table Of Content

• SS Admiral Nakhimov
• Fish, fire and flavours in the southern Japanese city of Kochi
• SS Eastland
• Environmental concerns and salvage
• The Sinking of SeaBreeze (December
• Cruise News Recap: Carnival Tampering, Dining Changes, Evacuation
• Anatomy Of A Near-Disaster: Examining The Carnival Sunshine Storm Incident Of 2023

The installation of advanced propulsion systems and stabilizers can help maintain ship stability during adverse weather conditions. The RMS Lusitania, built for Cunard Line, was the world’s largest passenger ship for three months. On May 7, 1915, while sailing off the coast of Ireland to Liverpool, England, a German U-Boat torpedoed the Lusitania. The ship started to sink faster than expected, and only six lifeboats could be launched. There were 4,252 people on board the ship including over 3,200 passengers. Most were rescued but 34 people did lose their lives including 27 passengers, 5 crew and 2 members of the salvage team.

SS Admiral Nakhimov

Have you ever thought about how many cruise ships have sunk in history? A little more than an hour after impact, the crew began to evacuate the ship. But the report noted that some passengers testified that they didn’t hear the alarm to proceed to the lifeboats. Evacuation was made even more chaotic by the ship listing so far to starboard, making walking inside very difficult and lowering the lifeboats on one side, near to impossible. Making things worse, the crew had dropped the anchor incorrectly, causing the ship to flop over even more dramatically. Prosecutors blamed the delayed evacuation order and conflicting instructions given by crew for the chaos that ensued as passengers scrambled to get off the ship.

Fish, fire and flavours in the southern Japanese city of Kochi

Carnival cruise ship rescues two men stranded in kayak off Mexico coast - USA TODAY

Carnival cruise ship rescues two men stranded in kayak off Mexico coast.

Posted: Tue, 30 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

This ship was berthed in Beirut during the massive ammonium nitrate explosion of 2020 at the port. The ship suffered damage due to the explosion and sank that night. Cruise ships very rarely sink, and when they do it is often when they don’t have passengers on board. Just over one cruise ship every 5 years has sunk in the last 100 years.

SS Eastland

The MS Sea Diamond was a small cruise ship that was originally built for Birka Line, sailing as Birka Princess. After 20 years of successful operation, she was transfered to Louis Hellenic Cruise Lines, but just a year later she ran aground in Santorini. The MV Explorer was a small cruise ship that had many owners in her life, launching first in 1969. She has the honour of being the first cruise ship specifically used for cruises to the Antarctic Ocean. Unfortunately she also has the record of being the first ship to sink there too.

January 2012: Costa Concordia

GIGLIO, Italy — Ten years have passed since the Costa Concordia cruise ship slammed into a reef and capsized off the Tuscan island of Giglio. Costa Concordia was declared a "constructive total loss" by the cruise line's insurer, and her salvage was "one of the biggest maritime salvage operations". On 16 September 2013, the parbuckle salvage of the ship began, and by the early hours of 17 September, the ship was set upright on her underwater cradle. In July 2014, the ship was refloated using sponsons (flotation tanks) welded to her sides, and was towed 320 kilometres (200 mi) to her home port of Genoa for scrapping, which was completed in July 2017. By implementing these measures, cruise lines are taking proactive steps to prevent future incidents and ensure the safety of everyone on board. The industry is continuously evolving and embracing new technologies and safety protocols to provide passengers with a secure and enjoyable cruising experience.

Environmental concerns and salvage

I’ve also chosen not to include ships that served as a cruise ship for a small part of their life but were being used for other purposes when they sank. If the ship was mainly a cruise ship but was commandeered for war efforts, I’ve kept it in. Generally, the modern safety features on cruise ships mean that very few lives are lost if ships ever sink.

On May 27, 2023, the Carnival Sunshine found itself in the midst of a powerful storm. The ship was rocked by strong winds, towering waves, and torrential rain. Passengers and crew members were advised to stay in their cabins and secure any loose objects. However, the severity of the storm was initially underestimated, leading to a false sense of security among those onboard the ship.

Cruise News Recap: Carnival Tampering, Dining Changes, Evacuation

One of the crucial aspects that emerged from the incident was the need for enhanced weather monitoring and forecasting systems. Cruise ships operate in unpredictable environments, and accurate and timely weather information is vital for ensuring passenger safety. In the wake of the Carnival Sunshine Storm Incident, cruise lines across the industry have taken proactive steps to address safety concerns and reassure passengers of their commitment to their well-being. Adequate training for crew members in emergency response protocols, as well as clear communication with passengers, are key factors in ensuring a safe and orderly evacuation, if necessary. During this time, the ship faced significant challenges, battling against the relentless forces of nature.

"I think it’s the panic, the feeling of panic, is what’s carried through over 10 years," Ian Donoff, who was on the cruise with his wife Janice for their honeymoon, told Cobiella. The ship was empty, so it was allowed to capsize off the South African coast near Cape Town. Signup today and get maritime ebooks submitted to your inbox directly. She is an avid writer, possessing immaculate research and editing skills.

T e violent storm forced passengers to take shelter near machinery casings, which tilted the ship to its starboard side and it ultimately capsized when struck by a gigantic wave. A small cruise ship sailing from Loire River, near the French coast, met with tragedy in June 1931. T e ship was carrying 500 people, mostly workers, and their children, from Nantes port.

One of the biggest passenger ships ever wrecked, the Costa Concordia had 17 decks, six restaurants, a three-story theater, and enough room for 4,200 vacationers. On January 13, 2012, Captain Francesco Schettino agreed to a request by the ship’s chief maître d’, Antonello Tievoli, and sailed closer to Isola del Giglio than normal. Tievoli, a native of Giglio, wanted to impress and “salute” local residents. Unfortunately, Captain Schettino turned off the ship’s alarm for the computer navigation system and later admitted he thought he knew the waters well enough to navigate by sight. However, the ship’s first mate testified that the captain had left his glasses in his cabin and requested them.

It was not until September 2013 that the 114,000-ton Concordia was finally righted. The 19-hour process involved specially built underwater platforms, cranes, and some 500 people. In July 2014 the Concordia—outfitted with a number of steel containers serving as flotation devices—was towed to Genoa, Italy, where it was dismantled for scrap. The Costa Concordia was owned by Costa Crociere, a subsidiary of Carnival Corporation & PLC. It featured four swimming pools, a casino, and reportedly the largest spa on a ship. In July 2006 the vessel undertook its maiden voyage, a seven-day cruise of the Mediterranean Sea, with stops in Italy, France, and Spain.