Cruise Ships Security Technology

What's next - long-distance coach/bus drivers?

And then what?

And who is then liable, the captain/driver, the programmer, or the individual that nodded off while the [something] was happening (rhetorical question)?

The problem is there are too many legal entities involved...A different legal status in every port, territorial waters, maritime law at sea, different ports of registration....There would never be agreement on specific laws worldwide because of cultural differences, and enforcement would be impossible...

Hindsight ....

"buyer BEWARE"

When the food server came up to the bridge to take the crew's food and beverage orders, the Captain yelled from the back of the bridge "Rum and Coke on the Rocks"

Immediately after the collision, the Captain demanded from the 1st Mate "WHAT THE HELL HAVE YOU DONE?"

1st Mate replied "but you said "Run the boat on the Rocks""

My comment above aside, it appears to me that there was a deviation from SOP.

At this point it will be corporate pointing the finger at the Captain and the Captain pointing the finger at corporate. They are both at fault IMHO.

There were safety systems operating and in place that were over-ridden or ignored that was the direct cause of this disaster.

Corporate remotely monitors EVERY aspect of everyone of their fleet be it in port or underway, from the depth under the vessel to how many ounces of Brandy were just poured into client #AS1544G's snifter.

The loss of life in any case is both tragic and inexcusable. This was clearly a case of Gross negligence!

so his change of course went unnoticed, or everyone figured that this renegade of a captain, could pull this maneuver off once again. Throwing caution to the wind, and besides, couldn't a radical change of course mean that the ship was no longer in control of a "Captain".?

<...everyone figured...>

So this discussion is now extending into conspiracy theory? What rot!

Good points, "inexcusable gross negligence", which caused a sort of " 911 situation" in the cruise industry across the board. This is not over yet, and much "engineering" will have to take place quickly to stabilize the situation. ( fuel oil and other toxins). These cruise ships are very very complicated, (not to mention way to big and top heavy) in that they are like small towns, and completely off the grid, with all that goes with them, Except, good security and a good sheriff. How do you Really take good care of that many people day after day?. So many more lives could have been lost. The first responders are very heroic and well trained, "just doing their jobs". "pilot error" can be kept to a minimum if trained and monitored properly.

On an engineering question, The Titanic was struck in a similar fashion, but did not list, and went down nose first. Did the speed of the Concordia cause her to react the way she did? and half of the life boats became unusable right away. Is there any way to get all the fuel off?

It's more like a small city.

The cost would be staggering and who's to say that at 3:00AM when the red light comes on anybody with authority to control the boat would not be in bed.

The last time I checked the surface of the earth was covered mostly with water, so boats can be almost anywhere.

Take the train.

I know that in the aviation business, if you as a passenger think that the pilot has been drinking, and report it, the pilots must be tested right away, it's the law. Why is the pilot of an airliner any different than a pilot of a ship?. Would you fly or cruise or drive knowing the pilot was drunk? of course not. I think the pilot of the Exxon Valdez was drunk the day he put his ship on the rocks in Alaska, and who knows about the captain of the Titanic, knowingly racing through icebergs at night. Alcohol causes severe " over confidence ", and must not be tolerated in the travel business. Alcohol and "on the rocks", seem very much in play here. How many ounces of liquor are consumed daily aboard a cruise liner?, and how much of that by the "so called crew"?. Shameful.

Er, this is Engineering. Social Studies are down the corridor, third door on the right. No, not that one, the next one. That's it. Enjoy the lectures.