Six passengers are recovering from injuries they sustained when one Carnival cruise ship collided with the other. While cruise ship collisions are relatively uncommon, this accident highlights that collisions can happen and can cause cruise ship injuries. Here is what we know so far about this cruise ship collision.
Carnival Cruise Ships Collide in Cozumel, Mexico
The Carnival Legend cruise ship was already docked in Cozumel, Mexico when it was struck by the larger Carnival Glory. Video of the collision shows passengers watching the collision in horror. Videos clearly show the larger ship crushing through the decks of the smaller ship, causing debris to fly into the water.
A Carnival Cruise Line spokesman calls the accident an “allision,” a nautical term for a collision involving one object that was not moving at the time of the accident. Investigators are working to determine the cause of the accident, and are considering multiple factors including:
- If wind and weather conditions could have contributed to the accident.
- If the ship’s engines could have had problems affecting propulsion.
- What was happening at the ship’s controls when the collision occurred.
A retired Coast Guard captain stated that the port in Cozumel is popular with Carnival ships, so staff on both ships likely know the routine. This makes the investigation all the more important to prevent such issues in the future.
Source: @cmaxeyy
Cruise Ship Collision Causes Alarm Among Passengers
Passengers on the Carnival Legend and the Carnival Glory report the experience as being horrifying. Video from both ships show passengers watching the situation as the Legend drifts uncomfortably close to the Oasis of the Seas, which was docked nearby. Fortunately, the Oasis of the Seas was not involved in the accident.
Passengers onboard the Carnival Legend report the ship rocking to one side and then back in place. One passenger reports that the cruise director made an announcement that the Carnival Glory,
“Had crashed into our ship while docking due to the high winds and rough ocean conditions in Cozumel.”
Another passenger reports the cruise director saying,
“We’ve had a boo boo.”
Passengers report feeling the impact, but those inside the ship were not immediately concerned. Cruise officials did not immediately update passengers about the situation, but informed them of the cruise ship collision about an hour after it occurred.
In the hours following the cruise ship collision, Carnival reported that six passengers receiving treatment for minor injuries. The nature and extent of the injuries is not publicly available. The Carnival Glory will require extensive repairs to the damaged upper decks, but officials say that the ship is still seaworthy and is not in danger.
Common Cruise Ship Collision Injuries
While we do not know what type of injuries the passengers on the Carnival Legend are suffering, there are some injuries that are common in collision accidents. These injuries often result from falls, contact with objects and debris or structural damage due to the collision. The most common injuries include:
- Fractures
- Broken bones
- Head injuries
- Electrocution
- Burns
- Smoke inhalation
- Crush injuries
- Drowning
Cruise ships have safety protocols for accidents and incidents at sea. Part of the ongoing investigation into this cruise ship collision is determining whether safety protocols were followed before, during and after the collision.
Rights for Injured Cruise Ship Passengers
If cruise ship staff does not follow protocols after an accident, then they may be liable for any medical expenses that passengers have from the collision. Furthermore, if the cause of a collision is negligence, then passengers with injuries may have grounds to take legal action and pursue compensation.
Cruise ship passengers can pursue compensation under maritime passenger personal injury laws. To find out more about these laws and how passengers can get compensation for their injuries, contact Maritime Injury Guide. Complete our online contact form to request information.
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