Factual error: In one scene they attempt to divert the ship by manually activating the ship's bowthruster. A thruster is a propeller in a transverse direction. This allows the ship to turn more efficiently when docking. However the thruster loses any efficiency above approximately 5 knots. In the film they use it at 17 knots. Secondly, a thruster is powered by an electric motor of at least 500 kW, yet they manage to turn it by hand. That handle does not exist in real life, and no one would be able to turn it anyway.
Speed 2: Cruise Control (1997)
Plot summary
Directed by: Jan de Bont
Starring: Jason Patric, Sandra Bullock, Temuera Morrison, Willem Dafoe
Annie broke up with Jack (her boyfriend in the first movie) and is now dating Alex, who lied to her that he is a beach patrol cop when he's really a member of the SWAT team. She discovers the truth wheen she sees him in a high-speed chase with a robber. To make things up he takes her on a cruise to the Caribbean. Mad computer scientist Geiger takes control of the ship using several laptop computers and sets it on a collision course with an oil tanker to get revenge against the cruise line for firing him after he got a terminal illness. Alex and Annie team up with some crew members to foil Geiger's plans.
Eric
More mistakes in Speed 2: Cruise Control
Alex: Go faster.
Maurice: Give me one good reason.
Alex: If you don't, I'll push you off the boat.
Maurice: That's a good reason.
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Answer: There is no logical reason for it and it is purely for cinematic theatrics. It's a movie myth that cars, boats, etc. immediately explode upon impact. In real life, explosions rarely happen that way.
raywest