Say sorry, bloodied, battered couple asks

Solid-marble table tops left balancing on table legs and lightly-bolted vending machines were some of the oversights that resulted in broken bones and traumatised passengers on P&O's 2008 cruise.

A report has recommended a change in safety practices for Princess Cruises following the July 30 trip, where 77 of the 1730 passengers and 671 crew on board were injured when the cruise ship Pacific Sun rolled heavily in gale-force winds and high seas.

For Feilding residents Lorraine and Derrek Woods, who came away bloodied, bruised and with broken bones, the report gives some answers but no closure.

They are fuming the company has still not formally apologised. They think every passenger should have had their fare refunded.

P&O spokesman Anthony Fiske said when cruises are interrupted in circumstances beyond the company's control, such as extreme weather, it is not policy to refund the fare.

The company did offer passengers a discount on a future cruise.

In the weeks following the trip the company tried to contact passengers who had been injured to see if they still needed ongoing help.

"We encourage passengers to contact P&O Cruises directly if they have specific medical needs as a result of the accident."

Because there is no industry standard for securing furnishings, staff will not be held accountable for the injuries caused to passengers injured by loose objects, he said.

The captain will also not be disciplined for not asking passengers to go back to their cabins sooner. The Woods say they are not worried about the money but out of principle want the company to admit it made an error of judgement and apologise.

"The captain shouldn't have turned in those conditions, we should have been warned to go back to our rooms and the company should just own up, take responsibility and apologise."

Safety recommendations made to Princess Cruises in a report on the July 30, 2008 accident:

* The ship set out with a malfunctioning stabiliser, so the report has suggested the company review the role of active stabilisers in ensuring passenger safety. The review should include system redundancy, planned maintenance, and the need to fit suitable alarms to warn of system degradation or failure after one of the ship's stabilisers stopped working.

* To carry out a fleet-wide assessment of the risk of injury from moving furnishings and objects when the vessels lean sharply.

* Develop a standard for securing furnishings and equipment in public spaces, particularly in muster stations and their access routes.

* Develop its heavy weather guidance and instructions to include actions to reduce the risk of injury.

- Manawatu Standard