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John H. (Jack) Hickey

Testifies before Congress

Hickey testifies before congress about crimes on cruise ships

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Cruise Ship Sexual Assault BLOG

Anti-Norovirus Nasal Spray Under Development

February 21st, 2012

Norovirus is a nasty gatro-intestinal illness that affects people approximately 20 million times per year in the United Sates alone. In fact, Norovirus is the number 1 cause of the so-called “stomach flu” in the U.S. The virus has been called “democratic” because it affects everyone. With symptoms including diahareea, vomiting, and general misery, there is certainly a market for a treatment. Now, scientists are closing in on a vaccine.

If everything goes well, the vaccine could be available within 5 years said Charles Arntzen, a molecular biologist at Arizona State University. However, the virus comes in more than 30 strains, and evolves quickly, casting doubt on the effectiveness of any potential vaccine.

A vaccine for Norovirus would be an important step in battling viruses in general. Though Norovirus is usually healed by the body within a day or two, approximately 70,000 people are hospitalized each year with the illness. About 800 per year, mostly elderly, die from Norovirus yearly.

Primary Source: http://www.abcactionnews.com/dpp/lifestyle/wellness/nasal-spray-may-kill-norovirus-the-scourge-of-cruise-ships#ixzz1n7Mk9MAm

First Phase Of Concordia Fuel Removal Complete

February 19th, 2012

According to Italy’s civil protection agency, the government authority overseeing the Concordia fuel removal operation, approximately two-thirds of the fuel in the doomed ship has been removed.  This represents all of the fuel which was previously in the front part of the ship.

Fuel removal from the more difficult parts of the ship will begin Monday, if weather permits.  A total of more than 500,000 gallons of fuel remained on the ship when it ran aground on January 13, killing 17 people.  15 people remain missing and are presumed dead.

 

Primary Source: http://news.ninemsn.com.au/world/8422339/progress-made-in-removing-cruise-ship-fuel

Traces of Cocaine Found On Cruise Captain’s Hair Sample

February 18th, 2012

The case against the captain of the doomed cruise ship, the Costa Concordia, just got a little more complicated. According to a report by the Seattle Times newspaper, drug tests on a sample of the captain’s hair have yeilded a possible match for coacine residue. Now, survivors of the deceased are calling for additional tests to determine if the captain of the ship was under the influence of drugs when he wrecked the ship last month, killing at least 17 people. 15 additional people are still missing and are feared dead.

According to the consultant who conducted the drug test, the urine test and hair test performed on Captain Francesco Schettino have come back negative. But, lawyers for the victims and their families are calling for additional tests after traces of cocaine were found on samples of the captain’s hair and in an envelope containing the hair.

The confusion is about whether the captain had used cocaine before or during the voyage, or whether his hair, or the hair sample, came into contact with cocaine residue. A negative result on the urine test suggests that the captain was not under the influence at the time of the accident.

Primary Source: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2017544093_shipcaptain19.html