Cruise Ship Accident Lawyer Blog

Murder on the High Seas: Man Who Killed Wife Aboard Carnival Cruise Ship Sentenced to Life in Prison

December 13, 2011 | by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

MIAMI, FL—A Los Angeles man who murdered his wife aboard a Carnival cruise ship in July 2009 was sentenced to life in prison in San Diego court on Dec. 8. According to information provided by the Associated Press, the 57-year-old defendant pleaded guilty to second-degree murder charges in connection with the cruise ship slaying.

U.S. Chief District Judge Irma Gonzalez sentenced Robert McGill to life in prison after he confessed to killing his wife, Shirley while aboard the Carnival Elation cruise ship.

Reports indicated that McGill and his wife initially embarked on a 5-day cruise voyage to Cabo San Lucas—located in the Baja California peninsula of Mexico—as a means of celebrating his birthday. On July 14, however, their Carnival cruise vacation took a violent and deadly turn.

According to Gonzalez, “Whatever good he has done in the past, whatever decency he had in the past, he left on the bathroom floor on July 14.” McGill reportedly attacked his wife before strangling her to death in the bathroom of their cabin aboard the Carnival cruise ship. The federal judge noted that McGill washed himself off before exiting his cabin to go smoke a cigar on the cruise vessel’s upper deck.

Upon being interrogated by FBI agents who were investigating the cruise murder, McGill claimed he attacked his wife while in an alcohol-induced hallucinogenic state. McGill told investigators he consumed approximately 8 beers, as well as half a bottle of Mezcal (a Mexican alcoholic beverage occasionally bottled with a scorpion inside) on July 14.

McGill’s defense attorney attempted to persuade Gonzalez to sentence McGill to 11 years and 3 months in prison on the grounds that his client’s violent actions were a result of excessive alcohol consumption, but to no avail.

According to the Miami cruise ship injury attorneys of Gerson & Schwartz, more cruise ship industry reform is needed to adequately protect travelers and employees from preventable injuries, assaults, rapes, and in extreme cases such as the one above, murder.

Lake County Teen Killed in Jet Ski Collision

December 2, 2011 | by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

MIAMI, FL— December 1, 2011 – A violent Jet Ski collision on Lake County’s Lake Joana resulted in the death of a 14-year-old Mount Dora boy, according to recent reports by the Orlando Sentinel. According to information provided, the violent personal watercraft accident was reported to authorities around 3 p.m. on Nov. 27.

Nicholas Polk and his friend, Ryder Wayne, 15, were riding a Jet Ski on Lake Joana in Eustis, Fla. when something went horribly wrong. The teens were reportedly traveling away from a cove on the lake when they noticed a second watercraft approaching.

Wayne and the operator of the second Jet Ski, 15-year-old Daniel Cole, attempted to swerve away from one another, but to no avail. Reports noted that 15-year-old Robert Rumary was riding on the back of Cole’s PWC at the time as well. All four Jet Ski riders were ejected into the lake on impact.

While Wayne, Cole and Rumary escaped injury in the Lake County boating accident, Polk was not so fortunate. According to investigators from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Polk, who appeared to have sustained a head injury in the Jet Ski crash, eventually succumbed to his wounds.

FWC spokesman Gary Morse told reporters the fatal boat crash investigation is ongoing.

Statistical data provided by the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) indicated 668 boat accidents occurred during the year 2010. Those boat crashes and accidents resulted in 79 boating deaths and 389 injuries. Statistics suggest Florida has more boating accidents than any other state in the nation.

Boat Crashes into Seawall Along Intracoastal Waterway in Hollywood; 1 Dead, 1 Injured

November 30, 2011 | by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

MIAMI, FL— November 30, 2011 – Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission investigators are looking into what might have caused a powerboat to plow into a seawall during the early hours of Nov. 28, killing one boater and leaving another hospitalized with unspecified injuries. According to the Sun Sentinel, the fatal boating accident occurred at approximately 1:20 a.m. along the Intracoastal Waterway in Hollywood, Fla.

Reports suggested Aldo Antonio Rodriguez, 41, and female passenger Odalys Diaz, 45, were aboard a 25- to 26-foot center console vessel, navigating the Intracoastal Waterway in the dark, when the boat slammed into a western seawall. Diaz was thrown from the boat on impact. Rodriguez, on the other hand, became trapped in the vessel’s damaged bow as a result of the watercraft accident.

The crashed boat then mysteriously went on to circle the accident site, even after striking a second wall on the eastern side of the Intracoastal. According to Hollywood Fire Rescue Division Chief Mark Steele, who responded to the scene along with other paramedics from the department, “When they first saw it, they were like, ‘How is this happening?’”

Although emergency medical crews rushed both Rodriguez and Diaz to Memorial Regional Hospital following the violent boat wreck, Rodriguez’s injuries proved fatal at the hospital. The extent of Diaz’s crash injuries remained undisclosed.

While FWC detectives have yet to determine the cause of the Hollywood boat crash, speed was suspected to have contributed to the fatal accident. “That’s definitely something they’re going to take a look at… It is likely a factor considering the force involved in the accident… It will be under investigation for probably quite a while,” explained Carli Segelson, a spokesperson for the commission.

Federal Authorities Detain Carnival Liberty Cruise Ship Waiter Accused of Having Sex With Minor

November 24, 2011 | by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

MIAMI, FL— November 24, 2011 – FBI agents on Nov. 19 arrested and charged a 35-year-old Carnival Cruise Lines crew member upon receiving a report alleging the employee engaged in illicit sexual conduct with an underage cruise ship passenger. According to information provided by the Miami Herald, the unidentified 14-year-old victim waited until she returned home to tell her family about the incident.

Reports suggested Carnival Liberty cruise ship waiter Kert Clyde Jordan is accused of persuading the young girl to follow him to a bathroom on the vessel’s Lido deck and then proceeding to have unlawful sex with her. The alleged sexual encounters occurred on Nov. 4 and 5, as the Liberty cruise ship was seemingly navigating international waters.

Federal officials took the Carnival cruise waiter into custody in Florida on Nov. 19. He was charged with engaging in a sexual act with a person under the age of 16 shortly after the child sex victim identified him to the FBI. On Nov. 22, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced that Jordan, whom is originally from Grenada, was still under federal lockup in connection with the cruise ship sex crime. The case is underway.

According to a statement released by Miami-based Carnival Cruise Lines, “Carnival has a zero tolerance policy for crime and we take any allegations of crime extremely seriously. We continue to provide our full cooperation and support to federal law enforcement authorities. Our Care Team has reached out to offer support and express our utmost concern for our guest and her family during this difficult time.”

According to statistics posted on the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) website, the FBI regarded sexual assault as the leading crime reported on cruise ships, accounting for 55 percent of all maritime crimes reported to the bureau.

Violent Powerboat Crash Results in Deaths of 2 Key West Super Boat World Championships Racers

November 10, 2011 | by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

MIAMI, FL— November 10, 2011 – A horrific South Florida boat crash claimed the lives of two offshore powerboat racers who were participating in the Key West Super Boat World Championships that took placed on Nov. 9th According to information provided by the Miami Herald, spectators were watching the powerboat race from Mallory Square, a waterfront plaza in Key West’s historic district, when a 46-foot powerboat went airborne, flipped, and wrecked upside down during the third lap.

Reports suggested Jeffrey Tillman and Bob Morgan, both Missouri residents, were racing Big Thunder, a Skater powerboat equipped with four 1,200-horsepower engines, in Key West Harbor when something went horribly wrong. During the third lap of the Key West Super Boat World Championships, the powerboat allegedly did a barrel roll and landed upside down, crushing the high-speed boat’s cockpit on impact.

Upon arriving at the site of the violent boating accident via helicopter, emergency personnel leapt into the water to rescue the severely injured powerboat racers. The accident victims were subsequently pulled aboard a rescue vessel and taken back to shore, where an ambulance was awaiting their arrival.

Unfortunately, both Morgan—who owns Big Thunder Motorsports Park and Marina Complex on Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri—and Tillman—a Lake of the Ozarks developer— ultimately succumbed to their traumatic injuries and were pronounced deceased at Lower Keys Medical Center.

Beyond the fact that powerboat was clearly traveling at a high rate of speed when it flipped over and crashed, reports did not specify whether any other factors are suspected to have played a role in the fatal boating accident. Investigations are expected to continue.

Statistical data provided by the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) indicated 668 boat accidents occurred during the year 2010. Those boat crashes and accidents resulted in 79 boating deaths and 389 injuries. Statistics suggest Florida has more boating accidents than any other state in the nation.

Husband of Cruise Ship Passenger Killed During Belize Snorkeling Excursion Files Wrongful Death/Negligence Lawsuit

October 25, 2011 | by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

MIAMI, FL—October 25, 2011 – An Ohio husband who witnessed his wife get pulled into the propellers of a boat during a snorkeling expedition off the coast of Belize has filed a lawsuit alleging both wrongful death and negligence. According to information provided by the Seattle Times, Seattle-based cruise ship company Holland America and Belize-based snorkeling excursion company Cruise Solutions are being sued in connection with the horrific Feb. 2010 cruise accident.

Reports suggested Michael Mechling and his wife Diana boarded a Holland America cruise ship in Feb. 2010, seemingly under the premise that they would be able to participate in various tours and expeditions during their Caribbean cruise voyage. Unfortunately, one of those excursions took an unexpected turn for the worse.

According to a negligence and wrongful death lawsuit filed in Seattle on Oct. 18, the Mechlings were on a snorkeling trip off the coast of Belize when something went horribly wrong. Almost immediately after Diana Mechling leapt from the boat and into rough waters, the tour boat operator reversed in an attempt to stabilize the vessel.

The lawsuit alleged, “Michael Mechling realized that he could not see Diana Mechling and began yelling, `Where is my wife?'” Mrs. Mechling, who was behind the boat when the operator shifted it into reverse, was consequently pulled beneath the vessel and into its propellers. Although the severely injured cruise ship passenger was conscious upon being transported to a hospital, her wounds ultimately proved fatal.

Mr. Mechling is seeking unspecified compensation in connection with the fatal cruise accident

Although Cruise Solutions did not comment on the pending negligence lawsuit, Holland America spokesperson Erik Elvejord stated, “Holland America Line is aware that a complaint has been filed and we extend our sympathies to the family for their loss. However, as is company policy, we do not comment on legal matters.”

*The Miami personal injury law firm of Gerson & Schwartz, P.A. has no affiliation with the case above.

Royal Caribbean Lawsuit: Foreign Employee Claims She Was Dumped Off Cruise Ship After Reporting Onboard Rape

October 21, 2011 | by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

MIAMI, FL— October 21, 2011 – Miami-based Royal Caribbean cruise line is being sued in connection with the alleged rape of a South African woman who was working aboard a Celebrity cruise ship at the time of the attack, the Miami New Times reported. Although the former cruise ship employee reported the sexual attack to cruise line officials, doing so led to her being quarantined in her cabin without medical attention for several days and then ultimately dropped back off in South Africa, according to the pending lawsuit.

Given that no foreign police authorities investigated the alleged cruise ship rape and given that the FBI had no jurisdiction to do so—as the attack was said to have occurred off the coast of Israel—the sexual assault victim was left with no means of seeking justice. The maritime injury lawsuit claims the victim was raped after having a drink in her co-worker’s cabin and blacking out for unknown reasons.

After being confined to her cabin and denied medical care (including anti-retro viral drugs, which are used as a means of preventing the potential contraction of HIV) for multiple days, the foreign cruise worker was dumped back in her country. Although Royal Caribbean would not comment on the pending lawsuit, which was filed in Miami-Dade Circuit Court on Aug. 31., the suit suggested the popular Miami-based cruise line’s decision to bring the victim back to South Africa was an attempt to dodge liability in the case.

The lawsuit further alleges that although the rape victim suffered severe emotional distress and was left unable to work, cruise officials ultimately refused to provide the woman with compensation for her post-rape medical care and therapy sessions. The case is underway.

According to statistics posted on the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) website, the FBI regarded sexual assault as the leading crime reported on cruise ships, accounting for 55 percent of all maritime crimes reported to the bureau.

FBI to Investigate Death of Newborn Baby on Carnival Cruise Ship

October 18, 2011 | by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

MIAMI, FL—October 18, 2011 – FBI agents are in the midst of an investigation into the untimely death of a newborn baby aboard the Carnival Dream cruise ship on Oct. 12. According to information provided by Florida Today, Florida-based cruise ship company Carnival Cruise Lines reported the unfortunate discovery to Dutch authorities on the Caribbean island of St. Maarten, whom subsequently took custody of the newborn’s lifeless body and detained the infant’s mother for questioning.

Awaited by a fleet of FBI agents, the Carnival Dream cruise ship returned to Port Canaveral in Florida on Oct. 15. As searches were being conducted in two of the cruise ship’s guest cabins, FBI agents went on to question both cruise passengers and ship crew members who may have had any information concerning the mysterious cruise ship death.

Dutch officials in St. Maarten have since released the newborn’s mother, whom was merely identified as a 20-year-old woman living in the United States, from their custody.

According to FBI Special Agent Dave Couvertier, “Due to the international and jurisdictional aspects involved with this incident, we are still working on obtaining facts and specific details about the matter… No one has been charged as we are still working on obtaining facts and gathering any available evidence.”

A full investigation into the Carnival cruise ship death was expected to be underway.

Surviving Victims of Fatal Florida Keys Boating Accident Tread Water for 20 Hours

October 12, 2011 | by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

MIAMI, FL— October 12, 2011 – A horrific boating accident in the Florida Keys resulted in the death of an elderly Hialeah woman and left seven additional victims, including a 4-year-old child, treading water for nearly an entire day. According to information provided by NBC Miami, a 22-foot vessel sank off Long Key, in close proximity to the Tennessee Reef Lighthouse, at approximately 12 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 9.

Investigators from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation are conducting a full probe into the Florida Keys accident that resulted in the drowning death of 79-year-old Zaida San Jurjo Gonzalez. The boat operator and six other passengers, all of whom are related to one another, were only rescued approximately 20 hours after the boat capsized. Reports suggested that the boat sank upon being hit by a big wave off the coast of South Florida.

Both U.S. Coast Guard personnel and boat captain David Jensen helped rescue the survivors, one of whom was identified as 4-year-old Fabiana De Armas Lima, following the boat’s capsize. Authorities identified the remaining surviving victims as Hialeah residents Elena G. Gonzalez, 52, and Juglar Riveras, 34, and Royal Palm Beach residents Jorge Alejo Gonzalez, 62, Tomasa Torres Gonzalez, 57, Jose Miguel De Armas, 40, and Yunisleidy Lima Tejada, 25. The FWC aided in rescue missions.

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s 2010 boating accidents statistical report, drowning was the cause of death for 62 percent of the 79 individuals who lost their lives in recreational boating accidents in Florida (a total of 49 victims) that year. Thirty-four percent of victims (27 people) died from trauma-related injuries, and the cause of death for the remaining four percent of victims (three people) remained unidentified.

Man Falls Overboard Boat and Into Propellers at Biscayne Bay, Dies

October 11, 2011 | by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

MIAMI, FL— October 11, 2011 – The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is conducting an investigation into a recent and horrific boating accident in which a man lost his life after falling overboard a vessel and into its propellers. The fatal incident occurred during Biscayne Bay’s 55th annual Columbus Day Regatta, NBC Miami reported.

According to Jorge Pino of the FWC, 45-year-old Juan Carlos Morales appeared to have been either sitting or standing on a 65-foot boat’s rear dive platform when he fell overboard and into the vessel’s propellers. The deadly boating accident occurred near Elliot Key along the coast of South Florida on Oct. 8.

While investigators are still unsure how the boat accident victim fell to his death, a full probe was expected to be underway. Morales was the first person to die in a boating-related incident this Columbus Day weekend, Pino said.

Although Pino stated that it also remained unclear whether alcohol played a role in the fatal boating accident, statistical data provided by the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) suggested that alcohol use was the primary contributing factor of boating fatalities during the year 2010. In the past, countless boaters have been arrested for boating under the influence (BUI) during the Columbus Day Regatta at Biscayne Bay.