P&O Cruises bills itself as the oldest cruise line in the world. Based in Southampton, England, the line sails eight cruise ships, with a total passenger capacity of 15,000. P&O Cruises has been in continuous operation since the 19th century. Since 2003, Carnival Corporation, the largest cruise line in the world, has owned and operated P&O and controlled P&O’s 5% of the worldwide cruise line market.
Of course, the scale of that operation provides no guarantee against mishaps. A passenger aboard the P&O’s 3200-passenger Ventura has been reported to have fallen from the ship as it neared the Isle of Wight on its way back to Southampton from a two-week Mediterranean cruise.
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The ship retraced its route in the area as the Coast Guard dispatched a helicopter and lifeboats traversed a 25-nautical-mile radius searching for the man overboard. After no success, the search was called off and the Ventura set sail again just days after the incident on a two-day voyage to Zeebrugge.
MAN OVERBOARD TECHNOLOGY
This tragedy once again highlights the need to institute mandatory man overboard (MOB) technology on not only P&O cruise ships but also ships from all cruise lines. Carnival is the market leader, and as a lawyer who sues Carnival on behalf of injured passengers, I believe it should take the lead in using all available technology that can and will make taking cruises safer for people
I do not know the facts surrounding this latest incident; I do not know if this passenger fell overboard by accident, intention (suicide), or by the criminal act of another. I believe that regardless of the reason this incident occurred, had P&O installed some or any of the MOB technology currently on the market, it would have absolutely improved the likelihood of this passenger’s being found and potentially saved. The only reason I can imagine that cruise lines are not doing this now is simply to save money, and that can never be a reason when lives are at stake.
INJURED ABOARD A P&O CRUISES SHIP
Our cruise accident and injury law firm is passionate about holding cruise lines accountable when they put their profits ahead of passenger safety. We seek to compel them to pay passengers–who have been hurt because of their careless or reckless conduct–for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If you have been hurt while on a cruise, we strongly urge you to contact us today for a free initial legal consultation. Most cruise lines have very strict and complicated deadlines that require claims to be asserted in timely fashion so as not to jeopardize the claimant’s rights to receive compensation. You can reach us toll free 24/7 at 1-866-597-4529 or email us at [email protected].