Ask Paul B: SEWOL’s Relatively Inexperienced 25-Year-Old Skipper “Park”

#ad▼

Dear Paul B Readers,

Everyone is now talking about this ferry disaster in South Korea earlier this week. I am sickened by the facts, as they have been trickling out day by day. First and foremost, why does a 25-year-old “third mate,” with practically NO EXPERIENCE steering a vessel of this size, with 400 teens on board, take the wheel? Is this a “Daddy and me trip,” whereas the young lad can see what steering a ship is really like? Many Dads and Moms may take a youngster out driving, shooting, or trapeze walking, but it’s YOUR KID, and it’s YOUR IGNORANCE, right? Lee Joon-Seok, the real captain, 68, took it upon himself to let this 25-year-old to navigate this huge ship through a narrow passage, surrounded by tiny islands clustered closely, and fast currents, which would require a veterans abilities, not a rookie. Is it anyone’s surprise that this ships wheel was “somehow” turned too rapidly, causing the rudders and ships balance to shift unreasonably fast. Ferry’s especially, I have read, are all about balance, maneuvering, speed and “experience.” You won’t see ferry’s traveling 50 knots, no way, because they are inherently top heavy.

Now, we have a situation, and in the era of communication at the highest level, teens are kept in the dark, while the ships captain and mates are baling. This is one pathetic scene, and there is no excuse. Are captains chosen for their “character,” or are there bureaucratic side-bars that choose a “non-heroic type?” Cowards as a ships captain, no doubt a travesty. Honor, commitment, loyalty, compassion and bravery are the essential qualities of this lofty position, no?

Picture yourself, just for a minute, as a parent or sibling of a teen who is still “missing,” on board this ferry. As cruel as it may seem, you wonder why this happened, and why instructions at any point, were not barked aloud on the ferry’s loud speakers. Instead, passengers were only asked to stay calm. The “captain,” who was NOT even on the bridge while the ship was navigating difficult passageways, thought it safer for passengers to stay aboard the ship. Meanwhile, he was one of the first to abandon ship while many of the others, listed as “missing,” breathed their last breath of air aboard the SEWOL.

Costa Concordia survivors say they were told to return to their cabins, like passengers on the sunken South Korean ferry.

April 18, 2014 — Captain of doomed Ferry speaks after being charged by police in connection with the ferry’s sinking. Kyung Lah reports.

CNN’s Pauline Chiou reports that divers have spotted three bodies inside the sunken ferry off the coast of South Korea.

Former Navy Seal Cade Courtley offers his guidance as to the ways in which cranes could be used to stabilize the ferry.

ABOUT ASK PAUL B! … WRITE PAUL B! …

ASK PAUL B! usually appears on Thursday evenings, but occasionally appears on other days or times so the article might be introduced to new readers.

IMPORTANT LEGAL STUFF:
Advice is offered for general discussion. Any advice from a columnist or someone who has never actually met you is not guaranteed to be fit for your particular situation. While the advice might help send you in the right direction to find a solution to your problem, missing information or lack of specific dialogue might cause you harm, or delay a solution to your problem. Never use this advice as the sole replacement for advice from a physician, psychologist or other health professional or other professional. The information provided through any Arlingtoncardinal.com post or Ask Paul B! post is not a substitute for health, legal and other professional advice where specific facts and circumstances warrant additional personal attention. If any reader requires legal advice, health advice or other professional assistance, each reader should always consult his or her own legal, health professional, or other professional advisors and discuss the facts and circumstances that specifically apply to the user. Consider the topics discussed as a part of your overall experience for your pursuit of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Don’t hesitate to get help when you might need professional help.

The views of Ask Paul B! are not necessarily the views of The Cardinal — Arlingtoncardinal.com.

Get updates from The Cardinal ALL NEWS FEEDS on Facebook. Just ‘LIKE’ the ‘Arlington Cardinal Page (become a fan of our page). The updates cover all posts and sub-category posts from The Cardinal — Arlingtoncardinal.com. You can also limit feeds to specific categories. See all of The Cardinal Facebook fan pages at Arlingtoncardinal.com/about/facebook …

Search Amazon …

Search for products sold on Amazon:

Arlingtoncardinal.com is an Amazon Associate website, which means that a small percentage of your purchases gets paid to Arlingtoncardinal.com at no extra cost to you. When you use the search boxes above, any Amazon banner ad, or any product associated with an Amazon banner on this website, you help pay expenses related to maintaining Arlingtoncardinal.com and creating new services and ideas for a resourceful website. See more info at Arlingtoncardinal.com/AdDisclosure