Some jerks harassed some folks for flying their pride flags, and then their boat burst into flames and sank.
The nice folks with the pride flags evidently gave the jerks a hand, because nice people are nice people!
I am not sure if this is relevant but for commercial passenger ships, rendering aide to other distresses folks on the water is required.
Ship crew have a legal and moral obligation to help distressed seafarers.
"The duty to respond to persons in need of assistance at sea is based on the moral obligation to save human life," stated South Miami maritime lawyer James Walker. He also noted that the International Maritime Organization (IMO), which regulates the shipping industry, requires mariners to help boaters in trouble.The IMO explicitly states this requirement in its International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea: "A master of a ship at sea, which is in a position to be able to provide assistance on receiving a signal from any source that persons are in distress at sea, is bound to proceed with all speed to their assistance."
To comply with this law, cruise ship officers can receive essential training at the STAR Center in Dania Beach. The program includes information on how to assist distressed vessels; how to establish and maintain effective communication; how to handle ship emergencies; and how to enhance team and crew cohesion.
