Inebriated stevedores taken on cruise

The American agent for a cruise ship was on the receiving end of a legal suit from two stevedores.  In the course of loading baggage on the ship, the stevedores had met a friend in the ship's bar and joined him for a drink or three.  The men were unable to leave the ship with the pilot by way of the Jacob's ladder because of their inebriated condition and were taken on a cruise to Mexico.

The agents were amazed to receive a suit from the stevedores which held them liable, with the owners, for false imprisonment, assault, battery and mental distress.

Although the stevedores eventually withdrew their claim against the agents, the Club paid US$ 150,000 in legal costs which, in the United States, are not recoverable.