This was a 259 Gross Ton roll on roll off ferry that can easily handle 350 people. Too bad you don't actually research before posting your baseless racist comments. Moron. Fine example of American ignorance.

I lived in Bali, Indonesia for over 2 years and these types of incidents happened fairly often. These ferries are packed with people, usually without life jackets . So when an accident occurs,
there's a major loss of life.

That vessel is about 155' long -- not very big. It was built in 1983, and I'm wondering when its last inspection was, and how much required maintenance has been neglected. Sea conditions were not favorable: swells approaching 6', with winds up to 40mph; the vessel could have taken a swell on its beam and rolled over, depending on weight distribution (since it's a RO-RO vessel). Also, news reports say 10 liferafts were lowered -- each liferaft could accommodate up to 25 passengers; if 350 persons were aboard, then were were the other 4 liferafts (or was crew unable to deploy them in time?)? Too many unknowns here -- but I also suspect that the boat was overloaded, which is typical of ferries in those countries.

I don't see his reply as racist.. It sounds more of emotional exhaustion after hearing countless similar stories of far overloaded boats.. Lighten up Francis..

QUOTE: "Ferry was probably meant to carry half that amount..."

It wouldn't surprise me.

Ships sink, planes crash, and cars have accidents. People die sitting at home in their easy chairs. That's the thing about life here on earth - it ends in death and no law written by man can change that. The bottom line is you pay your dime and you take your chances.

Everyone is doing the best that they can with what they have. It's the profit that they make in the Philippines by taking these risks that they feed their families with. Life isn't easy and before we take away the ability to earn pay and feed their families from them through regulation, we should focus on helping them find safer alternatives.

E K Kadiddlehopper

We need to have strict training and safety standards established and applied to the maritime industry worldwide.

That's a noble sentiment, and I'm sure it makes you feel good to voice it. Now, if you can, answer a few questions:

1. Who sets the standards, and who does the training?
2. Who enforces the standards?
3. Who pays for all this?
4. Who believes that you can get the worldwide maritime industry to agree what time of day it is, much less agree to universal standards

If you can adequately answer those questions, I will be happy to agree with you that a barefoot Filipino fisherman on an island going to see his barefoot farmer cousin on the mainland is much better off making the trip in a ferry that is OSHA and USCG compliant.

Nice try, but you're drinking too much IMO (International Maritime Organization) Kool-Aid, E.K. Too many countries do their own thing with regard to maritime safety, regardless of what the rules and maritime laws and requirements say. It's all about the money. Dan and Denver are absolutely correct.

Dan, Vote for Newt Gingrich. If you do, you just may be able to fly to the moon with him.

chumbkt,

I would guess in many circumstances it's because those ships are overloaded with people... ?

My sincere condolences to the families of the deceased.

Your kidding right???..Gee you really don't know much about Papuians do you..fate my foot...The Papuians have a little thing called "pay back"..you kill one of theirs, they will kill you or one of yours. There are tribal battles going all the time in PNG for pay back. Does not matter if you are from the next village or a Westerner. If you knock someone over and kill them eg car accident you do NOT stop. You have to keep going and report it to the cops in the next town and pray they are not related to the victim you just killed. If you stop you are dead. Simple as that. Time was up, nothing could be done. There are near on riots up there at the moment over this, does that sounds like "blow it off as bad luck".. And what is your idea of an "Advanced country"...Your ignorance is really showing and very sickening.....

thanks Shona. Can you explain the murder aspect of the shipwreck that the Papuans are going to retaliate for? If you contend the ship captain , or crew or owners murdered the passengers as an act of murder I am with ya. My take on it is that it was an accident, most likely caused by lack of maintenance and or lack of skills. Negligence perhaps, not premeditated murder .

But since you brought it up, the kind of payback you're talking about, whether vigilante justice, or cultural phenom is axactly what the advanced countries do not allow. Third world countries tend to go with the village violence, cultural required revenge killing etc, etc. It's one of the reasons they remain with situations like this. The Italian captain was a punk for sure, and he will pay - under the law of the land. Not as a tribal payback as you call it.

Really?

What is going on with boats sinking around the world?!

It's only been happening since they were first invented.

Here's your sign.

I am going on my first cruise in March. I'm not enjoying all these stories of large boats sinking.....

Keep your life vest handy. Good luck and enjoy!

@Kenmor,

Have a great time on your cruise. I would be more worried about food poisoning ..

@Kenmor

Was on an 8 day cruise on the Carnival Liberty, had an absolute blast!

enjoy.

I saw the highlights of the actual fight. Dam&&d, they definately take their sports a little too serious. Maybe it's the sun beating down on their heads all day that makes them snap. In America we only have this problem on the streets, after the games. When the liquor tells the kids that it's ok to tip over cars, and burn buildings. It's almost an insult to the sports fans in America if no one climbs a light pole, streaks nude, or resists arrest. Is that civility because we don't beat the crap out of one another over a game?

incorrect truthurts-

When a company becomes too untollerable, people stay away from it. American Airlines is a perfect example, price too high, no regard for the passenger once so ever, TSA intrusions, and people stop flying, bang! bankrupt.

Upper Big Branch Mine disaster is a good example.

The mine disasters were a result of failure of gov't to audit and inspect these mines for safety. The regulations are in place, but you cannot compensate for illiterate or lazy gov't inspectors!

You are welcome Bill. We will always help out. Just so sad many of the victims are young students who were going to Lae for the start of the new school year..so many families are going to be without their children and many villages decimated from the loss. Hope they find more surviours but it is looking very grim.

DREAM ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

@ retired; its written, even the sea will give up its dead. stop dreaming and look it up while you have time!!!!!

Have no problem with that and yes I have read that. But I object to is this was a man made tragedy, if branox's God were so concerned about their salvation they would all be standing on dry ground today! Or doesn't this loving God have enough people to keep him company with the countless billions that have died to date?

Retired:

You sound so immature when it comes to religion. You're probably one those people that once prayed and your prayer went unanswered so you condemn it. That's the way a child thinks!

GROW UP!!!

No I am one of those that believe we were indeed created, however it is our responsibility what happens beyond that! If I have a question about a specific religion I go to www.religioustolerance.com It has nothing to do with growing up, realize there are approximately 27,000 different religious sects that claim to be Christian in the world today. If you are so smart tell me which one is the correct one?

@retired; But I object to is this was a man............ maybe you should have went to school today.

I never claimed it to be anything more than a man made tragedy! Maybe it is you needs to go to school today! When the final investigation is completed there will be no question that this was not a divinely ordained event.

There are no athiest in foxholes!!!

Branxoz- Stop that! That is a christian concept, ONLY. Don't push your beliefs on other types of religious beliefs. Keep that "jesus" stuff to yourself and respect others. And, if you are one of those people who think that the christian way of thinking is the ONLY way, then you need to be careful and not "drink the kool-aid". God wants spiritual fruits, not religious nuts.

Well put Cassandra. Thank you!

@retired; Maybe it is you needs...... maybe the word THAT would help you in that sentence, like the word if would have helped in; But I object to is (should be if) this was a man........ I figured 8th grade now im thinking 5th

Tony-718521 RIGHT ON!!!!!

We`ll all find out.....

mudddlerfly: Engaging in a battle of wits with someone who is obviously unarmed is not exactly my forte, so we're done! I see you either feel the overwhelming need to repeat yourself or you stutter.

pleasure talking with you! 2541031

C U

Don't push your beliefs on other types of religious beliefs. Keep that "jesus" stuff to yourself and respect others.

Who the hell is pushing it on you. You can simply ignore it. Instead you choose to throw someone under the bus because of their beliefs? Don't like religion, then ignore it! You have a choice!

Dear Sweet Jesus,

Please make all of these idiots shut the He-l up! It's enough to drive one to drink!

People may be drowning and dying out there, even now, as these poor fools argue over religious nonsense.

Oh, and if you really DO exist please try to help those in the water. Thanks.

Dear Buddha, and all the rest,

Sorry --- didn't mean to leave you all out.

Cassandra and Retired - If it bothers you so much, why don't you just look the other way and ignore it? Do you gain pleasure by attacking someone for his or her beliefs? How very sad. You both need to grow up and find something to enjoy in life.

Dear Mary Haughtey,

And this has WHAT to do with the great loss of life which may be taking place at this time?

I was not the one who brought religion into this. As for me I care little what a persons religion is as it is their religion between them and their personal God. I don't presume to have the right to tell them they are right or wrong. Because it is right for them does not make it right for me. This is indeed a tragedy and my heart goes out to the victims and their families. I only responded intially as there are those who want to drop everything in the creators lap when in fact the fault lies with men.

Earthquakes are also associated with underwater volcanic activity. The same heat and gasses that are killing fish could easily cause a boat to fail.

Just like my girlfriend !

Scream to??