Cruise ship runs aground in Italy

News reports are starting to filter in about the cruise ship Costa Concordia running around in Italy. Some news reports state that passengers may have jumped off the ship to swim to shore.

While the details of the incident unfold its important to know that plans are in place for these types of maritime incidents.

First, the Amver system is a worldwide, voluntary search and rescue system that use commercial ships to assist in these types of incidents. You can learn more about Amver here.

Second, the United States Coast Guard has a robust Mass Rescue Operations program that routinely exercises with the cruise community for situations like this.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the passengers and crew members of the Costa Concordia as this situation continues to evolve.

Photo credit: twitter.com/cruiseshipcrew