HAL Passenger Killed In Shore Excursion Accident

[mercedes]

A 60-year old, female passenger, traveling on Holland America's Ryndam was killed last week after she somehow became caught in the propeller of a 65 foot catamaran hired to take passengers on a snorkeling shore excursion. The accident happened last Wednesday while the Ryndam was visiting Belize.

According to local authorities, Dianna Lynn Meschling of Ohio was snorkeling with a group of three other passengers near Goff's Caye when she was struck in the leg and head by the boat's propeller. It is not clear whether she was attempting to swim under the catamaran or was somehow pulled into the propeller by the waves and current. The sea conditions at the time were reportedly very choppy.

The accident was deemed highly unusual by local observers because most excursion boats turn off their engines while snorkelers are in the water, and the boats that visit Goff's Caye are usually anchored a significant distance away from where they drop off the passengers.

The cause of the accident is still under investigation as local authorities are interviewing witnesses and the operators of the excursion boat.

[1shipshape]

Oh that is just terrible! We all need to be very careful on our excursions.

[sailingrose]

How sad

[GottaCruz]

I hadn't hear that. How horrible!!!!

[deb1220]

That's just horrible!! I didn't hear about this either. Thanks Carmen!

[zebra]

That's horrific - I can't imagine why he would have started the engine without knowing that ALL the passengers are on board. When we have done excursions on catamarans, they generally do a head count ..... wow!!!