| As if the film director suddenly switches the scene and | | | | Andrea Doria. They must have felt a sense of security |
| characters, the plot of the Greek Sea Diamond | | | | being only a quarter mile from the shoreline of the sea |
| catastrophe unfolds similarly to that of the Italian | | | | resort, instead of being 45 miles from the Shoals of |
| Andrea Doria 50 years ago. To this survivor of the | | | | Nantucket. Hence, the swift arrival of the Coast Guard |
| latter event, the déjà vu experience of | | | | providing inflatable lifeboats, made the rescue quicker |
| watching another seafaring vessel being claimed by | | | | and less hazardous. Thankfully, their vessel was not |
| the sea that gave it life, is fearsome. | | | | tilting 30 some degrees and hovering over manually |
| While reading every news article and watching every | | | | operated lifeboats. And the jagged volcanic reef did |
| clip of the latest Greek tragedy, I recall my skirmish | | | | not tear open dozens of cabins and robbing 43 victims |
| with death on the open seas five decades ago. I was | | | | of life. |
| a nine-year-old Italian girl immigrating to America with | | | | I don't mean to underestimate the Sea Diamond |
| my grandparents, when we played a role in one of the | | | | passengers' misfortune. My empathy for their struggle |
| most dramatic sea rescues in history. On July 25, 1956, | | | | brings to mind a lot of questions: How did the father |
| the setting and characters were notably different: the | | | | and daughter from France use their last moments |
| Andrea Doria lay mortally wounded on the Atlantic, 185 | | | | before disappearing? What precious possessions did |
| miles from New York after having been rammed by | | | | passengers leave behind? What dreams were dashed |
| the Swedish liner, Stockholm. And, unlike being flooded | | | | for any future cruises? Will the accident be deemed |
| by the glimmering sun that flooded the beaches of | | | | human error or failure of technology? Will the captain |
| Santorini, the Italian crown sea jewel was glutted by | | | | and crew receive a fair trial or will they be castigated |
| impenetrable fog. On board, were not tourists evading | | | | for their actions? |
| realities of daily life, but rather immigrants on a serious | | | | Ironically, I had recently contemplated the possibility of |
| mission to confront a new lifestyle. | | | | joining other passionate cruise travelers on their thrill |
| Yet, the Greek tragedy of April--- 2007, evokes | | | | seeking adventures; after all, the last cruise liner |
| memories of similar circumstances. The Sea | | | | accident happened seven years ago, with no loss of |
| Diamond's starboard flank was also ripped open like | | | | life. Specifically, the Alaskan cruise that was proposed |
| the Doria's, causing the vessel to tilt on its right side, | | | | to me sounded rather appealing since there would be |
| while gulping in tons of water per minute. Similarly, | | | | a view of the coastline at most times. But then I realize |
| panic, hearing the dreadful abruptly seized the reveling | | | | that the shores of Santorini probably offered small |
| passengers "put on your life jackets immediately and | | | | comfort to passengers on the submerging Sea |
| leave your cabins." Panic ensued in this scene of | | | | Diamond. |
| chaotic frenzy. No one wanted to play the role of | | | | Before even thinking of booking any cruises, I will study |
| survivor, but the script permitted no choice. | | | | the Greek tragedy with scrutiny. Besides, I am stunned |
| This Greek sequel of the Italian catastrophe not only | | | | that maritime technology did not prevent the accident. I |
| reminds me of the circumstances, but also induces | | | | will ceaselessly question the safety of cruise liners: |
| deep visceral effects: imagining the panic of | | | | how seaworthy are they and what technology and |
| passengers fleeing the narrow corridors, brings about a | | | | manpower are required on board? |
| feeling of claustrophobia; watching their descent on | | | | With sober clarity, this shipwreck survivor is not drawn |
| ropes flung over the hull, increases my heart beats; | | | | to cruising shorelines or sailing the open seas quite yet. |
| and the climb into the rescue vessel weakens my | | | | Obviously, there has not been enough catharsis within |
| arms, like the little ones that gripped tightly onto a steep | | | | the Andrea Doria drama to entice me. Whether to |
| rope over the Atlantic. | | | | relax or to seek adventure, I'll settle for my proven luck |
| Thank God that the passengers of the Sea Diamond | | | | on roads, rails, and skies. |
| had more favorable circumstances than those of the | | | | |