I have gone through a Hurricane off of Florida when I was in the Navy. This has been a known hazard ever since ships went to sea. The U. S. Navy has lost ships due to Hurricanes. Being a former Mariner this is what going to sea you are going to be faced with. The loss of life is no comfort for the family, but this is a known hazard of being a Mariner.
It may be a known hazard but it didn’t have to be an inevitability. The trip from Jacksonville to Puerto Rico isn’t that far and they certainly could have waited for the storm to pass. Plus, why take the risk with today’s radar & weather availability? Quite frankly, I find the decision to leave port a mystery.
With today’s radar technology why didn’t the Captain try to evade the storm. Ships of that size have a better chance of riding our the storm at sea, than in port with the possibility of running aground.
My view is if I have to be at sea I would set a course away from the storm, and wait it out. The trip was not a very long one, and this would not endanger the crew, or ship.
I have gone through a Hurricane off of Florida when I was in the Navy. This has been a known hazard ever since ships went to sea. The U. S. Navy has lost ships due to Hurricanes. Being a former Mariner this is what going to sea you are going to be faced with. The loss of life is no comfort for the family, but this is a known hazard of being a Mariner.
It may be a known hazard but it didn’t have to be an inevitability. The trip from Jacksonville to Puerto Rico isn’t that far and they certainly could have waited for the storm to pass. Plus, why take the risk with today’s radar & weather availability? Quite frankly, I find the decision to leave port a mystery.
With today’s radar technology why didn’t the Captain try to evade the storm. Ships of that size have a better chance of riding our the storm at sea, than in port with the possibility of running aground.
My view is if I have to be at sea I would set a course away from the storm, and wait it out. The trip was not a very long one, and this would not endanger the crew, or ship.