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On November 24, 2022, the US Coast Guard rescued a man who fell overboard from a Carnival Valor cruise ship, with many calling the rescue a thanksgiving miracle. Let’s explore the details of the news with Ehline Law and our cruise ship personal injury attorneys.
On November 23, 2022, a man fell overboard on a Carnival Valor cruise ship traveling from New Orleans to Mexico. He was at the cruise ship bar with his sister when he excused himself to the toilet and never returned.
The following day, his sister started to panic and decided to alert the crew aboard the Carnival Valor cruise ship. The crew members made several announcements for the missing man to report to the guest check-in, but there was no response.
On November 24, 2022, at 2:30 PM, the cruise ship captain alerted the US Coast Guard about the overboard passenger. Coast Guard Watchstanders in New Orleans immediately scrambled to set off response crews in the waters, commencing a rescue search.
According to Lt Seth Gross (the USCG search and rescue coordinator), rescue efforts included boats from Venice and Florida, a helicopter, multiple airplanes set off from three cities, and help from professional maritime partners operating in the Gulf of Mexico to scan the waters for the missing cruise passenger.
The time difference between the disappearance of the passenger and the cruise ship alert made the search challenging. However, after six hours of searching and a total team effort from Coast Guard watchstanders, response crews, and the help of professional maritime partners operating in the Gulf of Mexico, the rescue team on the Crinis vessel reported that they found the missing passenger in the Gulf of Mexico.
The US Coast Guard found the missing passenger around 20 miles south of Southwest Pass, Louisiana.
A coast guard in a helicopter hoisted the passenger out of the water, taking him to the emergency medical services at the nearby airport. The passenger was suffering from shock and dehydration while exhibiting symptoms of hypothermia.
Gross spoke to CNN about the incident, stating that he couldn’t believe how the passenger managed to stay afloat and alive in the cold water temperature for such an extended period, deeming it a thanksgiving miracle.
According to the US Coast Guard rescue mission coordinator, it was the longest time in the water by any passenger found in a search and rescue case.
Cruise lines are responsible for ensuring that their passengers are safe on the cruise ship, including taking steps to prevent overboard incidents.
If the cruise ship is negligent and its actions or inactions result in a missing passenger, an overboard incident, or injuries to a passenger, they are liable for the damages caused.
Before the Cruise Safety Act 2010, cruise ships were not required to report overboard incidents to US Coast Guard officials.
Following the implementation of the 2010 act, cruise ships are now liable for overboard incidents under specific conditions, including:
It is challenging for a victim of cruise ship negligence to pursue a cruise ship accident claim against the cruise line due to laws in favor of the industry and the legal team hired by the cruise company.
However, an experienced cruise ship accident attorney can help investigate the cause of the accident and increase the victim’s chances of recovering compensation for their loss.
If you suffered injuries on a cruise ship or lost a loved one due to the cruise line’s negligence, contact us at (833) LETS-SUE for a free consultation to learn about your rights and legal options from a talented, superior cruise ship lawyer.
Michael Ehline
Michael helped draft the Cruise Ship Safety Act and has won some of the largest maritime law settlements. Together with his legal team, Michael and the Ehline Law Firm collect damages on behalf of clients. We pride ourselves on being available to answer your most pressing and difficult questions 24/7. We are proud sponsors of the Paul Ehline Memorial Motorcycle Ride and a Service Disabled Veteran Operated Business. (SDVOB.) We are ready to fight.
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