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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
World
Liam Buckler

One 'negligent fact' saw tragic teen star jump off cruise ship into shark infested waters

Missing teenager and baseball star Cameron Robbins was let down by the cruise industry due to one "negligent fact", a safety campaigner has claimed.

18-year-old Cameron, from Louisiana, US, disappeared after reportedly being urged to jump into the shark-infested waters without a life jacket on May 24.

He had just landed in the Bahamas for a high school graduation trip when he was filmed jumping overboard a pirate-themed sunset cruise as a dare.

Chilling footage from that night shows the moment the teen jumps into the dark waters in his swimming trunks, with no life jacket, splashing several feet from the boat, before drifting into the darkness.

Cameron was onboard a party Carnival cruise ship with his friends during a reportedly boozy evening.

Video footage captured Cameron in the dark water before he vanished (Reddit/QuietWest3764)
Cameron jumped into the water in just his swimming shorts without a life jacket (Reddit/QuietWest3764)

And now a cruise ship safety campaigner has slammed the industry for failing to act responsibly after the ship was allegedly serving passengers alcohol all night.

Jamie Barnett, president of the non-profit organization International Cruise Victims Association, has been long-campaigning for legislation that helps protect passengers on cruise ships and increase the rights of victims.

She tragically lost her daughter Ashley after she died while onboard a cruise ship to Ensenada in 2006.

Jamie believes the cruise industry does not take into consideration how much a passenger has drunk, which puts them at an increased risk of danger.

Cameron was onboard a sunset cruise when he jumped (Blackbeard's revenge Bahamas)

If cruise ships regulated how much passengers were drinking, Cameron may have not jumped overboard, she believes.

She said: "The unconscionably negligent fact is that the cruise lines have absolutely no regard for the age or the overserving of alcohol to passengers.

"It is clear that the persons involved in both of these overboard incidents had likely been drinking heavily and somehow, the cruise lines are able to avoid any of the consequences of such irresponsible policies."

Jamie believes that if the Man Overboard Detection Technology, which detects anyone going overboard, was installed in more cruise ships in the US and around the world, it could have saved more lives.

Cameron, left, reportedly jumped off the ship as a dare (williamcole031/Instagram​)

She said: "What is particularly disturbing, is the fact that the only comprehensive US law that is applicable to cruise ship passenger safety and security (and there are none elsewhere in the world), known as the CVSSA, was passed all the way back in 2010.

"It included the requirement for Man Overboard Detection Technology that would detect anyone going overboard to be installed as soon as the technology was available.

"Trust me it is, and it has been, available, but it has still not been installed. Our organization believes this is completely unacceptable and defies explanation.

"Congress has written to the US Coast Guard asking why this is taking so long but no response has been forthcoming. I hope the pressure stays on them until they at last, 13 years later, come into compliance."

Jamie Barnett has been advocating for more safety regulation in the cruise industry (ABC7)

Jamie believes the industry needs to improve passenger safety to help stop the recent cases of people falling overboard.

"Much change is needed in regards to the cruise industry's passenger safety and security policies", she said.

"The industry loves to say that passenger safety is their number one concern but they certainly aren't putting their time, money, and attention where their mouth is.

"Again and again they claim they are highly regulated and need no further legislation or regulations but yet they continue with their Teflon-like approach to the laws that already apply to them, refusing to comply and begging off to congress by saying they 'lack the resources'."

Cameron was a star pitcher for the University Laboratory School's baseball team.

Cameron's baseball coach paid tribute to the teenager and called him a "fierce competitor."

Cameron Robbins, 18, was a recent high school graduate (Family Handout)

Justin Morgan said: "Cameron is a kid who is truly loved by his teammates, teachers, and fellow classmates.

"He is a fierce competitor on the baseball field. He is a hard worker both on and off of the playing field.

"Our school community is struggling right now but hoping for the very best.

"Our thoughts and prayers have been and will remain with the Robbins family during this difficult time."

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