Cruise ship accident brings accusations

On April 16, 2007 the Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL) ship Norwegian Dawn made national news as it was forced to take harbor in South Carolina. During a storm through which it was traveling, a “freak wave” seven stories high hit the ship, causing extensive damage. Nobody was killed, but four people were injured as the wave crashed through several windows.

Cruise ship may have risked its passengers

Sympathies from across the nation went out to the passengers, who were obviously shaken by the experience. But questions were asked, such as why the ship was cruising through the storm in the first place. The fact is, it takes a lot to sink or even damage a 1,000 foot cruise ship, so it was probably never in danger of sinking, as many industry insiders have stated. On the other hand, a cruise is meant to be enjoyable – not a terrifying roller coaster ride in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.

As it turns out, there was more to the story than was first reported. The Norwegian Dawn was on its way to New York and may have waited out the storm or tried to skirt around it except for one thing: It was scheduled to be the backdrop for a taping of Donald Trump’s The Apprentice on April 17. According to the New York Post, NCL had spent $1 million in a sponsorship/product placement deal to have the ship appear on the show.

NCL chose not to comment on the allegations that the ship risked going through the storm to make its appointment with Trump. Part of the reason surely has to do with the fact that six passengers are now suing the company for $100 million. The company referred media to the Bahamas Maritime Authority report that states: “There is no evidence that any real or perceived urgency to arrive at New York earlier was a factor in the handling of the ship or that Norwegian Cruise Line did anything but support the Captain’s on-scene decisions.”

But passengers aren’t buying it. One account of the trip explained how serving staff was dropping plates as the ship heaved to and fro. And when the freak wave hit, some said it was like a car accident.

Cruise ships must protect their passengers

No matter what was a “factor in the handling of the ship,” the bottom line is that cruise ships have a responsibility to their passengers to deliver them as safely as possible.

The International Council of Cruise Lines stated after the accident that you couldn’t hold a ship responsible for a “freak wave” because they are unpredictable. But the point is, if the Norwegian Dawn had not entered the storm – and it  might not have except for its appointment in New York – the ship never would have been in a position to be hit.

Contact an Adler cruise ship accident lawyer

If you have been injured or have become gravely ill on a cruise ship, don’t try to decide what part the cruise line played. Contact Jim S. Adler & Associates and let an Adler cruise ship accident lawyer advise you of your rights.

The firm has  handled personal injury cases  in Texas for more than 30 years, including cases against large, multi-national corporations, and we will make sure your rights are protected. Call Jim S. Adler & Associates right now at 1-800-505-1414 or click on the link on this page to send us information for a free case review.