Hundreds missing as S Korea ferry sinks

[Dread Knot]

Originally Posted by Oberon

I must admit, the fact that it's a well built Japanese ferry and the South Koreans aren't generally known for smashing their ferries into things...and the dull thud before the ship started listing and the rapidity of the sinking...

It does sound dreadfully familiar to anyone who has studied the uboat war and survivors of torpedo impacts...

I hope that it is not, and I also dearly hope that they are able to get more survivors off the wreck.

I suppose anything is possible, but judging by the way the captain was practically hiding inside his hoodie during his police interview, I think he knows where the blame lies.

[Oberon]

Originally Posted by Dread Knot

I suppose anything is possible, but judging by the way the captain was practically hiding inside his hoodie during his police interview, I think he knows where the blame lies.

I wouldn't be so sure, there's a culture of shame over there, don't forget, he was probably regretting he didn't go down with the ship.
Time will tell though, certainly human error is the most likely cause in this situation, but given where it took place one cannot completely rule out enemy action.

[Oberon]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-27077694

Prosecutors in South Korea have asked a court to issue an arrest warrant for the captain of the ferry that sank on Wednesday, officials say.


It was earlier revealed that a junior officer - and not the captain - was at the helm of the ferry when it capsized.

This is all sounding a bit familiar...

[Jimbuna]

Third Officer was at the helm at the time...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-27077694

[Aktungbby]

The vessel was not off course to hit an unknown rock; but had made a radicle turn previous to the 'bang'; Perhaps a cargo container crashed down fracturing the 20 year old hull at several points inside the multi-compartments (antiflooding) and filled too rapidly to allow counter flooding. Apparently the captain was also not the usual captain but a relief captain as well as the third officer being on helm. a series of small details often leading to the greater calamity as with Titanic. Oddly enough: the 2 hr time frame is similar... http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304311204579507253422026022

[Oberon]

There's also the possibility of the sharp turn causing a dramatic shift of balance in the cargo, leading to the ship listing beyond its safety point and taking on water as a result.

[Platapus]

I guess the crew did not recognize the dangers of....

wait for it.....

wait for it.....

almost there.....

submerged ROKs....

(rimshot)

(crickets chirping)

I will just be sitting down over here in the corner.

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by Oberon

There's also the possibility of the sharp turn causing a dramatic shift of balance in the cargo, leading to the ship listing beyond its safety point and taking on water as a result.

That is my lads considered opinion also...he also said it would not be unusual for a third officer to be at the helm if the plotted course was considered safe and free of potential navigational hazards but a senior officer would also always be either on the bridge or in the ships office which is usually directly behind and adjoining the bridge.