Judge Lets Nassau Propeller Lawsuit Against Carnival Proceed
Carnival’s bid to dismiss the case, arguing independent Bahamian companies operated the excursion, was denied by United States District Judge William Dimitrouleas.
Hannah Smith, a 22-year-old Miles College graduate, is suing Carnival Cruise Line and Bahamas excursion operators after losing both legs following a May 12, 2025, shore-excursion accident in Nassau. The lawsuit says the “Pearl Island Beach Escape with Lunch” excursion was sold through Carnival’s platforms during a sailing aboard the Carnival Celebration, and alleges unsafe alcohol service and vessel operations led to Smith being pulled into a spinning propeller.
The case focuses on Carnival’s role in marketing, selling and vetting third-party shore excursions, as well as the conduct of the local tour operators during passenger disembarkation. Smith’s attorneys are pursuing claims that include direct negligence tied to oversight of excursion providers and vicarious liability based on agency principles.
Complaint details accident sequence in Nassau
Smith was celebrating her graduation with friend Brooklyn Pitre when she joined the Bahamas excursion, which included a visit to Pearl Island’s Sun Cay Beach Club. According to the complaint, passengers were returning to Nassau on a catamaran-style vessel when the boat came alongside a pier and guests began disembarking.
The lawsuit alleges excursion employees had provided Smith and other guests excessive alcohol and marijuana before the return trip, including high-proof drinks that the complaint says were served directly to guests. The litigation cited her blood alcohol level as 0.447.
During disembarkation, a crew member allegedly told Smith she could use the water near the vessel’s dive platform as a restroom. After she entered the water, she was drawn into the ferry’s propeller and suffered catastrophic injuries.
Emergency responders transported Smith to a hospital in Nassau, where she underwent emergency surgeries before being airlifted to HCA Florida Kendall Hospital in Miami. Her attorneys said she has undergone more than 30 surgical procedures, including three successive amputations of her right leg that culminated in a hip disarticulation.
Claims name Carnival and local operators
The litigation identifies Carnival and tour operators including Sun Cay and Pearl Investment Management Group. Pearl Investment Management Group Ltd. trades as Pearl Island Bahamas and is registered in Nassau, New Providence.
The complaint alleges Carnival advertised and sold the excursion through its onboard excursion platform and website, with payment processed directly by the cruise operator. Carnival’s posted shore-excursion terms say excursions are generally booked and paid online, while its website also states that shore excursions and related transportation are operated by independent local companies.
Keith S. Brais, attorney at Brais Law Firm, said Smith was “a bright, accomplished young woman” celebrating an academic milestone when she was injured. “We are fully committed to pursuing justice on her behalf,” Brais said.
Carnival Cruise Line said in a statement that its thoughts are with Smith and that it wishes her “strength and healing.” The company added: “Out of respect for ongoing legal proceedings, we are unable to comment further.”
Federal litigation has already drawn dismissal attempts
Smith’s lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida on Dec. 17, 2025, and amended on March 11, 2026. Pitre filed a related lawsuit against Carnival on May 11, 2026.
Carnival sought dismissal on the ground that independent Bahamian companies operated the excursion, not Carnival. Judge William Dimitrouleas denied that request, and a separate jurisdiction challenge by Peter Rebmann, managing partner of Pearl Investment Management Group, was also unsuccessful.
