Associated Press

Investigators inspect cruise ship that rolled

(New York-AP, July 19, 2006) - Federal investigators examined a Brooklyn-based cruise ship today to try to determine why the 951-foot vessel suddenly rolled to one side, seriously injuring 20 people.

The Coast Guard also questioned why authorities first learned of the trouble not from the captain but from the mother of a passenger had who called her from the ship. James Hall, former head of the National Transportation Safety Board, said he hopes the incident will prompt federal officials to toughen cruise industry rules.

The Crown Princess rolled 15 degrees to its right yesterday afternoon about 11½ miles off Port Canaveral, throwing passengers against the deck and walls. The ship slowly came back up and headed for port.

About 240 passengers were treated on board for minor injuries, according to Princess Cruises. Ninety-eight people were taken to the hospital, including a child and an adult who were critically injured.

Several passengers said last night's movie aboard the ship was supposed to be "Titanic."