City of Mobile Responds to Passengers, Crew of Carnival Cruise Ship in Need
Feb 15th, 2013
Greetings,
I want to personally thank everyone who helped welcome the passengers and crew of the Carnival Cruise Ship Triumph after their harrowing journey. We had dozens of volunteers from many organizations come to make sure their transition from the ship to their destination went as smoothly as possible.
We also had several local businesses donate their goods and services to accommodate the families who came to pick up their loved ones. Families expressed their appreciation for the hospitality that they were shown.
We have a great port, and a great city. When we were asked if it was possible to help the over 3,100 passengers and over 1,000 crew members, we did not hesitate to respond. Not just any city could have handled this situation. The fact that we have a capable cruise terminal and ship repair facilities made our shores a great option for this mission.
Please read below for more on the response from our community.
- Mayor Jones
City of Mobile Responds to Passengers, Crew of Carnival Cruise Ship in Need
In the aftermath of Carnival Triumph’s docking at the Mobile Alabama Cruise Terminal, disembarking 3,100 passengers and over 1,000 crew members, the following is a snapshot of the impact to city and the excellent response from area citizens and businesses:
Estimated Hotel Occupancy In Mobile
Provided By Mobile Bay Convention/Visitors Bureau:
• 2,900 Room Nights (totals compiled for Wednesday and Thursday)
How Did Mobile’s Maritime Industry Respond?
• The Crescent Towing and Seabulk Towing, are the two harbor tug companies from Mobile, along with the Alabama Bar Pilots and Harbormaster Captain Terry Gilbreath, safely docked the Triumph at the cruise terminal;
• CSA stevedored the ship’s cargo, luggage handling, supplies, etc.;
• Alabama Line is the company that manually tied the ship to the 893-foot long dock. The ship weighs 101,353 tons;
• Hoar Construction, the construction managers on the Maritime Museum used their heavy equipment to maneuver the terminal’s gangway in position;
• Page and Jones, Mobile Bar Pilots and the Alabama Port Authority were part of the operational plan that assisted in getting the ship to Mobile.
How Did Local Restaurants Respond?
• Saucy-Q Restaurant provided hundreds of free barbecue meals for the family members on the Triumph;
• Local Coca Cola Bottling Company provided soft drinks;
• McDonald’s franchise provided free “Happy Meals” to passengers;
• Cream and Sugar Bakery provided free cake balls;
• The Salvation Army gave away hundreds cups of coffee and hot chocolate;
• Krispy Kreme provided thousands of doughnuts to waiting family members and local regional and national media outlets.
Where Is The Triumph Now?
In the yard of BAE Systems Ship Repair in Mobile.
Who Is BAE?
BAE Systems Ship Repair in Mobile is an established expert in ship construction, repairs and conversions, including those from commercial fleets, cruise ships and vessels that serve the U.S. defense cargo market. The Mobile shipyard offers dry dock and heavy-lift capacity for the largest ships trading in and around the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico region. The yard also provides unmatched pier space, industrial fabrication capability, and marine fabrication equipment and systems. They are the 10th largest private employer in Mobile.
Dry Dock Alabama
• Lift capacity: 46,400 LT
• Length: 788 ft.
• Inside Breadth: 168 ft.
Dry Dock 17
• Lift capacity: 12,000 LT
• Length: 388 ft.
• Inside Breadth: 90 ft.
• More than 4,000 ft. of repair berths
• Crane capacity up to 275 tons
• 80,000 sq. ft. covered steel fabrication area
• 247,000 sq. ft. outside steel erection area
• 16,000 sq. ft. automated Pipe Shop
• 13,000 sq. ft. Unit Blast & Coat Facility
Team Mobile included: Mayor Sam Jones, City of Mobile, Mobile Alabama Cruise Terminal; Mobile Bay Convention and Visitor's Bureau, Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce, Alabama Port Authority, Mobile County, Hoar Construction, Page and Jones, Mobile Bar Pilots, Harbormaster, U.S. Coast Guard, the Hospitality Community and countless volunteers.