Bangldeshi Ferry disaster

[robpage]

Rescue teams have recovered at least 29 bodies, and more than 100 are still missing after a ferry capsized off the shore of Bangladesh.It's unclear how many people were aboard the ferry — as there was no official passenger list — but officials estimate that it was around 300. They also think the ferry was overcrowded and weighed down with goods.The heavy weight, compounded with inclement weather was likely the cause of the disaster. Despite pleas from ferry passengers to stay close to land, the captain reportedly steered into a storm that was beginning to form.As rescue workers and divers continue to search for more victims, family members of the missing have built makeshift rafts to search for their loved ones as we

[Captain Kong]

They never seem to learn a lesson over there, Ferries are always sinking there.

[Louis the Amigo]

Hi shipmates, Accidents at sea allways make me feel sick, as they can happen to anyone at anytime people who travel by ship/ferry are often the victims, and they never seem to be getting any fewer as the years go by? safety at sea rules dont apply in many places....

[j.sabourn]

Ref... these coastal passenger ships being so much in the media due to more frequent disasters. Brings to mind a past post, I know it is not really relelevent to this but makes one wonder that he who may have an input to the regulations had a way of seeing into the future. A recent post about naval officers being issued with a seagoing cert in the MN as Master or Ch. Engineer, as stated was a cert. of Service only and not competency, however this allowed the holder with a masters as such to go on any vessel except a home trade passenger vessel. I know this as sailed with one and the person holding this knew and on this assumption went up for a cert of competency. If as seen in latter years maybe someone knew that such people coming out of the British Navy were trying to keep them away from such vessels. This is not serious but a morbid statement and suppose not very funny. Cheers John S.

[robpage]

What surprises me is the idiocy of overloading these ferries , I had gone prior to STCW , and knowing the delight at backshees , bungs , dash , and whatever name you call bribery in the third world these days , thought the accident rate might increase , I have seen this only once in action , and we were trained , and tested well , no longer is that true for modern seafarers

[happy daze john in oz]

I have seen some of these 'ferries' in some of the South Seas ports when cruising. The condition makes one wonder hwo they stay afloat let alone carry passengers or cargo. Many are little more than rust buckets and obviously there are few policed regulations as to the use of them.