Relatives of Passenger Who Fell Overboard Mad at Royal Caribbean

A lawyer representing the family of a 21-year-old passenger who apparently fell overboard from the Mariner of the Seas issued a statement strongly criticizing Royal Caribbean´s handling of the incident.

The passenger, Daniel DiPiero of Canfield, Ohio, was last seen around midnight on May 14, when he told friends he was going to bed.

According to Royal Caribbean, security camera video showed DiPiero on Deck Four between 12:12 a.m. and 2:16 a.m. Most of that time he was reclining in a deck chair, but the cruise line said he could also be seen standing on the ship´s railing.

The video showed DiPiero going overboard at 2:16 a.m., but Royal Caribbean spokesman Michael Sheehan said the video does not show why. He was reported missing at 11 a.m. Royal Caribbean made “a multitude of announcements” and “a variety of searches,” Sheehan said.

The family´s lawyer, Brett Rivkind, said the security footage was not reviewed promptly after DiPiero was reported missing, leading to “a significant delay” in rescue efforts. The Coast Guard was not alerted until 7 p.m., Mr. Rivkind said.