international cruise ship victims association

“With everyone working from the same set of requirements, manufacturers can more easily evaluate safety, effectiveness and performance of the systems,” he explained. “This also provides a strong foundation on which new technologies can be developed.”

In addition to the MOB required systems, ICV continues to work with Congress and other entities involved in the implementation of regulations on cruise ships designed to ensure transparency and accountability for passenger and crew safety and security. One notable area of involvement is the required reporting of cruise ship crime statistics, now published publicly each quarter.

ICV will continue its vigilant watch with a renewed effort to make sure that the cruise lines move forward with implementation of these and all other required systems.

International Cruise Victims Association Kendall Carver, 602-989-6752 Chairman or Jamie Barnett, 818-355-6462 President www.internationalcruisevictims.org

Integrity First, Compassion, and Excellence in All We Do

Cruise Ship Law Blog

New Evidence in Missing Cruise Ship Passenger Case Revealed, But Why is FBI Holding Back?

Written by LM&W Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A. is made up of attorneys who are nationally recognized industry leaders in the field of maritime and admiralty law. Our team of cruise lawyers has well over two centuries of combined experience, has successfully handled over 3,000 cases, and has recovered over 300 million dollars in damages for our clients. Several of our attorneys have even been selected to “Best Lawyers” ® by US News & World Report every year as far back as 2016.

This weekend, 48 Hours reported on the mysterious disappearance of a cruise ship passenger whose case has yet to be closed. In the wake of two other passengers falling overboard from a Carnival cruise last week in Australia, the need to improve maritime safety regulations industry-wide is blatantly clear. Yet, the case of missing passenger George Allen Smith IV remains unsolved eight years after the tragic disappearance occurred and the cruise line on which he was sailing seems to have washed its hands of any responsibility in investigating the case.

Smith mysteriously disappeared from a cruise he was on for his honeymoon cruise nearly eight years ago. This Saturday night, 48 Hours aired a special titled “ 48 Hours: Murder at Sea? ” interviewing Smith’s loved ones and shedding new light into the unsolved case that many are calling a crime instead of an accident.

“You can’t look at the water and the sea without remembering what happened to George,” said Maureen Smith, the victim’s mother. “It’s got too many bad memories for me now.”

Smith’s family has maintained all these years that George was murdered by several men with whom George had an argument. And now, new evidence suggests there may be some truth to the allegations. A video tape created by the same men, and which has been in the hands of the FBI for some time, shows there may in fact have been a murder at sea all those years ago.

Smith disappeared from Royal Caribbean’s Brilliance of the Seas ship on July 5, 2005. Although his body was never recovered, bloodstains were found beneath the balcony of the cabin he was sharing with his new wife, Jennifer Hagel-Smith, who is now remarried.

The videotape in question was filmed by three Russian-Americans who have long been suspected of being involved in Smith’s disappearance due to their actions on July 4 and 5, before Smith was last seen. While it was reportedly filmed on the ship, shortly after Smith went missing, the video was only brought to the Smith family a few years ago.

In the video, the men film themselves joking about Smith’s death and make incriminating statements. The men first met Smith and his new wife on July 4. Everyone had been drinking and Smith and Jennifer ended up in an argument around 3:30 a.m., which resulted in Jennifer walking away alone. She ultimately passed out in a hallway.

Smith, however, stayed behind. After finding himself intoxicated a few minutes later, Smith was said to have needed the three Russian-Americans’ help returning to his cabin, and so they escorted him back, accompanied by a fourth man. The story of what happens next has been changed several times.

The Russians alleged they helped Smith back to his room, took off his shoes and put him to bed, however, passengers who were in their cabins near the scene recalled hearing a lot of noise and yelling from Smith’s stateroom around that time. One passenger even recounts hearing large objects like furniture being thrown across the room.

Another passenger reported the noise disturbance to the ship’s guest relation’s desk just after 4 a.m., but the ship’s crew did not respond until nearly half an hour later. Had they responded in time, perhaps Smith would be alive today.

At around 4:25 a.m., Smith went over the rail of his cabin’s balcony and landed several floors below on the metal awning over the lifeboats, then fell into the water. Bloodstains were discovered later that day which when tested, were determined to have been Smith’s.

The investigation appears to have been over before it even started. Ship crew members never even called Smith’s cabin to make sure everyone was ok. The next morning, crews cleaned the blood off the awning with a high-pressure hose, never even telling Jennifer about the blood stains.

But by far, the most incriminating piece of evidence in the case suggesting foul play was the video, which shows the Russian men commenting about Smith’s death, saying “we gave that guy a paragliding lesson without a parachute, and one man was even recorded flashing gang signs, claiming “Told ya I was gangsta” and making it seem as though he was proud of what happened to Smith.

Meanwhile, the Smith family is shocked that the FBI has not pressed any charges, or at the least, interrogated the men regarding the video, especially given the fact that one of the suspects is an ex-con who served three years in prison.

George Smith IV would have turned 34 this year. Sadly, he isn’t the only cruise ship passenger whose case remains unsolved. Hundreds of passengers have gone missing from cruise ships and nothing has been done to give the victims’ loved ones justice or peace of mind.

The International Cruise Victims Association (ICV) is dedicated to helping the loved ones of passengers who have been involved in crimes at sea, especially those who have disappeared at sea.  But despite the many stories that have been published regarding missing passengers and the cruise lines’ blatant cover-up of overboard accidents, incidents are still happening to this very day that prove the cruise industry doesn’t seem to care much about passenger safety.

Hopefully Smith’s story will shed some light into the hidden world of cruise lines and how – more often than not – they fail to provide a safe environment for those onboard.

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Published on May 13, 2013

Categories: Cruise Disappearances , Cruise Line Crimes

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Help For Victims

• Know Your Rights
• How to Protect Yourself
• Find Help In Your Country
• Voices Of Victims

Crimes to cruise passengers may occur on board of cruise ships/ferry boats, as well as in ports or on tour excursions while the boat is docked.  Therefore, these crimes quickly constitute cross-border crimes. More information is provided on our section on Cross-Border Crimes.

Cruise ship related crimes may be committed by crew members, fellow passengers, strangers, or career criminals  – tourists are often seen as easy targets.

Crimes related to cruise ships can include:

• Shoplifting
• Sexual assault
• Human trafficking
• Laws on Cruise Crimes
• Jurisdiction areas and legal measures

The Athens Convention 1974 and the 2002 Protocol to the Convention  deal with the liability of the carrier for carriage of passengers and their luggage. These establish a framework under which ship/ferry passengers who have died or been injured, or whose property has been damaged, may claim compensation. This framework sets financial limits of liability for carriers for claims by passengers and establishes a strict two-year time period to claim compensation.

The Passenger Liability Regulation  (PLR – https://www.shipownersclub.com/passenger-liability-regulation-update/ ) implements this framework in EU membe-states, creating a single set of rules across the EU Member States governing the obligations of carriers to passengers travelling by sea in the event of an accident.

General victims’ rights in the EU are established under  The Victim’s Rights Directive ( https://ec.europa.eu/info/policies/justice-and-fundamental-rights/criminal-justice/protecting-victims-rights_en) . The directive sets out the 6 key rights available to all victims of all types of crime that take place in any member state. To know more about your rights as a victim of crime, visit the victims’ rights section on our website.

The following links will allow you to further familiarise yourself with your rights as a victim of crime, and more specifically of a crime on a cruise:

• Jourová, V. (2017). The Victims’ Right Directive. What does it bring? [Factsheet]. European Commission. https://ec.europa.eu/newsroom/document.cfm?doc_id=43139
• Your Europe. (2021). Ship Passenger Rights. https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/passenger-rights/ship/index_en.htm
• Regulation (EC) No 392/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 April 2009 on the liability of carriers of passengers by sea in the event of accidents (Text with EEA relevance)Text with EEA relevance (PLR). https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:02009R0392-20190726

Regulation (EU) No 1177/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 November 2010 concerning the rights of passengers when travelling by sea and inland waterway and amending Regulation (EC) No 2006/2004 Text with EEA relevance. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2010/1177/oj

Cruise ship crime taking place outside the 12-mile territorial water limit of any EU Member State is not regulated by the EU, but by the country that registered the ship. In ports and within territorial waters, all crimes are dealt with by the local authorities – whether these are EU Member States or not. Penalties, whether custodial or financial, will depend on the severity of the crime and on the outcome of any court case. However, all victims of crime in Europe are entitled to compensation and restitution under the Victim’s Rights Directive. To know more about your rights as a victim of crime, visit the victims’ rights section on our website. Other websites also provide more information on possible legal action, and illustrate the difficulties and possibilities concerning jurisdiction:

• European e-Justice. (2020). Compensation . https://e-justice.europa.eu/content_compensation-67-en.do
• European e-Justice. (2020). Claiming damages from the offender. https://e-justice.europa.eu/content_claiming_damages_from_the_offender-494-en.do?clang=en
• Malkin, E. (2019, April 19). Report of Sexual Assault on Cruise Ship Shows Gaps in International Law . The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/19/us/cruise-ship-crimes-laws.html

Cruise ship crimes include a set of very diverse situations, and can range from theft to murder. Victims will include people of any age, from any nationality, and from any background. There are some simple steps that can be taken to protect yourself and your belongings. These include the following measures:

• Buy travel insurance and travel assistance before sailing
• Photocopy your important documents
• Pay attention during the muster drill
• Get to know your steward
• Buddy up – avoid moving about unaccompanied
• Never leave children unaccompanied
• Use your safe to store valuable objects and identification documents
• Use a mugger’s wallet
• Don’t carry large amounts of cash
• Don’t reveal your room number
• Use the peep hole to know who is at the other side of the door

More information on these protection measures are set out in the following sites:

• Coulter, A. (2020). 9 Tips for Staying Safe on a Cruise Ship. https://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/articles.cfm?ID=1698
• Leibowitz, E. (2020). Staying Safe in Port: A Three-Step Program. https://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/articles.cfm?ID=148
• Tysal, D. (2013). A Safe Cruise Checklist for Seniors, Families, and Couples. https://www.travelinsurancereview.net/tips-and-advice/travel-safety-tips/safe-cruise-checklist/
• World of Cruising. (2021). 7 things to never do on a cruise – and 6 things you must do. https://www.worldofcruising.co.uk/advice-cruise-ship-safety-tips/
• Impact of crime
• Action points
• Reporting a cruise ship crime

It is important to note that the impact of crime is felt differently by each person. Every reaction of victims is normal when faced with an unexpected and potentially painful experience of crime.

The impacts of crime can be physical, psychological, social and economic, among others, and can last for long after the event. In the immediate aftermath, physical effects can be an increased heart rate, heavy or shallow breathing, sweating, dry mouth, tense muscles, feeling unable to move, feeling jittery or shaky, as the body is on high alert for further threats. These immediate effects can impact the psychological state of the victim and may lead them to act irrationally, to misunderstand information, to have issues remembering the event or what is communicated to them, and even act opposite to their best interest. Depending on the type of crime and the degree of physical violence, medical assistance might be necessary, as well as psychological first aid.

On the long-term, physical effects can linger on. For example, victims can experience recurrent loss of energy, muscle pain, headaches and/or migraines, menstruation disorders, cold sensations, shivering and/or hot flashes, digestive problems and high blood pressure, even long after the crime has taken place. Psychological effects of crime can also persist, or develop, on the long-term. These effects can include anxiety, difficulty concentrating, guilt, depression, isolation, trouble while sleeping, post-traumatic stress disorder, among other reactions.

There are also important possible social consequences of victimisation, such as the abovementioned isolation and tense relationships with those surrounding the victim. Victims have to rethink their relationship with the world around them, and the reactions of their surroundings may increase their inclination to isolate themselves. For instance, surroundings may misunderstand the victim’s reactions, or even blame the victim to preserve their own world views. Economically, the consequences of crime encompass the costs of medical or psychological support, or the costs of absenteeism from work due to the previous mentioned consequences of crime.

Being a victim of crime on a cruise ship or in a foreign port, can leave you feeling vulnerable and emotionally distressed. You may feel it is no longer safe to travel. It may be hard to come to terms with what has happened, and you may have problems coping with the aftermath of the crime. Whether or not you knew the offender, you may question why you were targeted and how you could have prevented the situation – you may feel overwhelmed and this can cause you to withdraw from family, friends and others who can assist you.

If you believe you have been the victim of a crime on a cruise ship or in a foreign port, there are several things you can do immediately, to ease the harm or loss you feel:

• Report the crime to the ship’s security officer (at sea) or to the local law enforcement office (in port)
• Make a list of missing items
• Take photographs of any damage
• Contact your insurance company
• Contact your consulate. There you can request replacement driving license/ID/travel pass
• Report the loss of your passport
• Tell your bank if your debit/credit cards have been stolen
• Inform your network provider if your phone has been stolen
• Ensure you receive copies of reports from the ship or local law enforcement

More information on the effects of the crime you might experience, and on the possible action you can take, can be found on the following websites:

• Victim Support. (n.d.). Crime abroad. https://www.victimsupport.org.uk/crime-info/types-crime/crime-abroad
• Crow, M. (2020). How Cruise Ships Deal with Crime at Sea. https://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/articles.cfm?ID=240

It is important that you report the crime as soon as you can, if you wish to do so, as this will assist in apprehending the perpetrator. In the case of missing persons, immediate reporting is of paramount importance.

You can contact the ship’s security or the local police either by phone, in person or even online. Use the emergency phone number of the police if there is an immediate danger; otherwise you can use the regular police number when you are at sea. If the crime took place in a port, or on an excursion, you can report the incident to the local police in person.

Should you choose not to report to the police, you can still report it to the ship’s personnel.

Contact your local victim support organisation for any assistance you need.

Upon reporting, you will need to give details of the crime, such as:

• Date, time, place of the crime
• If known, who carried out the crime
• What was stolen, damaged or harmed
• Who got hurt, if anyone did
• Who is missing, should anyone be missing
• Who was a witness, should there have been any

You should be given a crime report number. – In case the crime took place in European territorial waters, a police investigator will be allocated to your complaint. The officer will handle the progress of your file up to and including the trial stage, assuming the criminal is apprehended and brought to justice. You will be informed of your rights as a victim and you will be told what to expect if your case is brought before a jury.  Importantly, you have the right to legal assistance in all EU member states and the right to an interpreter if the trial takes place outside your own country. For more information on rights during the investigation, you can read the page on victims’ rights .

If you’ve been affected by crime on a cruise ship, there are a number of ways you can contact support services to get assistance or information.

• Get support locally. Contact your nearest victim support team
• Report the crime at your local police station

Reporting a cruise crime

You should be given a crime report number. – In case the crime took place in European territorial waters, a police investigator will be allocated to your complaint. The officer will handle the progress of your file up to and including the trial stage, assuming the criminal is apprehended and brought to justice. You will be informed of your rights as a victim and you will be told what to expect if your case is brought before a jury.  Importantly, you have the right to legal assistance in all EU member states and the right to an interpreter if the trial takes place outside your own country. For more information on rights during the investigation, you can read the page on  victims’ rights .

The 116 006 helps victims of crime by informing them of their rights and how to use these, offering emotional support, while also referring victims to relevant organisations. As a single access point, it will provide information about local police and criminal justice proceedings, possibilities for compensation and insurance matters, and other sources of help for victims of crime.

Victim Support Europe’s member organisation International Cruise Victims Association has gathered the stories of victims, so that their brave voices are heard, and other victims know that they are not alone. To read their stories, please click here .

Other useful information can be found on the following pages:

• International Cruise Victims Association. (2021). Home . http://www.internationalcruisevictims.org/ICV_UK.html
• Supporting Justice. (n.d.). The International Maritime Organisation and Cruise Ship Crime. https://supportingjustice.org.uk/imo/
• Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman. (2019). Cruise Ship Law: What You Need to Know. https://www.lipcon.com/blog/cruise-ship-law-what-you-need-to-know/
• Lloyd, M. (2015). Cruise Ship Crime . Victim Support Europe. https://victim-support.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Cruise_Ship_Crime.pdf
• Lloyd, (2016). The Investigation of Incidents and Crime at Sea . http://huelladigital.univisionnoticias.com/cruceros-vacaciones-en-aguas-de-nadie/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/THE_INVESTIGATION_OF_ACCIDENTS_AND_CRIME_AT_SE1-final.pdf
• United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. https://www.un.org/depts/los/convention_agreements/texts/unclos/unclos_e.pdf
• Chovanec, V. (2013). Cruise Ship Passengers and Their Rights [Master Thesis]. Lund University. http://lup.lub.lu.se/luur/download?func=downloadFile&recordOId=3808227&fileOId=3808228 (pages 34, 61)

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Report of Sexual Assault on Cruise Ship Shows Gaps in International Law

By Elisabeth Malkin

• April 19, 2019

If a cruise ship is a floating city, then the captain is its mayor.

But when it comes to law and order, there is no police force and no courts. That can leave victims of crime aboard the ship unprotected — because it is not clear which laws apply.

A reported sexual assault case aboard a Mediterranean cruise ship last week highlighted that legal ambiguity when a Spanish judge released the detained suspect after the ship docked in Valencia. The judge declared that Spain had no jurisdiction in the case because the alleged crime was said to have taken place in international waters, according to a report by the Spanish newspaper Levante.

If Spain cannot prosecute, then which country can?

“There’s no cut-and-dried rule,” said Frederick Kenney, the director of legal affairs and external relations for the International Maritime Organization, a United Nations agency responsible for global shipping safety.

“There is no international law that covers this situation at the moment,” he said.

Maritime law establishes that a ship is subject to the laws of the country whose flag it flies. But for tax reasons and other legal advantages, few cruise ships are flagged with the countries of their home port, or even their corporate headquarters.

In the Spanish case, the suspect was detained aboard the MSC Divina, which flies a Panamanian flag and is in theory subject to Panama’s laws. In practice, the country may not have the resources to investigate crimes that take place far from its shores.

But other laws in place should have protected the victim, said Aleksandra Ivankovic, the deputy director of Victim Support Europe, a victims’ rights organization.

“Even assuming that the Spanish judge made a lawful decision in accordance with Spanish law, from the perspective of human rights guarantees, her rights as a victim of a terrible crime were not respected,” Ms. Ivankovic said.

The Istanbul Convention on violence against women, a European treaty, should apply to the case, she said.

The reported sexual assault aboard the MSC Divina involved a 17-year-old victim from the United Kingdom, according to Levante; the 18-year-old suspect was Italian. The victim reported the assault early in the morning of April 11 while the ship was sailing between Palma de Mallorca and Valencia.

The Istanbul Convention states that countries have jurisdiction when one of their citizens or residents commits a crime defined by the treaty.

In addition, European Union countries have agreements that allow a suspect to be held in one country and transferred to another for prosecution, Mr. Kenney said. “Why that avenue was not employed is unclear to me,” he said.

Still, Ms. Ivankovic warned that the Istanbul Convention and other European human rights protections, which are more broadly written than national laws, are not easy to implement.

Robin Roothans, a spokesman for MSC Cruises, said the company reported a “case of alleged sexual misconduct” by a passenger to law enforcement authorities in Spain who boarded the ship when it arrived in Valencia.

“The suspect was handed over to the authorities in Valencia,” he wrote in an email, adding that the company had assisted investigating authorities. MSC Cruises is a division of the global shipping firm MSC Group, which is based in Geneva.

Ross A. Klein, a professor at Memorial University of Newfoundland who studies the cruise industry, said the company should have known that Spain had no jurisdiction over the crime.

“There is nothing stopping the British police or the Italian police from investigation,” he said. “The cruise line invited the Spanish police; it was a choice.”

Beyond Europe, there are other legal tools allowing countries to investigate crimes committed aboard cruise ships.

“Jurisdiction can be exerted, if it’s chosen to be exerted, by any number of different parties,” Dr. Klein said.

Under United States law, the F.B.I. can choose to investigate cases involving American citizens, even when the cruise ship does not dock in United States ports, Dr. Klein said. The law provides passengers with the right to call the F.B.I. directly.

“Passengers don’t realize this,” he said. “They have no idea.”

Even when the United States has asserted jurisdiction, there are many questions about what happens next.

“We have had so many discussions with the F.B.I. and the Coast Guard once a crime occurs,” said Jamie Barnett, the president of the International Cruise Victims Association . “If I spoke to 100 different F.B.I. field agents, I would get 100 different responses. It’s so murky.”

And citizens of countries that do not assert jurisdiction have less recourse.

Martyn Griffiths, a spokesman for the Cruise Lines International Association , the industry’s main trade association, placed the blame on the Spanish judge, arguing that the ship’s captain had followed maritime law in reporting the crime to law enforcement at the next port.

“We were quite surprised. In Spain they have low tolerance for crimes like this,” he said. “It was a very literal interpretation of the law.”

Victims’ rights advocates argue that cruise ships need an independent police force aboard to protect passengers because the cruise line’s security is concerned with limiting the company’s possible liability.

“We are up against a very powerful industry,” said Kendall Carver, the chairman of the victims’ association, whose daughter Merrian disappeared from an Alaskan cruise in 2004.

Under a 2010 United States law, cruise lines must report crimes committed on their ships to the F.B.I., and the results are published by the Department of Transportation.

Those statistics show that sexual assault is among the crimes that are most frequently reported.

But Mr. Carver said the raw data reported by the cruise lines, which he obtained for 2011 under the Freedom of Information Act, was higher than the public figures . A 2013 report by the Government Accountability Office also questioned whether the data offered a full picture of crime aboard cruise ships.

Dr. Klein said his study of the data found that about 20 percent of victims of sexual assault aboard cruise ships were under the age of 18.

“The protection you have as a cruise passenger is limited at best,” Dr. Klein said. “The further you get from your home country the more limited it is.”

“At this point, it’s anarchic,” he added. “It’s hit or miss.”

Come Sail Away

Love them or hate them, cruises can provide a unique perspective on travel..

 Cruise Ship Surprises: Here are five unexpected features on ships , some of which you hopefully won’t discover on your own.

 Icon of the Seas: Our reporter joined thousands of passengers on the inaugural sailing of Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas . The most surprising thing she found? Some actual peace and quiet .

Th ree-Year Cruise, Unraveled:  The Life at Sea cruise was supposed to be the ultimate bucket-list experience : 382 port calls over 1,095 days. Here’s why  those who signed up are seeking fraud charges  instead.

TikTok’s Favorite New ‘Reality Show’:  People on social media have turned the unwitting passengers of a nine-month world cruise  into  “cast members”  overnight.

Dipping Their Toes: Younger generations of travelers are venturing onto ships for the first time . Many are saving money.

Cult Cruisers: These devoted cruise fanatics, most of them retirees, have one main goal: to almost never touch dry land .

 The International Cruise Victims Association, Inc (ICV)

The international cruise victims association, inc (icv) is an association of victims who have survived, and family members of victims who have not survived, crimes while on a cruise vacation..

One of those family members is Ken Carver who founded the International Cruise Victims Association to support the families like his own who are victims of crimes, disappearances, and accidents aboard cruise ships.

From the very beginning of the Association, it was clear that one of the biggest problems facing cruise passenger victims and their families was that cruise lines did not take the legal responsibility for investigating crimes on a cruise.

It would also become apparent that the cruise lines similarly did not take legal responsibility for any shore excursions they sold to cruise passengers.

Furthermore, the International Cruise Victims Association discovered that cruise lines did not take the legal responsibility for the medical care they provided to passengers during a cruise.

There was clearly work to be done.

With several hundred members, the organization began advocating for legislative reform to protect passengers from crimes at sea and to increase the rights of victims of crimes that do occur on cruise ships.

In short, they have all been striving for years make cruise ships safer places for cruise passengers. If you would like more information about the International Cruise Victims Association, please visit their web site at: http://www.internationalcruisevictims.org/

Established in 1998, free Prow’s Edge Cruise Magazine offers information on different types of cruises and cruise articles and reviews covering all parts of the world, the latest in cruise news, cruise lines profiles, and information on cruise ports and terminals, as well as cruise tips and advice, cheap cruise deals, cruise food and recipes from cruise line chefs, opinions and perspectives from cruise industry leaders and CEOS, how to go about planning a cruise, safety tips about cruise ship crime, and a chance to vent your own opinions at the Prow’s Edge cruise forums and cruise message boards.

Prow's Edge Cruise Magazine – © 1998 - 2013 – all rights reserved

 crime safety topics,  cruise victims.

Drunk Man Jumps Off Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship in Front of Horrified Family Members

The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers to this website may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website.

A luxurious Caribbean cruise suddenly took a nightmarish turn late Thursday night on the Royal Caribbean ship Liberty of the Seas. Shortly after 4 am on April 4, US Coast Guard teams were summoned to help Liberty of the Seas with an emergency search and rescue after a guest went overboard. According to eyewitnesses, the victim did not fall accidentally, but jumped overboard in a seemingly spur-of-the-moment decision - right in front of his horrified family.

Though the victim's identity has not been publicly shared, New York Post described him as a 20-year-old man, accompanied by his brother and father at the time of the accident. The Royal Caribbean ship was sailing between Cuba and Grand Inagua Island in the Bahamas when the 20-year-old suddenly, inexplicably, jumped overboard.

Related: Family of Passengers Left Behind by Norwegian Cruise Ship Are Outraged

Eyewitness Bryan Sims, who had hung out with the victim moments before, described the incident to The Post as "insane" and "surreal. " 

"I had hung out with him and his brother in the hot tub until 3:30... he was pretty drunk," said Sims. As they departed the hot tub , Sims said the man's brother and dad approached them, his dad "fussing at him for being drunk." 

"When we got to them, he said to his dad, 'I'll fix this right now.' And he jumped out the window in front of us all," Sims told The Post .

There was instant pandemonium as the ship's crew immediately commenced search and rescue efforts. The US Coast Guard also arrived on the scene, and according to Royal Caribbean , they have since taken over the search. 

Though there haven't been any promising updates yet, a spokesperson for the Coast Guard told the Daily Mail this morning that they still consider their mission a rescue operation . For the sake of the man, his horrified family, and the traumatized witnesses that night, we hope that the mission will be a successful one.

Going Overboard on a Cruise Ship

Going overboard on a cruise ship is rare. Modern cruise ships are equipped with preventative features like high railings that make simply "falling" overboard nigh-impossible without standing on furniture or climbing the railings. Sadly, when passengers do go overboard, it's often (though not always) intentional - be it a suicide attempt, a drunken dare, or, as in the case of the incident on Liberty of the Seas, an inexplicable impulse decision. 

Tragically, even when the crew immediately begins search and rescue efforts, the victim's likelihood of survival is not good. According to statistics from Cruise Lines International Association, there were 212 overboard incidents between 2009-2019; an average of about 19 incidents per year. Of these, only 48, or 28.2%, resulted in a successful rescue. Time and tide are literally working against rescuers, and it's incredibly difficult to spot a single person in a vast sea, especially at night, which is often when these incidents happen.

Luckily, there is hope. According to Business Insider , of nine overboard incident victims in 2023, two were rescued - and both were Royal Caribbean passengers. The odds are not good, but that doesn't mean that everyone on the ship (including guests, who will often search from their own balconies as well) doesn't do their utmost to locate them in time. Against the odds, we hold out hope that luck will prevail in this story, too. 

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Cruise Ship Assault or Negligence Victim? Podcast With Us

If you’ve ever been a victim of assault or negligence on a cruise ship, this conversation is for you. Here at the International Cruise Victims Law Association (ICVLA), we’re reaching out to those who have experienced the distressing and often life-changing effects of such incidents. We want to hear your story. We believe that by discussing these issues openly, we can create changes that make cruises safer for everyone. 

“Your voice can create waves of change. Let’s turn the tide together for a safer cruise experience.”

Your experience is important to us, and it has the power to influence policies and practices within the cruise industry. By sharing your story on a podcast, you can raise awareness about the safety issues on cruise ships and help others understand their rights and available recourse. 

Why Share Your Story With ICVLA? 

• Educate Others: By sharing your experiences, you provide invaluable insights into safety issues that can occur on cruises. Your story could help educate potential cruisers, allowing them to make informed decisions.
• Influence Change: Your experiences can highlight the need for increased safety measures and improved negligence-related policies aboard cruise ships. When these issues are brought to light, changes can be made to protect future passengers.
• Join a Community: Speaking out about what happened to you can connect you with others who have had similar experiences. This can provide support, camaraderie, and a sense of empowerment.

So we invite you to our podcast, where a panel of experts are ready to hear your story. This is your opportunity to make a real difference, and we’re here to help you every step of the way.

When you decide to tell your story on our podcast, you’re not just sharing your individual experience. You are providing a voice and potentially empowering other cruise ship assault or negligence victims who may be experiencing the same plight. This is a courageous step that could bring about significant change, influence legislation, and protect future cruise ship passengers. 

The Process  

We understand that dredging up what may have been a traumatic experience can be emotionally taxing.

With that in mind, we’ve streamlined the process to help make it as straightforward and painless as possible: 

• Your journey begins with contacting us and expressing your interest in sharing your story.
• Next, a member of our team will have a sensitive and confidential discussion with you to understand your experience and assess the details.
• If you’re comfortable proceeding, we’ll schedule a recording session for the podcast.
• In the podcast, our panel of experts will create a safe space where you can freely and comfortably discuss your experiences.
• Once the podcast is aired, we will continue to advocate for your rights and provide the support you need.

“Your story has the power to change lives and drive a safer future for cruise ship passengers everywhere.”  

Remember, ICVLA is not just a platform, it’s a community of caring individuals committed to seeking justice for victims like you. Let’s band together and transform the cruise ship industry for the better.

The power of telling your story 

Have you ever felt the burden of an experience that left you grappling in silence? The power of sharing your story cannot be underestimated. When you make your voice heard, it echoes and resonates, especially if it’s about combating negligent practices.

You may ask, “Why is it essential to share my cruise ship assault or negligence experience?” It can be a daunting prospect to recount an unpleasant ordeal, but rest assured, speaking about it can play a crucial role in prompting reform and carrying forward the conversation about safety and accountability within the cruise ship industry. You, as a victim, can turn into a catalyst for systemic change. 

Bring about change: Your singular voice counts 

Outlining your experience on our podcast platform helps shed light on the pressing issues within the cruise industry, which still remain overshadowed due to a lack of public discourse and low accountability. Your story can: 

• Inspire listeners to take action and demand for stricter safety regulatories.
• Offer solace to others who may have had similar experiences, assuring them they are not alone.
• Prompt legal agencies and authorities to reassess their methods of oversight.

The Process: How can you share your story with us? 

The process is straightforward. Our diverse team of experts is here to guide you, ensuring that your experience is communicated with the sensitivity it warrants. 

• Discuss your situation with our experts. Scheduling is flexible to suit your convenience.
• The discussion will be carried out in a comfortable and secure environment to accommodate for your emotional safety.
• We’ll then record your story for our podcast, editing only for clarity and coherence, keeping your narrative authentic.

It’s essential to note: Your privacy is our top priority. You can decide how much or how little you want your personal information to be disclosed throughout the process. 

So, why wait? You’ve been a fighter, and now it’s time to be a voice. Let ICVLA be the platform to amplify your story and bring about the changes desperately needed in the cruise industry today. Share your story and make a lasting impact now!

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Coast Guard searching for man who jumped from cruise ship in front of his family

Royal Caribbean Liberty of the seas Cruise Ship FILE PHOTO: Falmouth, Jamaica - March 14 2019: Royal Caribbean Liberty of the Seas Cruise Ship sails near the coast of Falmouth Jamaica. On April 4, 2024, a 20-year-old jumped from the ship. (Debbie Ann Powell/Getty Images)

The U.S. Coast Guard is searching for a 20-year-old man who jumped from the deck of a Royal Caribbean cruise in front of his father and brother Thursday morning off the Bahamas.

>> Read more trending news

Officials said the man jumped off the 18-story Liberty of the Seas cruise ship 57 miles from Great Inagua in front of his father and brother, according to United Press International.

“The ship’s crew immediately launched a search and rescue effort alongside the U.S. Coast Guard, who has taken over the search,” a spokesman for Royal Caribbean said in a statement. The Liberty of the Seas is one of Royal Caribbean’s ships.

“Our Care Team is providing support and assistance to the guest’s family during this difficult time. For the privacy of the guest and their family, we have no additional details to share.”

#Breaking @USCG crews are searching for a 20-year-old man who went overboard from the Liberty of the Seas cruise ship 57 miles from Great Inagua this morning. USCG Cutter Seneca and Air Station Miami HC-144 crews are conducting the search. #USCG #SAR pic.twitter.com/zZPpKOdyCn — USCGSoutheast (@USCGSoutheast) April 4, 2024

The Liberty of the Seas cruise ship is the 35th largest in the world, the Coast Guard said.

Witnesses said the man’s father and brother watched as he jumped, seemingly on a spur of the moment decision, over the side, according to The New York Post.

“I had hung out with him and his brother in the hot tub until 3:30,” passenger Bryan Sims told the Post. “It was standing room only. He sat right beside me the whole time.”

“He was pretty drunk,” Sims continued. “As we were walking from the hot tub back to the elevators, his dad and brother were walking towards us. His dad was fussing at him for being drunk, I guess.

“When we got to them, he said to his dad, ‘I’ll fix this right now.’ And he jumped out the window in front of us all.”

The cruise set sail from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Monday and is set to return on Friday, according to CruiseMapper .

Note: If you or someone you know is thinking of harming themselves, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides free support via the Lifeline by dialing 988 . For more about risk factors and warning signs, visit the organization’s official website .

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Baltimore bridge collapse: Who will pay for the destroyed bridge, harmed businesses and lost lives?

A crane is seen near the wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge on Friday, March 29, 2024 in Baltimore. A cargo ship rammed into the major bridge in Baltimore early Tuesday, causing it to collapse in a matter of seconds. (AP Photo/Steve Ruark)

A person views from Fort McHenry a container ship as it rests against the wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

A container ship rests against the wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge on Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Baltimore, Md. The ship rammed into the major bridge in Baltimore early Tuesday, causing it to collapse in a matter of seconds and creating a terrifying scene as several vehicles plunged into the chilly river below. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Scott Cowan, President of Local 333, International Longshoremen’s Association speaks during an interview, Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Baltimore, Md. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

A container ship rests against wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in Baltimore, Md. The ship rammed into the major bridge early Tuesday, causing it to collapse in a matter of seconds and creating a terrifying scene as several vehicles plunged into the chilly river below. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

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The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Maryland is a multi-layered tragedy: For the families and friends of those killed or presumed dead, it’s a profound and personal loss . For businesses that rely on the Port of Baltimore, it’s an economic nightmare.

And for the federal courts, it will soon become a balance of dollars and facts, with a network of insurance companies expected to foot at least some of the bill.

The disaster happened early Tuesday when a cargo ship lost power and rammed into Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge . Eight people were on the highway bridge when it collapsed. Two were rescued. The bodies of two more were recovered, and four remain missing and are presumed dead.

The wreckage closed the Port of Baltimore, a major shipping port, potentially costing the area’s economy hundreds millions of dollars in lost labor income alone over the next month, according to the economic analysis company Implan.

A report from credit rating agency Morningstar DBRS predicts the collapse could become the most expensive marine insured loss in history, surpassing the record of about $1.5 billion held by the 2012 shipwreck of the Costa Concordia cruise ship off Italy. Morningstar DBRS estimates total insured losses for the Baltimore disaster could be $2 billion to $4 billion.

Here’s a look the costs, the legal claims, and the insurance companies that will pay:

WHAT ARE THE LEGAL CLAIMS?

In federal court, the lost lives and damaged property will be stripped down to a matter of dollars and facts: Were the people or businesses who owned and operated the ship negligent in some way? Was anyone else partly responsible? How much will it cost to replace the bridge and make the families of the victims financially whole?

Insurance companies will ultimately be on the hook for at least part, if not all, of the total cost.

Enrique Serna, an attorney who specializes in representing immigrant laborers and others hurt on the job, said his firm was contacted by some of the victims’ families shortly after the collapse, though he was not yet representing them. The crew filling potholes on the bridge had come from El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala and Mexico, some of them decades ago.

Serna said lawsuits are inevitable, and the ship’s insurers will likely soon seek a “limitation of liability,” asking a judge to cap the damages they can be ordered to pay. The victims will need to quickly respond to try make sure any cap isn’t set too low.

“What happens is, it’s a race against time for when you can present a claim for it,” Serna said.

WHAT ABOUT THE ECONOMIC COSTS?

Attorney Thomas Schoenbaum, a maritime law expert and professor at the University of Washington, said despite significant economic damages, impacted businesses will not be able to sue the ship’s owners and operators.

“There’s generally bad news about that: In maritime law, pure economic loss damages are not recoverable. If you have an economic loss, losing money, or a business shuts down, or a business loses customers, unless you have some physical damage along with the economic loss, maritime law says there’s no recovery,” he said.

The one exception is for loss caused by pollution , like an oil spill, he said, and the bridge wreckage doesn’t count as pollution under maritime law.

Charm City Warehouse owner Bernard Sommer, whose Baltimore-based business serves shipping companies needing to store cargo containers, expects to sustain heavy losses as long as ships are being diverted to other ports.

“If they get that open in 30 days, we’re going to have 60 to 90 days loss of business. And for them to do it in 30 days is pretty quick,” he said. “Until this channel is open and shipping, they’re not going to show any service into the port of Baltimore.”

Sommer said he hasn’t yet contacted his insurance company to ask if his policy covers losses related to the Baltimore port’s closure.

“If the building caught on fire and we weren’t able to operate, or something like that happened? Yeah, that’s covered. But I don’t know if something like this is covered,” he said. “It’s hard to tell. When you sign up for insurance, they give you one page of everything they cover. And that is followed by 45 pages of everything they’re not going to cover.”

On Friday, Atlantic Maritime Ship Supply had to dispatch a truck to Newport News, Virginia, to serve a ship originally bound for Baltimore. Owner Edward Dryer also hasn’t checked his insurance yet — he’s waiting to see if his operations will be significantly impacted.

He expects the port to gradually reopen in weeks, not months.

“Let’s be optimistic that they are able to reasonably quickly get the channel at least partially open ,” Dryer said.

Experts say replacing the bridge could cost $400 million or more.

WHAT ABOUT THE SHIP’S INSURERS?

Ships and other maritime vessels often have more than one type of insurance. They frequently have policies that cover damages to the hull or machinery, and might also have coverage for cargo carried by the ship.

But for other very expensive losses — like major environmental damage or disasters like the bridge collapse — large vessel owners turn to something called “Protection and Indemnity” or P&I insurance.

P&I insurance can be provided by “clubs” made up of several policyholder-owned insurance companies. Club members put money toward a pool of funds that can be used to cover catastrophic claims. The idea is to share the risk associated with major disasters so no company is left to bear it alone.

Insurance clubs may also buy their own insurance to cover expenses that are too big for the pool to handle alone. That’s called “reinsurance” — the club is the first insurance that pays out, and then the second payer is the “reinsurance.”

The Britannia P&I Club insures the ship involved in the collapse. The London-based club is also part of the larger International Group of P&I Clubs, which will likely help cover expenses once they exceed a pre-arranged amount. Reinsurance companies could also pick up part of the tab.

Baltimore cruises to reroute after bridge collapse pauses port traffic

Carnival, royal caribbean will move some operations to norfolk while baltimore recovers from key bridge collapse.

Cruise lines are scrambling to make alternative plans and avoid the Port of Baltimore while officials suspend vessel traffic amid cleanup and rescue efforts around the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse.

Three major cruise lines sail from Baltimore, though no ships were in port Tuesday morning. The next cruise was scheduled to depart Sunday, but its operator confirmed late Tuesday afternoon that the voyage would instead head out from Norfolk.

Amira M. Hairston, a spokeswoman for the Baltimore port, said in an email that the status of the upcoming cruise ship schedule is not yet known.

“At this time we do not know how long vessel traffic will be suspended. As soon as that is determined we will provide an update. Until then please keep those involved in your prayers,” Hairston wrote.

Royal Caribbean International’s Vision of the Seas left Saturday for a 12-night southern Caribbean cruise with plans to return April 4. The cruise line said in a statement Tuesday that it was “closely monitoring the situation, and our port logistics team is currently working on alternatives for Vision of the Seas’ ongoing and upcoming sailings.”

On Thursday, the cruise company said the current sailing would end in Norfolk.

“Our guests on board will be provided compensation and complimentary shuttle transportation as well as Wi-Fi and phone calls to adjust their travel arrangements,” Royal Caribbean said.

Upcoming cruises on April 4 and 12 will sail from Norfolk as well, and passengers will be compensated for the change. The ship was already scheduled for maintenance in the Bahamas after the April 12 cruise.

“We are deeply saddened by the tragedy and collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge and extend our heartfelt prayers to all those impacted,” the company said.

Carnival Legend set off Sunday for a seven-day Bahamas cruise; the ship was scheduled to return March 31 and depart for its next sailing the same day. Instead of coming back to Baltimore, Carnival said late Tuesday, it will end its trip in Norfolk, and free buses will bring passengers back to Baltimore.

The ship’s next seven-day cruise will leave Norfolk and return to the port. In a news release , Carnival said it would temporarily move Baltimore operations to Norfolk “while Key Bridge rescue and cleanup efforts continue.”

“Our thoughts remain with the impacted families and first responders in Baltimore,” Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, said in a statement. “We appreciate the pledge made by President Biden today to dedicate all available resources to reopen Baltimore Harbor to marine traffic as soon as possible. As those plans are finalized, we will update our future cruise guests on when we will return home to Baltimore, but in the meantime, we appreciate the quick response and support from officials in Norfolk.”

Carnival Pride is supposed to start sailing from Baltimore next month, mostly to the Bahamas and eastern Caribbean.

Norwegian Cruise Line does not have cruises scheduled out of the port until later this year. American Cruise Lines, a U.S. river cruise operator, has Chesapeake Bay trips on small vessels scheduled from Baltimore starting in May. The cruise line said it will monitor developments “and make adjustments if needed.”

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) said it was “deeply saddened” by the bridge collapse and was closely following the situation. “Right now, the most important thing to do is to allow the emergency workers to do their work,” the group wrote in a statement.

This year, 12 ships are scheduled to make a total of 115 calls at the Port of Baltimore, the industry association said. With room for roughly 2,000 or 2,100 passengers at double occupancy, most Baltimore-based ships are much smaller than the record-breaking behemoths that sail from Florida ports.

“Any adjustments to current cruise activity at the port will be announced as soon as available by the individual cruise lines,” CLIA said in its statement.

A news release issued last month by Maryland Gov. Wes Moore’s office said that more than 444,000 individuals cruised out of the Port of Baltimore last year, the most since 2012. The Maryland Port Administration said in a news release last year that the cruise industry generates nearly 400 jobs and $63 million in revenue every year for local businesses.

The port positions itself as a convenient option for cruising year-round, thanks to its location off Interstate 95 and plentiful parking. More than 40 million people live within a six-hour drive of the city, the port administration says.

Baltimore bridge collapse

How it happened: Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed after being hit by a cargo ship . The container ship lost power shortly before hitting the bridge, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) said. Video shows the bridge collapse in under 40 seconds.

Victims: Divers have recovered the bodies of two construction workers , officials said. They were fathers, husbands and hard workers . A mayday call from the ship prompted first responders to shut down traffic on the four-lane bridge, saving lives.

Economic impact: The collapse of the bridge severed ocean links to the Port of Baltimore, which provides about 20,000 jobs to the area . See how the collapse will disrupt the supply of cars, coal and other goods .

Rebuilding: The bridge, built in the 1970s , will probably take years and cost hundreds of millions of dollars to rebuild , experts said.

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March 26, 2024 - Baltimore Key Bridge collapses after ship collision

By Helen Regan , Kathleen Magramo , Antoinette Radford, Alisha Ebrahimji , Maureen Chowdhury , Rachel Ramirez , Elise Hammond , Aditi Sangal , Tori B. Powell , Piper Hudspeth Blackburn and Kathleen Magramo , CNN

Our live coverage of the Baltimore bridge collapse has moved here .

Crew member on DALI said everyone on board was safe hours after bridge collapse, official says

From CNN’s Amy Simonson

A crew member on the DALI cargo ship sent a message hours after the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed Tuesday saying everybody on board was safe, according to Apostleship of the Sea director Andy Middleton.

Middleton, who spent time with the captain of the DALI Monday, told CNN’s Laura Coates he reached out to a crew member after hearing about the incident Tuesday morning. 

He said there were 22 members aboard the ship from India who were setting sail earlier Tuesday morning and were heading toward Sri Lanka.

“I was able to reach out to a crew member very early this morning around 5:30 (a.m. ET) or 6 (a.m. ET) and get a message to them asking if they were OK,” he said. “That crew member responded within just a few minutes advising that the crew was safe, and everybody that [was] on board was safe.”

Middleton was told by the ship's captain Monday that the vessel was going to take a longer route to avoid risks along the Yemen coast.

“When I was out with the captain yesterday, we were talking while we were driving, and he advised that they were sailing down and around the tip of South Africa in order to avoid the incidents that are going on off the Yemen coast, and it was a safer way to go,” he said.

Middleton said the  Apostleship of the Sea  is a ministry to seafarers with members that spend time in the port and on the vessels as a friendly face to the seafarers that visit the Port of Baltimore, “taking care of their needs to make sure that they're reminded of their God-given human dignity when they're here in Baltimore.”

Search operation ends in "heartbreaking conclusion," Maryland governor says. Here's the latest

From CNN staff

Six people, who were believed to be part of a road construction crew, are presumed dead after Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed early Tuesday morning. The collapse came after a 984-foot cargo ship hit the bridge's pillar.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore told reporters Tuesday evening it's a "really heartbreaking conclusion to a challenging day."

Late Tuesday, it was discovered that two of the construction workers who went missing after the bridge collapsed were from Guatemala , the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said late Tuesday.

Here's what you should know to get up to speed:

• The victims: Eight people were on the bridge  when it fell, according to officials. At least two people were rescued — one was taken to the hospital and was later  discharged , fire official and the medical center said.
• The incident: Video shows the moment the entire bridge structure falls into the water, as the ship hits one of the bridge's pillars. CNN analysis shows that the  ships lights flickered  and it veered off course before it hit the bridge. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said the crew on the ship were able to issue a "mayday" before colliding into the bridge, which allowed the authorities to stop incoming traffic from going onto the bridge.
• Response efforts: Earlier, dive teams from various state and local agencies were brought in to assist in search-and-rescue operations, according to Maryland State Police Secretary Col. Roland L. Butler Jr.. The mission started with 50 personnel and continued to grow before the Coast Guard announced Tuesday evening that it was suspending its active search-and-rescue operation and transitioning to a "different phase."
• The investigation: Authorities are still working to establish exactly how the crash occurred. The National Transportation Safety Board will look into  how the bridge was built  and investigate the structure itself. It will "take time to dig through" whether the bridge had ever been  flagged for any safety deficiencies , NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said.
• Rebuilding the bridge: US Sen. Chris Van Hollen said the path to rebuilding the bridge will be "long and expensive." Senior White House adviser Tom Perez told reporters Tuesday “it’s too early” to tell how long it will take to rebuild the bridge. President Joe Biden said Tuesday he wants the federal government to bear the full cost of rebuilding the collapsed bridge, noting that it will not wait for the company who owns the container ship DALI to shoulder the costs. Funding could come from the Federal Highway Administration as well as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, but it may require additional funding from Congress.

2 of the missing construction workers from bridge collapse were from Guatemala, foreign ministry says

From CNN’s Allison Gordon, Flora Charner and Amy Simonson

Two of the construction workers missing from the bridge collapse in Baltimore were from Guatemala, the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement late Tuesday.

Those missing included a 26-year-old originally from San Luis, Petén. The other is a 35-year-old from Camotán, Chiquimula, the statement said.

The ministry said both were part of a work team “repairing the asphalt on the bridge at the time of the accident.”

The statement did not name the two people missing, but it said the country’s consul general in Maryland “went to the area where the families of those affected are located,” where he hopes to be able to meet with the brothers of both missing people.

The consulate   also issued a statement Tuesday saying its consul general in Maryland "remains in contact with local authorities," and also confirmed that two of those missing "were of Guatemalan origin.”

Six people, who were believed to be part of a road construction crew, are presumed dead after Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed early Tuesday morning when a cargo ship hit the bridge's pillar.

State and federal officials have not released information about the identities of any of the six missing workers.

Underwater mapping of bridge collapse area to begin Wednesday, Baltimore fire chief says

From CNN's Jennifer Henderson

Search operations near the Key Bridge collapse have shut down for the night due to dangerous conditions, but the process of underwater mapping with many local, state and federal dive teams will begin Wednesday, Baltimore City Fire Chief James Wallace told CNN’s Anderson Cooper Tuesday night.

Wallace said the portion of the Patapsco River is “tidal influenced, so it goes through tide cycles just like the open waters of the Chesapeake Bay does.”

The water depths in the area under the bridge vary from 40 feet to more than 60 feet, Wallace said. The deeper the divers go, the colder the temperatures they encounter, and the visibility is zero, he added.

 Wallace said when crews arrived Tuesday morning, the surface water temperatures of the Patapsco River were about 47 degrees with an air temperature of 44-45 degrees.

Here's what you should know about the historic Francis Scott Key Bridge

The Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed early Tuesday after a massive container ship lost power and crashed into the iconic Baltimore bridge, sending people and vehicles into the frigid Patapsco River.

Six people, believed to be part of a road construction crew, are presumed dead and the Coast Guard has ended its active search and rescue mission.

Here's what you should know about the historic bridge:

• How old?: The Francis Scott Key Bridge, also referred to as just the Key Bridge, opened to traffic in March 1977 and is the final link in the Baltimore Beltway, according to the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA.) It crosses over the 50-foot-deep Patapsco River, where former US attorney Francis Scott Key found inspiration to write the lyrics to the Star Spangled Banner, the MDTA says.
• How long?: The bridge was 1.6 miles long when standing, MDTA reports.
• Traffic volume: More than 30,000 people commuted daily on the bridge, according to Maryland Gov. Wes Moore.
• How much did it cost?: The bridge cost $60.3 million to build, MDTA says. Since its collapse, President Joe Biden said he’s committed to helping rebuild the bridge as soon as possible.
• About the port: Baltimore ranks as the ninth biggest US port for international cargo. It handled a record 52.3 million tons, valued at $80.8 billion, in 2023. According to the Maryland state government, the port supports 15,330 direct jobs and 139,180 jobs in related services.
• About the ship: The bridge collapsed after a container vessel called Dali collided with one of its supports. Dali is operated by Singapore-based Synergy Group but had been chartered to carry cargo by Danish shipping giant Maersk . The ship is about 984 feet long , according to MarineTraffic data. That’s the length of almost three football fields.

Baltimore woman says bridge collapse was "like a piece of family dissolved"

From CNN's Kit Maher

For longtime Baltimore resident, Ceely, who opted not to share her last name, seeing footage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse  Tuesday was deeply personal.

“I was very heavy-hearted,” Ceely told CNN. “Very tearful, thinking about the families whose loved ones may be in the water and just remembering when the bridge was constructed, and it was just like a piece of family dissolved.”

Ceely was at a prayer group Tuesday morning when she saw the news. She recalled being afraid when she first crossed the bridge while in Ford Maverick in 1975, but grew to like it because it saved time on the road.

“It was a main artery just like a blood line. It was a main artery to the other side of town. It was awesome. It beat going through the city all the time,” she said.

Elder Rashad A. Singletary , a senior pastor who led Tuesday night’s vigil at Mt. Olive Baptist Church told CNN that many church members watched the bridge's construction.

"It’s a part of the community. A lot of our individuals in our congregation drive that bridge to go to work, and so now it’s really a life changing moment,” he said.

"Heartbreaking conclusion to a challenging day," Maryland governor says as Coast Guard ended search operation

From CNN's Aditi Sangal

More than 18 hours after the collapse of the Baltimore bridge, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said it was a heartbreaking conclusion after the Coast Guard ended the search-and-rescue operation for the six people who were on the bridge when it collapsed.

It's a "really heartbreaking conclusion to a challenging day," he said.

"We put every single asset possible — air, land and sea" to find the missing people, he told reporters on Tuesday evening. "While even though we're moving on now to a recovery mission, we're still fully committed to making sure that we're going to use every single asset to now bring a sense of closure to the families," the governor added.

6 people presumed dead after Baltimore bridge collapse, Coast Guard says. Here's what we know

As the sun sets in Baltimore, six people are presumed dead after a major bridge collapsed overnight Tuesday, according to the Coast Guard. The Francis Scott Key Bridge came down around 1:30 a.m. ET after a cargo ship collided with it.

The Coast Guard said it has ended its active search-and-rescue operation for the missing construction workers who were on the bridge when it collapsed.

• What we know: Eight people were on the bridge when it fell, according to officials. At least two people were rescued — one was taken to the hospital and has been discharged . The Coast Guard has been searching for six other people. But, around 7:30 p.m. ET, the Coast Guard said it has transitioned to a “different phase” of operation, now it did “not believe we are going to find any of these individuals alive,” Rear Adm. Shannon Gilreath said.
• About the ship: The bridge collapsed after a container vessel called Dali collided with one of its supports. The vessel is operated by Singapore-based Synergy Group but had been chartered to carry cargo by Danish shipping giant Maersk . The US Embassy in Singapore has been in contact with the country’s Maritime and Port Authority, a State Department spokesperson said.
• The investigation: The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation into the collapse. A team of 24 experts will dig into nautical operations, vessel operations, safety history records, owners, operators, company policy and any safety management systems or programs, said NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy. A voyage data recorder will be critical to the investigation, she added. 
• Vehicles on the bridge: Officials are also working to verify the numbers of how many cars and people were on the bridge, Homendy said. Gov. Wes Moore said the quick work of authorities in closing the bridge had saved lives . Radio traffic captured how authorities stopped traffic and worked to clear the bridge seconds before the impact . Maryland State Police Secretary Col. Roland L. Butler Jr. said there is a “ distinct possibility ” more vehicles were on the bridge, but authorities have not found any evidence to support that.
• Looking ahead: NTSB will look into how the bridge was built and investigate the structure itself, including if it was flagged for any safety deficiencies , Homendy said. The federal government has also directed its resources to help with search and rescue, to reopen the port and rebuild the bridge, Vice President Kamala Harris said . Earlier, President Joe Biden said t he federal government will pay to fix the bridge.
• The economy: Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg warned the collapse will have a serious impact on supply chains . Until the channel is reopened, ships will likely already be changing course for other East Coast ports. Ocean carriers are already being diverted from the Port of Baltimore, where the bridge collapsed, to the Port of Virginia to “keep trade moving."

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March 27, 2024 - Baltimore Key Bridge collapse

By Kathleen Magramo , Antoinette Radford, Alisha Ebrahimji , Maureen Chowdhury , Elise Hammond , Tori B. Powell and Aditi Sangal , CNN

Our live coverage of the Baltimore bridge collapse has moved here .

Here's what you should know about the Key Bridge collapse

From CNN staff

Officials recovered the bodies of two construction workers who were on Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge when it collapsed early Tuesday morning after a 984-foot-long cargo ship collided into a pillar.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore called the collapse Wednesday " a global crisis ."

"The national economy and the world's economy depends on the Port of Baltimore. The port handles more cars and more farm equipment than any other port in the country," Moore said.

Here's what you should know:

• The victims: The six people who are presumed dead were from Mexico Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras, according to Col. Roland L. Butler Jr, the superintendent of Maryland State Police. Two bodies were recovered and have been identified as Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes from Mexico and Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera from Guatemala. The two workers were filling potholes on the bridge and were later found trapped in a red pickup truck in about 25 feet of water, Butler said. The FBI is handling notifying the victims' families, Butler said.
• Recovery efforts: Authorities are pausing search efforts for the four other workers who are presumed dead, because additional vehicles are encased in concrete and other debris, making it unsafe for divers, Butler said. Once salvage operations clear the debris, divers will search for more remains, he said.
• The investigation: The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation into the fatal incident, according to the agency's chair Jennifer Homendy. During a Wednesday news conference, Homendy said there were 21 crew members and two pilots on board the Dali cargo ship when it crashed into the bridge. She also said a senior NTSB hazmat investigator identified 56 containers of hazardous material, and that some containers are in the water. The agency received six hours of voyage data from the ship and the investigation could take 12 to 24 months to complete, Homendy said. She emphasized that NTSB will not analyze information collected or provide conclusions while on scene of the collapse.
• Looking forward: Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said rebuilding the bridge will not be "quick or easy" but that it will get done. He said there are four main focus points ahead: reopening the port, dealing with supply chain issues until its reopening, rebuilding the bridge and dealing with traffic issues until the bridge is rebuilt. Biden  pledged the full support  of the federal government in the response and recovery efforts. His administration has already conveyed a sense of urgency to open up federal funding to remove debris and ultimately rebuild the bridge. Maryland has submitted a request to the Biden administration for emergency relief funds "to assist in our work going forward," Moore said Wednesday.

It's almost impossible to place people on the bow of ship due to the unstable structure, fire official says

 From CNN's Sarah Engel

Baltimore City Fire Chief James Wallace said Wednesday that the cargo ship's bridge structure and containers at the bow remain unstable.

"It's going to be very difficult, if not impossible, and very dangerous, to place people on the bow of that boat right now," Wallace told CNN's Kaitlan Collins.

"Naturally, we're still very cognizant of the fact that there are hazardous materials on board the vessel itself," Wallace said, alluding to the National Transportation Safety Board saying earlier that 56 containers were carrying hazardous materials.

Wallace said his team is relying heavily on aerial recognizance, including drones. "That's the only way we're able to see in," he said.  

He added that the aerial surveillance has "been able to really assure us right now we have no [chemical] reactions on board." 

"It's just utter devastation," NTSB chief says of the bridge collapse site

From CNN's Aditi Sangal

Jennifer Homendy, chair of the National Transportation Safety Board, called the site of the Key Bridge collapse "devastating."

"It's pretty devastating, certainly, seeing not just what's going on with the cargo containers, but just looking at what was a bridge span — three bridge spans that is pretty much gone. It's just utter devastation," she said at Wednesday evening's news briefing.

She added that she is thinking of families who lost loved ones and those who are waiting to reunite with their lived ones.

NTSB interviewed the Dali's captain and some other crew members today, agency chief says

The National Transportation Safety Board has interviewed the ship's captain, his mate, the chief engineer and one other engineer today, according to Chair Jennifer Homendy.

The two pilots on board the Dali at the time of collision will be interviewed tomorrow, she added.

Cargo ship's voyage data recorder is basic when compared to an airplane's, NTSB chair says

From CNN's Tori B. Powell

The voyage data recorder on the cargo ship Dali was a "newer model" but is considered basic when compared to that on an airplane, according to National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy.

"But it is very basic compared to say, a flight data recorder, where we would have 1,000 parameters," she said at a news conference on Wednesday.

The NTSB chief investigator Marcel Muise added:

"It's not a ship-wide system recorder, so most of the sensors that are being recorded are from the bridge. So things like GPS, the audio, rudder feedback, rudder commands are recorded on there. But not engineering, the temperature of each cylinder, power distribution sensors."

There were no tug boats with Dali at the time of the collision. That's normal, NTSB chief says

There were no tugs with Dali when the cargo vessel collided with Baltimore's Key Bridge, which is normal protocol, according to National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy.

Remember: At 01:26:39 on Tuesday, Dali's pilot made a general very high frequency (VHF) radio call for tugs in the vicinity to assist, the NTSB investigator Marcel Muise had said.

"The tugs help the vessel leave the dock, leave the port and get into the main ship channel. And then they leave. Once it's on its way, it's a straight shot through the channel. So there are no tugs with the vessel at the time. So they were calling for tugs," she said.

NTSB chair says she saw some containers that were carrying hazardous materials in the water

National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy said she did see some of the 56 containers that were carrying hazardous materials in the water.

When asked how many

When asked how many containers of hazardous materials were in the water, Homendy said:

"I did see some containers in the water, and some breached significantly on the vessel itself," she said. "I don't have an exact number, but it's something that we can provide in an update."

Homendy said that a preliminary report should be out in two to four weeks.

This post has been updated with more quotes from Homendy.

Bridge did not have any redundancy, unlike the preferred method for building bridges today, NTSB chair says

Baltimore's Key Bridge did not have any redundancy, which is included in the preferred method of building bridges in the present day, according to National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy.

"The bridge is a fracture critical," she explained. "What that means is if a member fails that would likely cause a portion of, or the entire bridge, to collapse, there's no redundancy. The preferred method for building bridges today is that there is redundancy built in, whether that's transmitting loads to another member or some sort of structural redundancy. This bridge did not have redundancy," Homendy said.

There are 17,468 fracture critical bridges in the United States out of 615,000 bridges total, she said, citing the Federal Highway Administration.

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Celebrity cruise ship rescues 7 people from small vessel 'adrift' between Cuba and Mexico

A Celebrity Cruises ship rescued a group of people from another vessel between Cuba and Mexico this week.

Celebrity Apex “encountered a small vessel adrift and in need of assistance” on Monday, according to a spokesperson for the cruise line.

“The ship’s crew immediately launched a rescue operation, safely bringing (seven) people onboard,” the spokesperson told USA TODAY an emailed statement. “The crew provided them with medical attention, and is working closely with the U.S. Coast Guard.”

The ship departed from Fort Lauderdale for a week-long cruise with stops in Key West, Belize, Cozumel, Mexico and Grand Cayman on Saturday, according to CruiseMapper . The Celebrity spokesperson did not specify who the people in the vessel were.

The ship notified the Coast Guard of the rescue “but there was no U.S. Coast Guard involvement in the case” because of its location, Petty Officer Eric Rodriguez said.

“In accordance with the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and maritime tradition, it is common and somewhat expected that mariners will render assistance to other seafarers in distress if they have the capability to do so,” he said in an email.

Hotels at sea: Land-based hospitality brands bring guests with them to cruises

The news comes after another cruise ship, Carnival Jubilee, rescued two men stranded in a kayak off the coast of Mexico’s Isla Mujeres in January.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].