Officials say two ship deaths not suspicious

October 29, 2011|By Peter Schworm, Globe Staff

The cruise ship Norwegian Dawn, back from a weeklong trip to Bermuda, docked… (DAVID L. RYAN/GLOBE STAFF )

The deaths of two passengers aboard a cruise ship that docked yesterday morning at Boston’s Black Falcon Terminal were unrelated and are not considered suspicious, authorities said.

A 67-year-old woman from Tiverton, R.I., died Thursday afternoon after “succumbing to a chronic illness,’’ Norwegian Cruise Line said.

A 23-year-old man from Littleton, N.H., also died that evening from undetermined causes.

Investigators said there was no evidence of criminal activity. Both passengers died in the ship’s medical center.

“The decedents were among separate parties, and their deaths were not related to one another,’’ the Suffolk district attorney’s office said. “In the absence of criminal charges, no further details will be released.’’

Investigators met the Norwegian Dawn when it arrived in Boston around 6:30 yesterday morning after a weeklong trip to Bermuda.

The Miami-based company said it was working closely with authorities, and extended its sympathies to the passengers’ relatives.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to both families during this difficult time,’’ the company said.

The 965-foot-long ship holds nearly 2,300 passengers, with a crew of more than 1,000. It has a medical facility staffed by a physician and a nurse.

Deaths on cruise ships are not uncommon, given their size, the length of journeys, and the advanced age of many passengers, specialists said.

Most cruise ships have morgues that can accommodate several bodies.

Martin Finucane of the Globe staff contributed to this report. Peter Schworm can be reached at schworm@globe.com.

READER COMMENTS »

View reader comments » Comment on this story »