Miami Maritime And Admiralty Law Attorney Robert C. Gross, P.A. On The Cruise Accidents Of 2012 - December 2012

The year 2012 marks a singularly bad year for the cruise industry's safety record as well as many passengers who travelled aboard luxury liners. Most notable was the Costa Concordia disaster off the Italian coast that claimed the lives of thirty-two passengers and crewmembers. Even if this deadly tragedy is discounted, there are still a few cruise ship incidents and accidents that would be noteworthy in any year.

Norovirus Outbreaks

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, during the year 2012, fifteen cruise ships that participate in the Vessel Sanitation Program reported Norovirus outbreaks or Norovirus-like symptoms among their passengers and crewmembers. Two of these ships sailed from South Florida. While this is not an unusually high number of outbreaks for the cruise industry, which has been vulnerable to the Norovirus throughout the years, it does not appear to be a problem that's dissipating.

Navigational Errors and Miscalculations

A few days prior to Hurricane Sandy hammering of the Northeast, the storm affected navigation routes in the Atlantic and Caribbean. Unfortunately for the passengers, the two Disney line cruise ships Fantasy and Dream misread the indications. In the case of the Fantasy, one passenger reported a "violent tossing of the ship" resulting in glassware shattering on the ground, doors opening and shutting, furniture sliding across the deck, water rising in waves from the swimming pools, and passengers falling out of their beds. While cruise industry pundits may claim that these were isolated incidents, when combined in the same year as the Costa Concordia disaster—which appears to have been caused by gross negligence on the part of Captain Francesco Schettino—it reveals some alarming gaps in navigation safety protocols.

Other Disasters at Sea

In addition to the large-scale disasters that can affect many passengers at once, the problems of crimes against individuals aboard cruise ships, such as assault, rape, and robbery can be just as prevalent as they are on land. In many cases, these crimes are underreported due to the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act's (CVSSA) practice of reporting only cleared or closed cases. Because unsolved cases are reported with similar, land-based compilations, like the FBI's Uniform Crime Report, the cruise industry appears to boasts a lower crime rate then what actually is the case.

Maritime and Personal Injury Law

As a Miami, Florida personal injury attorney whose practice is focused on maritime and admiralty injury claims, I have represented a number of clients who have been injured on cruise ships as a result of negligence or intentional torts. I recommend that anyone seeking passage on a cruise liner make certain to read the legal disclaimer that's printed on their travel documents. If you are unclear about a provision in the legal disclaimer, contact a qualified maritime lawyer for clarification.