Owners call student ship safe, denounce warning

The sponsor says the SS Universe Explorer is safe. The head of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) says it's a potential fire trap. And, 800 miles from shore, just south of the Aleutian Islands, 641 American college students are aboard the educational cruise ship, caught up in an alarming debate.

Thursday, the University of Pittsburgh, sponsor of the students' four month cruise, lambasted NTSB Chairman James Hall for saying the ship was unsafe and sent letters to parents assuring them that it is. Hall, in a rare public criticism, on Wednesday assailed the school and the program, Semester at Sea, for allowing the ship to depart without installing a sprinkler system or individual smoke alarms. "I can't believe that responsible administrators at the University of Pittsburgh would permit this," said Hall, whose panel has only advisory powers. Hall also said he was "bewildered" by an about-face by the Coast Guard.

Earlier this summer, the Coast Guard, in a report on a fatal fire aboard the ship, issued a nine-page list of fire-safely violations for the Universe Explorer. Then, it allowed the ship to sail. School spokesman Ken Service said Hall's comments "border on the irresponsible. He should take up his concerns with the Coast Guard, not use Semester at Sea as a soap box."

Semester at Sea is a private, non-profit group that operates out of Pitt. This semester, students from 205 schools are aboard, paying an average $20,000 each. They earn college credit. On Thursday, Capt. Nicholas Nianias said everything was fine on the ship. "It's a lovely day, sunshine, the normal expected high swells," Nianias said. "The ship, as we said, is very safe. She is an ocean-crossing vessel and a very tough lady." At least one of the students agreed. "The only thing I'm concerned about right now is my sea legs. A couple of us have green faces," said Carolyn Milligan, 22, a student at Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva, N.Y. "I'm not worried about safety." Milligan said students were shown how to use lifeboats and put on life vests. She also said fire safety was underscored. No smoking is allowed. "I haven't heard a murmur of any fear of danger."

The NTSB became involved in evaluation the safety of the Universe Explorer in a review of the Coast Guard inspection of the ship, following a July 1996 fire. The fire occurred during a cruise to Alaska not affiliated with Semester at Sea. Five crew members died. In August, in a letter, Coast Guard inspectors said the Universe Explorer needed "much upgrading," including automatic sprinklers. But on Sept. 5, the Coast Guard delayed the order that the ship be equipped with sprinklers until 2005. Lt. Gary Bracken, spokesman for Coast Guard, said the vessel currently is in accord with the requirements of the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) convention. Bracken said the delay is acceptable under SOLAS regulations. "After further review of information and talking with ship representatives, the Coast Guard agreed it was in compliance," he said. Bracken said it is common for lists of violation to be adjusted.

The owners of the ship, Commodore Cruise Line of Hollywood, Fla., have made $1.5 million in improvements to the ship, which was built in 1957. those included adding fire doors and improving emergency lighting. Semester at Sea was founded in the 1970s by C.Y. Tung, a Hong Kong billionaire who made his fortune in shipping. Tung died in 1981. A son, C.C. Tung, is a Pitt trustee.

By Eileen Smith
Contributing: Anthony DeBarros, Carrie Hedges and Ken Washington
Printed in USA Today - 9/15/97.