The sole survivor of a fishing boat set adrift for 28 days is suing Princess Cruise Lines, claiming that even though passengers on the ship alerted the crew to the vessel in need of help, the Star Princess simply passed on by.

The Associated Press (via The Guardian) says the 18-year-old Panamanian man is alleging negligence by Princess Cruise Lines in the lawsuit, which was filed in Florida state court.

He and his two companions set off from Rio Hata, off Panama’s coast on Feb. 24. After the motor broke down, the men were set adrift for 16 days.

That’s when they say they signaled the passing cruise ship. And while passengers onboard say they reported seeing the drifting boat and the men waving for help, Princess Cruises has said that wasn’t the case. One passenger even tried to alert authorities after the ship had docked and she had returned home.

Two of the men died a day later, and the sole survivor was rescued on March 22 near the Galapagos Islands, more than 600 miles from where he and his boatmates set out from.

When the story first broke, Princess issued a statement, saying: “We’re aware of the allegations that Star Princess supposedly passed by a boat in distress that was carrying three Panamanian fishermen on March 10. At this time we cannot verify the facts as reported, and we are currently conducting an internal investigation on the matter.”

Fisherman sues cruise line after ship failed to rescue him [The Guardian]

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