Foul

The Costa Concordia cruise ship disaster 2 weeks ago has captured my attention, even if I haven't said much about it.  Being an avid cruise-r, how could it not?

Thinking about all those people, frantically trying to save themselves in the midst of total confusion - it is every cruise passenger's worst nightmare come to life.

The captain - there are no polite words to express my feelings about that man.  And his crew isn't far behind in my estimation either.

Picture from A/PWhen you board a cruise ship in the U.S., you aren't allowed to leave port until the muster station drill is completed and every single passenger is accounted for at their particular muster station.  You receive training on putting on your life vest, on how to board the lifeboats; you meet the officers in charge of your muster station so you can recognize them immediately.  You aren't allowed to talk or move around until the Captain gives the all-clear, which is based on reports from each officer at each muster station.

At the start of your vacation it is - annoying. And incredibly necessary. I was always thankful that there was so much emphasis placed on this part of the cruise experience.

In addition, the crew runs similar drills for themselves at least once - during every. single. cruise.  No exceptions were ever made in the 9 cruises I have taken.

Laws on international cruises are different apparently in that they can hold the drills after they set sail.

Captain Schettino never held the drill.  And it's clear that his crew was not properly trained in evacuations either. The fault of that lies with the captain and the cruise line.

The latest bullshit to come out of this nightmare is this statement from the chief executive of Costa Crociere SpA, Pier Luigi Foschi:

...he defended the practice of so-called "tourist navigation",'whereby enormous cruise ships steer close to shore to give passengers a look at the sights.

He said it was part of the "cruise product" that passengers demand and that cruise lines are forced to offer to stay competitive.

"It's something that enriches the cruise product," Mr Foschi told a parliamentary committee.

"There are many components of the cruise product, and we have to do them like everyone else because we are in a global competition."

Total. Utter. Bullshit - this is just so patently full of excrement that I don't know where to begin.  I've been on enough cruises to different places to know that, in fact, this never happens.

Yes, cruise ships will sail close to special areas for passengers to get pictures and have that special experience.  However, these incidents are planned parts of the voyage.  Cruise ship captains don't take the kinds of risks that Schettino took with their passengers and crew.  In fact in my experiences, captains are very risk averse.  Twice one of our cruises did not even make a scheduled stop because either the weather was too bad with harsh rain or the seas were too rough to anchor offshore safely.

In each case - the cruise line refunded us the money we paid for port fees at those stops. So cruise lines and their captains are well-aware of the need to keep passenger safety a #1 priority.

Image from BBC websiteStranger still is the image at right - the course taken by the Costa Concordia on 3 separate occasions with Schettino at the helm.

Two times out of 3, Schettino navigated off the pre-approved course.  Which proves the lie in the following statement he made:

Captain Francesco Schettino, now under arrest on suspicion of manslaughter, said the rocks were not marked on maps and were not detected by navigation systems. [emphasis mine]

He sailed that same dangerous route 6 months before; did the rocks magically move in that time?  Did the reef form in 6 months?  And what about the same trip one week prior to the incident?  Why was there no "tourist navigation" on that cruise, under command of the same captain.

Of course these are questions that Schettino will have to answer to; one can only hope that justice is served for the 35 people who have died (16 confirmed deaths with 19 still unaccounted for and likely, in the next few days, to be classifed as presumed dead) as a result of his actions.

In the meantime I do hope that international maritime cruise laws are reviewed to ensure that muster station drills are conducted before a cruise ship leaves its port.  As well there should be, at the very least, mandatory monthly training for all officers and crew.

Today the cruise line announced that every uninjured survivor would receive $14,400 in compensation for lost personal effects, plus a full refund of the original cost of the cruise and any costs associated with getting home.  Total cost to the cruise line, at least at this stage: $53 million.  This does not include whatever compensation will eventually be paid out to those injured. And it certainly doesn't include the wrongful death lawsuits and likely settlements that will occur shortly.

I think the cruise line is getting off easy.

On a side note, the news of this disaster unfolded while we were in Florida, so the local newspapers were full of stories since Costa Concordia's owner - Carnival Cruises - is headquartered there.  I have to say I found the stories in the papers ... distasteful.  While there was at least one cover story all week about the rescue efforts, the majority of the stories focused on the health of the cruise industry in the wake of the sinking.

While the news was still reporting bodies being discovered and attempting to determine how many people were actually missing.  While families were still trying to sort out what was happening to their loved ones.

Others were focused on how to continue to make money.  Grotesque.

Love Letter

Handsome, isn't he.  Born in 1931 this was his high school graduation picture. By all accounts signatures in his high school yearbook indicate that he was quite the lady's man.

At the very least he had many lady friends. Who could blame them?

He was charming too. It was said of him that he could enter a room full of strangers and leave a room full of friends.

That wasn't just conversation, it really was true.  Everybody loved him.  Whip smart, he could hold his own on any topic.  He was a bottomless pit of information that he could summon at a moment's notice.

He barely finished high school; a self-professed rebel he would have been the student sitting at the back of the class only making it look like he was paying attention.  School - just wasn't his thing.

Business - was.  Self-made and self-taught he started his own business at the tender age of 31, building it from the ground up into a very successful contracting company.  He was the consummate salesman; he could sell you the shoes you were wearing - and you'd quite happily pay more for them the second time around.

He was ... my dad.

I was his princess; he was wrapped around my little finger from my first breath and it never changed.  Even as he was dealing with the diagnosis of the cancer that would steal him from us - he was concerned about the new car we were buying, how our jobs were going and what we had been up to.

He faced his impending death with enormous dignity; each day that passed he knew was ticking down to his last - and soon.  Time became measured in the last autumn leaf, the coyote who crossed his path on an early and rare walk, by the snowflakes that signaled his last winter.

He died 17 years ago today at 8:45pm.  There hasn't been a day since that I haven't missed him or been reminded of his presence in my life.

This year I will pray with deepest gratitude for having had his love, affection and leadership in my life, even if it was for such a brief but brilliant time. I will pray for comfort to heal the emptiness of his absence in my life.  I will pray for those who have never known the love and kindness of a father such as mine. I will turn to God and be filled with the cherished memories of my beloved dad.

Daddy - you are missed and loved each and every day.  Life was diminished when you died and the lights have never shone as brightly as they did when you were here.

Manatees!

As mentioned before we left on our vacation, we had made a plan to swim with Manatees. 

Very early last Monday, the 16th, we left the condo we were renting in Clearwater Beach and made the 90 minute drive north for a 6:15am arrival at River Ventures in Crystal River.  Watched a short video on maintaining the safety of the Manatees, don a wet suit (I will leave you to your own mental images of what it took for a bodacious woman to wriggle into a wet suit...I'm sure it will never quite come close to the reality...) and head out to the boat for the 10 minute cruise upriver.

It was a glorious morning, even if it was god-awfully early.  We hit the river before sunrise and made it to our destination just as the light was changing. 

The Crystal River is loaded with thermal springs, making for a balmy 72 degree water. Add onto that the 36 degrees of air temperature that morning and it makes for an amazing set of conditions on the water.  Mist, fog and burgeoning sunrise made for an ethereal display that was, despite my best attempts, impossible to capture in any way other than my memory.

Nine of us plus our uber-adorable captain, Sean, began the process of getting into the river once the small pontoon boat was anchored on the opposite side of the river from the entrance to a trio of hot springs that were accessed thru a side canal.

Immediately there were Manatees - everywhere.  At least 5 of them were right by the boat with a flotilla stretching across the river.  Adults, juveniles and babies all milling about.

I totally, completely and utterly ... freaked out.  You really don't have any idea how huge the adults are until you are in the water with them, put your snorkel mask into the water and then look at one hanging out a mere 3 feet from you.

The Oracle's Hand; image taken by Capt. Sean1,200 pounds of gentle sea cow just ... looking at you.  800 pounds of juvenile looking to play.  600 pounds of baby wanting to roll over and have his belly rubbed.

I got into the water and promptly - got out.  I just couldn't do it.  I wept and sobbed and tried my best and in the end, trusted that my instincts were right and I stayed on the boat.  The Oracle - he left with my full support and enthusiastic encouragement.  Why should he miss out on his fun just because his wife is a wimp?

And what fun he had!  He said he must have had encounters with at least 40-50 Manatees, possibly more.  You can't approach them however if they swim up to you - game on.

The Oracle & Adult Manatee; image taken by Capt. SeanThey are very sweet, docile and gentle creatures. Intensely curious and ready to play if you are.  They will kiss you, roll over to have their belly scratched and in general hang out with you until they want to move on.  When they do, you can't follow them.

They sleep on the bottom of the river, for 12-15 hours per day!  However they need air to breathe and it is quite amazing how they manage to sleep so much and breathe - their bodies know they need air about every 20-30 minutes during a sleep cycle, so they will rise to the surface, take in air and then, quite gently, sink back to the bottom. They don't ever really wake up during this process.

Which can be very interesting when you are in the water with them. They will just rise - right underneath you!  It is up to you to get out of the way else you'll surface on top of a very large, floating sofa.

While The Oracle spent 90 minutes floating, playing and generally having himself one helluva great time, I had my own experience on the boat.  As I said, Manatees are quite playful and they really do enjoy being among humans who respect their environment and them.

5 month old Manatee; image taken by meThey are also very curious and found the various lines hanging off the boat rather - tasty.

Manatees are herbivores who eat about 10% of their body weight in aquatic plants on a daily basis.  The lines of the boat had algae on them and the babies and juveniles do enjoy sucking on them.

Siblings; image taken by meWhich gave me much enjoyment of my own.  While I didn't reach down to pet any of them - I was worried that, being alone on the boat, the ever-present Florida Wildlife Rangers would have a problem with a tourist who was clearly unescorted interacting with the protected Manatees - I did spend the better part of an hour photographing them, filming them and just ... watching them.

I was very fortunate to have one of the other boat captains swim by while the baby was playing around with the line; I got him on digital video (still needs to be edited...) swimming alongside the 5 month old Manatee.

5 months old and it was longer than a 6 foot tall man and likely outweighed him by 400-500 pounds.

Manatee Kiss!; image taken by Capt. SeanLike I said - they are sweet, docile and H.U.G.E.

Eventually our adventure came to an end and we made the trip back to the dock.  (We have some gorgeous video of that ride as well, still to be edited.) 

After a brief foray into the gift shop at River Ventures, where suitable momentos were obtained, we made our way out to explore the area around the river.  This included a few wildlife sanctuaries, Manatee rehabilitation centers and just general driving around and enjoying the warm sunshine.

Growl and PurrOf course that whole process was made more enjoyable by our ride, as seen at right.  Brand new Mustang with a throaty growl and more than enough pick-me-up for some fun.  We enjoyed it so much that The Oracle may, finally!, relent and let me have one for my next car.

Productive vacation!

Notes: 

The hot springs and thermal vents referenced above are known as The Three Sisters.  Go to this link for some spectacular aerial imagery of the springs to see where The Oracle went and just how gorgeous the Crystal River really is.

Also, the stuff you see growing on the Manatees that looks hard and scaly is really a collection of algae.  When they move to cooler water that stuff will fall off.  It looks awful but The Oracle says it's a little slimy and it doesn't hurt the animals at all.

Sweet creatures!

Home

Sweet home.

Got in at 1:30am, today. We actually have a travel-hangover from the late flight home.

That said, the entire trip was, quite simply, spectacular; from start to finish it was one of the best trips we've ever had.  Even the airline travel - much as I loathe it - wasn't horrible.

So many beautiful stories to share; so many pictures and videos to edit.  Until I get to all that, I leave you with these amazing images from the most unspoiled beaches we have ever had the privilege to wander - Honeymoon Island.

Honeymoon Island - North BeachHoneymoon Island - Sunset on Park Beach

Sweet Break

We will be airborne very early on Saturday morning heading to a much warmer climate for one solid week of pure rest.

There will be a private condo, swimming pool for the condo association and its guests and immediate access to one of the most beautiful beaches in the States.

The following represents the advance weather forecast for our destination:

The perfect antidote to what has been a grueling first two weeks of the new year.  It will be ... just The Oracle and me.

No friends. No family.  Just sweet peace and privacy.

To give you a hint as to our destination, please see the picture at left - we will be swimming with these on January 16!

We are also treating ourselves to a convertible Mustang for our stay so we can explore and take relaxing seaside drives in the fresh air and sunshine.

Our accommodations come to us courtesy of an old friend with whom I have reconnected in the past few months.  She rents it to family and friends for very steep discounts.

Embarrasingly steep.  The kind of discount that makes it impossible for you to say no to a week in a 2 bedroom condo with living room, dining room, kitchen and balconies overlooking the beach and ocean.

Breakfasts in - nice and relaxed with no formal schedule; dinners out.  Days spent at the pool or on the beach that is literally just outside the condo complex.

Shell seeking.

This is a much-needed respite; we haven't packed our bags and gone away in nearly 3 years.  It's been nearly 4 years since we did this just the 2 of us.

This trip is long overdue.

Blogging will be - non-existent.