Maritime Injury Law Blog

The 113,000-ton ship, “Crown Princess,” limped back to port in Cape Canaveral on July 19th after it suddenly listed 15 degrees to its port side. Passengers reported that after about 30 to 40 seconds the ship returned to an upright position. At the time of the incident the ship was 11 miles out of port, and was carrying 3,100 passengers and 1,200 crew. Seas were calm.

Passengers reported that tables, glasses, lounge chairs, gym equipment, TV sets, and other objects went flying, along with the passengers themselves. Those who were in the pool at the time were shoved out along with the water, and appeared to have suffered the most severe injuries. Immediately following the incident there were a lot of people hugging and crying, and others looking for children. One passenger reported that the captain sounded terrified, leading her to feel more panicked.

Around 14 ambulances, eight fire trucks, and three medical helicopters awaited the ships return to Cape Canaveral. 98 people were transported to local hospitals, including a critically injured adult and a little girl who were airlifted. Injuries included bloody noses, bruises, fractures, dislocated joints, shortness of breath, chest pains, and some more serious than that. About 240 passengers were treated onboard for minor injuries.

The 950-foot ship was leaving its last port of call on a 9-day Western Caribbean cruise, and returning to New York, when the accident occurred. The Crown Princess, owned by Princess Cruises and operated by Carnival Corp., was on its fourth voyage, after having been christened just last month.

A malfunction of the steering is believed to be the cause of the incident, but it is still under investigation.

Posted by Beard Stacey & Jacobsen, LLP at 11:09 AM | Permalink

39 known injures and two deaths have been attributed to the “kite tube,” which was pulled from the market on July 13th. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is performing a safety investigation.

The kite tube is a 10-foot inflatable saucer with fabric flooring. The riders stand inside the device and hold onto grips while a boat pulls them. When the boat reaches around 25 mph the kite tube rises into the air.

http://www.sportsstuff.com/

The investigation by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission suggests that wind gusts can cause the tube to spin out of control, and a sudden slowing or stopping of the boat can cause the tube to nose-dive into the water, or even cause the tube rider to hit the boat. Once they get airborne there is no stabilizer. When the tube comes crashing back to the water, it’s like landing on concrete if they are going fast enough. Injuries have included back and neck injuries, punctured lungs, broken ribs, jaw fractures, and death. The devices have been banned in many states due to safety concerns.

The recall is on the 53-5000 model sold between October 1, 2006 and July 11, 2006 for $500-$600. The logo includes winged skulls, and a statement “Never kite higher than you’re willing to fall.” The tubes were manufactured by Sportsstuff Inc. of Omaha, Nebraska. They have willingly initiated a voluntary recall of about 19,000 kite tubes sold.

Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (WI)

Posted by Beard Stacey & Jacobsen, LLP at 1:39 PM | Permalink

On July 5, 2006, Peter Horn, 54, suffered chest pains and mutiple abrasionas and lacerations to his abdomen when a rigging form the 50-foot vessel, Ann Elizabeth, fell overboard, taking him with it. Horn was pinned between the cable and hull of the vessel. His shipmates helped him back aboard the boat after he freed himself.

A Coast Guard helicopter from the Air Station in Atlantic City was dispatched to the scene and medevaced Horn to South Jersey Medical Center in Neptune, N.J. The accident took place 25 miles off the coast of Manasquan Inlet, N.J. The Ann Elizabeth home ports in Barnegat Light, N.J.

Source: USCG Press Release

Posted by Beard Stacey & Jacobsen, LLP at 12:51 PM | Permalink