Tape Indicates When Missing Man Went Overboard

[Jason]

FBI: Tape Indicates When Missing Man Went Overboard

Search Is Called Off

MIAMI -- After the FBI and the Coast Guard reviewed surveillance video from a Royal Caribbean cruise ship, the search for a missing man was called off after it was determined that he went overboard early Monday morning.

Royal Caribbean released a statement saying that 21-year-old Daniel DiPiero, of Canfield, Ohio, had been drinking heavily, some of the alcohol having been brought on the ship in violation of Royal Caribbean policy.

The statement from the cruise line said that Royal Caribbean plans to provide DiPiero's family with grief counseling.

Full Statement From Royal Caribbean:

"At 9 a.m. today, five FBI agents and four U.S. Coast Guard officers boarded Mariner of the Seas in St. Thomas to investigate the tragic disappearance of a 21-year-old male guest, who has been missing from the ship since early Monday morning.

"The agents and officers spent four hours onboard the ship interviewing the missing man's six travel companions, other guests and crew members, and meeting with the family of the missing man. The family was flown to the ship by Royal Caribbean.

"Royal Caribbean learned the following from the FBI's investigation:

The young man was served five drinks over a four-hour period -- from 8 p.m. to midnight Sunday. During this time, the young man also ate dinner with his six companions, at which point the seven guests shared 1.5 bottles of wine.

The missing man and his three roommates brought three bottles of liquor onboard the ship, which they concealed in their luggage in violation of Royal Caribbean policy. The young men concealed some the liquor in two large mouthwash bottles. One bottle contained Crown Royal, the other, a combination of two liquors -- one named Hypnotic and the other Hennessy cognac. The young men also brought a bottle of Bacardi rum onto the ship in their luggage.

The four young men consumed the alcohol Sunday afternoon and that evening in both their stateroom and that of their guardian.

The four videotaped themselves as they drank the alcohol.

The FBI and Coast Guard thoroughly reviewed the digital video recording captured by the ship's security systems, which recorded the young man alone on an outside portion of deck 4 on the starboard side of the ship between 12:12 a.m. and 2:16 a.m. Monday. The FBI and Coast Guard indicated to family members that the young man went overboard at 2:16 a.m. Monday and that he was alone at the time.

"We extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to the family and friends of this young man," said Adam Goldstein, president of Royal Caribbean International. "They remain in our thoughts and prayers as they move forward from this tragic event."

"The young man's stateroom and the deck four area were fully reviewed by the FBI and were released back to Royal Caribbean. The agency also gave the ship permission to continue with its sailing.

"The ship is delaying its departure until midnight tonight (by six hours) to accommodate a visit by the young man's sister. Royal Caribbean continues to assist the young man's family with a guest care team and grief counseling."

Source: NewsNet5

[JoeyandDavid]

That is who I hold responsible..The Guardian

[jbond]

The kid was 21, don't you think he had any responsibility. We don't even know if the guardian knew they had liquor on board.

[Mebert]

This is a very tragic event, but underneath it all Daniel was 21 years old. He should have been old enough to be responsible for himself and was of legal age to consume alcohol.

Alcoholism is a disease that many of us who don't have the problem can hardly understand.

If that party had to bring so much alcohol on the ship, someone or a few of them probably had a drinking problem. That was a lot of alcohol.

My sympathy is with the family of the victim but if it's discovered that he overindulged in alcohol he has to be responsible for himself. The ship can't monitor what goes on in the cabins and they give passengers the courtesy of using an honor system when boarding the ship. Does that policy need to change?

If the story regarding the drinking is legitimized, it needs to come out as a warning for other young people who are going on cruises to show them that excessive alcohol and the sea do not necessarily mix.

[JoeyandDavid]

That is who I hold responsible..The Guardian

The kid was 21, don't you think he had any responsibility. We don't even know if the guardian knew they had liquor on board.

Jbond yes we do.. yes we do know this..

and here is how reread the OP on this forum.

The four young men consumed the alcohol Sunday afternoon and that evening in both their stateroom and that of their guardian.

The four videotaped themselves as they drank the alcohol.

[jbond]

The way I read that is that the four young men consumed alcohol in their room and in the guardians room, no mention of consuming it with the guardian present. Also, the video tape showed the four young men, again no mention of the guardian.

Any idea how old the guardian is? I believe that on RCI you cannot cruise by yourself under 23, you have to have an "adult" with you. The age requirement is 23, so the guardian could well be just another young man, like one of the four.

[JoeyandDavid]

Jbond,

I stand corrected in regards to the facts. You are totally correct; the release did not state the guardian was present in the room during consumption,

And it is also probable that the guardian himself is another young man, one of the gang… the one that is barely old enough to sign his name as “responsible agent for theses other passengers.

My point is….

Their friend, the guardian, the one that accepted responsibility when he agreed to the conditions, so the group could sail RCCL. Undoubtedly no one took the time to understand the ramifications of being a guardian or read the contract for that matter. I believe all he thought he was signing, was the permission letter to let him and his friends Party..

It was just supposed to be JUST another party… However, this time something went wrong….

Now considering the events of the passengers sneaking liquor not only aboard in original containers but in other containers as well only indicates to me they want to party out of their minds….IMHO if anyone should be sued it should be the “Guardian “of the group. Yes it’s a Tough Break.. and no he shouldn’t go to jail.. but he should be allowed to forget either.

As far as I am concerned if you are old enough to play the game.. you are old enough to handle the risks.

I don’t see how legally or morally anyone could hold RCCL responsible in any way...That is Considering the facts known in the case. jmho

[JoeyandDavid]

I believe the guardian is one of the four also

[jbond]

I agree with you there. However, if any one gets sued, it will definitely be RCI, they're the ones with the deep pockets. A sad reflection on our times.

[JoeyandDavid]

We are once again in agreement...

Thanks Jbond for a great discussion.!