The family of a cruise guest who died after saving a child at a Bermuda beach is suing Norwegian Cruise Line for negligence.
Hyon Duk Shin, 49, a guest on the Norwegian Getaway, drowned after rescuing the child at Horseshoe Bay Beach last year.
Norwegian Getaway Guest Drowned After Saving Child
Yanli Gong was on a cruise vacation with his wife, children and mother. They all come from Pennsylvania. The plaintiffs are his widow and mother who claim the cruise line is negligent for failing to inform guests of dangerous riptides and currents in the bay which had no lifeguard presence at the time.
The lawsuit states there have been previous drownings there and says NCL described it as an “easy” beach for swimming.
“NCL had notice of these dangerous conditions through public warnings from multiple government entities, available weather and sea condition forecasts, a variety of cruise passenger reports and prior similar incidents,” the suit, filed in the US District Court in the Southern District of Florida, alleges.
The complaint listed prior drownings at Horseshoe Bay and other South Shore beaches. Mr Shin went snorkeling in the shallows with his sons when he spotted a young girl in difficulty. The girl was rescued but Shin then got into difficulty “due to the unperceived current and undertow.”
Shin’s wife and mother then “frantically yelled for help on the crowded beach, but there were no lifeguards on duty.” Shin was pulled ashore by a local resident but sadly all resuscitation attempts failed.
Man’s Children Witnessed his Drowning
The lawsuit described the “severe emotional distress” of Shin’s children witnessing his passing on the beach and who had moments earlier been “swimming in the very same waters.
The children continue to suffer, emotional distress causing anxiety, post-traumatic stress, insomnia, lack of appetite and other emotional and physical injuries.”
“He leaves behind a grieving wife and two young boys, ages 7 and 9, who will forever miss their loving husband and father. Their loss is immeasurable.”
The complaint also notes the US Consulate General in Bermuda issued an advisory about dangerous currents just weeks after Shin’s death. This advisory also noted that lifeguards are present on main tourist beaches only between May and October. The Shin’s cruise was in March 2024.
In response, Norwegian Cruise Line said: “We cannot comment on ongoing legal matters.”
Just a few months later in October 2024, cruise guest Jamie Lambros, from Deer Park, NY, also drowned at Horseshoe Bay after rescuing a child.
