Here is reminder of what the Southern Ocean can be like even in the Summer months. About a month ago the MS Veendam made a cruise from the Falklands to Patagonia and ran into a storm. Waves of over 30 meters and winds of 70 knots were reported. Fortunately there was no reported damage to the ship or injuries to passengers or crew.
MS VEENDAM CRUISE SHIP IN STORM-12-12-10
Having served in the older HAL’s Veendam & Volendam (ex-Brazil & Argentina of Moore-McCormick Line) as Navigation Officer I am quite pleased to have had Alaska and Caribbean cruises. This will give an idea of how near impossible it would be to evacuate passengers in an emergency. The ADA actually requires that wheelchair passengers be carried. Perhaps those concerned in passing laws should first learn about the conditions that might exist before making these types of decisions.
Good Watch.
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