Tragedy at Sea: FBI Investigates Death of 12-Year-Old Boy on Royal Caribbean’s M/V Harmony of the Seas
On September 7th, 2024, in a tragic incident aboard one of the world’s largest cruise ships, a 12-year-old boy lost his life after falling from a balcony on Royal Caribbean’s M/V Harmony of the Seas. The FBI has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the boy’s death, which occurred on the final night of a seven-day cruise ureturning to Galveston, Texas.
The accident took place Saturday evening, as the ship completed its journey through the western Caribbean. The boy reportedly fell from an interior balcony that overlooked the ship’s lush Central Park area—a unique feature filled with trees, plants, shops, and restaurants. Despite the pleasant and relaxing nature of this space, it quickly became the scene of an unimaginable tragedy.
Royal Caribbean released a brief statement expressing their sympathies. “We are deeply saddened to confirm the death of one of our guests,” the cruise line said, adding that its care team is offering support to the boy’s family. Citing privacy concerns, the company has provided no further details at this time.
The M/V Harmony of the Seas is a massive, 18-deck vessel capable of carrying over 6,600 passengers. Divided into seven distinct “neighborhoods,” including the Central Park area, it offers a variety of attractions from a bustling boardwalks to promenades, to pools and sports facilities.
However, this isn’t the first time tragedy has struck the ship: in 2019, a 16-year-old passenger fell to his death while attempting to access his room from an adjacent balcony, having forgotten his room key. Similarly, another 16-year-old boy died after falling from the interior balconies on the 225,282-gross-ton sister ship Oasis class M/V Allure of the Seas in November of 2023, which departed from Port Canaveral, Florida.
According to U.S. law, cruise ship railings must meet strict safety standards. The 2010 Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act mandates that railings be at least 42 inches tall. However, many experts have noted that it is exceedingly rare for a passenger to simply fall over a balcony unless they were engaging in risky behavior. Many such incidents involve intoxicated passengers, or those who intentionally climb onto railings.
Though the FBI has confirmed their involvement in the investigation, it has not released any additional information as of this past Wednesday. As the primary agency responsible for investigating potential crimes at sea, it is working closely with the U.S. Coast Guard and Customs and Border Protection to determine the facts behind this devastating incident.
Falls on cruise ships, while rare, are not unheard of. Data collected by cruise industry researcher Ross Klein indicates that between 2000 and 2020, at least 386 people have gone overboard. While the causes vary, these incidents often lead to intense scrutiny regarding cruise safety.
As the investigation progresses, the tragic death of this young boy has cast a shadow over what was meant to be a fun and relaxing voyage for thousands of passengers. For now, the boy’s family, along with the crew and guests aboard the M/S Harmony of the Seas, are left to grapple with the shock and sorrow of this devastating loss.
We at the Herd Law Firm are proud to fight for seamen, maritime workers and passengers in all types of personal injury and death claims. As maritime personal injury attorneys (and sailors ourselves!) located in northwest Houston, we never waver in our commitment to help these maritime workers, passengers, and their families when they are injured or mistreated.
9/16/2024
Image Source: M/V Harmony of the Seas, “Central Park”, License
