Cruise ship arrest after child drowns
COCHIN 29 January – Kerala high court has ordered the "arrest" of cruise ship Super Star Libra for criminal negligence following the death of a 14-month old US citizen of Indian-origin, Neuna Shah. The toddler drowned off Kadamat Island near Lakshadweep on 21 November 2006, after a vessel carrying her and her parents from the cruise ship to the island capsized; the court acted on a criminal negligence petition filed by Shah's parents. The Libra departed from Mumbai yesterday evening heading for Lakshadweep with a team of lawyers on board headed by Seap Hong Wong, an official from Star Cruises India confirmed. The Shahs are also pursuing a $10M compensation suit against Star Cruises in a Malaysian court. At least 10 passengers, including her parents, were in the boat when it turned over. The incident brought into focus the safety measures provided by cruise companies. The Kerala court has directed the port officer of Lakshadweep administration to arrest and detain the vessel as and when it arrives in any of the ports under the control of the Lakshadweep administration and release it only on furnishing a bank guarantee of Rs1M ($22,000) by ship's master.
Etiquetas: cruises, maritime incident