Any news on missing passenger?

[AdamKnows]

I guess this is another example of what happens when you go "overboard" with alcohol.

[Iamthesea]

It is a shame they don’t watch those cameras like they do in casinos. I guess that would be a huge undertaking, but they would see in real time when someone goes overboard.

Seems a better idea would be to have more deck patrols with security, or close the outside decks at night, if no outdoor functions were going on.

[Annieeee]

Closing the decks off to the general public because there are a few that can not act responsibly is not right. More security on deck in the late evening seems like the better thing to do. That is my opinion. I for one enjoy walking arund the outside deck late in the evening, and would be disappointed if I was not able to continue.

 

Annieeee

[HomeLover]

I have not read all the messages, but this is the information in our paper today. The young man was from my home town. The family said they watched the tape and saw him go overboard, RCI just said that they saw him leaning over the railing (assuming he was being sick), but did not say they saw him fall. Yes, he and his friends brought liquor on board and consumed it as well as buying more on the ship. He was a good young man who unfortunately equated drinking with having a good time. He paid the ultimate price. It has been very sad time here.

[andnickali]

Seems a better idea would be to have more deck patrols with security, or close the outside decks at night, if no outdoor functions were going on.

 

This would be fine if the cruise was filled with 5 year olds, but in actuallity adults (even those that have had a few) are quite capable of walking around the cruise ship.

 

My husband and I enjoy walking late at night while the decks are empty. The only reason the decks should be closed is because of the outside conditions. And, if more security were added it would not guarantee that someone could not go over as soon as an area was patrolled.

 

Maybe what they can do is have an inflatable raft that encompasses then entire bottom of the ship, so that in the event of an overboard the passenger would hit the raft and then could be rescued! :rolleyes: Realistically nothing more than common sense is going to prevent passengers from falling off.

[time4u2go]

Seems a better idea would be to have more deck patrols with security, or close the outside decks at night, if no outdoor functions were going on.

Remember that people can also fall/jump/be pushed off their own balconies.

[satchelkatz]

Seems a better idea would be to have more deck patrols with security, or close the outside decks at night, if no outdoor functions were going on.

 

This is definitely not the answer. Here in Wisconsin, there is a college town called LaCrosse with some of the most beautiful Mississippi River frontages anywhere. The best part of the frontage is that there are very few distractions between the beautifully groomed parkland and the river itself, which makes for an unobscured view of the wildlife, boats and the gorgeous bluffs on either side of the river.

 

LaCrrosse also has a college and a lot of bars downtown, a few blocks from the river and inevitably every three or four years, a college student who has made their way downtown to drink, has too much and decides that it would be a good idea to go explore the riverfront a few blocks away. When they stumble down there, they get the great idea to urinate in the river, climb too close, trip or slip, fall in the river and die.

 

The usual response from the parents? Why isn't there a fence along the river from stopping a tragedy like this from occurring. Well, isn't that American logic. Millions of people enjoy the riverfront everyyear without a mishap, but one person drinks too much, stumbles down and falls in and we should shut down all access to the river.

 

This is the same situation. How many thousands of people enjoy the edges of these decks and the hundreds of in-room balconies on these ships each day, but one person acts a fool and we should shut it down for all.

 

Me thinks alcohol abuse and wise decision-making should be the target of the response to this tragedy and not a part of cruising that most people have no problem enjoying everyday.

[Iamthesea]

Gee! :eek: I was just suggesting a better option over having multiple cameras being monitored.

 

I still think that more patrolling COULD cut down on having "out of control" passengers walking the decks. Decks are usually closed during bad weather anyway.

 

I just found the following article with a little something different and a video of the grandmother being interviewed.

 

Quote:

DiPiero, of Augusta, Ohio, told friends he was going to bed around midnight but never slept in his bed.

 

Surveillance cameras show him leaning on a deck rail about 2:15 a.m. Monday morning.

 

DiPiero's devastated grandmother broke into tears when talking about the possibility that DiPiero went overboard.

 

"That's when he called me. He says, 'Daniel's gone,'" said Audrey DiPiero. "But we don't know anything. He's my baby. I'm so close to all my family."

 

Daniel DiPiero's friends reported him missing at 11 a.m. Monday morning but Royal Caribbean didn't notify the Coast Guard until 7 p.m.

 

The cruise line said it wanted to make sure DiPiero was not on board the ship or on the company's private island, where the ship docked Monday.

 

DiPiero's grandmother said a check of his drink card showed he had a few drinks, but she said not enough for him to be drunk.

 

Audrey DiPiero also said surveillance cameras show Daniel talking to a man at a table around 3 a.m.

 

Another Royal Caribbean passenger, 26-year-old George Allen Smith IV, disappeared from a different ship last summer.

 

His body was never found and his family accused the cruise line of covering up the incident.

http://www.nbc6.net/news/9232748/det...subid=10101481

[amyo28]

There's always going to be someone who gets out of control from drinking. Most people learn to control themselves b/c vomiting and feeling horrible the next day just isn't fun . But, I don't think the cruise lines should restrict people --- personally I don't need or want a "nanny" controlling my actions.

 

However, I think RCL and the cruise lines should promote the "buddy" system -- don't let your significant other, friend, buddy, etc. wander off alone on the ship when they are obviously drunk, espeically at night! The same thing for excursions off the ship -- promote people staying together, not going off alone. This is basic common sense -- most people do not let their drunk friend wander off alone, they take them home or to their cabin, not let them go off alone or with strangers. I do agree that it is ultimatley your own responsibility to take care of yourself, but take care of your friends and family too.

[Ocean Boy]

They already put RAILINGS at the edges of the decks and the balconies. Now the suggestion is that the decks be closed all together. In the real world people go shopping late at night, by gas, take walks on the beach, work in hospitals, etc. And somehow people shouldn't be able to walk around the deck of a cruise ship that, once again, has RAILINGS at it edges to keep people from walking off the ship into the ocean.

 

If they ever did that I would have no interest in ever setting foot on a cruise ship again. Millions of people cruise each year. Not many of them fall off a ship. They should all be confined inside at night because a few drunks don't know how to handle themselves? Sorry, I can't buy into that one. Being out on deck in the Caribbean night is a big part of the cruise experience for many of us. Find some other way to protect the drunks from hurting themselves.

[vegasdan141]

Just watched local news (Cleveland OH). They reported that the fall was recorded by surveillance footage. He apparently smuggled alcohol onboard and was videotaped drinking heavily. It looks like he was on deck, drunk and was vomiting overboard when he fell over the rail.

[AdamKnows]

I doubt that a drowning death is any more common on a cruise than a vacation to a river or mountains. The cruise industry is an easy target for the media. The media here in the states really likes to hype everything up. IMO cruising is one of the safest ways to travel. I feel much safer at sea then I do driving my car or vacationing on land. People just need to learn how to use their heads!! :eek:

[hockeymom12]

I doubt that a drowning death is any more common on a cruise than a vacation to a river or mountains. The cruise industry is an easy target for the media. The media here in the states really likes to hype everything up. IMO cruising is one of the safest ways to travel. I feel much safer at sea then I do driving my car or vacationing on land. People just need to learn how to use their heads!! :eek:

 

Totally agree! The scariest part for me on the Mariner was shopping in Labadee! Now there I was worried! :D

[KenM]

Our son and daughter in law are on board. They called from St Thomas last night.

They were still in port at 11pm but the announcemnent had been made that they would leave at 11:30pm.

The FBI had boarded that morning to conduct an investigation..

All cabins had been searched on Tuesday.

They said that the staff were doing a good job in keeping everyone informed..

[ICRE1629]

My theories on this situation are mostly based on the following article:

http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060518/BREAKINGNEWS/60518009/1086

 

By the way the article is worded (especially in the part where they discuss the security video) I'm guessing that RCI and the authorites investigating the incident do know what happenend to him. They just won't tell us.

 

Since we are not being told for sure, I can guess it was an accidental overboard. It was an unfortunate event that should never have happenend. My prayers to the young man's friends and family.

[NancyJewel92]

I agree with other posters. DH and I love to stroll on an open deck at night. And I so enjoy the solitude of sitting in a deck chair at night, listening to the sea. Even when we have a balcony cabin, there's something special, a certain connect with Mother Nature, if you will, with being on an open deck and staring at the sea and sky day and night.

 

In fact, I prefer to be on a ship that has a true promenade deck - one on which you can walk the entire circumference of the ship in the open air. Holland America ships are my favorite for this reason.

 

And let's not encourage such close inspection of our luggage for every bottle of wine or soda. We enjoy saving a little $$ by bringing aboard a little supply of soda, water and/or wine. Our experience has been that NCL, HAL, and Costa have no problem with it. We consume our beverages only in our cabin.

 

Stupid and immature people are everywhere. And, as someone else mentioned, statistically the more people aboard, the greater chance for problems. This incident is so sad for the family. But, seemingly so avoidable.

[cruiser_carol]

This is a Very sad case..and I find it even sadder that so many people are so harsh in their comments. This boy is young...not stupid. he behaved exactly the way I would expect a group of 21 year old lads to behave...when they get together to party. Drink is always a major part of their vacation. As someone who was a teen in the 60's...getting drunk was certainly a big thing then...the 70's brought the hippies..and drugs...and so it goes. It is far worse these days..binge drinking starts younger and younger...and is much more widespread. We have major problems in the UK at the moment..of epidemic proportions...and yet the government has introduced 24 hr pubs.

 

The Main thing that bothers me about this story...is that I read that the group of lads..as I understood it...were all sharing cabins. how could this young fella be so obviously drunk...(apparently witnessed and videoed by his friends and guardian) left to supposedly go off to his cabin alone...and sometime in the night they must have returned to the cabin as well. Yet no one noticed him missing? Not until 11 the next day?

 

I totally Agree with the woman who posted above..that a buddy system should be encouraged..it should actually be a common sense issue. My husband drinks..not to excess..but ocassionally feels a bit too happy!! I would never leave him alone in that state to wander around a ship. this young fella had a guardian (one of the young lads mothers I read..and her 2 friends) as well as his 2 other mates. yet none of these people kept an eye on their friend. Was it because they were all overly intoxicated? How very sad.

 

Regarding the idea of the liquor hidden in the Mouthwash bottles....I have lost count of the number of times I have read posts on here..from "so called responsible adults" ...brag about doing this very thing when they boarded their ship! "How clever to slip some booze past RC security". I don't think RC are fooled..it is just too time consuming to check everyone and every bag. But Why is loads of liquor necessary... for anyone.. of any age..to enjoy themselves? Especially on a beautiful ship..on a fantastic cruise. I cannot undertand it...there is so much to see and do. Why would you want to be plastered out of your head..unable to comprehend anything....spilling your guts out?? Not my idea of fun. I enjoy my cocktails...but 1 or 2 are enough.All our thoughts and prayers are with this family. I have twins the same age and a son 24...I cannot imagine what they must be going through. Carol

[HomeLover]

Just heard an update on our local news. The family has hired a lawyer who specializes in "cases involving cruise lines". Interpret as you want.:confused:

[christineann]

Projecting. Sue the cruise line, get a settlement, and convince yourself that your drunk adult child was not to blame for his own behavior. I think this was a horrible tragedy, no doubt, and I feel very sad for the family. But was it Royal Caribbean's fault?

 

No.

[PhoenixCruiser]

Projecting. Sue the cruise line, get a settlement, and convince yourself that your drunk adult child was not to blame for his own behavior. I think this was a horrible tragedy, no doubt, and I feel very sad for the family. But was it Royal Caribbean's fault?

 

No.

 

I would love to see the video to tell you the truth! And, as I stated earlier, I would love for someone to research the crew members aboard all these ships where someone went missing!

 

###

[Cruising89143]

Just heard an update on our local news. The family has hired a lawyer who specializes in "cases involving cruise lines". Interpret as you want.:confused:

 

This really does not surprise me at all. I doubt that the family contacted the attorney. More than likely it was the other way around. I don't see where the family has a leg to stand on. More than likely they will blame RCI for allowing the boys to smuggle the alcohol on the ship.

[Cruising89143]

I would love to see the video to tell you the truth! And, as I stated earlier, I would love for someone to research the crew members aboard all these ships where someone went missing!

 

###

 

From what we have read in the media, there was video showing this young man drinking with his buddies all day and then the five drinks that I assume were charged to his Sea Pass card. Take that with the video that shows him going over the railing. All of this will be presented to a jury if it goes to trial. If this is indeed the case then I don't see the family coming out very good here at all. As a matter of fact I would think that it would just show what most of us have said all along. It was his fault and no one else's.

[Ocean Boy]

This really does not surprise me at all. I doubt that the family contacted the attorney. More than likely it was the other way around. I don't see where the family has a leg to stand on. More than likely they will blame RCI for allowing the boys to smuggle the alcohol on the ship.

Though I am no lawyer and I don't know the legal meaning of smuggle, in my mind it implies bringing something aboard against the rules and hidden. That to me means RCI did not allow them to bring the contraband onto the ship. They brought it on undetected. Having it in mouth wash bottles shows clear prior knowledge that it was against the rules and done in a manner to deceive. I see no liability on RCI's part concerning the smuggling. It probably could be used to show that this group of people pre-planned to turn this into a booze cruise. I believe in the legal system pre-meditation is looked upon in a harsher light than something that just happens.

 

As for those who think some of us sound cold about this issue, sorry about that. It is a tragedy and being cold is not the intent. I am quite symapthetic about the loss. However, being young does not justify the actions. Getting plastered on booze is stupid plain and simple. Yes, plenty of young, and not so young, people do it. But being young doesn't make it any less stupid. Saying someone is "young" is just one more cop out for denying that we are all responsible for our own actions. Where does one draw the line as to when one's actions switch from being young over to stupid?

[Mlkkc]

I live 15 minutes from the family and my heart goes out to the family and they do believe Daniel has passed and are preparing for his memorial.Also they believe that RCL is responsible for not checking the tapes sooner and the local news reported there is a lawyer on the case.

[MBeamTX]

Also they believe that RCL is responsible for not checking the tapes sooner and the local news reported there is a lawyer on the case.

Oh, for heaven's sake! How many cameras are there on a ship the size of Mariner? And how many hours of footage would have to be reviewed - at least 12, right? From 11 pm when his companions last saw him to 11 am when they reported him missing? How quickly can that be done? I doubt cruise ships are equipped with video labs and CSI investigators.

 

And even if they were - the fact of the matter is that the young man would have been dead long before his "friends" even noticed he was missing. If you want to play "what if", what if his friends had stayed with him and sounded the alarm as soon as he went over? Or better yet, kept him from falling overboard in the first place?

 

I'm no cruise line apologist. But let's place the blame were it fairly belongs - in this case, primarily on the young man (yes, 21 is an adult, not a child) who drank too much; to some extent on his "friends" who didn't look out for him and likely encouraged the excessive drinking with their videotaping; and lastly on the older adults traveling with the victim, who should have been responsible enough to know if the drinking was getting out of hand.

 

No question that this is a tragedy for the young man's family and friends. But I'm sorry to see that the lesson being learned, once again, from a tragedy is not, "Behave responsibly and look out for one another," but instead, "Sue the party with deep pockets and make them pay for someone else's stupidity."

 

Susan