At the conclusion of a three-week trial and after only two and half hours of deliberation, a jury returned a verdict in favor of Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) in a lawsuit stemming from the April 10, 2005 voyage of Norwegian Dawn. The vessel had encountered heavy weather on its return to New York. None of the guests or crew members suffered serious injuries as a result.

The verdict follows favorable findings by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA), both of which completely exonerated NCL and its Captain, Niklas Peterstam, of any wrongdoing. Although the rough weather made the voyage unpleasant, “the safety and integrity of the ship was in no way compromised,” the NTSB concluded. NCL acted appropriately throughout, during what the NTSB determined was an “unavoidable encounter with severe weather and heavy seas.”

“We are pleased with the jury’s thoughtful and reasoned decision,” said Colin Veitch, president and CEO of NCL Corporation. “We have always maintained that this lawsuit existed only in the minds of the plaintiff’s lawyers and this verdict confirms our belief.”

NCL was represented by Curtis Mase and Richard Lara of the law firm of Mase & Lara, P.A. in Miami.

NCL Corporation Ltd. is an innovative cruise company headquartered in Miami, Florida, with a fleet of 14 ships in service and under construction. The corporation oversees the operations of Norwegian Cruise Line, NCL America, and Orient Lines.