A nice trip, safety? Good question....

Bit of a surprise for the lady of the house and me. Our daughter treated us to a ticket for a trip on the ‘Waverley’. The Waverley is a paddle-steamer built in 1947 and reputedly the only one left in the world. Well, at least in the UK! The ship would leave the pier at Penarth (the small town next to Cardiff) for the trip to Ilfracombe, the small town in North Devon, England. It is about 70 odd miles I think and the trip lasts for about just 2 hours plus. The weather at the moment here is governed by a high pressure system, meaning calmer seas. Yet due to a stiff breeze there were visible the well-known ‘white horses’. For foreigners that means asking the age-old question – ‘White horses’? Are there horses on the water? No, friends it just means white capped waves. It made the ship sway ever so little but noticeable looking at the stumbling people around the decks. One very serious question needs asking though, a ship like the ‘Waverley’ which is not enormous like today’s ocean-liners had some 800 passengers on it, all trippers plus a crew of about 15 I think. Now, the Bristol Channel is not very busy as far a shipping is concerned but nevertheless. The tannoy message before we left stated that in case of a problem the horn would sound and people would have to go to the stern (rear).

Another word used is ‘Aft’. The point is if there would be a very serious incident, something like a collision or an underwater obstacle like rocks and subsequent holing of the ship. Such numbers of passengers, most likely with loads of children, would have to rush down narrow sideboards and galley ways. Panic would ensue. Also there could be very little time to dish out swim vests. The ship has only two lifeboats. Each would hold probably just 15-20 people? You can see where this is going. I am not a morbid person, the day itself was great, the weather brilliant. The company good, the staff incredibly helpful. Meaning I have great recollections. But I am just asking – What IF? There is no doubt the safety at sea is taken seriously in the UK. Much has been done over the years. You only have to look at the English Channel with its enormous throughput of massive ships which goes virtually like clockwork. But accidents as we know, are not unknown. Remember the Torrey Canyon? So, I think questions of safety are or can be pertinent but necessary. Especially when looking at pleasure cruisers as the tendency sometimes seems to be ‘Pack ‘m in, and pack ‘m high'.

Edit: Apparently there are large inflatables on board, the type that gets blown up very quickly thanks to the inbuilt gas canister. Yet, the question remains, panic of people must not be overlooked. The ship is not very big and galley ways are narrow. Also the stairs are very steep. Notwithstanding that, what about the over 70's? There were loads of OAPs on board. as well as small children. The problem usually is that people say it is OK, what are you worrying about. Well, that is until something happens and hundreds lose their lives. It is always good to ask what does the company do as far as training and accident scenarios? 

Edit2: Yes, what ARE you worrying about! I worry about attitude towards safety. Look at the unfortunate deep-sea submarine imploding in the North Atlantic.