Cruise Ship Lawyer Blog

The world's largest non-profit organization for cruise lines, Cruise Lines International Association, has announced that it is setting new safety standards for the battered cruise line industry in the wake of the "Costa Concordia" disaster.

More Adult Life Jackets

The first new rule is that from now on each ship will be required to carry more adult life jackets. The safety of passengers is supposed to be a primary concern for a cruise ship. However, when a ship is sinking, pandemonium typically ensues. People run from the cabins and forget their life jackets. Similarly, many people won't be close to their cabins when the alarm sounds. These passengers will have a difficult time making it to their cabins and then back to their muster stations. As a matter of fact, survivors of the "Costa Concordia" disaster claim that is exactly what happened to them. They went to their cabins to fetch their life jackets and found themselves having to crawl back up through dark corridors to safety. Therefore, it makes sense to have extra jackets close to the most populated areas of the ship.

No More Visitors to the Bridge

Some news reports talk about the captain of the "Costa Concordia" having a woman with him on the bridge at the time of the accident. He has been charged with: manslaughter, causing the shipwreck by carrying out a dangerous maneuver intended to impress his female companion, abandoning the ship before all the passengers and crew were evacuated and failing to report the accident. Consequently, the industry has adopted a new policy that should "minimize unnecessary disruptions and distractions" on the bridge, by limiting access to those with "operational functions during any period of restricted maneuvering or when increased vigilance is required."

No More Detours

Another allegation made against the captain of the "Costa Concordia" was that he deviated from the ship's intended course and passed too close to the island of Giglio, making the ship hit a rock and capsize. In his defense, Captain Francesco Schettino has stated that the rocks were not indicated in the charts and that he was ordered by cruise line managers to sail close to Giglio. Therefore, the cruise line industry has adopted a rule that requires a complete planning of every ship's route from departure to arrival. This new requirement has existed for years as guidance, but the new rule makes it a mandatory minimum from now on. The rule also requires that all bridge officers and crew be briefed well before the planned route is implemented.

Sinking Ship Not Only Danger

Of course a sinking ship is not the only danger faced by cruise ship passengers. Passengers get injured when they slip on a wet floor or trip on a damaged carpet and fall. All kinds of accidents happen during cruise vacations, both on and off the ship. For example, passengers suffer injuries while involved in any one of the following land based activities:

1. Surfing
2. Scuba diving or snorkeling
3. Parasailing
4. Boating
5. Jet skiing
6. Hiking
7. ZIP lining
8. Excursions on bicycles, on motorbikes or on 4X4 vehicles like Jeeps, etc.

Continue reading "New Safety Rules For Cruise Ships" »

The sinking of the RMS "Titanic" occurred 100 years ago last month. However, despite the passing of time, the disaster still haunts our collective consciences when we think about taking a cruise vacation.

Prior to that well known tragedy it was believed that mankind's greatest advancements could prevent the laws of physics from applying. Titanic was considered unsinkable before the accident. This belief brought about a fatal character trait that directly contribute to the disaster: arrogance. Since the ship was "unsinkable" and had the most advanced navigation and radio technology for the time, doting it with additional life boats was a waste of money and space. Unfortunately, as it so frequently does, Mother Nature would prove us wrong by placing an iceberg in its path...

As a result of the ensuing collision, 1517 people died. Many could have been saved had the ship carried more lifeboats. Thankfully, we learned that one lesson: all ships now have to carry enough lifeboats and rafts to accommodate everyone onboard.

Yet, Disasters At Sea Continue To Be Unavoidable

Although we have learned some things from the disaster of the Titanic, I believe we are yet to learn the most important lesson of them all: no matter how much technology we "pack into" these ships, human error will always be part of the equation. In other words, technology may help avoid some disasters and diminish the number of casualties when they do happen, but disasters will continue to happen regardless.

Look, for example, at the sinking of the "Costa Concordia" last January. Thirty people dead and two still missing despite the newest technological advances because of one man's vanity...

Other Dangerous Activities While Cruising

A sinking ship is not the only kind of accident that can cause harm to passengers onboard cruise ships. Even when the ship makes it safely to port, people get injured when they accidentally slip on wet floors or trip on damaged carpets and fall. Following are some of the activities engaged in by passengers where harm may come to them as a result of accidents:

1. Diving
2. Surfing
3. Boating
4. Parasailing
5. Jet skiing
6. Hiking
7. ZIP lining
8. While on excursions on bicycles, on motor bikes or on 4X4 vehicles like Jeeps, etc.

Continue reading "Titanic and Cruise Safety Are Still in Our Minds" »

The safety of the cruise line industry is becoming a matter of increasing concern after a recent rash of accidents. The first major accident this year was the sinking of the Costa "Concordia" on January 13 off the coast of Italy. This disaster cost the lives of 30 people and left another two missing.

Another Accident On A Costa Ship

Subsequently, the Costa Allegra, a sister ship of the Costa Concordia, suffered a crippling fire on February 27. The ship had to be towed to port. Costa Cruises, who own both ships, is a subsidiary of the largest cruise ship company in the world, Carnival Cruise Lines.

Latest Incident: Fire On Board

According to Reuters, the latest incident was a fire that left the cruise ship "Azamara Quest" adrift off the coast of the Philippines last Saturday. The ship belongs to Azamara Club Cruises, which in turn is owned by Royal Caribbean Cruises, the second largest cruise line in the world. The fire on board the "Azamara Quest" injured five crew members. They all suffered smoke inhalation and one of them was injured seriously enough to need medical attention on shore. The engineers managed to restore power the same day and the ship was able to slowly steam to port. Thankfully, none of the passengers were injured.

100th Anniversary of Sinking of Titanic

This all happens when some are about to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the most famous ship in history: the Titanic. In fact, according to cnn.com, a British travel agency has organized the "Titanic Memorial Cruise". This trip will allow Titanic enthusiasts to take a cruise on board the MS Balmoral and follow the same trajectory of the ill-fated ship 100 years ago. Just like the Titanic, the cruise will sail from Southampton, England, stop at Cobh, Ireland and stop again at Halifax, Nova Scotia, where many of Titanic's victims were buried. A religious ceremony to honor the victims will be held on April 14th, the anniversary of the disaster.

Not Only Kind of Dangerous Activity

A fire on board or a sinking ship are not the only kinds of accidents faced by passengers onboard cruise ships. Even when the ship makes it safely to port, people get injured as a result of slip and falls and other accidents they suffer while participating in any of the following activities:

1. Diving
2. Surfing
3. Boating
4. Parasailing
5. Jet skiing
6. Hiking
7. ZIP lining
8. While on excursions on bicycles, on motor bikes or on 4X4 vehicles like Jeeps, etc.

Continue reading "Cruise Line Industry Safety Questioned After Recent Disasters" »

A cruise vacation is supposed to be fun. Unfortunately, cruises sometimes turn into disasters. Just look at what happened with the Costa Concordia off the coast of Italy. However, experts agree that there is not much anyone can do to avoid tragedies like a ship sinking because it ran aground or hit something, a terrorist attack or a fire on board.

Beware of Dangers On Board A Cruise

I realize that relaxing is an important ingredient of any vacation. However, just because you are on a cruise vacation you are not supposed to let your guard completely down and throw caution to the wind. A cruise ship is like a small city. As I've said in other posts, think of it as a hotel that goes places...

For example, cruise lines do not check passengers' criminal backgrounds before selling them a ticket. This means that much like anywhere else, the nice looking gentleman standing next to you during your muster station drill could be a dangerous criminal. Of course, this does not mean that you should become paranoid and lock yourself in your cabin for the duration of the trip. It just means that you should be as cautious as you normally are elsewhere. For example, do not get drunk and wonder into secluded areas of the ship with the charming stranger you just met at one of the bars. You would not be the first passenger to disappear forever during one of those "walks". By the way, these unfortunate incidents also happen to crewmembers.

All Kinds of Accidents

All kinds of accidents happen during cruise vacations, both on and off the ship. For example, in addition to becoming the victims of assaults by fellow passengers, as previously discussed, people vacationing in a cruise ship may get injured as a result of slip and fall accidents, as well as become ill with food poisoning.

Moreover, passengers suffer injuries while involved in any one of the following land based activities:

1. Surfing
2. Scuba diving or snorkeling
3. Parasailing
4. Boating
5. Jet skiing
6. Hiking
7. ZIP lining
8. Excursions on bicycles, on motorbikes or on 4X4 vehicles like Jeeps, etc.

Continue reading "Cruising Can Be Dangerous" »

When we think about cruising, suffering an injury is not one of the things we expect to happen to us. Yet, life is full of unexpected dangers: ask the surviving passengers of the "Costa Concordia"...

Accidents and Injuries do Happen Aboard Cruise Ships

Even when the ship makes it safely home, accidents and injuries are a daily occurrence on a cruise. Other than for the fact that you are on water, vacationing aboard a cruise ship is very similar to vacationing on land. Think of it as a floating hotel that goes to places. For example, there may be damaged carpets on which you can trip, fall and get injured. Similarly, there may be a wet floor where you may slip, fall and become injured. You may be the victim of an assault by a fellow passenger or a member of the crew (to my knowledge, cruise lines don't check the criminal records of those they sell a ticket to and although they should check the criminal records of those they employ, mistakes are known to have happened). Additionally, you may get food poisoning from something you eat.

Injuries also occur when passengers participate in any of the following activities:

1. Diving
2. Surfing
3. Boating
4. Parasailing
5. Jet Skiing
6. Hiking
7. ZIP Lining
8. Off road excursions on bicycles, motor bikes, 4X4 vehicles like
9. Jeeps, etc.

Not Cruise Ship Doctors?

When accidents happen, injured passengers usually end up being cared for by the ship's doctor. But, is this doctor actually the "ship's doctor"? He is, in the sense that he works aboard the ship. However, most passengers are surprised to learn that under the law these doctors are independent contractors, not employees of the cruise line. In most cases this means that you cannot sue the cruise line for the doctor's negligent performance of his duties.

Usually, cruise ship passengers who suffer injuries or are victims of crimes may sue the cruise line to recover damages, including loss of wages, pain and suffering and medical expenses. Similarly, family members may sue the cruise line for the wrongful death of their loved one who died while aboard ship. However, when it comes to the negligent actions of the doctor onboard the ship, a passenger may have a cause of action against the cruise line for the doctor's malpractice if the company was negligent in the selection or retention of the physician or because it failed to provide adequate equipment for him to care for the passengers.

Insist On Being Sent Home If Seriously Injured!

We understand how long you may have had to wait to go on this cruise and we are not suggesting that you insist on being sent home for a headache....Yet, if your injury is serious enough that you would have gone to see a specialist had it happened at home, we do encourage you to go home, even if you have to pay for the plane ticket. You can always take another cruise in the future, but your health and future well-being take precedence in extenuating situations.

For example, if you suffered a blow to the head and lost consciousness, you should probably seek specialized medical attention, even if you are feeling better! Traumatic brain injuries can result from mild concussions and it is very difficult to tell the extent of damage in a close head injury without special equipment usually unavailable aboard a cruise ship or in some of the ports these ships visit. Therefore, the safest thing to do is to go home, get checked by a specialist and hire a knowledgeable lawyer.

Continue reading "Cruise Ship Doctors?" »

Costa Cruises is back in the news: another one of it's liners, the Costa Allegra, is adrift off the Seychelles Islands after a fire in the generator room left more than a thousand people in the darkness, according to Herald-Tribune.com.

No Injuries or Deaths Reported

Thankfully, no injuries or deaths were reported after the fire was extinguished by the ship's own special firefighting units. Yet, the ship is adrift in an area were attacks by Somali pirates have been reported, although pirates have never hijacked a cruise ship before. Nevertheless, according to a Seychelles government spokesperson, the ship has armed guards on board ready to defend it should pirates attack. Having armed guards on board is, the spokesperson said, standard practice for cruise ships these days.

Fires Onboard Cruise Ships Not Unusual

Very few accidents on board a ship are as dangerous (or potentially deadly) as a fire. Unfortunately these fires are not uncommon. Following are just a few of the most recent fires on board cruise ships:

1. On November 17, 2010, the "Pearl of Scandinavia" caught fire off the coast of Norway.
2. On November 8, 2010, the "Carnival Splendor" caught fire off the coast of Mexico, leaving 3,299 passengers and 1,167 crew members stranded.
3. On May 31, 2010, Royal Caribbean's "Independence of the Seas" caught fire in Gibraltar with a result of a dozen injured passengers.
4. On March 23, 2006, the "Star Princess" catches fire en route to Jamaica with 3,800 people on board. As a result of this fire12 people were injured and 1 died.
5. On July 20, 1998, the "Carnival Ecstasy" caught fire after leaving the Port of Miami with 2557 passengers and 920 crew aboard. As a result 60 people were injured.

Continue reading "Another Accident on a Costa Cruise Ship" »

The summer is fast approaching in the United States and with it, summer vacation. Those who enjoy cruises are planning and making reservations for their families' summer time cruise vacation. If everything goes well, they will have a great time and maybe even some mementos to remind them of those good times for years to come...

Things Can go Wrong in Paradise

However, things can go as wrong on a cruise as they can on any other type of vacation...If you don't believe me, read this article by the Fraser Coast Chronicle...

In a nutshell, a couple had been saving for years to take a cruise around New Zealand. Unfortunately, their trip was cut short when their ship, owned by P&O Cruises, suffered engine failure. The compensation they received from the cruise line: a $100.00 on-board credit...

Continue reading "Cruise Ship Disasters..." »

According to a USA Today article, a fire that destroyed several buildings in downtown Nassau was the cause for the passengers of at least two cruise liners not being able to go ashore in Nassau as early planned this Monday. The fire was in Bay Street, which is very close to the cruise terminal.

No Injuries Due To Fire

Thankfully, no injuries were reported. Yet, given the size of the fire and
how close it was to the port, the passengers on the "Disney Dream" from Disney Cruise Line and on the "Carnival Glory" from Carnival Cruise Lines had to wait until authorities in Nassau had the fire under control before being allowed to go ashore.

Continue reading "Debarkation of Cruise Ship Passengers Delayed in Nassau due to Fire" »

Cruising is a common form of vacationing for many of us. If you want to visit several countries during your holiday, doing it while on a cruise saves you from having to deal (for the most) with flight delays, airport security, changing hotels every couple of days, etc. As a friend once told me: "in a cruise, your hotel moves from one place to the other". On a cruise ship, the food, the accommodations and the entertainment will satisfy almost everyone...The ports of call cater to cruise passengers (their livelihood) and for the most, are friendly places that offer a variety of activities very different to those most of us engage in our places of residence.

Things Can Go Wrong in Paradise

However, as in any other form of vacation, things can go wrong during a cruise. One difference: when things go wrong on a cruise, a passenger cannot "pack his/her things" and go home...If in doubt, ask those cruising on the Carnival Splendor when it lost power during a trip last November after an engine room fire left passengers stranded at sea with no electricity, overflowing toilets and poor food. Another difference: such passengers will rarely get a refund, although it sometimes happens...

Continue reading "A Cruise Can Be A Perfect Vacation, Unless Something Goes Wrong..." »

A sixty year old American tourist met a tragic death a few days ago while diving off the coast of Belize. She had signed up for a diving tour when her ship, the Ryndam Cruise of Holland America Cruise Line, stopped at that port.

According to Police, she suffered a severe cut to her right leg and two smaller cuts to her face. The tourist was then rushed to a local hospital, but her injuries were to great and she died.

Cruise Lines Are Responsible for Passenger's Safety

It is not clear from the above news report whether the victim booked her shore excursion directly through the ship. If so, Holland America maybe found liable for her death. Cruise lines are responsible for the safety of their passengers, even when harm comes their way while on a shore excursion booked on the ship.

Continue reading "American Tourist Killed in Accident While on a Cruise " »

A California woman has filed suit against Princess Cruise Lines this week because she was sexually assaulted by a crew member. The victim, M.F., says that this cruise line had a sexual predator working aboard one of it's ships. According to Ms. F., one day (during the wee hours of the night), a crew member on the "Island Princess" grabbed her, pulled her against him and forced her to a deserted part of the ship, where he proceeded to lift her skirt and touch her private parts. Subsequently, the victim managed to fend off her attacker and run away. She reported the attack to the ship's authorities and claims that the man had "a prior, similar incident" of misconduct.

Attacks and Other Crimes are Common at Cruise Ships

We take vacations to relax from our daily stressful lives. For those of us who live in large cities where crime rates are high, sexual assaults and other crimes just add to the stress. Therefore, the last thing on our minds when vacationing on a cruise ship is to be concerned about such criminal activities. Yet, as the Federal Bureau of Investigation reports, life on board a cruise ship can be as dangerous as anywhere else, plagued with crimes that range from minor theft to sexual assaults.

An agreement between the F.B.I., the U.S. Coast Guard and the Cruise Lines International Association (C.L.I.A.) sets standardized protocols for member lines to report serious incidents committed aboard cruise ships in violation of U.S. Law. According to the F.B.I., who investigates the most serious offenses, 207 reports had been received from C.L.I.A. members in less than four months, from April 1, 2007 (when the agreement was reached) to August 24 of the same year.

Continue reading "Woman Sexually Assaulted by Cruise Ship Crew Member" »