How to respond to a cruise ship sinking

The recent sinking of the Costa Concordia (yes, some people are calling it a grounding while others are calling it a sinking) has many people asking how it could happen.

At Amver we don't speculate on how these incidents happen, we focus on the response.

What is Amver? 

We coordinate search and rescue at sea using commercial ships. Read more about how it works here.

People may also wonder what sorts of plans are in place when a cruise ship does end up in trouble.

The United States Coast Guard has a robust Mass Rescue Operations program. In fact, there are international standards for cruise ships to prepare for such incidents. What sort of plans? Here are an example of the content available on mass rescue.

International Maritime Organization Guidance Documents on Mass Rescue (links to PDF files)

• Guidance for Mass Rescue Operations
• Guidelines for Plans of Cooperation between SAR services and Passenger Ships
• Enhanced Contingency Planning Guidance for Passenger Ships Operating in Areas Remote from SAR Facilities
• Guidance on Voyage Planning for Passenger Ships in Remote Areas

Alaska Maritime Mass Rescue Operations Job Aids

• Multi-agency Quick Response Guide for Passenger Vessels
• Reception Center Job Operations Job Aid
• Landing Site Operations Job Aid
• Guidance for Good Samaritans vessels assisting in Maritime Search and Rescue
• Guide to Recovery Techniques

The Amver community is keeping the passengers, crew, and responders in our thoughts and prayers. Need to speak to someone about Mass Rescue or Amver? Contact us here.

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