Personal Injury Law

Giant wave hits cruise ship, kills 2 and injures 14 passengers

By LaBovick Law

The Louis Majesty of Louis Cruise Lines, carrying 1,350 passengers and 580 crew on board experienced a horrifying ordeal on Wednesday. A 26-foot wave crashed into the ship, smashing five windows in a public area.  Unfortunately, two male passengers (one German and one Italian) were killed and at least 14 others were injured on the ship traveling on a 12-night Western Mediterranean cruise from Barcelona that included Spain, Spain, Genoa and Italy. The cruise ship turned around and headed back to port in Barcelona after being struck by the wave.

The Louis Majesty was off the off the French port of Marseilles when it was hit by "abnormal" waves, some more than 26 feet (9 meters) high, cruise line according to spokesman Michael Maratheftis. The public areas on the ship affected by the large waves that broke five windows were the - the forward part, or bow, of the 14-deck ship, owned and operated by the Greece based, Louis Cruise Lines.

Weather is reportedly to blame for the cause of the high waves, since winds were 45 mph, according to Buoy data off the French coast.

Louis Cruise Lines flew all passengers home on Thursday from Barcelona courtesy of the Cruise Line. The luxury cruise line has canceled the next cruise. The Louis Majesty will remain in Barcelona for repairs. March 14th is the scheduled date for cruises to resume on this vessel.

Click on the following links to read more on the tragic cruise ship incident off the French port of Marseilles:

Giant waves hit cruise ship; 2 passengers killed
Passenger describes 'terrifying' ordeal as giant waves hit cruise ship
Two killed, 14 injured as massive waves hit cruise ship off France
Passenger on cruise ship: Wave ordeal terrifying

Full post as published by LaBovick Injury Law Blog on March 04, 2010 (boomark / email).