Cruise Ship Negligence Costs Billions
Millions Awarded, Prison Sentences Given in Sea Diamond Case
Costa Concordia Disaster Left 32 Dead
On 19 June 2007 the owners, operator, and captain of the Sea Diamond cruise ship were fined 117 million for causing marine pollution. The judges sentenced an employee of DNV Det Norske Veritas, which deemed the cruise ship seaworthy, to eight years.
The cruise ship Sea Diamond sank in April 2007 off a Greek tourist spot. Scientists warned fuel and chemicals onboard could harm sea life. The ship was carrying 1,200 passengers and crew when it hit rocks and sank. Two French passengers died in the disaster. The ship's owner, Louis Cruise Lines, was fined 80 million euros ($117 million) for causing marine pollution. The ship's operator, V-Ships Leisure, was fined 20 million euros ($29 million), and the captain was fined 7 million euros ($10 million). The employee of DNV Det Norske Veritas was sentenced to eight years in prison.
The Costa Concordia disaster, which occurred on 13 January 2012, was another high-profile case of cruise ship negligence. The Costa Concordia, a seven-year-old Costa Cruises vessel, was on the first leg of a cruise around the Mediterranean when it ran aground off the coast of Italy. The ship capsized, and 32 people died. The captain of the ship, Francesco Schettino, was found guilty of multiple charges, including manslaughter, and sentenced to 16 years in prison.
These cases highlight the importance of cruise ship safety. Cruise ships are large, complex vessels that carry thousands of passengers and crew. It is essential to ensure that these ships are safe and well-maintained.
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