Maryland Man Sues Carnival Cruise Line After Tender Boat Crashes Into Carnival Magic Near Belize
James T. Sank, a resident of Maryland, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Carnival Corporation, Sea Charters Tender Ltd., and XYZ Corporation in the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 1:26-cv-24151-RKA, alleges that Sank suffered serious and permanent injuries after a smaller tender boat collided with the cruise ship Carnival Magic on July 10, 2025.
Cruise Passenger Injured returning to Carnival Magic Due to High-Speed Tender Collision in Rough Seas
According to the complaint, the incident occurred while Sank was being transported back to the Carnival Magic from a scheduled port of call on the Island of Belize. Inclement weather conditions during the return trip, including high winds, caused rough seas and strong currents. Despite these hazardous environmental conditions, the captain of the tender vessel allegedly operated the boat at an excessive speed. As the tender approached the stationary cruise ship, there were allegedly no crew members in place to assist the captain or keep a proper lookout near the boarding and docking platform. The tender captain ultimately failed to handle the approach safely, causing the smaller vessel to violently crash into the side of the Carnival Magic, jarring passengers and causing severe bodily injuries.
Carnival Accused of Disregarding Prior Tender Accidents and Failing to Monitor Operational Safety Protocols
The lawsuit alleges that Carnival had both actual and constructive knowledge of the severe risks associated with negligent tender operations. Plaintiff’s legal team references multiple prior incidents and federal lawsuits filed in the Southern District of Florida involving injuries during Carnival tender transfers to demonstrate a history of safety failures. The complaint cites the recent case of Perez v. Carnival Corporation, which involved a passenger injury from an allision between a tender and a cruise ship in Greenland. Additional fleet-wide incidents involving passenger injuries during tender transfers in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, were also highlighted, including cases involving Alexandria Migneault, Daryel Hernandez, and Jerome Williams. The complaint argues that despite internal policies regarding safe tender operations and safety warning videos played on every cruise, Carnival failed to enforce its own safety protocols. Furthermore, a Carnival security officer aboard the tender witnessed the high winds and reckless speed firsthand but failed to intervene before the impact.
Complaint Alleges Negligent Tender Training, Engine Failure, and Total Lack of Impact Warnings
In addition to operational errors, the lawsuit highlights severe deficiencies in the maintenance and supervision of the tender vessel and its crew. Following the violent allision, the tender boat allegedly appeared to lose power completely, and the captain was heard stating that there was a problem with the ship’s engine. The plaintiff alleges that Carnival and Sea Charters Tender Ltd. failed to adequately inspect, maintain, or monitor the mechanical condition of the tender vessel. The complaint also asserts that the operators failed to hire qualified personnel, failed to properly train a competent captain, and failed to provide a sufficient number of crew members to ensure safe docking. Crucially, the captain and crew completely failed to provide any verbal warning or instruction of the impending impact, leaving passengers entirely unable to brace themselves or prepare for the violent collision.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Permanent Bodily Injuries, Financial Loss, and Lost Value of Cruise Vacation
Sank brings multiple counts of negligence against the defendants, including general negligence, negligent failure to warn, negligent failure to maintain, and vicarious liability for the actions of the tender crew. The lawsuit states that Carnival maintained an extensive master and servant relationship with Sea Charters Tender Ltd., dictating routes, pay rates, proprietary software usage, and safety compliance, making the cruise line directly liable for the operator’s errors. As a direct result of the crash, Sank claims he suffered permanent and continuing injuries to his body and extremities, severe physical pain, mental anguish, permanent physical handicap, and a loss of enjoyment of life. He seeks compensation for incurred medical treatment expenses, lost wages, and diminished future working ability, as well as damages for the lost value of his vacation, cruise fare, and related transportation costs.
Contact a Cruise Ship Tender Accident Lawyer Today if You Were Hurt During a Vessel Transfer
Cruise passengers who suffer injuries during ship-to-shore transfers, particularly those involving tender boat collisions, excessive speeds, or a total lack of emergency warnings, may be entitled to financial compensation under maritime law. Cruise lines have a non-delegable legal obligation to ensure that all ingress and egress operations are managed with reasonable care to keep travelers safe from foreseeable harm. If you or a loved one sustained injuries in a similar cruise ship boarding or tender boat accident, contact our team of experienced maritime injury lawyers today. We are dedicated to helping you navigate complex maritime regulations and exploring your options for recovery.
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Disclaimer: Our firm does not represent the plaintiff in this case and is not involved in the litigation. The information provided is a summary of allegations based on publicly available court filings. We make no representations about the truth of these allegations, are not commenting on the merits of the case, and are not predicting any outcome.
