Sunken Ship

[Ry64]

Did anyone see on the news or hear about the ship that sunk this past weekend...? I saw on the news a ship called "Sea Diamond" hit a reef in the Greek Isles and began sinking! Just wanted to share that and see if anyone knows anything else about it.

[Dave]

Given the news coverage on this, I think everyone heard about it. We have several message threads about this event in our German Section since it is a European cruise line. Sounds like the Captain is in trouble. I also heard the Chief Housekeeper and Hotel Manager were charged. Not sure why since they have no control over driving the ship.

[IBCRUZIN']

Originally posted by Dave Beers:
Given the news coverage on this, I think everyone heard about it. We have several message threads about this event in our German Section since it is a European cruise line. Sounds like the Captain is in trouble. I also heard the Chief Housekeeper and Hotel Manager were charged. Not sure why since they have no control over driving the ship.

I think the housekeeper adn hotel mgr got in trouble because of the lack of sufficient life vests on the ship and maybe b/c the crew panicked and some were said to have left the ship ahead of the passengers.

[Raoul Fiebig]

Ry,

I'm sure this tragic accident has been one of the top news around the globe in recent days.

This was not one of those "old tubs" that tend to sink "sooner or later". The "Sea Diamond" was a superbly-maintained ship with all the latest high-tech equipment even though she was some 20 years old already. Louis Cruise Lines only purchased the ship in March, 2006. Prior to that it was called "Birka Princess" and operated short cruises in the Baltic Sea.

The captain is indeed in trouble. He claims that "strong currents" have caused the accident. Sounds strange IMHO because the entrance into Santorini's caldera isn't that narrow and the ship went there every week.

[Larry in Miami]

There were about three dozen high school students and their chaperones from Miami on the cruise so we have seen extended coverage here.

[f-mattox]

There is also a group from a high school in Huntington Beach, next to Costa Mesa; significant coverage here also.

When I was in high school we went to Balboa (Newport Beach) on Spring break--now it's Greek Island Cruises! Times have changed.

[Svein]

A lot of rumours is flying around regarding "Sea Diamond". I'll wait for the conclusion of the investigation before I pass judgement on the captain or any of the crew.

"Sea Diamond" was actually a TV-star before! During her time as "Birka Princess" she was the scene of a popular swedish TV soap called "Rederiet" (THe shipping Line). The soap was about a swedish shipping line with the cruise ferry "Freja" and had all the actions of a true soap: Love, Hatred, Drugs, Murder and other intrigues and drama.

[Larry in Miami]

My mother was at a favorite local pizza place just down the street last week, turns out a kid that works there was on the ship!

She said he seemed to be enjoying all the attention.

[Bruce Barratt]

A group of kids from Montreal too! All home safe.I'll bet there were some teary eyes at the airport.