The Takeaway From CNN’s Carnival Triumph Report: Fix the Leaky Fuel Lines

Last night CNN revealed that Carnival Cruise Line had indication that its ship Triumph had problems before it left Galveston, TX in February 2012 and ended up floating without power in the Gulf of Mexico for four days. [Broadcast embedded below.]

CNN introduced its report by stating “exclusive documents obtained by CNN now reveal the fiasco on the Triumph as a disaster waiting to happen.” The documents were obtained by a lawyer attempting to sue Carnival on behalf of passengers who experienced the infamous “poop cruise.”

The documents reveal that Carnival’s problem was rather simple: It couldn’t get it’s fuel lines under control on the Triumph, the Costa Allegra, and seven other ships.

• Diesel generator #6, which caught fire on the Triumph, was out of compliance with safety laws more than a year before setting sail.
• Fuel lines on ships across Carnival’s brands were having issues with fuel lines and fires. According to CNN, “There had been nine incidents resulting in fuel leaks associated with flexible fuel lines in just two years.”
• Carnival installed “spray shields” to keep leaky fuel lines from spraying diesel fuel lines.
• It did not install these shield on the Triumph line that caused the engine fire.

Despite the fire and the ensuing problems, Carnival representatives interviewed by CNN stated, “We were totally in compliance.”

Passengers have few rights suing Carnival, which is why lawyers are going after stories like this to prove negligence rather than just a simple mistake.

Perhaps the best reminder of all for future Carnival passengers is the cruise line’s promise not to promise a safe trip. The passenger contract reads that Carnival, “makes absolutely no guarantee for safe passage, a seaworthy vessel, adequate and wholesome food, and sanitary and safe living conditions.”

Always good to know.

More About Carnival Triumph:

• Carnival wants Miami court to toss Triumph-related passenger lawsuitsCarnival will reimburse U.S. government for costs related to Triumph and Splendor breakdowns
• UPDATED: Carnival responds to Senator: ‘No way we’re paying for Triumph rescue‘
• Carnival announces that the last passenger has left the Triumph