How Many Cruise Ships Have Sink?
There have been 16 cruise ships that have gone down, but how many of these were tragic accidents? Some of the most famous examples are the Titanic, MV Butiraoi, and ARA San Juan. Here are some facts about each. Which of these disasters was the most tragic? Which cruise ship sank first? Read on to find out. Hopefully this article will help you to decide which cruise ship is the best choice for your next vacation.
16
Since 1980, there have been 16 reported cruise ship sinkings, according to The New York Times. The majority of these accidents took place in inhospitable waters and during sudden storms. In 1994, the Costa Concordia partially sank off the coast of Italy, killing 32 people. Still, most ship sinkings were not fatal, and the ships themselves are relatively safe. The following are some of the most common causes of cruise ship sinkings.
In the early 1960s, the SS Morro Castle ran aground off Asbury Park, New Jersey. It was carrying 458 passengers. A large portion of the passengers died, including the crew. In another tragic event, the container ship Cosco Hong Kong collided with the Chinese fishing vessel Zhe Ling Yu Yun 135. This collision caused the SS Morro Castle to capsize, killing most of her passengers.
On November 1, 2005, the luxury Antarctica cruise ship MV Herald of Free Enterprise sank off the southern peninsula of Haiti, killing over 1,000 passengers. The ship's bow was left open, allowing water to rush in. Another ship that sank was the Estonian ferry, which sank off the coast of southwest Finland during a storm. It had an estimated 1,040 passengers aboard. In 2007, the Norwegian passenger ship Scandinavian Star sank in the Skagerrak Strait, claiming the lives of 110 passengers. In the same year, the Salem Express sank off Libya. This accident sparked a global conversation about safety.
In addition to the Costa disaster, 16 cruise ships have sunk since 1980. Other incidents have included onboard fires, collisions, and 79 cruise ship sinkings. In addition, more than a hundred incidents have occurred since 2000, including fires, severe lists, and other problems that pose a safety threat for passengers. Fortunately, none of the fatalities was due to a ship's design, but it does illustrate the dangers in the industry.
Titanic
The first cruise ship disaster occurred when the RMS Titanic hit an iceberg while on its maiden voyage in the North Atlantic. It capsized and sank, killing over 1,500 people. Other ships have followed in the footsteps of the Titanic and the Costa Concordia. A replica of the Titanic is still in service today. However, how many cruise ships have sunk since Titanic?
The design of the Titanic was deemed "unsinkable" when it first sank. The ship, designed by Thomas Andrews, was built to withstand rammings from other vessels. However, the iceberg that brought the ship down scraped through five of its 16 watertight compartments. While the Titanic's lifeboats were designed to shepherd passengers to nearby rescue ships, they were unable to save many passengers in the icy waters. Rescue ships took hours to reach the ship, and the iceberg's impact triggered a calamitous meltdown.
The Titanic disaster prompted the creation of international shipping safety standards. SOLAS (the International Maritime Organization) and STCW (the Safety Convention for Ships) were born in the aftermath of the disaster. These organizations were created to eliminate the uncertainty and ensure smooth sailing. However, these standards do not apply to every ship. So, it is essential to make sure you're aboard a ship that is approved by STCW.
The Titanic project required 14 months for its construction, which was largely due to its lack of simulation and technology restrictions. It also utilized over three million rivets, with slag content three times what the government allows. In addition to these shortcomings, the ship's overall design strength was weaker than modern cruise ships. This is especially true when you consider that Titanic was built in less hospitable conditions and smaller lines.
MV Butiraoi
The question, How many cruise ships have sunk? While statistics are mixed, it appears that at least two ocean cruise ships have sunk while passengers were on board. Over the past 50 years, on average, there have been about ten ocean cruise ship disasters with casualties, and only two of them happened when passengers were on board. Regardless, the odds are low for a cruise ship to sink without anyone on board. In fact, the odds are only one in 375,000.
Two of the most famous accidents have occurred on cruise ships. In 1956, the ocean liner MS Andrea Doria was rammed by the ship MS Stockholm. This collision caused the ship to capsize and sink. At the time of the accident, 46 people were on board. Another tragic incident was the crash of the MS Westerdam during an Alaskan flight. Between 1979 and 2013, 55 cruise ships sank and 106 were involved in collisions with other ships. In addition, there were at least 139 ship fires.
Another tragic accident occurred in January 2012. The Costa Concordia, a modified cargo ship, ran aground on the island of Isola del Giglio, causing the vessel to capsize and sink. Thirty-one people were killed. The Norwegian cruise ship, the Scandinavian Star, was also sunk. Another ship, the Salem Express, sank in the Mediterranean Sea after being rammed by another ferry.
Another disaster happened in May 1914, when the RMS Empress of Ireland, owned by the Canadian Pacific Steamship Company, sank in the Saint Lawrence River. It was the second major cruise ship disaster to occur within five years of the Titanic's sinking. The ship operated between Liverpool and Quebec. When the ship hit an iceberg, only five lifeboats were launched into the water. It had also failed to shut all portholes and doors, making it list on its starboard side.
ARA San Juan
Two years ago, the ARA San Juan sank off the coast of Argentina. Apparently, the ship "imploded" in the Atlantic Ocean while it was returning from a military exercise near the southern tip of South America. The crew was onboard and had seven days of oxygen on board. The search continued, but the ship's remains were discovered nine hundred seven metres down. Since then, a variety of cruise ships have been lost at sea.
The ARA San Juan has not been seen since the November 15 accident, but experts have speculated about what caused the vessel to break apart. One possible explanation is that hydrogen gas escaped from the submarine's battery bank, causing the vessel to catch fire. Currently, authorities are not saying what caused the incident, but it certainly wasn't a mystery. There are a number of theories, including human error.
In the same region of the world, the ARA San Juan hit the bottom near Deception Island, causing an 82-foot gash in its outer hull. Although the ship's crew and passengers were rescued, it's unclear whether the damage caused by the ship's propulsion system is significant enough to force a forced evacuation. At the time of the incident, the ship had just left Ushuaia, Argentina, and was on its eighth day of a two-week journey. A thorough investigation has revealed that hydrocarbons were a problem, but the exact amount isn't known. It's believed that between two hundred and seven hundred and fifty-seven litres of diesel oil spilled.
ARA San Juan was one of the more dangerous cruises ever. It was the largest ship ever to sink, and a major tragedy. The ship was reportedly able to survive the disaster, but it lost all but 16 passengers. The ARA San Juan is still under repair, but it's far from the only vessel to suffer the same fate. It is expected to resume service again in March.
MV Wakashio
The Japanese bulk carrier MV Wakashio grounded after the disaster in July. The vessel ran aground on a coral reef southwest of Mauritius, and a massive oil spill ensued. Some 1,000 tons of fuel spewed from the ship. It is estimated that the remaining oil is in the region of 2,500-3,000 metric tons. The vessel broke up shortly afterward with 166 tons of fuel still inside.
The crew on the MV Wakashio changed course two days earlier to sail near Mauritius. They were unaware of the dangers of sailing this close to the shore. Regulations do not allow this and the crew failed to comply with them. The Nagashiki Maritime Safety Committee conducted an investigation into the incident and will ban private cell phone use on bridges during work hours. They will also bolster training for crew members and install high-speed communications systems.
While investigating the accident, the Japanese MOL, the charterer of the MV Wakashio, releases a report on the incident. The report identifies a lack of safety awareness and unprofessional behavior among the crew. The company also issues a number of safety measures aimed at improving ship operation and preventing accidents. It's not clear what caused the accident, but it is certainly tragic.
Several vessels are currently towing the MV Wakashio, including two Maltese vessels. Malta is a signatory to the London Convention (1972) on the prevention of pollution in sea waters. This Convention stipulates that a country must take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of the marine environment and prevent the destruction of ships. However, it has never issued a permit for the MV Wakashio.