Ferry with 1,400 sinks; most feared dead

Associated Press ^ | Feb. 3, 2006 | Associated Press

[libstripper]

SAFAGA, Egypt - An Egyptian passenger ferry carrying nearly 1,400 people sank in the Red Sea early Friday during bad weather, and rescue ships and helicopters pulled dozens of survivors and bodies from the water. At least 263 escaped on lifeboats, the transport minister said.

[CFC__VRWC]

It's possible that the ship did hit a mine or some other piece of ordnance; the story is awfully short on details, and chances are no one yet knows what happened. At any rate I wouldn't expect the AP to get anything right. But that's a very busy

What happened to that ferry probably happened very quickly. I know when the ferry sank in Haifa harbor that night, it happened in a flash, based on what guys I knew who were in the boat said. One instant they were in the boat and the next they were in the water - it was that quick. That happens a lot at sea - the ocean is very unforgiving.

It's really not possible to know what happened until an investigation is concluded. And chances are that the Egyptians will probably conduct it themselves to reach a predetermined conclusion that fits a political agenda, and will only selectively release whatever information furthers that agenda. IOW, we probably will never know what really happened.

[clooney4824]

Your reply is hilarious!!!!

[TinkersDam]

Sprinkler system and fire hoses added water to the RORO increasing the list. No attempt to assemble passengers at lifeboat stations or to launch lifeboats.
Scores of passengers say fire started 20 miles from port; only official statement says 40 miles.
Police surround all hospitals with survivors in them; no reporters have access to passengers or crew.
Ferry company knew for hours before notifying port authority of 'loss of contact' with ship.

[TinkersDam]

Actually it was fire sprinkler and fire hose water, not sea water.

NOTE: Recall perhaps a few "common practices" of the past:
Ships barely seaworthy and barely able to make it out of port prior to sinking with loss of all aboard (It being very profitable to sell passage knowing the ship was unseaworthy). Ship captains appointed with no sea experience whatsoever. One ship captain appointed at age of 14. One janitor of a warehouse owner was appointed ship captain, no prior sea experience.

[TinkersDam]

Oh, just to clarify matters: the reported 'common practices' in that post concerning unqualified ship's captains and unseaworthy vessels does NOT refer to Egyptian practices but to the practices that were common amongst a great seafaring nation: Great Britain.

The Egyptian government has already done more than the English government did when entire ship loads of Irish emigrants sank when barely out of port in calm weather.

It is important sometimes to maintain a sense of perspective about the color of pots and kettles.