Everglades tour boat sinks

On Dec. 30, 2002 at just past 2:30 pm a passenger boat operated by the Everglades National Park Boat Tours sank in 12 feet of water in the Thousand Islands area at the northwest tip of the park. Coast Guard responded immediately, but by the time they were at the scene of the accident three nearby boats had rescued all passengers. All 33 passengers (including 5 children) and the boat master survived, though one passenger was seriously injured.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) conducted a full investigation into the accident. They found that the same boat had run aground earlier in the month on soft mud and shells. Maintenance crews cleaned out the engine housing, though reported no leaks in the hull. Still, all masters who operated the boat found the steering sluggish and noted a vibration. The company did not allow masters to ever inspect the boats before going on a cruise.

The day before the accident the boat came back early from a tour, listing to one side. The owner suggested that the master had switched off one of the bilge pumps; the master claimed the bilge pump did not work. Maintenance crews worked on the pump before it left dock the next day. Eyewitness accounts noted that crews were working on the boat just before it was scheduled for a tour. One tourist who happened to be a mechanical engineer reported hearing a bilge pump cycling on and off every 30 seconds, and noted the boat seemed to be low in the water.

The boat launched for its final tour shortly before 2 pm. During the run, the master spotted some dolphins and performed some fast, tight maneuvers to encourage the dolphins to jump over the wake. As this was happening, water began to seep over the side of the boat ankle-deep. The master did not notice this happened, according to passengers, until it was “too late.”

The NTSB report found that Everglades National Park Boat Tours operated the boat with a known hull breach, and illegally relied on bilge pumps to manage water levels rather than fix the hole “thus continually putting its passengers at risk.” It also noted improper storage of life jackets, and an improper maintenance schedule. The national park did not renew its contract with the company, and the master who was operating the boat at the time it sank had his license revoked for three months.

If you have been injured on a tour boat, the company may be liable for the cost of your injuries including medical bills, lost work, and pain and suffering. But litigation can be tricky under maritime law. Jim S. Adler & Associeates are the personal injury lawyers and maritime law experts who can ensure that your rights are protected throughout the process.

Don’t try to decide for yourself who is at fault. Contact a Jim S. Adler & Associates personal injury attorney for a free case review.

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