Disaster at Sea

I hate seeing distressing News like this, especially when children are involved.

As many as 300 people are missing following a ferry disaster off the coast of South Korea.

The vessel, named Sewol, was carrying 459 people, mainly school students, when it capsized enroute from the port of Incheon, in the north-west, to the southern resort island of Jeju. Six fatalities have been confirmed by local authorities, and a major rescue effort is underway. A further 55 injuries have been reported, with more than 150 people pulled to safety.

 Dozens of military and civilian ships and helicopters are involved in the rescue, with survivors being taken to a nearby island.

 The ferry sank two hours after issuing a distress call, with the causes of the disaster still unclear. The 146m-long ferry serves the route twice as week and has a capacity of 900 people.

South Korean TV networks are replaying  the dramatic footage of the rescue efforts before the ferry sank. It shows many small boats motoring right up beside the ferry, which listed heavily on its side before sinking.

Rescuers were seen desperately grabbing children and other passengers out of the water before they were swept away by the currents and undertow. Helicopters  were seen throwing orange life rafts to passengers bobbing on the sea and also winching some passengers to safety. What has made this accident even more distressing is the fact that among those on board were high school students on a trip to a holiday island.

Relatives and friends of those on board are posting on social media sites asking for any news or information about loved ones. On Facebook many South Koreans are re-posting a yellow ribbon to symbolise the hope that the missing may still be found alive.

“Please, please survive and come back,” the message reads. “We love you guys.”

I cannot imagine how the families are feeling right now and hope that there loved ones are found safe and sound.

When anything like this happens it raises the question of safety at sea.

Are the ships we sail on safe for their passengers.

What do you think about this issue?

Are authorities doing enough to protect passengers at sea?