An eight-year-old boy was found unconscious at the bottom of the swimming pool aboard Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas. The boy was airlifted to Staten Island University Hospital and is currently on life support.
The ship has to make an emergency call at Bayonne in New Jersey.
“On Thursday, June 30, an eight-year-old boy onboard Anthem of the Seas was treated by the ship’s medical team after an accident in one of the ship’s swimming pools, but required additional medical attention,” a representative for the cruise line said in a statement. “Royal Caribbean’s Care Team is providing support to the guest’s family.”
The incident has sparked another debate for the need of lifeguards on cruise ships. President of the United States Lifesaving Association, B. Chris Brewster told Fox News that there is a need for lifeguards on ships.
“In my view, cruise ships should have lifeguards for the same reason you would expect lifeguards at a water park.
“Cruise ships are essentially floating amusement parks, and they should be providing reasonable protections with respect to the attractions they offer.”
Tell us what you think.
Seizure disorder requires supervision in submersible water, tub included. Where were the parents. A child is a parents responsibility not someone elses’. 5 Hours into the cruise and he’s not supervised? Unfortunate but not the fault of the cruise ship staff or others who were around the pool.
Lifeguards can’t hurt, but an 8-year-old boy…where were his parents?? “Found unconscious at the bottom of the swimming pool” suggests time elapsed but I don’t know the full story. At this point, let’s place blame aside and just hope and pray that the child recovers.