Royal Caribbean Statement Clarifying
Questions About Dr. Lee's Tests
MIAMI, Jan. 25 -- Royal Caribbean International has been asked to clarify why forensic investigator Dr. Henry Lee was unable to complete two of the five tests he hoped to conduct when he visited Brilliance of the Seas this week. We greatly value the professionalism shown by Dr. Lee during his visit and appreciate his gracious acknowledgement of the courtesies we extended to him.
Dr. Lee completed three tests during his visit. He was not able to conduct a fourth test because the material he wished to examine was given to the FBI last summer. Dr. Lee's fifth test -- repeatedly throwing a mannequin over the side of the ship -- we postponed until February. Royal Caribbean has offered Dr. Lee the use of an identical ship when it enters drydock on Feb. 5. The company had told the families' attorneys we would have to make alternate arrangements when they first requested this fifth test last week.
Royal Caribbean sincerely hopes Dr. Lee's day on Brilliance was productive and any findings will contribute to FBI's ongoing investigation.
Royal Caribbean Statement Regarding the Visit to Brilliance of the Seas by Smith Representatives
MIAMI, Jan. 20 -- Royal Caribbean has cooperated fully with all investigating authorities from the moment the company discovered Mr. George Smith's disappearance.
The company continues to be concerned that the release of so much information about this case has the effect of making the FBI's investigation more difficult, and that view has been repeatedly expressed by not only our company and others but also the FBI as recently as today.
Nevertheless, the company has decided to permit attorneys and investigators for the Smith family and Jennifer Hagel Smith to visit the ship on Monday, January 23, with the hope that they will honor the concerns about maintaining the confidentiality and the integrity of the FBI's investigation.
The company has noted the attorneys' and investigators' request to throw objects over the balcony of the Smiths' cabin. Due to the fact that the ship is in service with guests on board, the company cannot permit this activity at this time. However, the company is willing to discuss this activity under different circumstances sometime in the future.
