The last time a cruise ship wrecked was in 2012, when the Costa Concordia capsized off the coast of Italy. The accident occurred on January 13th, 2012, after the ship struck an underwater rock while sailing close to the island of Giglio.
The incident caused 32 fatalities and left hundreds of passengers stranded in the cold waters. In the wake of the disaster, it emerged that the captain had left his post to give orders to the crew while passengers were still on board. This negligence resulted in criminal charges being brought against him and other crew members.
The tragedy also shone a light on how ships are operated and maintained and highlighted some of the risks associated with cruising. It became apparent that some safety procedures had been disregarded and that there were inadequate emergency protocols in place.
Following this incident, safety regulations for cruise ships have become more stringent, particularly concerning lifeboat drills and passenger safety briefings before leaving port. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has also introduced new regulations requiring cruise ships to carry enough lifeboats for all passengers and crew on board.
In addition to tighter regulations, various technological advances have improved vessel monitoring systems and navigation equipment which can help prevent disasters like this from happening again in future. For example, satellite tracking systems allow vessels to be tracked more accurately than ever before and enable crews to better avoid potential hazards as they travel across oceans.
The Costa Concordia incident serves as a reminder of why it is so important that all safety protocols are adhered to when operating large vessels such as cruise ships. While improvements in technology can help reduce risk, human error is still one of the main causes of maritime accidents today. As such, it is essential that all operators take their responsibility seriously when it comes to prioritizing passenger safety at sea.
In conclusion, when was the last time a cruise ship wrecked? The answer lies in 2012 when an Italian cruise liner capsized off Giglio Island near Italy’s Tuscan coast resulting in 32 fatalities and hundreds of stranded passengers. The tragedy highlighted both safety protocol lapses on behalf of operators as well as a need for improved technology onboard vessels which can help detect hazards before they occur.