MARCO POLO

[Don Cooper]

Whatever you do Karl, please remember to change that ' Holier than thou' raiment.
Ronnie Scott's do have a dress code.

Btw.Ask the Bartender if he could mix you a 'Dawning Realization' cocktail.You
never know,against all odds it might just hit the spot.
(not holding my breath)

[karl]

I know exactly the right spot to hit - remember that.

Oh and by the way get on the right thread for Ronnie Scott's - it may also interest you to know I never need to be told how to dress - to quote your own words use your loaf for once.

And before I close try keeping it zipped for the longest time- there's a good chap.

[Don Cooper]

I know exactly the right spot to hit - remember that.

And before I close try keeping it zipped for the longest time- there's a good chap.

Okay.Bearing the above in mind, the only thing that would drag me-wild horses apart- up to Glasgee would be standing you a pot of good brew and a monumental yap.Think we might owe it to one another and the rest of the long-suffering forum...

What say you (Jimmy) ?

[Marian]

A report from Sky News about the accident on the Marco Polo.....

The widow of a man who died when a freak wave crashed into a cruise ship has claimed the vessel was "improperly maintained".

Helen Swinstead said she and her husband James, 85, were sitting by a window on the Marco Polo when the water poured in.

The wave is understood to have hit the ship during the severe storm that hit Britain on Friday, injuring a number of the 735 passengers, who were mainly British.

Mrs Swinstead, from Colchester, told Sky News: "My husband was hit by the window. I think it killed him almost instantly. Four windows blew and the one we were sitting at."

Her husband died before he could be taken to hospital by air ambulance, she said.

"The ship was badly maintained," Mrs Swinstead added. "I said to my husband - because my father used to make paint - (the window's) going to leak because of the rust.

"There was a rusty puddle on the window sill. I think the ship was improperly maintained.

"It had come from Madeira, I think, before we got on it in January, and they had bad storms then. And there's so much paint on the outside - you probably can't see the rust.

"They'd just slop some more on whenever we got into port."

The owner of the Marco Polo, Cruise and Maritime Voyages, has issued a statement in which it said the vessel had undergone "stringent and rigorous surveys" and regular inspections.

Christian Verhounig, chief executive of CMV, said: "The safety and comfort of our passengers is and will always be of paramount importance.

"Marco Polo undergoes stringent and rigorous surveys and is inspected regularly including a recent annual dry docking survey and certification.

"Marco Polo is a purpose built deep sea ocean going liner maintained and serviced in full compliance of strict British and International maritime regulations and is efficiently manned by a professional and dedicated crew."

A female passenger in her 70s was airlifted off the ship, while 14 others were treated for minor injuries. The wave caused damage to the ship's Waldorf Restaurant.

Mrs Swinstead described the moment the water burst into the area where they were sitting.

"It was quite dreadful," she said. "I was sitting next to him and this window just came in and the sea with it. I was ... well ... we were all very very wet.

"With our insurance I think I'm entitled to £2,000, which won't even cover getting him home to Colchester.

"I think the shipping company should give some sort of compensation."

The Marco Polo was travelling through an area of the English Channel known as the Western Approaches when the wave struck.

It was on its way to its home port of Tilbury, Essex, at the end of a 42-night voyage which had included the Brazilian Amazon and the West Indies.

Mrs Swinstead was speaking as she left the Tilbury Docks on Sunday morning.

She said: "He was a lovely husband. The crew have been fantastic. The captain was much admired."

Others disembarking the 22,000-tonne ship described the scenes on board.

Linda Kogan said: "It was horrendous, I've never been in storms like it. The waves were coming up almost over the ship.

"The ship was at an angle. Some people reported the drawers were falling apart and the wardrobe doors falling off.

"A lady was actually thrown out of bed with the force. We weren't in the restaurant when the windows broke but I think it was really scary."

Anna Matheson, who was also on the ship, added: "It was frightening. Things were rushing off shelves in the cabin."

[Eman]

Wow that's pretty scary!!

[Rmoore]

I spoke to Michele earlier, She's fine but very shaken.

The wave that hit was taller than the ship! It totally destroyed the restaurant. She spent two days on the floor of her bedroom covered in a duvet whilst they went through two storms. She says they never should have left the previous port.

I'm sure she will give you all the details in the next update.

Richard

[karl]

That is scary indeed Richard, I can imagine the shipping company is going to be hit with a heavy lawsuit from the widow and compensation from the rest of the passengers.

[john]

I am glad Michele is o.k. What an awful thing to happen.

[Eman]

Oh wow!! I'm just glad Michele is ok. I'd be freaking out major and would want off the boat on the next port!!

[maureen & harry]

Glad to hear that Michele is ok. We hope the next leg of her journey is not so traumatic for her.

[ROBERT M.]

What a coincidence for Michele to be on the same ship when the tragic accident happened

[karl]

I just read the widow of the man who died has been offered 25% off her next cruise - talk about a slap in the face!!!

It's also very insensitive as the woman probably never wants to set foot on a ship again.

[Don Cooper]

Just *look after yourself* Michele.