Royal Caribbean Passenger Dead After Falling Overboard in Puerto Rico


A passenger on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas lost his life after falling overboard while the ship was docked in Puerto Rico.

The passenger was a 46-year-old male from Naples, Florida. According to initial reports following a review of closed-circuit television footage from the ship, it appeared as if the fall overboard was intentional, although the investigation is still ongoing.

The initial call to the Coast Guard came in around 7:50 p.m. on Wednesday. In response, the local Coast Guard launched several boats and a rescue helicopter to the scene. As is normal protocol, the Coast Guard first established a “safety zone” around the ship in the event they were able to rescue the man. However, that was not the case, and the safety zone was later lifted, allowing ships to proceed in and out of the dock. Divers from the Puerto Rico Police and San Juan Municipal Police were able to recover the man’s body.

This incident follows a similar incident on another Royal Caribbean ship, the Majesty of the Seas, where a 26-year-old crew member fell overboard. Prior to that incident, a 20-year-old cruise entertainer went missing from the Royal Caribbean Harmony of the Seas.

When a passenger falls overboard from a cruise ship, the results are almost always deadly. The family members of passengers who die while on a cruise ship may have a viable legal claim against the cruise line when the death occurs because of the negligence or carelessness of the cruise line or its medical team. However, the law that covers these incidents is complex and governed primarily by an 1886 statute called the Death on the High Seas Act (DOHSA).

INJURED ON A CRUISE SHIP OR CRUISE SHIP EXCURSION? SPEAK TO A CRUISE SHIP ACCIDENT LAWYER TODAY: 1-866-597-4529.

If you have been injured on your cruise, on a wet and slippery deck, down a poorly lit staircase or steep gangway, in port on an excursion, or on a tender boat- it is important that you speak as soon as possible with a lawyer who specializes in personal injury claims against cruise lines. Most cruise lines, including Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Norwegian, MSC, Disney, Holland America, Princess, Costa, Regents Seven Seas and Oceania require that claims against them be pursued in a very specific place under very strict deadlines. Failure to comply with each individual cruise lines deadlines can result in a complete loss of any and all legal rights.

Aronfeld Trial Lawyers is a personal injury firm located in Miami, Florida since 1991.  We have fought hard to hold cruise lines accountable when they put their profits ahead of passenger safety.  We are available 24/7 and encourage you to contact us even if you are still on your cruise. The sooner we can begin our investigation and preservation of key evidence, such as the CCTV footage of your trip and fall, slip and fall, assault or other type of injury the more likely we will be able to understand and prove how the incident occurred. Remember, the cruise lines have the most aggressive and well-funded defense lawyers in the world- protecting their profits.  You need an experienced legal advocate in your corner who will fight to obtain the compensation you deserve for lost wages, medical expenses, transportation reimbursement and pain and suffering.  Call us today and speak with a cruise ship claims lawyer about your potential claim- toll free 1-866-597-4529, 305-441-0440, or by email. We are ready to help.