Wednesday February 15, 2012

JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION

Over 740 feared dead after ferry sinks in Philippines

World Jun. 23, 2008 - 02:25AM JST ( 8 )

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8 Comments

0

pathatJun. 22, 2008 - 05:59PM JST

This is a terrible tragedy. Maybe it would be a good idea not to complain when I am on the crowded trains in downtown Tokyo tomorrow.

Things could be much worse.
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Taka313Jun. 22, 2008 - 07:10PM JST

One thing the story didn't mention that I am very curious to know is the maximum capacity of the ferry. Obviously that would have nothing to do with the engine failure but 700 people on one ferry makes me wonder if it wasn't over-crowded and overweight.

Taka
0

Zen_BuilderJun. 22, 2008 - 07:27PM JST

The 23,824-tonne ferry, the Princess of the Stars, has a passenger capacity of 1,992.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7467696.stm
0

USNinJapan2Jun. 22, 2008 - 09:12PM JST

Taka

She is, sorry was, a pretty good-sized boat. Don't think she was overloaded... http://www.sulpiciolines.com/vessels.php?p=str

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MVPrincessoftheStars

Kind of suspicious though that she lost all propulsion...
0

BeelzebubJun. 22, 2008 - 09:20PM JST

The point is, these ships have a notorious reputation for sinking in typhoons, and nobody seems to ever take a lesson from it! It never should have been permitted to sail. Sulpico Lines, the company that owns it, is responsible and should be shut down permanently -- after paying compensation to the victims.
0

VORJun. 22, 2008 - 10:50PM JST

why were there passengers on this ferry in the first place. were they stranded a day or two before the typhoon hit or did they cut it too close when they set sail? i fail to see this as tragic. it appears more criminal than anything else.
0

rjd_jrJun. 23, 2008 - 11:20AM JST

Sad.
0

WilliBJun. 23, 2008 - 01:17PM JST

That is horrible. The "Poseidon Adventure" for real.