Maritime Injury Attorney Blog

The FBI concluded its investigation into the disappearance of a Florida woman who fell from a cruise ship on Christmas night two years ago. The investigation concluded there was no foul play involving a passenger going overboard the Norwegian cruise ship the Norwegian Pearl.

When the FBI began its investigation they were trying to determine whether the passenger Jennifer Ellis-Seitz, 36, from Winter Haven had actually fallen overboard by accident, possibly jumped or was pushed or thrown overboard. She and her husband Raymond Seitz Jr. were celebrating their first wedding anniversary on a seven day cruise on the Norwegian Pearl.

Ellis-Seitz was a freelance writer in Central Florida. Her family released a statement stating that she was previously having emotional problems and had probably chosen to end her life.

The cruise line was able to provide surveillance footage showing the passenger falling about 15 stories into the waters east of Cancun, Mexico.

Her husband and her mother, who was also onboard, searched the ship looking for her for more than an hour before reporting her missing to the ship's security. Before Norwegian Cruise Line security called the U.S. Coast Guard they searched the entire vessel for the missing passenger who had disappeared during her anniversary cruise.

Continue reading "FBI Finds No Signs of Foul Play in Passenger Going Overboard" »

Yesterday Three Royal Caribbean Cruise Line crewmembers working on the Enchantment of the Seas were charged with trying to smuggle drugs into the United States on a cruise ship. They attempted to smuggle in 700 grams of heroin, and 300 grams of cocaine into Baltimore.

The crewmembers charged were Gavin Excell, 35, John Swart Garth, 27, and Kishurn Neptune, 27. According to Department of Homeland Security's agent's report that was filed, the 3 men picked up the drugs in the Dominican Republic. One of the crew members tried to hide the drugs in his waistband and shoes when the ship reached the Baltimore port.

A U.S. customs official received a tip from a security officer employed by Royal Caribbean. One of the crew members was followed to a Wal-Mart near the cruise terminal and when apprehended he later told the officers he was paid $4,000 to make the delivery. All the crewmembers involved were arrested and charged, as well as the buyers of the drugs.

This is just another example of illegal activity that can occur aboard a cruise ship. Many times, crew members do not fear getting caught because of the lack of a police presence onboard the ship. Cruise ships have been compared to cities by many of the analyst as a result, there is an increased need for a police force and other security measures. President Obama, this year recently signed the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act Legislation into law to add protection to cruise ship passengers.

Other incidents like sexual assaults and disappearances continue to take place. Our maritime personal injury and wrongful death firm have represented previous victims to these crimes and continue to do so.

Several passengers aboard Royal Caribbean's Brilliance of the Seas were injured when the ship encountered rough weather on its way to Alexandria, Egypt.

There were several large waves and extremely heavy winds which caused the ship to roll and pitch violently injuring approximately 30 passengers as well as damaging several areas of the vessel.

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Passengers wore life saving jackets, and many reported they were terrified by the severe weather conditions the cruise ship encountered. The cruise ship also suffered damages. Furniture was tossed around causing property damages. Computers were smashed, and glass shattered everywhere and even the ship's Grand piano crashed into a wall.

After the ordeal crew members worked non-stop to clean up and attend to passengers. Royal Caribbean gave each cabin a $200 onboard credit.

Weather reports that day forced the port of Alexandria to close due to the heavy rain and winds of up to 60km per hour. As a result, the Brilliance of the Seas had to bypass the scheduled port and dock instead at Valletta, Malta, which was scheduled to be the ship's last stop.

Continue reading "Several Passengers Injured when Cruise Ship Attempts to Reach Port in Egypt" »