Originally Posted by rrgg
It sounds like you're worried about 2 things: structural failure in one of the open spaces, and also ignition of synthetics during one of these failures. In a storm, everyone will be in their cabin holding onto something. Are you saying that if a fire broke out, the toxic fumes would quickly spread throughout the ship and cabins? And that crews are poorly trained in extinguishing a fire?
Inadequately trained, subject to your own translation, and based on the fire off Miami several years ago, not exactly likely to be dedicated performers. The fumes issue is one which several authorities with backgrounds in maritime firefighting have mentioned. As for me, other than on the long pier in Bayonne, in a hangar deck, or on the Bridge, I've never done much firefighting (but enough to be damn scared of the prospect)
When that cruise ship merely "heeled" a few degrees off SFlorida several weeks ago after a minor electromechanical malfunction, there were a number of injuries, much sliding furniture and what seems to have been no little unpreparedness on the part of the crew.
Given the structure of the upperworks of many modern ships of this size, I would have some concerns as to the strength of some components, although lighter materials certainly reduce potential for severe damage.
One problem I do see, the extremely large "sail area" of many of thse ships is likely to negative affect thie handling in any conditon with high wind, or those moments when wind and sea are from different quarters.