The U.S. Government Intends to Use Cruise Ships as Post-Hurricane Shelters

The U.S. government is considering renting cruise ships as one solution to the problem of securing a home or shelter to accommodate thousands of homeless people in the event of a hurricane.

Brad Gair, a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recovery coordinator, spoke of that idea at a Annual Hurricane Conference held last weekend in New Orleans, the Caribbean Net News has reported.

According to Gair, the homeless could stay on the ship for a very short period such as one month, adding that renting cruise ships could work out to be a lot cheaper than the many mobile homes and those 8-by-30-foot travel trailers which were bought by the thousands in Florida following the 2004 hurricanes.

It was pointed out that a cruise ship would provide greater comfort to the elderly and disabled adding that if another storm threatened, the ships could easily hoist anchor and cruise to a safe harbour.

It was pointed out that FEMA could rent a cruise ship for about US$100 per day per family, including three meals. On the other hand, it was noted that millions of dollars was spent setting up 100 families in trailers.