Colin you are So wrong with your post the Captain is ULTIMATLY responsible for HIS ship NO one else............Lest put it another way if you crashed your Yacht into another Boat it would be you that did it or would YOU blame the Wife as she was not watching as she was making the tea.YOU are in effect the captain and are ultimately responsable so is HE
Dave
I think we are missing the point here, it is a cruise ship, no one says El Capitano is not responsible, but so are the owners who have, not that I am aware of, made statements of condolences, regret etc but only statements mitigating their culpability.
Think of it this way how often does a Planes captain deviate of course for whatever reason, such as storms, for the comfort of passengers.
All approved by the owners and OK when things are fine, crash the plane, oops Pilot error not our fault.
A more recent example in Queensland waters.
A bulk ore Carrier ran aground in the barrier reef, at the subsequent trial the captain, who was held responsible under Queensland law, proved in his defence, that the owners had a bonus scheme in place which rewarded Captains taking measures, in this case a shortcut and being off course, to shorten travelling times and saving fuel.
The Owners subsequently bore the brunt of the fine. They had hung him out to dry.
You mean to tell me there are not unwritten similar instructions to Cruise captains, keep the Passengers happy no matter what, they are your number one priority etc. On the evidence these cruises have been "off course" before. And what of the number of crew sufficient for an emergency yes/no obviously no and who makes that decision the owners.
Don't get me wrong I am not for the Captain just saying there are others to blame and must take accountability.