Wednesday, July 3, 2013
By KHRISNA VIRGIL
Tribune Staff Reporter
kvirgil@tribunemedia.net
THE inability of the newly commissioned Genting cruise ship to leave Port Miami after failing US Coast Guard safety requirements may not have been such a bad discovery, said Prime Minister Perry Christie yesterday.
According to a Miami Herald report, operators of the vessel did not meet tests that were keen on measuring performance in emergency situations.
While the maiden voyage of the Superfast VI has been delayed since Friday following its launch and christening, Mr Christie noted that with the climate of the cruise ship industry, which has seen several cruise ships in high risk situations while at sea, safety has to be top priority.
“Given what has been happening recently with cruise ships,” Mr Christie said, “even though the journey between Bimini and Fort Lauderdale is I think a two-hour journey, they have to be very careful because they are taking 400,000 people during the course of the year.
“So most certainly I would want the most rigorous testing myself and even though there is some disappointment that the ship has not cruised, the fact of the matter is it is because it is all about ensuring that safety is a priority.”
He was speaking to reporters at the Cabinet office before Ministers convened their morning meeting.
The crew, the Herald report added, could not meet stipulations that passengers and crew must be able to leave the ship and get into lifeboats within 30 minutes. Furthermore, emergency power and the automatic lifeboat drop malfunctioned. Overall, there was a lack of proficiency by the crew to respond to an emergency situation, a US Coast Guard official said.
The Tribune understands that the US Coast Guard has given Genting a full list of the expected requirements and discrepancies with another evaluation of both the vessel and crew to take place soon. This will be the case until the tests are passed.
The Superfast VI will carry up to 3,000 passengers from the US port to the new Bimini casino with two trips scheduled daily. The first at 9 am, which will return at 7 pm, and another scheduled for 9 pm to 5 am.
On Friday scores of Genting officials, Bahamian dignitaries and American and Bahamian media participated in the opening of Resorts World Bimini Casino. Later on Mrs Bernadette Christie, the Prime Minister’s wife, christened the ship.
Trips on the Superfast VI are expected to cost under $50 and as soon as officials can meet the requirements, according to a statement from Resorts World, the vessel is expected to start service.
“Resorts World considers the safety of the Bimini SuperFast passengers and crew our top priority.
“We are working closely with the US Coast Guard to complete all outstanding safety checks prior to launching regular twice-a-day service between Miami and Bimini.”
Comments
banker says...
Going Nowhere Fast ~ Is this the state ship of the PLP?
Posted 3 July 2013, 1:15 p.m. Suggest removal
JoeBruce says...
This whole inspection hoopla is more to do with the Coast Guard pretending to enact stricter safety measures after the Discovery cruise liners problems last year. The Genting Superfast ship cost $70 million. I doubt there are any issues except for getting the correct U.S. required equipment on board.
Posted 23 July 2013, 12:38 p.m. Suggest removal
Puzzled says...
A twelve year old second hand vessel, sounds like a good solid Bahamian organised project even if the cash is 'foreign'
Yet another embarrassment for PM shame on his advisers for not doing their due diligence. The ship was handed over at the beginning of April lots of time to train the crew and put right any defects found.
Posted 3 July 2013, 4:59 p.m. Suggest removal
ThisIsOurs says...
His response is very puzzling...*may not have been such a bad **discovery***??? He has no concern for the lives of Bahamians and Bahamian visitors that he is putting into the hands of a company that can't pass their 1st inspection? What does that say about the company itself and our decision to accept their business?
This is **really** weird, this is a much more serious affair than the "sea shell" conference fiasco 2days ago, but he's actually laughing this off....
I am seriously concerned...I don't think he's up to it...his decision making is just..well... strange....or maybe it's just that the entire cabinet has foot in mouth disease..
Posted 3 July 2013, 8:37 p.m. Suggest removal
concernedcitizen says...
it woulld be interesting to know who has shares in that red tub ,,,
Posted 3 July 2013, 9 p.m. Suggest removal
Jonathan says...
ROTFLMAO
Posted 3 July 2013, 9:08 p.m. Suggest removal
sansoucireader says...
The PM sure has a gift for distancing himself from anything that is going on. This sounds like the 2013 version of The Titanic with inexperienced staff and crew; an accident waiting to happen.
Posted 3 July 2013, 9:42 p.m. Suggest removal
proudloudandfnm says...
Sorry but you guys are wrong. The ship passed over 40 inspections, she failed a life boat drill simply because all of the crew are new to the boat, simple. The original crew did not come over from Greece so they had to be replaced. As of now the crew are drilling and drilling to take the test again. Ship will be running in about 2 weeks.
There is no issue of safety with the ship, she is seaworthy and relatively new and she is going to bring money into our country.
Posted 4 July 2013, 10:36 a.m. Suggest removal
Puzzled says...
Sorry Pr.........
The ship also failed to maintain emergency power for 2 hours after loss of main power.
What else have you failed to mention
Posted 4 July 2013, 1:41 p.m. Suggest removal
ThisIsOurs says...
What?!?!?!
Posted 4 July 2013, 4:56 p.m. Suggest removal
jackflash says...
It is normal for a new crew on a new ship that came from another part of the world to have some inspection delays.
Like the post above from Proud.... it will be worked out and it will just take a little longer then expected.
This has nothing at all to do with the PM and the PLP so don't go there.
If anyone is to blame for the delayed sailing on opening day it is the resort, they probably picked the date not PGC.
Now if you want to talk about all these new unexpected taxes and fees that dropped onto our laps without and notice then I am all ears..
If the government doesn't reverse them(which they will) then everything from Tuna to Tampons will increase through the roof and the hardest hit will be the average Bahamian who can not afford it. Prices will increase on every single item and companies with lay off workers to maintain the bottom line (all except government corporations who have no bottom line).
Posted 4 July 2013, 3:17 p.m. Suggest removal
ThisIsOurs says...
Who signed the deal with the company? Who vetted them? Who checked their performance record?
Posted 4 July 2013, 4:58 p.m. Suggest removal
proudloudandfnm says...
The PLP has nothing to do with the ship failing the inspection. There is nothing extraordinary about what happened. This ship is entering the US market for the first time, some issues were discovered and are being resolved. She will be on her run in about two weeks. She is perfectly safe and she will bring a ton of money into our country. This is a good thing for us folks.
Perry is the worst PM in our history, no doubt. But this does no indict him or the PLP in any way. No need to witch hunt everything the PLP does, they give us enough ammo all by themselves....
Posted 5 July 2013, 2:41 p.m. Suggest removal
JoeBruce says...
The ship has passed ALL inspections and is cleared to go. Sailing are already underway. It only costs $49 each way. It seems to good to be true - but I will check it out and see for myself. Bimini here I come...
Posted 23 July 2013, 12:40 p.m. Suggest removal
CarolJones says...
This is old news. The ship is already sailing. My buddy just went to Bimini on it and said it was a first-class operation. It seems like a cool place to go for a 1 or 2 day vacation.
Posted 4 August 2013, 1:48 p.m. Suggest removal
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