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Minnesota Passenger Sues Norwegian Cruise Line Over Gangway Injury During Tender Return in Hawaii
A Minnesota woman has filed a federal maritime negligence lawsuit against Norwegian Cruise Line, alleging that unsafe conditions and lack of crew assistance during a tender boat disembarkation caused her leg to become trapped between the gangway and vessel. The lawsuit, Mary Kingsley v. NCL (Bahamas) Ltd. (Case No. 1:25-cv-21403-JEM), centers on a June 2024 incident during a cruise stop in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii aboard the Pride of America.
Passenger Claims Gangway Shift Trapped Her Leg While Returning from Shore Excursion in Rough Seas
According to the complaint, on June 12, 2024, Mary Kingsley was returning to the Pride of America via tender boat after a port call in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. During the disembarkation process, the gangway was allegedly unsecured, and both the gangway and tender were shifting due to strong winds and rough sea conditions.
As she attempted to step from the tender to the ship, Kingsley’s leg became trapped between the tender and the gangway. She remained stuck until another shift in the seas released her, but by then she had sustained significant bodily injuries.
Lawsuit Alleges Negligent Tender Operations, Crew Inaction, and Known Prior Incidents
The complaint alleges that Norwegian’s crew failed to secure the gangway, monitor sea conditions, or provide Kingsley with instruction or physical assistance during the disembarkation process. The lawsuit brings four counts under maritime law:
- Vicarious Liability for Negligent Tender Operation
- Vicarious Liability for Negligent Instruction and Assistance
- Negligent Failure to Warn
- General Negligence
The plaintiff asserts that NCL was on notice of the dangers posed by this type of transfer, citing at least four similar prior lawsuits involving injuries during tender operations, including Briggs v. NCL, Waeltz v. NCL, Bury v. NCL, and Ruggeri v. NCL—each involving unstable gangways, rough seas, or lack of crew support.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Permanent Injuries and Loss of Cruise Enjoyment
The complaint describes Kingsley’s injuries as permanent or continuing in nature and alleges she suffered:
- Physical pain and bodily injuries
- Mental anguish and emotional trauma
- Disfigurement and disability
- Medical expenses and future treatment costs
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of cruise value and transportation expenses
Her legal team argues that the disembarkation process using tenders is inherently hazardous and imposes a heightened duty of care on the cruise line, particularly when passengers must cross gangways in unstable sea conditions.
Gangway Injury Lawsuit Highlights Safety Risks of Tender Transfers in Unstable Waters
This case underscores an increasingly litigated area of cruise liability—passenger injuries during tender transfers at ports without docking infrastructure. Maritime courts have recognized the risks associated with such transfers and the cruise line’s duty to:
- Secure gangways and transition areas
- Account for wind and wave conditions
- Provide assistance or restrict transfers in unsafe conditions
- Warn passengers of known or foreseeable risks
Prior rulings, including McBride v. Carnival Corp., have reinforced that cruise lines hold a non-delegable duty to provide safe ingress and egress from vessels, even when third-party tenders are used.
Injured While Boarding or Disembarking a Cruise Tender? Know Your Rights
Passengers injured while using tender boats or gangways during a cruise may have claims under general maritime law. Cruise lines must ensure the safety of transfer operations and cannot delegate away their responsibility for dangerous boarding conditions.
If you or a loved one suffered an injury during a cruise transfer, contact a maritime personal injury attorney to explore your rights to compensation for medical costs, lost wages, and long-term effects.