Cruise Law News : Maritime Lawyer & Attorney : James M. Walker : Walker & O'Neill Law Firm : Admiralty Law, Cruise Ship Accidents & Injuries

The Mail Online in the U.K. reports tonight that a crewmember who worked aboard two of the world’s most luxurious cruise ships is being investigated by police on suspicions that he sexually assaulted children during the cruises. 

The newspaper reports that the Cunard crew member who allegedly carried out his indecent conduct worked for Cunard for over five years on Cunard’s flagship, the Queen Mary 2, and its sister cruise ship, the Queen Elizabeth.

Detectives in England started the investigation after a parent of one of the abused children tipped the police.   So far, the detectives have interviewed several families in England.   The crewmember suspected of the crimes lives in Wiltshire, in England.

These Cunard cruise ships carried passengers of course from many other countries, including the U.S.

According to this account, the crewmember left Cunard's employment before the police probe began six months ago but has been interviewed by detectives in Wiltshire.  The detectives have apparently examined photographic and computer equipment at the man’s home.

The UK newspaper indicates that Cunard refuses to identify the job position of the the former crew member, "but he is known to have been a low-ranking employee who had regular, close contact with passengers on board."   Based on this description, its sounds like the alleged child predator probably worked as a cabin attendant or a youth counselor.

Sexual molestation of children on cruises is an ugly topic we have written about many times before.  You can read more cases than you want to know about little kids being sexually abused on cruises here.

These two Cunard cruise ships are part of the larger Carnival fleet of cruise ships.  Carnival owns Cunard.  This is the last thing that Carnival wants to be in the press at this time, as it is reeling from the bad publicity after another one of the cruise brand it owns, Costa Cruises, ran a $500,000,000 cruise ship into the rocks and killed around 30 of its guests.

A reckless captain who abandons ship while passengers are drowning in the submerged cabins of the Costa Concordia?  A child predator who worked aboard the Cunard QM2 and Queen Elizabeth for 5 years? 

What's the next shoe to drop in the Carnival fleet? 

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One of the categories I have for my Cruise Law News blog is "weird cruise news." 

Why such a category? 

For stories just like this:

The Nassau Guardian published an article today about a Royal Caribbean crewmember, employed as a stateroom attendant, who was accused of raping a young woman on Royal Caribbean's Sovereign of the Seas cruise ship. 

The incident involved a student from Florida State University who reported being raped back in 2006 on the Royal Caribbean cruise ship while it was docked in Nassau. 

The accused crewmember was Ruel Lockwood from Nicaragua.  He used his key card to enter the young woman's cabin with a key card, which he used to enter cabins to clean them, and then allegedly commit the rape.

Why Royal Caribbean lets single men have key cards to women's cabins on their cruise ships remains an unpleasant mystery for me. 

I was young Jane Doe's Miami counsel, appointed by the Washington D.C. law firm of Winston & Strawn to act as co-counsel for Jane Doe after the shipboard rape.

Convincing juries in foreign countries to convict a cruise ship employee for raping an American woman is a daunting task, especially when the cruise line sent its defense lawyers to Nassau to assist the Bahamian criminal defense lawyers defend the case - which we alleged in the lawsuit filed against Royal Caribbean.

Yes, as expected, the jury in the Bahamas acquitted the cruise line employee accused of the rape.  The legitimacy of the verdict should be considered with the fact that Royal Caribbean paid $1,500,000.00 to settle the civil case where we alleged that the crewmember raped our client.

In my opinion, cruise lines don't pay that type of compensation if a rape did not occur.

Now here comes the weird part. 

After crewmember Lockwood was acquitted, he remained in jail for 4 days in Nassau.   For that, he sued the Bahamas for "unlawful detention."  Although he spent months and months in jail for the rape charges, he is now seeking damages for the 4 days he spent in jail after the jury acquitted him.  

Crewmember Lockwood should count his blessings for not spending the next 20 years of his life in the bowels of the Nassau jails.

Seeking compensation for 4 days in jail after his "acquittal" of raping an innocent coed during a cruise is a sick joke.

Photo Credit:  usscusk.com

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A newspaper in the U.K. reports that a cruise ship captain pled guilty last October to sex crimes against a 14 year old girl.  The Spalding Guardian newspaper identifies the sex criminal as Captain Peter Russell, who entered the girl's cabin, apparently when her parents were not present, and performed an unidentified sex act on her.    

The U.K. newspaper indicates that after the cruise, Captain Russell contacted the girl on the internet and made obscene suggestions about the girl’s breasts, urged her to perform a sex act, and requested that the girl take a photograph of herself naked and send it to him.  According to the article, the disturbing circumstances were revealed to the child's parents when the girl broke down in front of her father and showed him the online conversations. 

Captain Russell subsequently admitted to the unlawful sexual activity with a child on the cruise ship and over the internet.

As is often the case, the newspaper did not identify either the cruise line or the cruise ship where the crime occurred.  The available information on the internet indicates that Master Russell captained a number of different cruise ships for Princess Cruises, including the Sun Princess and Sea Princess.  We asked Princess Cruises for information about when this occurred, what cruise ship was involved, how long Captain Russell worked for Princess and what, if anything, it did when the crime was committed.  No response so far.      

We have written many articles about the danger of passengers leaving their children alone in cabins on cruise ships, and trusting the cabin stewards and waiters.  Little did even we consider the depravity of a captain of a cruise ship targeting a little girl like this.  Consider this observation of Captain Russell during a Princess cruise from an unsuspecting passenger:

"After a day or so at sea we realised the ship's good-humoured tone was hugely influenced by Captain Peter Russell, a warm Englishman who spreads himself around the passengers like a favourite uncle at a wedding. The crew adore him. Forty-five years at sea, from tankers to cruise ships, Captain Russell exudes nautical wisdom and is also a bubbling fount of humorous stories  .  .  ."  

Yikes!

We have also written several blogs about the problem of sexual predators on Princess Cruises and the disturbing attitude that this cruise line, known ironically for the iconic "Love Boat" series, has toward sexual crimes against women and children like this.  In my opinion, Princess Cruises has one of the best deserved reputations for sex crimes on its cruise ships and engaging in cover-ups of such crimes.  Take a moment and read:

Unsafe on the "Love Boat?" - Sexual Assaults on Princess Cruise Ships

Sexual Assault Reported on P & O Cruises' Pacific Sun Cruise Ship     

Below is the unedited article from the Spalding Guardian:

SHIP CAPTAIN JAILED FOR TEEN SEX OFFENSES 

"A 'world class' cruise ship captain from Donington has been jailed for nine months for sex offences against a 14-year-old girl while she slept in her cabin.

Lincoln Crown Court heard on Thursday how Peter Russell (64), of Bicker Road, performed a sex act on a teenage girl while she was asleep in her bunk.

The victim thought she had dreamt the incident but it later came to light when Russell chatted to her on the internet on MSN Messenger and made obscene suggestions.

Matthew Lowe, prosecuting, said Russell made comments about the girl’s breasts and urged her to perform a sex act while chatting to him over the internet.

Russell went on to request that the girl take a photograph of herself naked and send it to him.

The incidents came to an end when the girl broke down in front of her dad and showed him the records of her online conversations she had with Russell.

Russell admitted two charges of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity together with sexual activity in the presence of a child and a further charge of sexual activity with a child.

Judge Sean Morris jailed Russell for nine months and placed him on the sex offenders’ register for ten years.

The judge told Russell: 'You are a sea captain of great distinction and have a glittering reputation.'

'You have brought that crashing down.'

Russell worked throughout the world as a captain of oil tankers for the Esso oil company and, following his retirement, went on to skipper cruise ships.

William Powell, defending, said: 'He stands before the court an utterly humiliated person.'

'His outstanding career is in complete ruins. He is a man who has disgraced himself to an appalling extent.'

'He has spent almost his entire career at sea.'

'He retired from Esso at the age of 50 with a reputation as a world class player.'

'He was up there with the elite. He was hugely regarded.'

Mr Powell said that Russell went on to skipper cruise ships but his job came to an abrupt end following his arrest.

He urged the judge to show mercy to Russell who was previously a man of 'good character.'

March 27, 2011 Update: Princess Cruises provided the following information to us:

"We only found out about this incident when contacted by the Linconshire Police in May 2010.  Nothing about this incident was ever reported to us.  We understand that this involved a family member, and that the incident occurred in 2008.  We tried to get more information from the Police but they would not give us much because they said it had nothing to do with Princess.  He worked for Princess at the most 4 years.  He signed off  from the Sea Princess at the end of his contract in Dec. 2009.  He did not work on board any of our ships again." 

Photo credits:

Captain Peter Russell - Dick Drayer / Picasa Photo

Princess Cruise Ship  - TravelServer

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Just when you think you have seen everything, a story like this comes along.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has filed a lawsuit against a brokerage firm, alleging that it stole $120 million from clients in a series of fraudulent schemes.  The money would be diverted into the pockets of some of the principals of the firm to buy luxury cars and golf and country club memberships.  But what makes the story unique from the usual Bernie Madoff rip-off is that the brokerage firm reportedly used the ill-gotten money to help operate a “sexually themed” cruise called YOLO Cruises ("You Only Live Once").   

The Times Union newspaper reports that the Albany, New York firm of McGinn, Smith & Company engaged in an elaborate scheme where investors were told only that they were investing into a business which chartered ships and then sold cabins to different organizations. 

The SEC lawsuit alleges that investors were not told that the business involved YOLO Cruises which sold sexually explicit cruises which involved "legally and morally questionable activities," including hiring "strippers and go-go dancers" to entertain passengers.

The lawsuit further alleges that one of the principals of the brokerage firm, Timothy McGinn, was "romantically involved" with an unnamed woman who ran YOLO Cruises. Last month, USA TODAY's Gene Sloan covered the story of YOLO "swinger cruises" in an article "Swingers Cruise Founder: It's Not All About Sex At Sea."

The YOLO website advertises a swingers' cruise aboard Carnival's Imagination on October 29, 2010, which includes a  "Carnal Cravings Halloween Ball" followed by a "Naked and Recuperating At Sea Day." 

Earlier this year, Carnival decided to abandon the popular "Cougar Cruises," which were quickly picked up by Royal Caribbean which dominates the "sexually charged" Atlantis gay parties and swinger cruises.  TheSwingerCruise.com lists two upcoming swinger cruises on Royal Caribbean Radiance of the Seas and another on its subsidiary Azamara's Journey cruise ship. 

Today, I'm sure that Carnival is trying to figure out how to distance itself from this mess.

If you liked this article, don't miss reading:  Marketing "Sex at Sea" on Cruise Ships

Credits:

Story             Times Union newspaper

Photograph            YOLO Cruises

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An Israeli business newspaper Globes Online reports on an unusual defense asserted by a Microsoft distributor in litigation pending against it by Microsoft in a business lawsuit pending in Israel. 

Microsoft sued one of its distributors, EIM Computerized Technologies Ltd. (EIM), in Tel Aviv after its business relationship with EIM soured.  Microsoft claimed that EIM's refusal to participate in certain unnamed "activities" during a cruise resulted in "displeasure by Microsoft."

EIM recently clarified matters by alleging that its relationship with Microsoft broke down because EIM's employees refused to participate in "sex and drug orgies" on a cruise organized by Microsoft for its Israeli and Turkish distributors.  

And I always underestimated these nerds!

The online IT magazine Channel and Register also covered the story, characterizing the offer of "women for sex on a cruise ship" as an extreme "sales incentive."

We previously wrote about the combination of selling sex and cruises in a prior article "Marketing "Sex at Sea" on Cruise Ships."

The question everyone is wondering: which cruise line was involved?  If you know, please let us know!

Credits:

Microsoft photograph   laughingsquid.com

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Marketing sex on cruise ships has been around ever since the Love Boat television program which I watched in the 1970's. OK I admit it.  I had a crush on Julie McCoy - "Your Cruise Director" - as she introduced herself.  Her line in every show "Hi!  I'm your cruise director" - was too much for most young boys to handle.   

The show revolved around Princess Cruises' Pacific Princess cruise ship, whose passengers and crew had romantic interludes every week.  The show starred the ship's captain (Captain Stubing) who encouraged his passengers and crew members to hook up and, well, it was the 1970's and people didn't talk in public about such things - do whatever people do behind closed doors. 

But somewhere over the course of the last 30 years, marketing sex on cruises changed from the innocence of the Love Boat  to something a little less conventional - swinger parties, cougar parties, and who knows what.  

Selling sex became a fundamental part of the business of selling cruise tickets.  Former Carnival President Bob Dickinson wrote a book called "Selling the Sea." I bought a hard back copy on eBay for $2.75. Consider his view of the role of the Captain of the cruise ship, always on the prowl:

" .  .  .  we have observed that some captains, because of their social and sexual prowess, have contributed meaningfully to the revenue occupancy of the vessel.  Clearly, there are passengers who are drawn to the Captain's insignia and crisp white uniform.  Imagine being entertained in the Captain's quarters (often a two or three room spacious suite with leather sofas, a library, and a  stereo) with a polite wait staff pouring Dom Perignon and serving Beluga caviar!"

Cosmopolitan magazine and Royal Caribbean conducted a survey which was published in an article entitled "Sex at Sea."   58% of passengers were unable to wait more than 10 hours after embarkation "before dropping anchor in the sea of love."  With their traveling companions?  Or crew members?   

Several years ago P & O Cruises ran a sexually charged campaign showing bikini clad women oiled up and lying oh-so-promiscuously on their backs with the caption "Seamen Wanted." 

Now, I work in an office with only women, who find this type of advertising totally offensive. 

The cruise line is advertising sex to sell tickets, pure and simple.  The P & O Cruises marketing was particularly offensive, considering that  just a year earlier P & O passenger Dianne Brimble died after being given Ecstasy by a pack of men.  After it was over, she ended up naked, and dead, on the floor of the cruise ship.  

This is the problem with the come-aboard-and-have-sex approach to marketing.  Date rape drugs have entered the equation (I don't remember GHB or roofies on the Love Boat).  Crew members try and get involved. They have key cards and can get into the cabins at will.  After all, the Captain is doing it.  And when a rape occurs, cruise lines are notorious for covering up the crimes and destroying evidence.

Just today the popular blog CruiseLog on USA TODAY blasted the headline: Royal Caribbean Says Yes to Sexually-Charged Cougar Cruise.  The article began with the question: Is Royal Caribbean the new bad boy of the cruise industry?

The article commented on Carnival having second thoughts about associating itself with hosting "cougar cruises."  So Royal Caribbean decided to fill the marketing void by announcing that it will happily host what is being called the "Second International Cougar Cruise" to take place in May on Royal Caribbean's Mariner of the Seas.  Royal Caribbean's PR team even issued a press statement to USA Today to promote the sex charged cruise. 

Marketing a cougar sex cruise?  You bet, this is right up RoyalCaribbean's alley.  

A couple of years ago, I remember seeing a publicity photo of Royal Caribbean advertising its new mattresses on its cruise ships.  There before my eyes was Royal Caribbean President Adam Goldstein.  He was wearing a Hugh Hefner robe, holding a martini in his hand, lying in bed in front of two sexy, skimpily clad women wearing the Royal Caribbean logo on their bikini tops.  Take a look to the left.  What do you see? 

Booze ... beds ... women ... sex  ...  welcome aboard!   

We have come a long way from Julie McCoy, the innocent cruise director of the Love Boat.  

Carnival's President marketed his product by touting how many women the Captain can conquer in his bachelor pad suite on the cruise ship.  And Royal Caribbean's President might as well as be in the Playboy Mansion surrounded by bunnies selling tickets.  

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