When a Cruise Ship Accident Happens

Miami, FLA boating accident, whether it involves a small personal watercraft on a lake, or a cruise ship accident in international waters, can be both tragic and complicated. Cruise ships, for example might be owned by a US company and based in familiar American ports. However the vessels themselves are usually registered in different countries, presenting unique challenges about which a boating accident attorney is conversant.

Falling off a cruise ship is a fear held by many, in spite of the immense popularity of cruising. And of course all accidents at sea are tragic, regardless of the mitigating circumstances.

In the recent case of a woman who fell from the cruise ship Zaandam earlier this summer, the Associated Press (AP) reported Aug 4th that it appeared as if the victim might have committed suicide.

Amber Malkuch, of Washington State, fell from the Holland America cruise liner some time prior to August 3rd when she was reported missing by a travelling companion. After a massive search stretching more than 80 miles the woman's body was found. Initial reports found no evidence of foul play and Holland America at the time suggested that the woman might have committed suicide.

However, Alaskan state troopers who were to conduct an investigation after the cruise ship docked at Sitka were not prepared to rule the incident a suicide.

Passengers have accidently fallen off cruise ships in the past. And so have crew??"people whom, more than passengers are well aware of the perils and know how to prevent them.

On New Years Day 2009 an entertainment worker with Carnival fell from the cruise liner Sensation and was lost at sea. AP reported the search for 26-year-old Antonio Matabang from California was called off on the night of Friday, January 2nd.

Passengers on board a cruise ship are apprised of safety protocols in a carefully managed scenario before the ship leaves port. Many of the crewmembers involved in such presentations are entertainment staff. And yet, a crewmember fell overboard in spite of knowing the dangers and protocols to prevent a fall. According to AP six other crewmembers witnessed what happened and said the fall was clearly an accident.

While the accident happened off the coast of Florida and Carnival is a US company, the cruise ship Sensation is registered in the Bahamas. All the more reason to enlist the aid of a boat accident attorney, when the unthinkable happens