Carnival Refutes Rockefeller’s Accusations on Safety Record

Carnival is defending its safety record in a just-released response to a harsh letter written by Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D.-W.Va) on March 14, following the highly publicized Carnival Triumph fire.

The letter was released on the same day that the Carnival Triumph broke away from its moorings in a Mobile shipyard, damaging the vessel and once again putting Carnival’s continued woes in the media spotlight, if briefly.

In the letter to Rockefeller, Carnival Corp. Chairman Micky Arison wrote in a three-paragraph cover letter that he finds many of the questions raised by the senator, who chairs the Senate’s Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, are just repeating items discussed between the two last year.

But, he said, Carnival Corp. “remains committed to the safety and comfort of our guests and we are proud of our ability to provide millions of people with safe, fun and memorable vacation experiences.”

Disputes claim on ‘serious incidents’
Arison left the heavy lifting to Capt. James Hunn, Carnival’s senior vice president of Corporate Maritime Policy, who among other things disputes Rockefeller’s claim that the company has had 90 “serious events” based on U.S. Coast Guard reports filed during a five-year period.

Hunn wrote that 83 of the incidents did not meet the definition of a “serious maritime incident” and of the remaining seven these included two ship collisions that did not result in injury, the airlifting of a crew member with appendicitis and a guest who jumped overboard, as well as the fire aboard the Carnival Splendor (in 2010), the fatal sinking of the Costa Concordia (in 2012) and the Triumph.

“Carnival takes all these occurrences very seriously and our commitment to safety is reflected in the significant reviews, corrective measures, redundancies and investments undertaken by Carnival,” Hunn wrote.
 
Safety changes implemented
For instance, he said changes made in the wake of the Carnival Splendor fire in terms of fire prevention, system redundancies, crew training and other areas came into play in the latest incident.

“The procedures and practices were implemented on Carnival Triumph and we believe prevented injury and more extensive damage to the ship,” he wrote.

Safety changes were also implemented industry-wide after the Concordia incident, he noted.

A review of the Triumph is ongoing – and the line has already said it would make enhancements in backup power capabilities on the Triumph and its sister ship the Carnival Sunshine.

Defends record
“Carnival has an excellent safety record throughout its 41 year history,” Hunn wrote. “Carnival continues to put forth great efforts to exceed the regulatory requirements to ensure that its guests are confident knowing they will enjoy a fun cruise vacation.”

Addressing specific statements from Rockefeller, Hunn disputed claims of raw sewage and spoiled food onboard the Bahamas-registered Triumph.

“There are other inaccuracies in your letter regarding the Carnival Triumph, but we believe it would better serve all parties to await the official government reports from the Bahamas, U.S. Coast Guard and NTSB for an independent and accurate assessment of ship conditions,” he wrote.

He said there were also “misconceptions” when the Carnival Dream was pulled out of service in St. Maarten last month when an emergency generator failed. “To clarify, the ship’s power plant, propulsion and hotel systems were all fully operational,” Hunn wrote.

Addresses rumors about Triumph
Rockefeller had cited rumors that there were engine problems on the Triumph in January, weeks before the fire, and Hunn addressed these by saying the problem involved an alternator that was successfully repaired.

“There is no evidence of any relationship between this issue and the fire that occurred on Feb. 10, 2013 (on Triumph),” he wrote.

He also said the Triumph fire was the result of a leak in a “flexible fuel return pipe” that is not part of the engine. He said the part was inspected on Aug. 23, 2012, with Carnival conducting inspections more often than required by international maritime regulations.

In addition, Hunn wrote that the fires aboard the Splendor and Triumph “were caused by two very different events.” Splendor’s had to do with the failure of a connecting rod in one of the diesel electric generator engines.

In the wake of the incidents, Rockefeller suggested Carnival reimburse the government millions for the cost of assistance – by the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Navy in the case of Triumph.

To this Hunn responded, “Carnival’s policy is to honor maritime tradition that holds that the duty to render assistance at sea to those in need is a universal obligation of the entire maritime community.”

He added that Carnival frequently renders assistance to those in distress at its own cost.