Cruise Ship AccidentsExploring the deep waters can arouse a sense of excitement for some
because they view it as an adventure. However, the occurrence of boats
and cruise ship accidents continue to endanger the lives of people who
travel along different bodies of water.
In May 2003, a collision of a boat and a barge in Falgout Canal in
Dularge, Louisiana has ended the lives of five people who were competing
in a fishing contest.
According to Capt. Samuel Martin from the Louisiana Wildlife and
Fisheries Department, all the people riding the boat were killed.
From this incident alone, you may already have an idea of how deadly a boat accident can be.
In 2008, the U.S. Coast Guard has already reported around 4,789
recreational boating accidents which left 3,331 people injured and 709
others dead.
According to the Coast Guard, more than two-thirds of all the fatalities
drowned and 90% of them were found not wearing or using their life
jacket.
Cruise Ship Accidents
Cruise ship accidents are often given much attention by the media
because people ride on this type of vessel to relax, bond with a loved
one, and make a happy memory.
When the Crown Princess cruise ship violently tilted towards its left
side, the scene became chaotic because many crew and passengers were
thrown onto the deck.
According to Cape Canaveral Fire Rescue Capt. Jim Watson, the incident
left an adult and child under a critical condition, 12 severely injured,
and 70 others with lesser injuries.
The capacity of this vessel to accommodate thousands of passengers makes
it more dangerous because many people can also get hurt when an
accident happens.
Causes of Boat and Cruise Ship Accidents
Here are some the following contributing factors for the occurrence of boat and cruise ship accident:
Vessels operation
Improper or lack of lights
Inexperienced operators
Making sharp turns
Limited vision
Operator inattention
Not having a proper lookout
Drugs and alcohol use by the operator
Operating the boat at an excessive speed
Environment
Packed waters
Dangerous waters
Bad weather
Vessel or equipment failure
Machinery failure
Hull failure
Equipment failure
Loading of Gear or Passengers
Overloading
Passenger behavior
Improper anchoring
In the event that an accident happens, people aboard should be careful
with their actions because even a little mistake can kill them. Some of
the things a passenger can do to lessen the risk of injury in an
accident include:
Wear shoes that can grip a wet floors surface
Do not panic
Wear a life vest when it is needed
Compensation for the Victims
Victims in boat and cruise ship accidents are advised to seek counsel
from legal experts. Personal injury attorneys are well trained in
handling such cases. The skills of these attorneys will give you a
higher chance of winning and being compensated by the negligent party.
To help you deal with issues involved in california boat and cruise ship accidents, consult with our expert personal injury lawyers.
|
