Cruise Talk: New guard rail Height legislation

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»	Cruise Talk » Cruise Lines » New guard rail Height legislation

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Topic: New guard rail Height legislation

Frosty 4
First Class Passenger
Member # 5826

posted 08-11-2010 12:05 PM

There is a law(pending) that would make cruise lines have their guard railing set at 54 inches.high.
This is still not high enough IMO to thwart persons from jumping overboard.
I often wondered why they could not enclose the balconies (with glass) except for a small opening at the top.(Vent) Sometimes while underway it can be pretty breezy on a balcony. High glass would help in this. However I have had it so HOT on a balcony when facing the Sun,you couldn't stay there very long.
Frosty 4

Posts: 2531 | From: Illinois | Registered: Jul 2005 | IP: Logged

eroller
First Class Passenger
Member # 1649

posted 08-11-2010 12:16 PM

Hey Frosty,
I don't go on a cruise to be enclosed in a prison. I go for the open sea air and the ability to stand by the rail and look over at the ocean.

Personally I don't see how anyone could "fall" overboard even with the rails at the height they are today. I'm fairly confident that all instances of "man overboard" on modern cruise ships are due to foul play (being pushed, thrown, or just plain stupid because you are drunk).

Personally I'm tired of having to pay the price for our dumbed down society that requires hand holding from the minute they wake up until bed time.

If ships ever become so restrictive that I can't even lean over a rail to view the ocean and smell the air, then I think my cruising days are numbered.

Ernie

Posts: 7046 | From: Miami, Florida USA | Registered: Oct 2000 | IP: Logged

Ernst
First Class Passenger
Member # 5369

posted 08-11-2010 12:20 PM

quote:
Originally posted by eroller:
[...]
If ships ever become so restrictive that I can't even lean over a rail to view the ocean and smell the air, then I think my cruising days are numbered.
Ernie

Sadly many modern cruise ships already have quite a lot of glass screen blocking the view. Not having an unobstructed view to to the front or aft is certainly a reason for me to not even consider some ships.

Posts: 9746 | From: Eindhoven | Registered: Jan 2005 | IP: Logged

Frosty 4
First Class Passenger
Member # 5826

posted 08-11-2010 12:49 PM

Personally I'm tired of having to pay the price for our dumbed down society that requires hand holding from the minute they wake up until bed time.

quote:

Ernie,
You couldn't have said it any better!!!

Posts: 2531 | From: Illinois | Registered: Jul 2005 | IP: Logged

eroller
First Class Passenger
Member # 1649

posted 08-11-2010 12:51 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Ernst:
Sadly many modern cruise ships already have quite a lot of glass screen blocking the view. Not having an unobstructed view to to the front or aft is certainly a reason for me to not even consider some ships.

I agree.

Even though they are large mass-market ships, one of the things I love about the Voyager/Freedom Class is there are very few wind screens. You can encircle the ships on an open promenade deck and even walk out to the bow, all with no wind screens. Even on the upper decks facing forward it's a rail and not a wall of glass.

Ernie

Posts: 7046 | From: Miami, Florida USA | Registered: Oct 2000 | IP: Logged

lasuvidaboy
First Class Passenger
Member # 4527

posted 08-11-2010 02:02 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Frosty 4:
Sometimes while underway it can be pretty breezy on a balcony.

Is'nt that one of the points of having a veranda?

Enough w/the 'nanny state' mentality!

Posts: 7654 | From: Hollywood Hills/L.A. | Registered: Mar 2004 | IP: Logged

Ernst
First Class Passenger
Member # 5369

posted 08-11-2010 02:17 PM

quote:
Originally posted by lasuvidaboy:

Is'nt that one of the points of having a veranda?

Enough w/the 'nanny state' mentality!

Exactly.
For decades the cruise industry tries to meet the demand for balconies by increasing the number of balcony cabins aboard modern ships. It would be 'a bit' odd to convert these balcony cabins to simple outside cabins.
Personally I would actually prefer an outside cabin with a window that can be opened but this is a different story.

Posts: 9746 | From: Eindhoven | Registered: Jan 2005 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 08-11-2010 04:36 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Frosty 4:
There is a law(pending) that would make cruise lines have their guard railing set at 54 inches high.

What are they now?

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

Linerrich
First Class Passenger
Member # 4864

posted 08-11-2010 05:21 PM

The actual wording of the bill stipulates that railings "above the cabin deck" shall not be less than 42 inches in height. Most cruise lines are already compliant with that, since it is the standard height.

Not sure where the 54 inch proposal comes into play--have not found that on line.

Rich

Posts: 4210 | From: Miami, FL | Registered: Jul 2004 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 08-11-2010 05:53 PM

Actually the most effective way to prevent 'man overboard' situations is not to heighten the railings, but to give passengers an IQ test before allowing them on board!

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

jsea
First Class Passenger
Member # 3816

posted 08-11-2010 06:06 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Linerrich:
Not sure where the 54 inch proposal comes into play--have not found that on line.
Rich

I think that the 54" proposal is just that: a proposal from a cruise ship victims advocacy group who pushed for this new law. 42" is the height that made it in the final bill.

http://internationalcruisevictims.org/Articles/The_Cruise_Vessel_Security_And_Safety_Act_Of_2009.html

Posts: 644 | From: Texas | Registered: May 2003 | IP: Logged

Sutho
First Class Passenger
Member # 6234

posted 08-11-2010 08:44 PM

54 is too high for guard rails. I always thought some railings on ships were too low. 42 does not seem high enough. I recon around 45 would be better. With current heights I find it is relatively easy to lean far over something 42 inches.

I know all about wind barriers etc. Having been on the Azura in May it is wind barrier over kill. That ships upper decks is like a maze. Its not quite as simple and straight forward as the Sapphire Princess.

Posts: 1055 | From: Newcastle, Australia | Registered: Feb 2006 | IP: Logged

GregD
First Class Passenger
Member # 4176

posted 08-11-2010 09:16 PM

jSea is right.
54 was in the initial bill but it was lowered when congress did "their thing" with it. I assume CLIA lobbied congress to get that put down to normal height.

[ 08-11-2010: Message edited by: GregD ]

Posts: 548 | From: Texas | Registered: Sep 2003 | IP: Logged

Brian_O
First Class Passenger
Member # 3910

posted 08-12-2010 12:07 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Malcolm @ cruisepage:
Actually the most effective way to prevent 'man overboard' situations is not to heighten the railings, but to give passengers an IQ test before allowing them on board!

Geez! Then the ships would be half empty.

Posts: 2698 | From: Pointe-Claire, QC Canada | Registered: Jun 2003 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 08-12-2010 05:36 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Brian_O:
Geez! Then the ships would be half empty.

Suits me!

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

NAL
First Class Passenger
Member # 1102

posted 08-12-2010 08:15 AM

Then if we follow the IQ test with a mental stability test, we could eliminate a few more. In all honesty, we know the height of railings will do nothing to prevent some of these fools from taking the plunge. No more Nanny state!

Posts: 2243 | From: Watsontown, PA | Registered: Feb 2000 | IP: Logged

Frosty 4
First Class Passenger
Member # 5826

posted 08-12-2010 10:09 AM

I'm with Ernst on the cabin with just a window. If you have a cruise with many days in port having a balcony is not worth the extra cost (unless you stay onboard).IMHO. And everyone is entitled to their opinion!!!

I wonder if there are stats on which cruise line has the most jumpers? I would venture to guess Carnival.
Frosty 4

Posts: 2531 | From: Illinois | Registered: Jul 2005 | IP: Logged

Linerrich
First Class Passenger
Member # 4864

posted 08-12-2010 10:32 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Frosty 4:

I wonder if there are stats on which cruise line has the most jumpers? I would venture to guess Carnival.
Frosty 4

Actually this year Royal Caribbean caught up with and surpassed Carnival with the number of overboards (our Overboard List here on CT is nearly a year out-of-date.)

Rich

Posts: 4210 | From: Miami, FL | Registered: Jul 2004 | IP: Logged

Frosty 4
First Class Passenger
Member # 5826

posted 08-12-2010 12:15 PM

I must admit I need to be more atune to the info available on the left side(page) of CT. In most cases we respond to what we see on the various topics on the main section of CT.
But you are right some of the info needs updating. Especially Cruise reviews.
F4

Posts: 2531 | From: Illinois | Registered: Jul 2005 | IP: Logged

lasuvidaboy
First Class Passenger
Member # 4527

posted 08-12-2010 04:46 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Frosty 4:
I'm with Ernst on the cabin with just a window. 4

Large windows that could be cranked open would be a good option. We had a veranda-style cabin on the ss Independence that had full height windows that could be lowered and if you wanted-they could be closed allowing for the entire space to be air conditioned.

A standard cabin w/that type of window would also have additional interior space.

Posts: 7654 | From: Hollywood Hills/L.A. | Registered: Mar 2004 | IP: Logged

Linerrich
First Class Passenger
Member # 4864

posted 08-12-2010 05:04 PM

The original Seabourn ships were retrofitted with "French balconies," since it was really impossible to add regular balconies to the existing suites (unless they used the 'clip-on' balconies like Carnival is doing with the FANTASY Class!)

Basically the French balconies allow you to open a sliding glass door, which already has a rail outside. You cannot step outside the suite, but it is thus opened to the outside.

Rich

Posts: 4210 | From: Miami, FL | Registered: Jul 2004 | IP: Logged

Trish
First Class Passenger
Member # 14123

posted 08-13-2010 06:56 AM

oh goodie. Americans at work -- gotta love us. next you'll have to wear a seat belt when the swells reach a certain height.

Seriously, if someone's going to jump, they'll find a way. If someone is going to throw someone off, they'll find the adrenaline.

Posts: 42 | From: Brooklyn, NY | Registered: Mar 2008 | IP: Logged

NAL
First Class Passenger
Member # 1102

posted 08-13-2010 07:44 AM

Trish....you're absolutely correct! It's just a "feel good" effort, very costly, and means nothing.

I am wondering on whom the lines are putting the costs of these often unsuccessful rescues? I surely hope the successful ones are put on the jumpers!

Posts: 2243 | From: Watsontown, PA | Registered: Feb 2000 | IP: Logged

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