Confused, chaotic scenes described on sinking ferry

The captain is being criticized for surviving while passengers were still trapped/unaccounted for.

Just a terrible terrible tragedy. Sounds like more could have been done to save more lives, but hindsight is always 50/50. My love goes out to the families.

@Serrano I think it's one of those unspoken rules that a captain has to go down with the ship or until everyone is safe. However, I'm not sure how dated that is though.

I just wonder if there are enought exygen inside? until getting out of there. It seems to take weeks.

A large ferry plying a regular route capsizing so quickly is really, really suspicious.

This ferry previously belonged to the A-line based in Amami. Strangely their other similar car ferry, the Ariake tipped over unexpectedly and sank in a similar fashion in Jaqpanese waters in 2009. Luckily all survived, but I suspect there is a problem with these big ferries somehow...

Hoping that no Japanese are among the missing.

RR

When it comes to tragedies, its an all round terrible situation. No need to single out one nationality for your sympathies.

shanabelle

It was in service for about 20 years without a hitch before the Korean bought it.

HokkaidoKuma

In Japan there is a law for the captain AND the crew to organize and foresee the evacuation process of the passengers. Leaving the ship with the passengers disoriented with no guidance for evacuation is not an option.

@ RomeoR - you almost make it sound as though a lost Japanese life would be more tragic than the few hundred or so lost souls. I'm sure it was just an oversight.

Human tragedy knows no borders - every loss is equally devastating, every life is equally precious.

It was in service for about 20 years without a hitch before the Korean bought it.

And then, from what I heard, the Koreans have kind of redesigned it, expand it upwards if im not mistaken.

EIther way, its a terrible tragedy, lets hope they can still pull people out alive.

Don't blame "the Koreans". Place blame on the ferry corp that bought the vessel and Captain that sailed it.

@SamuraiBlue

I am pretty sure that there is a similar law in South Korea too... Furthermore I the problem is in the captain of the ship, him as a person... people that made that kind of decisions can be found every where.

Deviating off course, the captain leaving his ship quickly, late orders to abandon ship and then leaving the passengers to fend for themselves...didn't the same thing happen just a few years ago at Isola del Giglio?

Daniel Neagari

Did I imply otherwise?

The captain as a person also chose to wear that uniform placing him responsible for the safety of the passenger and the crew which he had disregarded shamefully as he skipped ship before performing his duties.

Horrific. So young and what a horrible way to go. Can't image the pain and suffering the families are dealing with.

Two major tragedies in our area of the world. I empathize with every family that has to deal with the loss of a loved one! Spring has not been kind so far.

Truly a sad situation, more could have been done to save those people.

The captain should be the last one to leave the ship or go down with it. He may now wish he had stayed on board, Of course we don't at this time know all the details but is looks like the crew was not prepared in any way for a calamity at sea, something crews are supposed to get trained and retrained for. Even a ferry and a large one at that, is an ocean going vessel which needs to be equipped with competent and certified people in charge of human lives. I know it's easy to criticize after the fact, but how well was the operator and the employed crew prepared, how often did they conduct emergency training sessions? These are questions people will want answers to.