Local NBC affiliate, WPMI in Mobile, Ala., reported earlier today that while the United States Coast Guard hasn’t sent Carnival Cruise Lines a bill for last week's “escort service” of the Triumph, there are already rumblings that Carnival “would not reimburse the Coast Guard, even if asked.”
In an email late Tuesday evening, it appeared Carnival would not reimburse the Coast Guard even if it asked. "The USCG would have to address the level of aid they extended but in situations such as this, traditionally, this is one of the many services the U.S.C.G. Provides and we greatly appreciate their assistance," Carnival Spokesperson Vance Gulliksen wrote.
The distress of over 3,000 passengers and 1,000 crew members played out in living color last week as the Triumph went dead-in-the-water after an engine fire the previous Sunday.
The agony of no hot food and basic sanitation for those on-board was tailor made for the 24-hour news networks.
And, once again, it was the U.S. Coast Guard to the rescue.
While they didn’t provide the “push-me-pull-you” tug service for the crippled cruise ship, the Coast Guard provided an around-the-clock escort for the tug Resolve Pioneer, owned and operated by Resolve Marine Group in Fort Lauderdale, Fl. and the salvage tug Dabhol, reportedly owned by Clarkson's, another commercial marine entity.
Now, Carnival Cruise Lines is suggesting that not only are they giving a meager reimbursement to their passengers come hostages, they’re most likely giving zero to the Coast Guard.
Examiner's Comment: Should cruise lines even have an option of NOT paying the Coast Guard? Ultimately, it is U.S. taxpayers who foot the bill. Ocean-going emergencies happen and when they do, its pretty likely the United States Coast Guard will be there to assist in the rescue. It's a sure bet that the commercial tugs will present Carnival with a hefty bill. Doesn't the Coast Guard deserve the same?
The National Military Examiner publishes military and military-related content from around the world that often misses mainstream media, including all troop losses.
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