Widow Of Cruise Ship Storm Victim Criticises Maintenance On Board

The widow of a man who was killed by a huge wave hitting a cruise ship during a storm on 14 February has criticized the maintenance aboard the vessel.

The 22,000 tonne ship was heading to the Essex port of Tilbury at the end of its 42-night trip when Helen Swinstead's husband died as the windows of the Marco Polo vessel blew out and hit him on the head while he was dining in the restaurant.

Water crashed through the window and injured several of the 735 passengers, many of whom were British. Among the passengers injured was an elderly woman who had to be airlifted to hospital after the wave hit the boat.

Swinstead's widow praised the crew, but criticized the shipping company, saying that the ship was badly maintained and the operator should compensate people. She said that four of the windows blew and added that she had mentioned to her husband that there was a rusty puddle on the window sill. Swinstead is waiting to hear from the cruise company.

Operator Cruise and Maritime Voyages (CMV) commented that the ship was fully compliant with strict maritime regulations. The safety and comfort of passengers is and will be number one priority and of significant importance to the company, said Christian Verhounig, chief executive of CMV. The Marco Polo undergoes stringent and thorough surveys, it is regularly inspected and an annual dry docking survey and certification were conducted recently, he noted.

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Scotland, Italy Among Top Fishing Spots

Fishing trips often combine the sport with great sightseeing. Among the best places to enjoy your hobby and also take in the magnificence of nature are Scotland, Sicily and Thailand, according to Canadian travel website Cheapflights, which has compiled a list of locations especially suitable for fishing enthusiasts that would allow them to both practise their hobby and get to see some of the most beautiful parts of the world.

First among these destinations is Sutherland in Scotland. The area is famous for salmon and brown and sea trout, and fishing at the Kyle estuary is allowed every day except Sunday. Offering magnificent scenery, the location is suitable for novice anglers, with the local Angling Association providing them and their more experienced fellow fishermen with a booklet listing the best spots to make a catch. The daily permit for sea trout fishing is priced at £8.

Still in Europe, another great spot for fishing enthusiasts is Sicily, Italy. Although the fish population has started to dwindle as a result of too much fishing, it is still a perfect location to try spearfishing. This ancient form of fishing allows you to combine the activity with diving, adding charm to the experience. The most common fish around the coasts of Sicily are tuna, blue fish and sardines.

If you have a passion for deep sea fishing, visiting the Thai island of Phuket is a perfect choice. The Andaman Sea is one of the best places for deep sea fishing with its crystal clear waters and populations of tuna, marlin - blue and black - and swordfish. Although fishing there is only on a catch-and-release basis, the experience is still unique.

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