This is perhaps an example of a Captain that was stargazing while he allowed his subordinates scramble to handle the lives of 400 over passengers. The South Korean ferry that capsized had made headlines in April of this year and led to the eventual resignation of the Prime Minister of South Korea.
It wasn't only the Prime Minister that was at fault and should be scorned at though. Some facts that have come to light through investigation are utterly baffling. Some of the crew members have been found consuming alcohol while the ferry was capsizing. The Captain had retreated to his private cabin and had let a rookie third-officer take his place. There were also instances during the capsizing that involved the third officer crying and the crew members scrambling to keep the ship upright.
It took a schoolboy to call an emergency service which subsequently was noted as the first reported signal of 'distress'. The most shocking and devastating piece in the story comes when the Captain had asked the passengers to stay put in their seats, only to be the first to evacuate the ship and be rescued. The Chief Engineer and other members of the crew followed his lead and were the first few to be rescued by nearby boats.
I can relate to the grief of the families and friends of the passengers after understanding that their loved-ones could have survived if there was more competent leadership on the bridge. Although Captain Lee will almost surely be ending his life in prison after being handed a 36 year jail term, the significance of a finite jail term as a means of justice for the 304 who were killed is unacceptable.
Hope their souls rest in peace.
