Cruise ship anchor photographed on the reef

[Drew Sailbum]

The legal process is starting to move forward with the Cayman Islands Department of Environment (DOE) gathering information in advance of possible action.

See Caymanian Compass article: [h=1]Environment officials seek accountability for reef damage[/h]
The DOE has requested a meeting with the Ministry of Tourism "to discuss possible options about ways to move forward and hold someone accountable for this."

That is probably the most forceful that could be reasonably expected at this time.

DOE has already met with representatives from Bodden Shipping, the port services company where the harbour pilot works. The harbour pilot typically provides instructions about where a cruise ship should lower its anchor.

 

[Drew Sailbum]

On Sunday October 12, Radio Cayman's evening news had a brief interview with Sunset House manager Keith Sahm. He stated to expect some news about the legal responsibility issue on October 16th. Mark your calendars for Thursday.

 

[flots am]

Unfortunately, Carnival Magic has 2 fixed pitch propellers with 2 conventional shafts. Although azipod reliability has improved dramatically since first being introduced, many ships are not fitted with them.

AFAIK, they all have side thrusters, and I KNOW they have multiple high precision GPSs and know the exact location of the entire ship at all times.

For the officers, these ports hold all the excitement and novelty of a bus stop. They go to the same place every single week. The captain should absolutely have known that this wasn't one of his normal anchoring locations and had it confirmed.

 

[Drew Sailbum]

On Sunday October 12, Radio Cayman's evening news had a brief interview with Sunset House manager Keith Sahm. He stated to expect some news about the legal responsibility issue on October 16th. Mark your calendars for Thursday.

Aack! No news as everything local turned to EBOLA! OMG there is a cruise passenger with EBOLA (well not actually with EBOLA! but, might have, maybe, possibly, could have handled lab samples from a patient with EBOLA!)

The ship isn't even coming to Cayman this week, but EBOLA!

But that ship sometimes comes to Cayman, and EBOLA!

And how will that ship be decontaminated after the passenger who doesn't even have EBOLA! disembarks?


Maybe there will be more news on the coral damage the next slow news week.

 

[Drew Sailbum]

Months later and still no announcement from the government. Island Time.

Meanwhile the restoration operations continue with much of the expense being borne by the volunteer divers doing the work themselves with the assistance of local dive shops. A fundraiser has been announced to take place at the Green Parrot on Feb 27th in the hopes of raising $10,000. Stop by if you will be on the island.

Apparently Carnival Cruse Lines, whose anchor did the damage, has not made a donation towards the expense of the reef restoration project.

 

[drbill]

They can hold position within an astonishingly tight tolerance. It does cost fuel, but it's not a big factor, since fuel usage to maintain position is nearly insignificant compared to usage to create electricity for the ship and power the engines while actually traveling.

I'm not so sure. Due to our extreme drought on Catalina Island, it was suggested to the Carnival cruise ships that drop anchor off the island that they generate freshwater for the town using their on-board desalination systems. The reply to the question was that it would cost too much in fuel to keep the system running for the 8 hours they were in port.

 

[Drew Sailbum]

Carnival Cruise Lines has pledged $100,000 towards the reef restoration effort according to a recent report by Cayman 27.

Glad to see them contributing to the effort to repair the damages caused when the Carnival Magic's anchor was dropped on the reef on August 27, 2014.

Meanwhile, volunteers raised around $28,000 at a recent benefit to continue funding efforts that, up to this point, were being paid for by donations in kind from local companies and the volunteers themselves. Thanks go out to several local dive companies for contributing tank fills and boat use to contribute towards the reef repair effort.

 

[Doctorfish]

Good news re Carnival pledge.

now time for the Port Authority and Bodden Shipping to kick in as well.

My concern is that no matter how much money is raised, a reef once damaged to this extent, is gone forever.

 

[Akimbo]

…
So far no word on whether Carnival or anyone will be charged with violating Cayman Marine Law which prohibits "Damaging coral by anchor, chains, or any other means ANYWHERE in Cayman waters" subject to "a maximum penalty of Cl$500,000 fine and one year in jail. Upon conviction, forfeiture of the vessel or other equipment may also be ordered."...

Wow, that sounds like a good reason to never visit the island. What do they do if your boat sinks on a reef? Rescue you so you can be executed?

 

[scoobydrew]

Wow, that sounds like a good reason to never visit the island. What do they do if your boat sinks on a reef? Rescue you so you can be executed?

probably not no, are you being a drama queen for any particular reason?