Former Melksham Lions man dies as waves crash through window on cruise ship

A FORMER Melksham Lions president has died on board a cruise ship in the English channel after huge waves crashed through the window during the recent storms – an accident another Melksham couple on board say could have been avoided. 

James Swinstead who was president for Melksham Lions in 1976 died on board the UK-based cruise ship MS Marco Polo run by Cruise & Maritime Voyages as it headed for its home port of Tilbury, in Essex.

He was in the dining room on deck six of the ship with other passengers when water crashed through the window, causing serious injuries to James and another female passenger on board. Both were airlifted to hospital where the former Lions man died.

A number of the 735 passengers on board suffered minor injuries, as the cruise ship approached the end of a 42-night voyage and was heading back from the Azores when the wave struck.

James’ death hit national headlines and many passengers on the ship feel the accident ‘was waiting to happen’ and could have been avoided.

This is the view of Melksham couple Vivienne and Alan Watson who say the ship was ten hours early, meaning it could  have waited for the storm to pass rather then trying to battle the strong winds.

Vivienne said, “It was a terrifying experience and I can only imagine what James’ poor wife is going through. The accident could have easily been avoided as we were a good ten hours ahead of schedule and we all knew we were approaching a big storm. We should have waited for it to pass, that was also the view of those on board and a sailor I was sat with on the day of the accident said the same thing. He was baffled as to why we were attempting to go through the storm and why we were approaching it at speeds of around 20 knots. I know the ship was due to leave Tilbury early the morning after we were disembarking, so maybe there was pressure to arrive early.

“People were being flung around throughout the voyage and one man broke his ribs weeks before this latest accident.”

Cruise & Maritime Voyages deny any blame attached to the James Swinstead’s death. In a statement they said, “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the passengers and their families affected during this difficult time. Cruise & Maritime Voyages takes the safety and comfort of all its passengers and crew very seriously and this will always be a priority. We confirm that an investigation was commenced by CMV immediately after the incident on 14 February and it is being lead at the highest level of management.

“CMV is committed to passenger safety and if there are lessons which can be learned from this incident then the company will work with the authorities to improve the safety and comfort of our passengers and crew which is and will always be of paramount importance to the company.

“Allegations that the ship or its equipment was substandard or unseaworthy are denied.  This has not been supported by any of the investigations or evidence gathered. Once all investigations have been completed the company can provide further information. It would be inappropriate to make any further comments at this time regarding the incident or its causes.  CMV will continue to cooperate fully with the authorities in the meantime.”

Following further questions regarding the conditions on board and the cruise ship tackling the storm unnecessarily CMV said, “This incident is still under official investigation and it would be inappropriate at this stage for the company to make any further comments until the investigation is completed.”