Cruise Ship Sinks on Mediterranean Reef (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2007/04/06/international/i045851D62.DTL&feed=rss.news) -- SFGate/AP, 2007-04-06
A Greek cruise ship that struck a volcanic reef and forced the evacuation of hundreds of tourists sank on Friday, 15 hours after it began taking on water off the coast of a Mediterranean island. A Frenchman and his daughter were missing, officials said.

Passengers on Thursday climbed down rope ladders to coast guard boats below in a three-hour rescue that involved Greece's military, commercial ships and local fishermen from the island of Santorini. Passengers on the cruise were mostly American, and also included groups from Canada and Spain.

Editor's note: The linked article includes photos of the ship sinking.

Wow. That has got to be scarry to say the very least! Its amazing that they only have 2 people not accounted for, though. It could have been worse.

Heres to hoping the other two were only missing "on paper" and they are safe somewhere.

Why am I suddenly nervous?

(It's not like AVP and I are going to be on a cruise right in that area in September, or anything...)

Video (no sound, unfortunately) of the ship sinking is here (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/sfgate/submit?blogid=16&entry_id=15117&comment_id=160260).

News like this is normally taken very hard in Greece, but today it is worse because this is Holy Week and today is Good Friday in Greece. Many prayers will be said in Church today, I am sure, for the missing Frenchman and his daughter. It could have been so much worse. At least they were so close to Thira's harbour and have put a net around the ship to try and contain the fuel--it's going to be so bad for the marine life. Kyrie Elysion.

Here are two more videos on YouTube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5sjnXkeTJI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vwpeuiq0low

Koukla <3
~~Kalo Pascha kai Zhto h Ellada~~

I know this may sound like a silly question, but... I wonder what they are going to do with the ship now that its sunk. Is it just going to sit there at the bottom of the sea?

Yes, silly question, mainly since I know there really isnt a way to "raise" it. But just wondering.

I regularly read Greek newspapers online and listen to the news, but so far haven't heard them addressing that issue. If they do, I'll post it here. I do know for now their main concern, as far as the ship is concerned, is containment of the fuel spillage.
~Koukla

Having never been on a cruise, I'm going to ask a silly question. What do you do with your stuff when you first learn the boat is sinking? I would assume they direct you to evacuate without it, but....that's my stuff, ya know? If you're at a place where you can grab your belongings, would they let you evacuate with them? Just curious.

Having never been on a cruise, I'm going to ask a silly question. What do you do with your stuff when you first learn the boat is sinking? I would assume they direct you to evacuate without it, but....that's my stuff, ya know? If you're at a place where you can grab your belongings, would they let you evacuate with them? Just curious.I very much doubt you will be allowed to evacuate with anything you are not wearing. The process of loading the lifeboats and such would be very much impeded by people trying to haul their stuff along, and frankly the space a suitcase or duffel bag would take up should be used for people. The Disney safety drill tells you to leave your belongings behind.

AVP

I know this may sound like a silly question, but... I wonder what they are going to do with the ship now that its sunk. Is it just going to sit there at the bottom of the sea?

Yes, silly question, mainly since I know there really isnt a way to "raise" it. But just wondering.

Hi GusMan,

It is not a silly question. It is now up to the authorities and insurance companies to make that determination. If it is determined that the ship needs to be raised for further investigation or that there is a salvagable value to the ship that outweighs the cost of raising the ship, they will raise it. Otherwise, the ship stays at the bottom and becomes a great coral roof and place for fish to hang out.

As an aside, DCL did something similar at Castaway Cay when they developed the snorkeling area. It takes many years for the coral and fish to congregate, but it makes a very nice area.

Ted

Having never been on a cruise, I'm going to ask a silly question. What do you do with your stuff when you first learn the boat is sinking? I would assume they direct you to evacuate without it, but....that's my stuff, ya know? If you're at a place where you can grab your belongings, would they let you evacuate with them? Just curious.

If you need to evacuate the ship, you are only allowed to bring any medications that you absolutely need and the clothes on your back. You will also be allowed to bring a warm jacket and you should dress warmly.

However, and most importantly, a ship very rarely sinks. Modern navigation techniques and technology have made ocean travel extremely safe. I have personally been on numerous cruises and even some transatlantic crossings and have had a wonderful time. It is one the best ways to travel to get a flavor of a destination.

Ted