Shane Dixon, 45-year-old Australian father-of-three who had recently gone through financial difficulty after his divorce and had lost around US$5,800 at a casino on board during a three-day cruise planned with his family, took his life by leaping overboard as it returned to Sydney Harbour from its three day journey. It came shortly after two significant bereavements took place that the loss came at just the right time as distraction.
Wave of Complaints
One incident involved a passenger who gambled away more than his bank balance of AU$6,000 shortly after Dixon’s tragedy, shortly before Sydney docks were reached by ship and detention began for hours before threatening to swim to shore and making threats of escape, prompting his release from detention and being allowed back aboard ship.
Legal Boundaries Crossed
One such passenger was lured in with promises of a free cruise featuring unlimited alcohol consumption, complimentary dinners and a generous daily credit line, even though she had previous gambling debts. Unfortunately when trying to disembark she faced detention as her outstanding debt amounted to US$25,000 or AU$25K that she couldn’t immediately settle – only being permitted to depart after acknowledging this liability and acknowledging their debt status.
Peter Carter highlights that these practices not only raise ethical considerations but could violate Australian law regarding treatment and freedom for passengers at ports of disembarkation.
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