Dozens Injured When Cruise Ship Lists

The Coast Guard at Port Canaveral said that a cruise ship took a heavy roll at sea, injuring some passengers. Coast Guard spokesman Petty Officer James Judge said he didn't know how many people were hurt when the Crown Princess listed or how serious any of the injuries were. Judge said the ship, which began sailing a month ago, listed to the portside of the vessel. Sarah Feingold, a passenger onboard the ship, spoke to Local 10 via cell phone and she said that some people had broken bones and she believed about 30 people were hurt. Feingold said that the ship tipped at about a 60-degree angle at about 3:45 a.m. She said that passengers were thrown from their beds, items went flying off shelves, and furniture was smashed. She said the water was dumped out of the pools and there is broken glass all over the ship.Feingold said there was a chaotic time, with parents and children crying. She said that she believes the cruiseline is underestimating the seriousness of the injuries. "I've seen a lot of serious injuries, " she said. The Coast Guard said that the ship experienced what it called a steering casualty. Emergency medical workers were shuttling out to the ship when it got within about five miles of Port Canaveral just after 5 p.m. Fifteen ambulances were at the port waiting for the ships arrival. "We're coming back to the port so some of the passengers can receive some additional medical attention," Princess Cruises spokeswoman Julie Benson said. The ship was on its way to New York and had just left Port Canaveral after a nine-day Western Caribbean cruise, she said. Feingold said that the cruise ship officers were trying to keep people calm, and as the ship returned to port, they were even promising dinner and entertainment as usual.