When you embark on a cruise, you most likely have visions of clear skies and smooth sailing. After preparing for your voyage for months, on the day of departure, you’ll want everything to go as smoothly as possible. And we don’t blame you. After all, you owe it to yourself to have the chance to relax and unwind on your vacation.
As a maritime law firm, we can say quite confidently, that most of the time, cruises do depart and return without any difficulty. Passengers are safe, well fed, and exposed to experiences that create lifelong memories and cultures that expand their horizons.
However, while this is the case most of the time, it is not the case all of the time. From catastrophic injury to rape and sexual assault, there are a wide variety of crimes that can take place on your cruise. And before you depart, it’s important to be informed.
A recent story out of Malaysia sheds light on the issue of overboard accidents on cruises.
On Sunday, November 27th, 2016, a Singaporean man fell overboard while on SuperStar Gemini cruise ship in Malacca. The 60-year-old man, Wuan Poh Fatt, was traveling with friends from Singapore to Penang.
According to the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, Mr. Wuan fell overboard around 11:05 pm on Sunday night. Video footage confirms that someone did fall overboard at the reported time, while the ship was off the coast of Tanjung Kling.
Currently, investigations are underway to uncover what happened to Mr. Wuan. However, no further information is available at this time.
Overboard Accidents Should Be Preventable
In the wake of this incident, we cannot help but to question the circumstances surrounding Mr. Wuan’s fall. Had the cruise line served Mr. Wuan too much alcohol? Were the guardrails not appropriate for keeping passengers from falling overboard? Was foul play involved ? There are many questions regarding this tragic event that we do not have the answers to.
However, we send our thoughts and condolences to the family of Mr. Wuan as they process this difficult news.
No one should have to worry about losing a loved one who has gone on a cruise. And it is our hope that Star Cruises will take this as a wake up call, reviewing their practices and infrastructures to determine where they may have failed their passengers.
It is unfortunate that such a devastating incident should have to occur. And, as a result, we hope that once the cruise line and the government agencies complete their investigations the necessary steps are taken to make sure this facts of this case are not repeated again.
As a maritime law firm, we have seen countless cases of accident and injury that could have been prevented. When you book your cruise, you want to trust that the cruise company has your best interest at heart. So, if you have been injured or otherwise negatively impacted by what you believe to be cruise line negligence, we can help.
Often, a maritime attorney is exactly what you need to steer through the confusion of life after a traumatic event. And if you’re seeking a clear-sighted opinion, you can contact us.
When you schedule an initial consultation, we’ll listen to your story and then work with you to determine how you can take the best next step into your future.
Published on December 2, 2016
Categories: Cruise Ship Injuries, International Maritime
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