Three U.S. citizens on the Carnival Sensation did not return to the ship last week. This isn’t the first time a passenger on a cruise has gone missing. In fact, it is far more common than cruise lines want to admit. There have been hundreds of missing passengers over the years.
Cruise Ship Missing Person
Since 2000, over 200 passengers have gone missing from cruise ships. In 2010 the United States Coast Guard put into place the Cruise Vessel Safety and Security Act. This regulates railing heights and the training of crew members who respond to these situations of “man overboard”. It is the cruise line’s responsibility to keep passengers safe and fully investigate disappearances.
Operators should be responsible when they fail to act appropriately after receiving a missing passenger report. If the cruise line cannot find a missing Unites States national after a reasonable amount of time, they must notify the FBI and National Guard. Cruise lines. If their employees do not follow this procedure or act negligently in the events leading up to and after the disappearances of passengers, the cruise line may be accountable.
Missing Cruise Passenger in Jamaica
The Jamaica Observer reported that three U.S. citizens did not return to the Carnival Sensation which docked in Ocho Rios.
The newspaper reports that the three passengers disembarked the Carnival cruise ship at approximately 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday morning. Police in Jamaica launched a massive search, however speculation points to foul play.
Last month, the United States issued a state of emergency in St. James Parish, Jamaica due to extensive violence and crime. St. James Parish covers Montego Bay, which has a cruise port and is a short drive away from the cruise ports in Falmouth and Ocho Rios.
Over the last six years, there have been 11 cruise ship passengers who have temporarily gone missing in Jamaica.
The passengers eventually showed up or were located by the police in Jamaica. It is against both Jamaican and U.S. law to fail to return to a cruise ship.
Don’t Wait to Get Help
If you, your child, or your relative suffered a cruise ship related injury, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Once you disembark, your next step should be to get experienced legal help from a knowledgeable attorney.
At The Michael Brady Lynch Firm, our lawyers have decades of experience helping injured people get justice and full compensation for injuries caused negligence. Given that lawsuits against cruise ships are in a venue favorable to the cruise lines, it is incredibly important to have an experienced attorney with ample resources to prosecute your claim. The Michel Brady Lynch Firm regularly takes on the largest corporations in the world with a track record of proven success and results. Contact The Michael Brady Lynch Firm today, and our attorneys will review your case for free and help you protect your rights. For your complimentary consultation, call our office now.