Topic: Three die after cruise ship crashes into pier

The biggest new ship are more manoeuvrable that older/smaller ships, because of their 'Azipods' and 'bow thrusters', although there sheer size must surely act like a sail under certain conditions?

my thoughts are with those killed and their families who rely so much on wages earned etc and hope the injured people make a full recovery.

On the other hand I do agree with others about what the Polish Captain of the Celebration said while having an open question time during the 4-11 Feb Cruise as we did question him about moveability of Thomson ships, as the Celebration is able to move very well people who have been on her will know from experience.

Although having said that a couple of years ago I believe she had a helping hand herself from a tug while going into Barcelona before going for her refit from what I remember as the sea was rough and the port busy with other ships. Such a shame Costa were not able to have assistance before this terrible accident happen and crew lost lives.

We had to stay in Lisbon during a bad storm a few years ago, they couldn't risk taking her off, it was on Aurora if I remember correctly. The sheer size of the ship as you say acts like a sail. Next day we needed three tugs to take us off, of course a few of the free loaders complained and wanted a discount as they had missed Vigo!! On a cruise a few years later the captain was being interviewed and was asked about frightening incidents and he recounted that storm. Berthing accidents are quite common there's many a captain who will say "I did that" What a terrible shame about the loss of life, these dear people who contribute so much to our holidays

it will be the pilot to blame as he is in charge of the ship when docking, in 99% of the time a ship ties up, a pilot is not required, but the "jobs for the boys" make the cruise line, which is really us pay for this mandatory service. I bet if the captain was in charge instead of the pilot this would not have happened.

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it will be the pilot to blame as he is in charge of the ship when docking, ===> Is he?
I bet if the captain was in charge instead of the pilot this would not have happened.

I think people have the idea that the pilot comes on board
and literally takes over the helm of the vessel from whoever had control, a minute ago.
I very much doubt this happens today


To hear an acquaintance of mine talk about it, they do very little
-maybe some advice about local winds and currents of late
but that's about it.
That Capt. personally docks his vessel, left hand in pocket, the right on the thruster control
.

The pilot is only there in advisory capacity and the captain is in charge. The one exception to this is the Panama canal where the captain has to hand over control to the local pilot....Brian

The role of a pilot is that of an adviser. Contrary to common belief, the pilot does not take over command of the ship from the captain. The captain stays in command and is ultimately responsible for the ship. A pilot may assume the conduct of the ship, but only with permission of the master. As both the harbor pilot and captain have the same goal — the safety of the ship — the relationship is mutually courteous and professional.

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He was Polish, and said he'd be off work in March as they were having a baby. He was joking, but he did talk about the bow thrusters and tugs issue quite seriously- Jo.

I am sure you mean Captain Roy Dearman who was born in England but now lives in South Africa ( when not on the ship ) - his dislike of floating blocks of flats is widely known !!

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I am sure you mean Captain Roy Dearman who was born in England but now lives in South Africa ( when not on the ship ) - his dislike of floating blocks of flats is widely known !!

No, he was Polish, with a name I'm ashamed I couldn't remember....began with W, and it certainly looked Polish! He's done most of his work in the UK, and made jokes about settling down in a pretty English port village....Immingham! He now lives with his wife and 10 yr old in Poland- 2 adult sons- and is taking paternity leave in March for their new addition.
One thing he brought up was his passion for safety for all on board, and how he could not begin to think about such issues on board the vast ships of today, mentioning Oasis esp., as even with the best trained crew, he couldn't think that he could evacuate 5,500 in a hurry.
Jo.

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it will be the pilot to blame as he is in charge of the ship when docking, in 99% of the time a ship ties up, a pilot is not required, but the "jobs for the boys" make the cruise line, which is really us pay for this mandatory service. I bet if the captain was in charge instead of the pilot this would not have happened.

If a ship calls at a port on a regular basis then the ships Master can be licensed for that port. The Master is always in charge even when taking advice from a local pilot.