HUFFINGTON POST: Carnival Corp. says all maritime interests must assist without question those in trouble at sea, a duty that would not include reimbursing the U.S. government nearly $780,000 for costs associated with the rescue of the crippled Triumph cruise ship.
Carnival released letters Friday replying to an inquiry by U.S. Sen. Jay Rockefeller, a West Virginia Democrat who chairs the Senate Commerce Committee, about the Triumph stranding and the cruise line’s overall safety record. Among Rockefeller’s questions was whether Carnival would repay the government for Coast Guard costs in the Triumph case as well as $3.4 million to the Coast Guard and Navy from the 2010 stranding of the Carnival Splendor in the Pacific Ocean.
“These costs must ultimately be borne by federal taxpayers,” Rockefeller said in his March letter, adding that Carnival appears to pay little or no federal income taxes… (more)
EDITOR: It has been our impression from recent accidents that the Carnival plays fast and loose with safety. Since the passengers were not in immediate danger, the Navy could have simply monitored from afar.
Through ownership of most of the cruise lines, Carnival has a virtual monopoly over the industry.
Had we not already paid for a cruise in July, we would cancel.
