— There were outraged headlines around the world when about 80 women and children were left to die in the freezing North Atlantic off Newfoundland as crew members raced to save themselves. Editorial writers and readers were incensed over the blatant violation of what is today considered an increasingly archaic custom — women and children first. The captain ordered that 25 women and 29 children be launched in a cutter, one of the few lifeboats available. There were reports that crew members seized remaining lifeboats, leaving about 80 women and children to die. There is no legal requirement that women and children get priority during rescues at sea, says maritime lawyer Peter Swanson of the Vancouver-based firm Bernard LLP.

Source: National Post November 05, 2017 13:52 UTC