Human Error Blamed for Listing Cruise Ship

Human error caused a New York-bound cruise ship to list suddenly as it left port in Florida, injuring 240 people, Princess Cruises said in a statement. "We can confirm that the incident was due to human error and the appropriate personnel changes have been made," company president Alan Buskelew said in a letter sent on July 25 to passengers. The accident occurred July 18, shortly after the recently commissioned Crown Princess left Port Canaveral, in southern Florida with 3,400 aboard. The ship listed sharply to port, sending furniture, objects and people flying into glass windows and walls as well as emptying the swimming pools onto the decks.