Could a cruise line be any more jinxed? Following in the wake of its major disaster with the keeling over of the Costa Concordia off the coast of Italy last January 2012, and a few other onboard incidents, Carnival Cruises “Fun Ship” Triumph experiences engine failure due to a leak in a fuel pump (according the latest from the US Coast Guard) and strands 3,000 passengers plus 1,000 crew members at sea while en route back from a four-day cruise out of Galveston, Texas.
According to a report on http://www.nbcnews.com/, “The cause of the engine fire that left the cruise ship Carnival Triumph without power for five days was a leak in a fuel oil return line that sprayed onto a hot surface, the Coast Guard announced Monday.”
The article continued that “Lt. Cmdr. Teresa Hatfield, head of the U.S. Coast Guard Marine Casualty Investigation Team, said the oil caught fire when it made contact with the hot surface. She said the suppression system kicked on immediately and that the ship’s crew “did a very good job” in responding.”
While there were no deaths, that we know of, the situation proved quite a debacle with the now famous ‘red poop’ bags, people urinating, lack of food, air conditioning (then heat) and other problems for passengers.
Sure some passengers praised the crew, but many are disgruntled with the cruise line and prospective passengers are thinking twice about taking a cruise. Between you and I, it’s beginning to feel a touch unsafe. And this said after having taken over 300 cruises in my lifetime as a journalist. Some cruise critics are questioning why the broken fuel line wasn't caught prior to departing Galveston. Airlines do complete check-overs before taking off, do cruise companies go over the ship with fine tooth combs, too?
Will you consider a future cruise or do you feel safer on land than sea. Let us know by leaving a comment.
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