Man Overboard From Cruise Ferry Nordlandia Rescued

Posted on November 19, 2012 by Jim Walker

ERR News reports that a man was rescued from frigid waters in Finland after being spotted falling from Eckerö Line's cruise ferry Nordlandia which sails between Helsinki and Tallinn.

Two witnesses observed a man fall into the Gulf of Finland. A sea rescue mission involving two ships and a rescue helicopter was launched. After 45 minutes, the helicopter located the man and delivered him on board. The man was resuscitated and transported to a local hospital.

Nordlandia Cruise Ferry

Photo credit: Wikimedia / Bin im Garten

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"Man Overboard - Inside the Honeymoon Cruise Murder"

Posted on August 23, 2011 by Jim Walker

Man Overboard - George Smith - Cruise CrimeThis week I received a copy of a paperback book about the disappearance of George Smith IV during his honeymoon cruise on Royal Caribbean's Brilliance of the Seas in July 2005.

The book is written by a reporter from the Greenwich Post, Joan Lownds, who covered the story from the beginning. 

The back cover of the book promises "the inside story of America's most notorious murder cases that shook the cruise industry to the core."   Although I have always opined that the case probably involved foul play, there is no explanation in the book regarding who, how or why someone allegedly murdered Mr. Smith.

"Man Overboard" contains a good history of the series of Congressional hearings from 2005 - 2010 into the issue of cruise ship crime.

The book also discusses many of the stories of members of the International Cruise Victims organization (ICV), as well as the cases of firm clients Laurie Dishman, Lynette Hudson and Janet Kelly.  

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Gambling Cruise Passenger Loses $650,000, Jumps From 13th Deck

Posted on September 20, 2010 by Jim Walker

SuperStar Aquarius - Star Cruises - Man OverboardOnlinePoker.net reports that a 51 year old passenger aboard the SuperStar Aquarius lost HK$5 million ($650,000) playing baccarat.  He then leaped to his death from the top floor of the 13-deck cruise ship.

The article identifies the passenger as "Xu" and states that he gambled at the baccarat table until it closed at 8 a.m. on Sunday.  After losing this staggering amount, "Xu then wandered the deck for an hour before he was seen jumping to his death .  .  ." 

A police spokesman classified the incident as “man overboard,” with no suspicious circumstances.

The cruise ship is operated by Star Cruises.

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