Carnival categorizes its Carnival Magic as a ship in its "Dream Class."
The cruise ship industry has become a huge business--and like most big
businesses has no problem avoiding rules. The traditional antidote has been government regulation, but the "flags of convenience" system offers an end-run to that.
The sea is not forgiving to those who would cut corners. The dream of a cruise at sea can easily become a nightmare--as it became for the passengers on the Costa Concordia.
Major changes need to be made in the maritime industry--including the end of the "flags of convenience" system. There should be an international ban on "flags of convenience." As for the United States, all forms of public transportation--airplane, train, car, truck and much of ship transport--are accompanied by comprehensive government regulation. This needs to happen to all seagoing vessels emanating from U.S. ports--without the scam of licenses from Panama, Liberia and the Bahamas. The years of ship owners doing what they want must end. Large numbers of lives are at stake. The anarchy on the high seas cannot be allowed to continue.
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