Medical evacuation/delayed boarding

[chengkp75]

Thank you, good info to know.

 

I have a question that maybe you can answer. Would the USCG, or any other Coast Guard, as part of their standard operating procedure, stay away until the area was clear? That seems likely to me. Or would they have eventually come in anyway? Excuse me if this is an ignorant question. I just don't know the answer, but it seems to me that if that's the way they operate for the safety of all, that would give the Captain more authority than he might have in other situations.

 

It's just pretty disheartening to imagine that woman, who could have been my mother a few years ago, languishing on board, waiting for evacuation because of a handful of curious "rubberneckers" who would not get out of the way.

 

It would depend on what their "rules of engagement" are, in other words, what their instruction manuals say is required as far as area security. However, the flight crew would be weighing the needs of the patient over a potential crash at all times, whether folks are in the immediate area or not, and unless it violated one of their regulations, they would do what is necessary for the patient over anything else. Just like the firefighter who smashes the BMW's windows to run a hose through the car because it is parked illegally, they do what is necessary for the emergency and let the rest sort itself out later. (Though smashing the car windows is also a lot of fun for the firefighters!!)

 

And as far as "more authority" for the Captain, this is a case of "safety of the passengers" (both the patient and the rubberneckers), so he has "overriding authority", which means under law, that his decisions as to what to do in this situation cannot be second guessed by anyone ashore (either corporate or national authority), and if he has followed the company's ISM code, then regardless of his decisions or actions he cannot be held to blame (he is responsible, but not necessarily to blame, a legal technicality).

[Blondilu]

It would depend on what their "rules of engagement" are, in other words, what their instruction manuals say is required as far as area security. However, the flight crew would be weighing the needs of the patient over a potential crash at all times, whether folks are in the immediate area or not, and unless it violated one of their regulations, they would do what is necessary for the patient over anything else. Just like the firefighter who smashes the BMW's windows to run a hose through the car because it is parked illegally, they do what is necessary for the emergency and let the rest sort itself out later. (Though smashing the car windows is also a lot of fun for the firefighters!!)

 

And as far as "more authority" for the Captain, this is a case of "safety of the passengers" (both the patient and the rubberneckers), so he has "overriding authority", which means under law, that his decisions as to what to do in this situation cannot be second guessed by anyone ashore (either corporate or national authority), and if he has followed the company's ISM code, then regardless of his decisions or actions he cannot be held to blame (he is responsible, but not necessarily to blame, a legal technicality).

 

Thank you so much!

[Desert Cruizers]

I personally had an emergency with my husband 4 days from the completion of our TA, when he suffered a heart attack after dinner in our cabin. By passing all the details, the medical team finally got his heart going again however I was told by the Dr on call, that we were to far out for coast Guard. ( 2 days from Halifax, NS ) and since the medical team had him stable it was recommended the ship continue to ST Johns, Newfoundland to off load us. I can only say the care and professionalism of the crew on our Serenade sailing was unbelievable. My 2nd scariest moment was when they lifted him up out of the Tender to the awaiting ambulance.

[Cruisertino]

There was a problem with the PA system. It was never broadcasted in the same place. I heard the sound coming from the hall way, by the time I poke my head out of the hall way it was gone, and I tried to look for others to see if anyone heard anything. Then it came from the room but I was in the hall way already. I turned on the TV and switched to the ship channel but there was no announcement there either. I heard the sound coming from the balcony so I cracked open the door and only caught the last few words. So overall there was never any clear instructions until the last one that came from inside the room that tells people on the balcony must go back inside and close the door or you’ll be arrested.

 

I went up the Lido deck and talked to some crew and other passengers and was told it was a medical evacuation and was told it happens often. So if you cruise frequently you probably know the drill already.

 

In MDR dinner I talked to our table mates about it. One guy says he was in the shower and had no idea what’s going on, only heard broken or mumbled announcement so he did go out to his balcony. It was really cold that morning the temperature on the balcony was only in the 50’s. So I think the naked people were just startled in their sleep and tried to find out what’s going on.

 

I have no doubt there might be a few looky-loos. But there’s a real problem in the way the PA not working properly. Also what about all the non-English speaking foreign guests? I bet they had no idea what’s going on at all.

 

The communication system on this ship does not inspire confidence.

Edited September 5, 2018 by Cruisertino

[XBGuy]

There was a problem with the PA system. It was never broadcasted in the same place. I heard the sound coming from the hall way, by the time I poke my head out of the hall way it was gone, and I tried to look for others to see if anyone heard anything. Then it came from the room but I was in the hall way already. I turned on the TV and switched to the ship channel but there was no announcement there either. I heard the sound coming from the balcony so I cracked open the door and only caught the last few words. So overall there was never any clear instructions until the last one that came from inside the room that tells people on the balcony must go back inside and close the door or you’ll be arrested.

 

I went up the Lido deck and talked to some crew and other passengers and was told it was a medical evacuation and was told it happens often. So if you cruise frequently you probably know the drill already.

 

In MDR dinner I talked to our table mates about it. One guy says he was in the shower and had no idea what’s going on, only heard broken or mumbled announcement so he did go out to his balcony. It was really cold that morning the temperature on the balcony was only in the 50’s. So I think the naked people were just startled in their sleep and tried to find out what’s going on.

 

I have no doubt there might be a few looky-loos. But there’s a real problem in the way the PA not working properly. Also what about all the non-English speaking foreign guests? I bet they had no idea what’s going on at all.

 

The communication system on this ship does not inspire confidence.

 

Welcome to Cruise Critic, Cruisertino. We hope you hang around.

 

You have provided some interesting insights to the recent incident on the Grand Princess. It is very disappointing to hear that the PA system appears to be problematic and, frankly, inadequate. On various Princess ships, including last year on the Grand Princess, I have never had a problem hearing important or emergency announcements in my cabin. It seems that what you are reporting is totally unacceptable.

 

Your observation about non-English speaking passengers is also helpful. I had not considered that possibility.

 

Thank you for your contribution.

[chengkp75]

Welcome to Cruise Critic, Cruisertino. We hope you hang around.

 

You have provided some interesting insights to the recent incident on the Grand Princess. It is very disappointing to hear that the PA system appears to be problematic and, frankly, inadequate. On various Princess ships, including last year on the Grand Princess, I have never had a problem hearing important or emergency announcements in my cabin. It seems that what you are reporting is totally unacceptable.

 

Your observation about non-English speaking passengers is also helpful. I had not considered that possibility.

 

Thank you for your contribution.

 

I would suspect that more than being a deficiency of the PA system, it is a lack of training on the part of the person selecting the speaker system (all ship, pax public, pax public & cabin, crew only, etc).

[Thrak]

I have no doubt there might be a few looky-loos. But there’s a real problem in the way the PA not working properly. Also what about all the non-English speaking foreign guests? I bet they had no idea what’s going on at all.

 

The communication system on this ship does not inspire confidence.

 

Unfortunately, some non-English speaking people ignore everything that isn't in their own language. We once waited 45 minutes to leave a port in Alaska as they couldn't locate a Chinese couple. Somehow they left the ship and then returned without being properly checked back in. Even though they pronounced the people's name correctly and their cabin number they had to keep on repeating the message over and over with no response. Finally they got a Chinese speaking passenger and had them make the announcement. They got immediate results. The people had just ignored the announcements because they were in English. Like I said, the announcements had been pronouncing their names correctly and included their cabin number and deck but they simply ignored the announcements as irrelevant as they weren't in Chinese.

[jagsfan]

I have to confess that I don’t listen to announcements in a language I don’t understand. I’ve been on cruise ships that had announcements frequently and even when they’re in English, if I can’t hear them well, I don’t call anyone to ask what they were.

The emergency signal I would pay attention to.

 

 

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[Blondilu]

I don't mean to be insensitive. Or maybe I do. But, I don't think language had anything to do with it.

 

People get on a huge ship and sail out on to the open waters and ignore announcements from the bridge? Maybe the same people who spend the whole Muster on their phones.

 

Someone really new could be excused because they don't know that there are rarely announcements at that hour and almost never announcements made into the cabins. But, anyone else, upon hearing them should take notice, regardless of whether or not you understood. And if not understood or clearly heard then the smart thing to do is find out.

 

The guy in the shower isn't a problem. He didn't hear it, but he also wasn't on his balcony. But, those who were on their balconies ignored the announcements. Intentionally in my opinion.

 

Sorry to rant, but it makes me angry. My mother died several years ago from complications after a fall. If that was her waiting to be evacuated and I could find out who these people were, they would have heard from me. English speaking or not.

[caribill]

I don't mean to be insensitive. Or maybe I do. But, I don't think language had anything to do with it.

 

People get on a huge ship and sail out on to the open waters and ignore announcements from the bridge?

 

If they do not understand English, they do not know the announcement is from the bridge.

[Blondilu]

If they do not understand English, they do not know the announcement is from the bridge.

No, of course not. I misspoke. But they should be able to tell from the tone of the announcements and the manner in which they were given that it was more serious than "good morning ladies and gentlemen, this is your cruise director PJ". Personally I can't imagine being on a ship or a plane and ignoring what was clearly serious just because I didn't understand it the first time.

 

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[1emerald1]

My last two cruises were on the Royal and the Crown, and in both instances I could not hear announcements in my cabin, that is to say they were muffled where I could not distinguish words. I either had to open the door to the hallway or go on the balcony to hear the announcements. I don't know if I'm doing something wrong, or if that's the design of the ship. Back in the day you could hear all announcements in your cabin and if you got tired of listening to the cruise director throughout the day, there was a volume nob that you could control.

[geocruiser]

My last two cruises were on the Royal and the Crown, and in both instances I could not hear announcements in my cabin, that is to say they were muffled where I could not distinguish words. I either had to open the door to the hallway or go on the balcony to hear the announcements. I don't know if I'm doing something wrong, or if that's the design of the ship. Back in the day you could hear all announcements in your cabin and if you got tired of listening to the cruise director throughout the day, there was a volume nob that you could control.

We were on Regal this past, and like you I could not heard what was being said. I was just at the very end of the gift shop, and something was said over the intercom. My DH did not understand it either. He then went back to the cabin and I went to the casino. I just got to a machine and heard a announcement that I could not distinguish the words but one word. The word was FIRE. I ask the lady next to me if she heard that word, She said I think so and kept playing. I left right away took the stairs back to my cabin to get my DH. Got our pills and the things they say to take. We waited in the cabin. Then we both hear the all clear. The all clear came in the cabin. Yes, there was a fire in the incinerator. Which they said was put out fast.

That day when I saw a officer I told him that we could not hear the announcement in the store or casino. When we were in the Captain's welcome back party, I ask the Captain if he knew that the loud speaker could not be heard where I said I was that day. He said no one told him. I told him the story, where I was and all that I could hear. He said he would look into it and went and spoke to another officer. I did what I thought was right.

Does any one else know, I think they have more than one system of loud speakers?

[chengkp75]

There is not more than one system of loudspeakers, but there is the ability to only broadcast to selected speakers. As I said, they can select; crew spaces only, passenger public spaces, passenger cabins, any combination of these, or all ship. There is also a volume override so that if you have turned down the muzak, the announcements will come over at full volume.

[Host CJSKIDS]

As someone who has been in a true emergency on a Princess ship, I assure you that what Chengkp75 says is true. If they want you to hear the announcements in the cabins, they will be totally broadcast in the cabins. You will hear every word they say!

 

It’s unfortunate that some chose to ignore those announcements and delayed the medical evacuation. As others said, I’m sure some may not have understood the severity of the situation. Others more than likely just wanted to watch.