Passenger Dies After Running Amok & Injuring Crew Onboard Cruise Ship Off Los Angeles

A guest named Michael Virgil, 35, ran amok last week, onboard the cruise ship Navigator of the Seas, abusing and harassing crew members, meanwhile injuring two of them. He later died in a security intervention.

The incident occurred on December 13, after the cruise ship left the San Pedro terminal at Los Angeles Port when the guest began threatening the crew and other passengers in a below-decks berthing area.

A mobile video taken by a bystander and provided to Fox News, showed the man trying to kick down a door to reach a crew member who had locked himself inside, in an attempt to get away from the man.

Christopher Mikhail who saw this happen said that the man was drunk and said he was going to kill them, after which he started chasing the crew and other passengers down the ship’s hallway, cursing and using racially charged language.

Mikhail was on the cruise ship with his family and met the unruly guest when he went below. At first, he thought it was a stunt, probably for social media but realised that everyone was panicked and running to hide.

Video Credits: FOX 11 Los Angeles/YouTube

Mikhail said that Virgil punched a crew member and kicked another one in the face.

The ship’s security team sealed the hallway while Virgil continued attacking a locked closet door. After waiting for him to expand most of his energy, the team moved him and bound him with zip ties and towels, the video showed.

Virgil died after his detention on Friday and the cause of his death is not determined till now. The incident happened offshore and the FBI is heading the investigation.

His family told the media that this behaviour was not how he usually acted. He had a fiancee and a 7-year-old son, and both were on the cruise with him while this happened.

Royal Caribbean expressed their sadness in a statement and stated that they offered support to his family and are cooperating with authorities on the investigation.

References: Global News, LA Times

Source: Maritime Shipping News